Best iMac configuration for Adobe Creative programs?

[driftless]

While I don't doubt that your group is moving to PC's, I don't see that as universal. I am, and the others that I know are very happy with our iMacs and MP's. I work on SSD's and use Adobe CC plus I edit video. Without trying to cause offense, I think that there is often a group/herd movement in deciding on hardware and software.

 

[Clidsy]

I'm a graphic designer and work on a PC at work and a mid-2007 iMac at home. My PC is a much higher spec machine, but there is no question which computer I'd rather use - my Mac wins every time. My PC at work constantly crashes with the latest Creative Cloud software. My Mac at home (still hanging in there) never crashes. Ok it struggles a bit with larger files - it's 8 years old, but as a user experience the Mac OS is so much better - Photoshop/InDesign/Illustrator open, Messages, Email, Safari all open as I type and integrated with iOS. I'm still waiting for some benchmarks for the GPUs and wondering whether to go i5 or i7 on a new iMac, but I would never consider a PC over a Mac. Not until they come up with an OS to match Apple.

 

[Roykor]

While I don't doubt that your group is moving to PC's, I don't see that as universal. I am, and the others that I know are very happy with our iMacs and MP's. I work on SSD's and use Adobe CC plus I edit video. Without trying to cause offense, I think that there is often a group/herd movement in deciding on hardware and software.

Don't get me wrong. I am happy with my iMac (2011) But we don't have to fight about Apple they have lost focus on us, the content creators where it all started long long time ago. The iMacs of these days are great looking machines but for mainstream users. I can not blame Apple for that. They want to make money and the content creators are just a small part of the big pie.

If you are seriously with media, an Nvidia card is the way to go. Not because i prefer Nvidia so much. But simply because most of the content creating software works with, supports CUDA that bootst up a lot of stuff. Nvidia cards also work with OpenCL so you have best from both worlds.

I can talk more about this but that is not where i want to go. I just wanted to point out that an PC configuration would be an better choice if you are really into content creation. Simply because the freedom of better parts that powers your work. The relation between content creators and Apple is based on history and for some an "look at me i am an designer" image. Its not that you need an Apple when you make nice stuff.

The iMac / Osx is my best friend. But not my best workhorse.

my 2 cents

 

[Roykor]

I'm a graphic designer and work on a PC at work and a mid-2007 iMac at home. My PC is a much higher spec machine, but there is no question which computer I'd rather use - my Mac wins every time. My PC at work constantly crashes with the latest Creative Cloud software. My Mac at home (still hanging in there) never crashes. Ok it struggles a bit with larger files - it's 8 years old, but as a user experience the Mac OS is so much better - Photoshop/InDesign/Illustrator open, Messages, Email, Safari all open as I type and integrated with iOS. I'm still waiting for some benchmarks for the GPUs and wondering whether to go i5 or i7 on a new iMac, but I would never consider a PC over a Mac. Not until they come up with an OS to match Apple.

Yeah, always those comments. To simple. I know tons of ppl with OSX to with problems too, crashes, freezes blabla. Come on guys, please. Apple is not magic. When you open up its just a PC as well. p.s. Windows 10 is doing a very neat job. Even a lot of Apple users overhere are liking it too. Me included.

 

[driftless]

Roykor, I totally disagree with you. But more importantly, the OP is not interested in a high-end workstation discussion. She is a student, I suggest that an iMac solution with CC works very well.

 

[Roykor]

Roykor, I totally disagree with you. But more importantly, the OP is not interested in a high-end workstation discussion. She is a student, I suggest that an iMac solution with CC works very well.

That is no problem. I am used about an Apple or nothing view on this forum. An iMac is not a cheap machine btw. As an heavy user myself, I just gave the OP an extra point of view. Nothing wrong about that.

OP, if you would like to hear more about my struggle (still in the process) for my new machine (Apple of PC) you can contact me.

 

[Clidsy]

I'm not saying Apple is magic - of course I'd move if there was something better for less money - who wouldn't? As I said, the PC at work is a much higher spec, but I don't go a day without problems. With my Mac I can't remember the last time it crashed using Creative Cloud and for me that's important. I want to turn the thing on and just get on with my work. My 2007 needs replacing, but if you're using CC then the iMac is excellent. Just go for the 27 inch screen. As for GPU and processor - at the moment I'm undecided.

 

[driftless]

That is no problem. I am used about an Apple or nothing view on this forum. An iMac is not a cheap machine btw. As an heavy user myself, I just gave the OP an extra point of view. Nothing wrong about that.

It is not an Apple or nothing view, perhaps I could have said it differently. I do get annoyed with the rMB or iPad Pro threads when someone says that the Surface is the only choice. The gist of my comment is that CC and iMacs are a combo that works very well together.

