02-01-2009, 04:19 PM

I'm in the process of deciding on changing computers and have been looking at the iMac for some time. I currently have an old Dell Dimension 4550, 2.4GHz processor with a 533 Bus, 320WD HDD, 2G of Ram. I have a post processing software called Nikon Capture NX2 that reeks havoc with this current computer in that it's slow as molasses in winter trying to do much with digital photos taking up to a couple of minutes just to save some minor changes to a given photo.

What I'm wondering is this. Would a replacement such as the iMac, be able to run this software better than what I'm currently experiencing? By better I simply mean faster. An example is when I open a photo and enlarge it a bit say from 16% to 50% it may take a few minutes to open properly as I watch it pixilate in the process. I have Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable up to date and NET Framework 3.5 SP1 so, it really shouldn't be running as slow as it does. My feeling are a newer, faster processor with maybe 4G RAM would do the trick. What are your feelings as I do need some advice.

02-01-2009, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by ColColt

What I'm wondering is this. Would a replacement such as the iMac, be able to run this software better than what I'm currently experiencing?

Two thoughts:

1. You would have to make sure that the Nikon software will run on a Mac (or use Boot Camp or Parallels to run the software).

2. A replacement Core 2 Duo "WinTel" computer would also work much better than your current Dell.

Something to think about,

- Nick

02-01-2009, 08:07 PM

From what I've read on nikonians forum it will run as several have Mac Pros and have it on their computer. I think anything would work better than what I have right now. Oddly enough, I have another post processing software (Paint Shop Pro) that runs 100% better than NX2 and it takes up much more space on the HDD...go figure. It must be the way NX2 is set up.

02-02-2009, 08:44 AM

Post us a link to a photo and tell us how long it takes to resize by x% on your Dell. Then I'll tell you how quick it is on my iMac.

02-02-2009, 09:31 AM

I'll do that when I get home today-thanks.

02-02-2009, 07:21 PM

I can't send a link because photobucket or WebShots won't accept a .NEF file-especially a 15.5mb size photo of any file extension. I forgot to mention I shoot in RAW.

02-03-2009, 07:34 PM

No ideas? Well, perhaps my best bet would be to get the new powerhouse from Dell-the XPS Intel Core i7 with (8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz), 640G HDD and 6MB of RAM. Yep, I think that would work.

02-03-2009, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by ColColt

No ideas? Well, perhaps my best bet would be to get the new powerhouse from Dell-the XPS Intel Core i7 with (8MB L2 Cache, 2.66GHz), 640G HDD and 6MB of RAM. Yep, I think that would work.

Go for it...whatever makes you happy!!!

02-04-2009, 06:01 AM

Your current machine should be ok.

Maybe you should try some decent software such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.