2012 iMac 27 with 256GB SSD + 2 Seagate 3TB External Hard-drive

[Mac2133]

Costco had a deal this morning on external 3TB Seagate HDD with USB 3.0, Firewire *and* Thunderbolt ("with adapter"). It was marked down to $99.99 (from $140 regular price). So, I picked up 3 of these puppies for a total of 9TB. See pic below..

Here is my situation: I'm in the process of moving from PC to Mac. Have already purchased 2 MBPs for the wife and daughter - but, for myself, waiting for the 2012 iMac to release. I do a lot of photography - often get paid. I use a Nikon D800 and hence, churn out, store and process tons of RAW files (each 40mb-60mb), covert many to JPGs of approx. 15mb-20mb.

So, short story, need plenty of storage - only to be accessed from time to time (1-2 times a month).


Thinking of getting a 2012 27-inch iMac with a 256GB SSD. Will get the 3.4GHz + GT680MX. Will upgrade RAM (after-market) to 16GB at least. Plan to store all my personal word / excel / pdf (all aggregating to about 30GB) on the SSD itself along with the OS, programs and apps. And all my pictures (and some video) on the Seagate external HDDs connected via Thunderbolt. Will use a second HDD for backups. And a spare 3rd external HDD 3TB HDD.

Advice needed: Is this all a good idea? Feasible? Should I consider a 1TB Fusion instead of a 256GB SSD? Am new to Mac and hence want to be reasonably certain it will all work out... Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

[iMcLovin]

I dont think u can buy the 2012 iMac with 256 ssd. It's either 768ssd or fusion.

[Mac2133]

Originally Posted by iMcLovin

I dont think u can buy the 2012 iMac with 256 ssd. It's either 768ssd or fusion.

Yes - I didn't realize that. Thanks for pointing that out...iMcLovin.

So, you think the same set-up with (a) the 1GB Fusion for 'regular' work and documents and the (2) the 2-3 external 3TB HDDs for pictures will work?

[iMcLovin]

Originally Posted by Mac2133

Yes - I didn't realize that. Thanks for pointing that out...iMcLovin.

So, you think the same set-up with (a) the 1GB Fusion for 'regular' work and documents and the (2) the 2-3 external 3TB HDDs for pictures will work?

By far! It will work way beyond the needs you are describing

[gnasher729]

Originally Posted by iMcLovin

I dont think u can buy the 2012 iMac with 256 ssd. It's either 768ssd or fusion.

But if you had a choice, I would still recommend the Fusion drive. And personally I think that there are very few people for whom 768GB SSD is a good choice (when you can get a 1TB or 3TB Fusion for much much less).

[Hasn'tbeensober]

If I am not mistaken it said "Up to 756gb".
Please correct me if I am wrong.

[Mac2133]

Thank you, All.

Hasn'tbeensober, based on the spec description (on Apple's website) of the iMac and MBP, it is clear that they intend to offer only the 768GB option on the iMac and no other size of SSD.

[hfg]

I was going to get the 750GB SSD, but the more I think about it, I may opt for the 1TB fusion setup and put my user folder on an external ThunderBolt SSD. The 128GB internal SSD should be adequate for OS X and Apps with the Fusion joined HD for sedentary files and a Windows partition. That way, all my personal files are on a external portable SSD which can be quickly moved to another computer (notebook Air) if necessary, and can also be easily removed for privacy if the iMac should have to go in for service. This will easily hold my rather large Aperture photo library.

I could even RAID-0 a pair of external SSDs in a tiny LaCie Little Big Disk enclosure or use a single-drive bus powered enclosure mounted to the iMac stand out-of-sight. I anticipate the 750GB SSD upgrade will be $1000 or more, and you can buy a lot of external options for that kind of money (1TB SSD RAID-0 ... and I already have a pair of M4 512GB drives to use).


-howard

[Dduval]

Originally Posted by hfg

I was going to get the 750GB SSD, but the more I think about it, I may opt for the 1TB fusion setup and put my user folder on an external ThunderBolt SSD. The 128GB internal SSD should be adequate for OS X and Apps with the Fusion joined HD for sedentary files and a Windows partition. That way, all my personal files are on a external portable SSD which can be quickly moved to another computer (notebook Air) if necessary, and can also be easily removed for privacy if the iMac should have to go in for service. This will easily hold my rather large Aperture photo library.

I could even RAID-0 a pair of external SSDs in a tiny LaCie Little Big Disk enclosure or use a single-drive bus powered enclosure mounted to the iMac stand out-of-sight. I anticipate the 750GB SSD upgrade will be $1000 or more, and you can buy a lot of external options for that kind of money (1TB SSD RAID-0 ... and I already have a pair of M4 512GB drives to use).


-howard

Very well thought out, I just may steal this idea for myself.

[iPhil]

Originally Posted by Hasn'tbeensober

If I am not mistaken it said "Up to 756gb".
Please correct me if I am wrong.