 

[Roykor]

I'm not saying Apple is magic - of course I'd move if there was something better for less money - who wouldn't? As I said, the PC at work is a much higher spec, but I don't go a day without problems. With my Mac I can't remember the last time it crashed using Creative Cloud and for me that's important. I want to turn the thing on and just get on with my work. My 2007 needs replacing, but if you're using CC then the iMac is excellent. Just go for the 27 inch screen. As for GPU and processor - at the moment I'm undecided.

Well, i am there to. I work with an iMac and it never let me down big time. Only some minor trouble. Its an computer, it can always happen. I work with other illustrators / graphic designers to with heavy spec systems with zero problems. You have to pick your parts and there are well known configurations.

Like i said, its just an point of view that OP can consider. I am a little bit frustrated with Apple lately now I am in the market for a new machine. I don't want to spend 3K again for an iMac to only stay with OSx and pay premium.

There is a big gab between the iMac and the Mac Pro (i don't care about Xeon cpu's and ECC memory) In that gap fits a lot of heavy users that Apple dont care about anymore. I love the OS, but there is more out there than Apple

Just my 2 cents. I will not reply anymore because that hurts the topic.

 

[joema2]

...
There is a big gab between the iMac and the Mac Pro (i don't care about Xeon cpu's and ECC memory) In that gap fits a lot of heavy users that Apple dont care about anymore...

What gap do you mean? The top 2015 5k iMac is faster on many things than a six-core Mac Pro. On H.264 video transcoding it is probably 300% faster. There is actually a negative gap, or significant performance overlap between the top of the iMac line and bottom of the Mac Pro line.

 

[PunkRawkPurl]

Yes, the 21" has soldered memory -- which if you are using graphics programs you would want Apple to upgrade in house to 16GB -- which you can't do later, at a premium price. Your best bet still (because of budget and needs) is the 27" i5 with 2GB dedicated graphics and 2GB Fusion drive. Though perhaps refurbished last years model with similar specs could work as well. The 2TB fusion in that drive has the full 128GB flash. But often the education discount allows you to purchase new iMacs for similar to refurbished http://www.apple.com/shop/product/F...z-quad-core-intel-core-i5-with-retina-display

much thanks to everyone for their input. I finally made a choice & ordered my new Mister Mac on Sunday.
Sirmausalot, your suggestion was what my gut was telling me to go with all along. I DID consider picking up last years model, but the siren call of having the latest toy won my heart.

On order: 27" 5K w/ 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, & 2TB Fusion.
yes, i7 would've been nice but given my budget, I had to make some tough choices. I feel good about my choice & am insanely excited for it to arrive. ...she types from the creaky keys of her 2009 MBP.

Now if I can just make it through more than one page of the RAM thread without my brain melting. CL10 vs CL13... DDR DDRL... R2D2... C3PO... whaaaaaat?!

 

[PunkRawkPurl]

to address the Mac vs PC showdown...
first, I do appreciate other points of view. thank you Roykor for sharing yours.
BUT, I am an apple-girl. 100%. I just cannot get behind (literally) a PC. The OS makes my eyes hurt.

In school, the very few folks who use PC's at home have ENDLESS problems, meltdowns, file loss, etc. and end up having to redo the majority of their work at school on the Macs. Not one of my Mac using coeds have ever had issues of any kind. I've never had loss issues, just a really old arthritic hamster in a creaky (2009 MBP) wheel. But that wheel is still spinning and getting the job done.

 

[cbrand493]

to address the Mac vs PC showdown...
first, I do appreciate other points of view. thank you Roykor for sharing yours.
BUT, I am an apple-girl. 100%. I just cannot get behind (literally) a PC. The OS makes my eyes hurt.

In school, the very few folks who use PC's at home have ENDLESS problems, meltdowns, file loss, etc. and end up having to redo the majority of their work at school on the Macs. Not one of my Mac using coeds have ever had issues of any kind. I've never had loss issues, just a really old arthritic hamster in a creaky (2009 MBP) wheel. But that wheel is still spinning and getting the job done.

That's why the vast majority of large corporations use PCs.................

 

[PunkRawkPurl]

That's why the vast majority of large corporations use PCs.................

I don't understand. Perhaps I am missing the point of your comment. the majority large corporations use PCs........ because they are problematic with Adobe CC?
I was saying that in my group, the PC users had endless problems & the Mac users had none.

 

[cbrand493]

I don't understand. Perhaps I am missing the point of your comment. the majority large corporations use PCs........ because they are problematic with Adobe CC?
I was saying that in my group, the PC users had endless problems & the Mac users had none.

I was meaning more the data loss, corruption etc.

 

[Xahhax]

My wife is a pro photographer. She has a 2014 5K iMac.
It is a BTO order with only swap of hard drive for a 256SSD and 32gb memory.
Data is on an external thunderbolt array.
Processor, graphic card are not as much as an upgrade than the memory. She intensively uses photoshop and 32gb is the one thing that makes a huge difference.
So SSD + RAM are to prioritize over any other upgrade in my opinion.

