Challenges of moving to Mac
You bring up a good point, I currently use an HP laptop and desktop for my image retouching. But both PC's are using a matte screen which I have no problem calibrating to my labs. But obviously since I am here on this forum I am thinking of making the switch to a Mac.
I have been looking at the new 2009 model 24" Imac as well as the new quad core Mac Pro. But I am still undecided as to which route to take just for this reason. If I go with the Mac Pro I can buy any screen I wish or even reuse my HP 20" monitor. But I would like to move up to at least a 24" screen. I will make a few calls to some friends of mine (pro retouchers) who use Mac's and see what they have to say and report back with what I find out.
I am also using a 20" HP monitor, an LP2065. Most of my experience is with PCs, but I have been using Macs on and off since the late 80's. Currently, I've got a 2006 Macbook, but until recently I've used my desktop Dell for photo editing. Going forward, I'd like to move all of my computing to a Mac and retire my Dell.
Some configurations that I've been considering:
Upgrade my Macbook
For a little over $200, I can boost the memory to 3GB and install a 500GB SATA drive. Both are available (or will soon be) from OWC (macsales.com)
Advantages: least expensive; can use any monitor
Disadvantages: no Firewire 800 to attach fast external drives; memory limited to 3GB
Buy a refurbished late 2006 iMac
About $1000, with 1GB memory, 2.16MHz processor, and 250GB hard drive
Advantages: Less expensive than a newer refurb; matte screen; has Firewire 800
Disadvantages: Limited to 3GB; hard drive limited and hard to upgrade
Buy a refurbished 2009 iMac from Apple
About $1300, with 4GB memory, 2.66MHz processor, and 640GB hard drive
Advantages: memory expandable to 8GB; bigger installed hard drive; faster processor; one year Apple warranty
Disadvantages: glossy screen; reports that it's hard to get prints to match what you see on the screen
Buy a new Mini and upgrade the memory to 4GB and hard drive to 500GB
About $900 with the upgrades (including installation by OWC), starting with the base model Mini at $599
Advantages: small
Disadvantages: nearly as expensive as the 2006 iMac, but without the monitor; slower processor than newer refurbished iMac
An issue that I am running into with all of these options is how to make use of my current SATA hard drive and my 3 external eSATA backup hard drives. Short of a Mac Pro (which I cannot afford), there are not any reasonably priced options for attaching them except by USB2.
I have changed my mind every other day about which of the above options to choose, but today I am leaning towards upgrading my Macbook, because of the low cost. I also know from using it that its 2.0MHz processor is enough to run Lightroom well. After that, I find the newer refurbished iMac from Apple the most appealing, with some concern about the screen.
Jeff