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I am contemplating moving back to mac after 10 years with PCs (for work). I have a mac book pro and I could use that but I would like a desktop machine as well. It would just make things easier.
The options are iMac, mini or pro. A pro seems a bit like over kill and I'm not sure what the advantages/disadvantages there are between an iMac and a mini (if any). I am concerned about the ability to properly calibrate the screen on an imac as they are glossy and I understand matte screens are easier to calibrate. I would welcome any comments from Apple users who are satisfied with their set ups.
Not interested in Apple knockers and hardened PC users. I've heard it all before and the arguments are stale, boring and ultimately irrelevant.
I have both a 24" iMac and a 15" Macbook Pro, I don't know much about calibrating the screens but the larger screen of the iMac is my favourite for editing and viewing photos. If you're looking for ease of use I would definitely go with the iMac.
Off topic I know but for viewing only, photographs look stunning on an iPad.
Hi
I totally agree with all of the above, I have the 27" and an iPad and am always amazed at how good my photos look on them. The Apple staff are very helpful, make an appointment you can ask to speak to a specialist in either photography or calibration and they'll give you good advice.
You won't regret investing in a iMac.
No problem in practical terms in calibrating an iMac monitor.
You just need to ensure that the calibration software will work with the Lion OS.
Some information here
I shared your concern regarding the screen calibration of iMac's when I opted to switch a few months ago. To my surprise my Spyder 2 worked fine. I haven't had chance yet to try printing - thats where I have found the real proof in the pudding of screen calibration to be (when used as part of a full work flow)
I don't think it should be a problem because the calibrator is closer to the screen and sees less reflections. It's probably not as accurate as it would be on a non-reflective screen as it's unable to judge the ambient light and reflections from the user's perspective.
I would say go for the Pro rather than iMac or Mini. The stuff has room to breathe in the case. It's easier to maintain, fix and upgrade yourself and you can use a non-reflective monitor if you prefer.
Hi graywolf
I changed to a iMac a few months ago.
I wouldn't change back.
Getting unbiased advice near impossible. PC sellers either know less than me (not a lot) or are trying to sell you what they get best commission on.
The nurds in the apple shops are second to none and are not pushey in any way. If you can get to a store try out the screens both sizes are stunning
Compare screens of apple clarity and they don't look that expensive
I came into an inheritance last year and treated myself to a 27" quad-core iMac. I vacillated quite a bit about the decision while waiting for the money to come through, and was tempted to get a Mac Mini to run in concert with my existing PC, which ran Windows for the family and Linux Mint for me. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the PC unexpectedly turned turtle and died on me, so I bit the bullet and got the iMac. This was my mother's parting gift to me, so I thought, "What the hell." I have not regretted my decision for a moment. The machine has been a complete delight and the screen is first class. I have not felt the need to calibrate it in any way whatsoever. My pictures look exactly as they should. It was a faulty mouse that actually finished the PC, but that was one of a number of problems. I did manage to crank it back into life, and it keeps my son happy, but its best days are behind it and it really needs a complete rebuild, which I am not inclined to do as I have the Mac and he is off to UNi shortly.
Quote: I have not felt the need to calibrate it in any way whatsoever. My pictures look exactly as they should
Just had a look at them and I can't disagree.
If you already have a macbook pro an option is to plug in an external monitor and get a separate keyboard and mouse/trackpad to make your working position more comfortable. That way you can edit your photos on the larger screen and use the macbook's own screen alongside as a second screen for tool palates, etc. That setup works well for me.
i have a i mac. hate the screen so don't use much. to little memory.
i have a mac. mini use a little more with 24 inch screen.
i have a mac pro loaded with two screens, 32 ram ,8 cores, 4 hard drives 2tic,s,1 1/2 gb graphics card x2.
i love my mac pro. and can do anything i want on it.
frank.
Build your own Graywolf, you can spec your dream hardware and they work really well, some ideas here
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