Mac Pro - spec suggestions?

[Gna]

Originally Posted by Athena

I need a computer that will run ACR and Photoshop efficiently and quickly. Multiple large files, many layers. When I am working, I spend hours in front of those applications and I would like to spend the time efficiently, rather than sitting waiting for the processes to run (which is how life was with the PC).

The factors that could change my needs are an increase in work, camera upgrade (not likely for awhile), software changes. File storage and backup is of course an ongoing, expanding need.

I don't hear video editing and rendering there. Which I interpret to mean you need a system that's capable of high-speed bursts of processing. Not so much a sustained load of processing over longer periods. High-speed bursts of processing jives totally with 'Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.46GHz' combined with hyper-threading into 8 virtual cores! That system was conceived for short duration very high peak load processing. Adding that up with the analysis in that article and the shocking price difference (do the math!) and I think you'd be more than well served by a quadcore 27" iMac with 8GB RAM, and a Drobo set, and will still have oodles of horsepower to spare. That iMac will serve you well for 4/5 years minimum. Like all iMacs over the past decade did their owners.

[Athena]

I understand what you are saying processor wise, and it makes money sense. But I can't get an antiglare screen on an iMac (why is that?) and I would have less internal storage options. Storage space and antiglare screen are up high on my list of want.

I appreciate your help and your suggestions. You clearly have Apple knowledge far superior to what I will ever have. What I need really is advice on configuring a Mac Pro, since that is the product I want.

[Gna]

Originally Posted by Athena

a Mac Pro, since that is the product I want.

Then you're beyond argumentation, obviously.
Good luck with your choice.

But: if you don't know what you need, configuration-wise, I doubt very much you need it...

[Athena]

sigh - what I am beyond is continuing this discussion. If all you can offer me advice on is an iMac, which I have said repeatedly I do not want, then we are done here.

Thank you to everyone who offered me suggestions and help with a Mac Pro configuration.

[brian.austin]

Athena, I can't offer much help on the Mac configurations but I can offer some advice for the selection criteria.

1. Set the budget. Even if you're not quite sure or have a little leeway, pick a reasonable number for yourself. You can adjust later if needed.

2. Set your priorities. ANYTHING you get is going to be faster than what you have in 99.9% of the choices. So speed, while important, shouldn't necessarily be measured as "faster than my old computer". Some suggestions, based on your threads, would be (1) storage, (2) screen type, (3) processing power, and (4) upgradability.

3. Once those priorities are set, apply the money. Pick a decent base system that will fit MOST of your priorities and upgrade as needed to fulfill the rest.

4. If any money is left over and you would like something else upgraded, bump it up as desired. But you've already taken care of NEEDS at this point so it's just a bonus.

As Paul mentioned in another post (here and elsewhere), you can chase this all day. Once you've made a decision, just buy it. Second guessing causes "analysis paralysis", as I'm sure you're aware. With your Mac Pro choice, just about anything on it can easily be upgraded at a later date.

Good luck!

[Athena]

Thanks Brian - that is good advice. I'm about 95% sure what I am going to order now. Just need to work up the nerve to do it!

[roncgizmo]

Originally Posted by Athena

sigh - what I am beyond is continuing this discussion. If all you can offer me advice on is an iMac, which I have said repeatedly I do not want, then we are done here.

Thank you to everyone who offered me suggestions and help with a Mac Pro configuration.

Athena, Get what you like as far as the Mac pro gos..
Just to give you a idea, My iBook is about 4 years old, I can run LR2,
CS3 and the internet all at the same time.. I can't seem to slow this thing down...lol If I use the PC I can only run LR or CS2 and it will slow
down or lock up on me.

Like I said before the only thing I'd change is the hard drive. I'd more then likely add the 1.5TB as the main with the Mac OS and run the base HD with Windows so I can use OneNote again.

[TonyK]

I have a dual core PowerMac G5 2.3 Ghz that is still a pretty good system. My primary is a quad core Mac Pro 3,1 (at least it reports itself to be this with a total of 8 cores. It is a hand-me down from my wife who need, for visual reasons, a better graphics card.

As Brian said, set your budget and then hone in on your needs. Because of your preferences there are only 2 considerations: Mac Mini and a Mac Pro. The mini has a lot of compromises, especially for upgrading later. It also has an upper limit on RAM.

The Mac Pro is highly upgradeable. It is also a bit more costly. From my perspective, it is the system you want. You can purchase a bare system configuration from Apple and then buy drives and memory from Other World Computing at much better prices than at Apple; especially RAM prices.

My wife has the 2.93 system and we did this based on power curves. As time goes on, programs get larger. If the price is small now, get what you can. Otherwise you may find yourself upgrading sooner because the system is perceived to be slow.

The Mac Pro can be used with any USB keyboard and mouse. You are not forced to use the keyboard and mouse supplied by Apple. While my keyboard is from the G5 PowerMac, the mouse is Microsoft and does what I need.

I think Athena, what you have decided on and what you want, are inline with your current and expected needs.

Good luck and many happy years of computer use, be it Windows or OS X.

[Athena]

Thanks Tony.

In the end I decided on a quad core machine, 2.93GHz with 8gb RAM. I went with the magic mouse (who wouldn't want a mouse that's magic? lol) and a wireless US keyboard. I do not want a French keyboard! I did as Brian suggested and set a price limit - both of the systems I was considering fell under that limit. So I read all the stuff you guys linked to and decided I didn't need the 8 core system and that I should upgrade the RAM myself. Saved a lot of money that way. I'll order better RAM and more drives from the shop that you suggested closer to Christmas. I am sure I can find a use for the saved money.

Thanks again for your help with my decision.

[TonyK]

Morning Athena here from Knoxville,

Congratulations on your decision. That is the system my wife has save for the memory. She is a writer and opted to not get more memory. Also the memory 7 months ago was much more expensive for that system. Now it is more affordable.

The Magic Mouse is a touchy beast. Hopefully it will work for you. Tried it out recently when looking at the new iMacs (just for fun mind you, not buying) and I much prefer having 2 buttons and a scroll wheel.

Take care,

[Athena]

I tried the mouse last weekend - it's a strange thing! But maybe it'll be fun. Who knows.

[TonyK]

BTW, like the Halloween photo. Its a hoot.

[Athena]

Thanks. And Happy Halloween.