From apple spec list of iMac 27" list :

Configurable to 3TB hard drive, 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, or 768GB of flash storage.

iMac spec list

[Hasn'tbeensober]

Thanks guys

[Mac2133]

Originally Posted by iPhil

From apple spec list of iMac 27" list :

Configurable to 3TB hard drive, 1TB or 3TB Fusion Drive, or 768GB of flash storage.

iMac spec list

See this:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...46&postcount=1

It says "upto 768GB Flash" So, now I'm not so sure...

[CrAkD]

i can almost guarantee a 256gb ssd will be an option. it would be foolish to only offer a 768 ssd. the new mac mini offers 256gb ssd.

[ViperDesign]

Originally Posted by Mac2133

Costco had a deal this morning on external 3TB Seagate HDD with USB 3.0, Firewire *and* Thunderbolt ("with adapter"). It was marked down to $99.99 (from $140 regular price). So, I picked up 3 of these puppies for a total of 9TB. See pic below..

Here is my situation: I'm in the process of moving from PC to Mac. Have already purchased 2 MBPs for the wife and daughter - but, for myself, waiting for the 2012 iMac to release. I do a lot of photography - often get paid. I use a Nikon D800 and hence, churn out, store and process tons of RAW files (each 40mb-60mb), covert many to JPGs of approx. 15mb-20mb.

So, short story, need plenty of storage - only to be accessed from time to time (1-2 times a month).


Thinking of getting a 2012 27-inch iMac with a 256GB SSD. Will get the 3.4GHz + GT680MX. Will upgrade RAM (after-market) to 16GB at least. Plan to store all my personal word / excel / pdf (all aggregating to about 30GB) on the SSD itself along with the OS, programs and apps. And all my pictures (and some video) on the Seagate external HDDs connected via Thunderbolt. Will use a second HDD for backups. And a spare 3rd external HDD 3TB HDD.

Advice needed: Is this all a good idea? Feasible? Should I consider a 1TB Fusion instead of a 256GB SSD? Am new to Mac and hence want to be reasonably certain it will all work out... Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

You didn't happen to buy those in Utah at the 11000 south Costco? If so I was the next person after you checking out

[Mac2133]

Originally Posted by ViperDesign

You didn't happen to buy those in Utah at the 11000 south Costco? If so I was the next person after you checking out

Nope, I'm in Arizona. Did you buy the same product - the 3TB Seagate External Drive?

[ViperDesign]

No but when I was checking out I kid you not a guy was buying the same exact thing here in Utah. Anyways how do you like them? Are they fast on thunderbolt

[Mac2133]

Originally Posted by ViperDesign

No but when I was checking out I kid you not a guy was buying the same exact thing here in Utah. Anyways how do you like them? Are they fast on thunderbolt

Not yet unboxed. Waiting for the new iMac (in Dec??)... I've still got a PC

[Scrapula]

That came with the Thunderbolt adapter? I can understand the drive only costing $90, but the adapter sells for about $100 alone!

[Mac2133]

Originally Posted by Scrapula

That came with the Thunderbolt adapter? I can understand the drive only costing $90, but the adapter sells for about $100 alone!

Not it did not come with the adapter. "Sold separately"

[Squeak825]

Originally Posted by CrAkD

i can almost guarantee a 256gb ssd will be an option. it would be foolish to only offer a 768 ssd. the new mac mini offers 256gb ssd.

Nope, not according to Apple's site -- 768GB is the only Flash storage option (other than Fusion drives).

[CrAkD]

Originally Posted by Squeak825

Nope, not according to Apple's site -- 768GB is the only Flash storage option (other than Fusion drives).

Well I consider the "to 3tb" to also mean "to 768 SSD" meaning they will offer 256 512 and 768

[imacanon]

Originally Posted by CrAkD

Well I consider the "to 3tb" to also mean "to 768 SSD" meaning they will offer 256 512 and 768

i really really hope you're right but I'd say the chances are slim. If they're going to offer those options why not announce it at the keynote...

[CrAkD]

Originally Posted by imacanon

i really really hope you're right but I'd say the chances are slim. If they're going to offer those options why not announce it at the keynote...

I don't remember did they specifically say a 768gb ssd? or did they just say configurable with ssd?

[Squeak825]

Originally Posted by CrAkD

Well I consider the "to 3tb" to also mean "to 768 SSD" meaning they will offer 256 512 and 768

No, the English is very specific there.

It comes standard with a 1TB hard drive.

It is also configurable to one of the following 4 other options, which are all enumerated:
- 3TB Hard Drive
- 1TB Fusion Drive (which is really a 1TB HDD coupled with 128GB of Flash storage)
- 3TB Fusion Drive (which is really a 3TB HDD coupled with 128GB of Flash storage)
- 768GB of Flash Storage

Apple is very specific about listing all the possible options on their Tech Specs pages.

[CrAkD]

So your saying its gonna go from 1tb to 3tb I hope not based on the price of the 3tb time capsule