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Digital Lifestyle
Images, Graphic Design, and Digital Photography
2006 iMac 24" for photo editing?
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<blockquote data-quote="Jeff Charles" data-source="post: 843009" data-attributes="member: 99070"><p><strong>Challenges of moving to Mac</strong></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>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. </p><p></p><p>Some configurations that I've been considering:</p><p></p><p><strong>Upgrade my Macbook</strong></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">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)</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Advantages: least expensive; can use any monitor</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">Disadvantages: no Firewire 800 to attach fast external drives; memory limited to 3GB</p><p></p><p><strong>Buy a refurbished late 2006 iMac</strong></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">About $1000, with 1GB memory, 2.16MHz processor, and 250GB hard drive</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Advantages: Less expensive than a newer refurb; matte screen; has Firewire 800</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">Disadvantages: Limited to 3GB; hard drive limited and hard to upgrade</p><p></p><p><strong>Buy a refurbished 2009 iMac from Apple</strong></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">About $1300, with 4GB memory, 2.66MHz processor, and 640GB hard drive</p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Advantages: memory expandable to 8GB; bigger installed hard drive; faster processor; one year Apple warranty</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">Disadvantages: glossy screen; reports that it's hard to get prints to match what you see on the screen </p><p></p><p><strong>Buy a new Mini and upgrade the memory to 4GB and hard drive to 500GB</strong></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">About $900 with the upgrades (including installation by OWC), starting with the base model Mini at $599 </p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 20px">Advantages: small</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px">Disadvantages: nearly as expensive as the 2006 iMac, but without the monitor; slower processor than newer refurbished iMac </p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><p>Jeff</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jeff Charles, post: 843009, member: 99070"] [b]Challenges of moving to Mac[/b] 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: [B]Upgrade my Macbook[/B] [INDENT]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)[/INDENT] [INDENT]Advantages: least expensive; can use any monitor Disadvantages: no Firewire 800 to attach fast external drives; memory limited to 3GB[/INDENT] [B]Buy a refurbished late 2006 iMac[/B] [INDENT]About $1000, with 1GB memory, 2.16MHz processor, and 250GB hard drive[/INDENT] [INDENT]Advantages: Less expensive than a newer refurb; matte screen; has Firewire 800 Disadvantages: Limited to 3GB; hard drive limited and hard to upgrade[/INDENT] [B]Buy a refurbished 2009 iMac from Apple[/B] [INDENT]About $1300, with 4GB memory, 2.66MHz processor, and 640GB hard drive[/INDENT] [INDENT]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 [/INDENT] [B]Buy a new Mini and upgrade the memory to 4GB and hard drive to 500GB[/B] [INDENT]About $900 with the upgrades (including installation by OWC), starting with the base model Mini at $599 [/INDENT] [INDENT]Advantages: small Disadvantages: nearly as expensive as the 2006 iMac, but without the monitor; slower processor than newer refurbished iMac [/INDENT] 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 [/QUOTE]
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2006 iMac 24" for photo editing?
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