 

[Roykor]

to address the Mac vs PC showdown...
first, I do appreciate other points of view. thank you Roykor for sharing yours.
BUT, I am an apple-girl. 100%. I just cannot get behind (literally) a PC. The OS makes my eyes hurt.

In school, the very few folks who use PC's at home have ENDLESS problems, meltdowns, file loss, etc. and end up having to redo the majority of their work at school on the Macs. Not one of my Mac using coeds have ever had issues of any kind. I've never had loss issues, just a really old arthritic hamster in a creaky (2009 MBP) wheel. But that wheel is still spinning and getting the job done.

Your welcome. And u will have lots of fun with your iMac. No doubt! About the ram, there are many shops that have an configurator. U simply choose your type of iMac and the shop shows u what ram you can buy. Please, spent some more cash on this. Dont save 20 bucks and max out the ram as far as you can. That will help you A LOT. My 12Gig of memory is filled 99% most of the time and is not making my life more easy. I work in big photoshop drawings 3840x2160 - 1200 dpi. My iMac handles it but with pain.

What gap do you mean? The top 2015 5k iMac is faster on many things than a six-core Mac Pro. On H.264 video transcoding it is probably 300% faster. There is actually a negative gap, or significant performance overlap between the top of the iMac line and bottom of the Mac Pro line.

Yes, the maxed out iMac is a fast machine. But, u have to deal with specs around the cpu it to. If you want a little bit more control, its very limited as you now. I would like to use an strong single nvidia GPU for example. We all know that the iMac can turn hot too. My iMac screams around the 84 degrees when i work in Photoshop and i see the lag when i rotate the canvas or use a more textured brush. Also, the 5K build-in screen is a very nice one for sure. But i prefer an different setup because i use an Wacom Cintiq 27qhd as main screen. I would like to build an triple screen setup that i can place above my wacom screen. As you can see, the iMac is not fitting in this picture anymore and i need to move on to the mac pro.

But the Macpro is not the best configure for Photoshop and Illustrator power users too. I don't care about an high cost Xeon cpu or dual ATI gpu. I want CUDA cores and an fast single GPU. I mentioned in the Mac Pro part of this forum to that I really would like to see an Mac Pro light version. An 5820 i7 6-core, GTX980ti and room for SSD drives all over.

Well, OP made here choice. I am still in the struggle. I hope that Apple suprice us in the next 6 months with a new machine (i dont think so) or i have to leave my dear loved OSx (thats all i care about, not the brand Apple) and find my way through W10 which is an fine OS by the way.

Cheers

 

[cbrand493]

But the Macpro is not the best configure for Photoshop and Illustrator power users too. I don't care about an high cost Xeon cpu or dual ATI gpu. I want CUDA cores and an fast single GPU. I mentioned in the Mac Pro part of this forum to that I really would like to see an Mac Pro light version. An 5820 i7 6-core, GTX980ti and room for SSD drives all over.

That wouldn't be a light Mac Pro. It would cost more than the current Mac Pro if it had an apple logo on it.

 

[Roykor]

That wouldn't be a light Mac Pro. It would cost more than the current Mac Pro if it had an apple logo on it.

Haha, with Apple you never know. Ah.. we know it would. But it is an Mac pro light. Simply because the Mac pro only offers dual gpu (most content creating software doesn't support dual gpu setups), Xeon cpus which are expensive and high priced ECC memory i dont care about. I am not working at NASA calculating star systems. I just want to draw without lag

 

[AlexisV]

You sound more like a graphic artist Roykor? I'm a graphic designer and don't need to work on such massive files. The amount of memory is the main thing when you're switching between the Adobe suite programs, and the hard drive speed when constantly outputting PDFs. Processor speed is really only an issue for me when using specific tools such as content aware in PS.

 

[Roykor]

You sound more like a graphic artist Roykor? I'm a graphic designer and don't need to work on such massive files. The amount of memory is the main thing when you're switching between the Adobe suite programs, and the hard drive speed when constantly outputting PDFs. Processor speed is really only an issue for me when using specific tools such as content aware in PS.

Thats correct. I do illustrations, matte paintings and heavy photoshop manipulations. Sometimes also vector cartoons. Recently I am sniffing my nose in 3D tools too (cpu and gpu hungry tools)

 

[Wahlstrm]

16GB was enough for 20Mpix photos and 1080P video.
Looking forward a few years it might be a bottle neck sooner rather than later,
depending on you pixel count in photos and videos.

Adobe is moving towards GPU acceleration so even if it don't matter right now it might give you a really nice boost down the line

Stay away from internal HDD´s, SSD is the only way.

 

[joema2]

That's why the vast majority of large corporations use PCs.................

IBM -- inventor of the PC that became the architectural template of most desktop machines today -- will be using Macs in a large way because they are less expensive to support than PCs: https://www.macrumors.com/2015/07/31/ibm-200k-macs/

 

[Roykor]

16GB was enough for 20Mpix photos and 1080P video.
Looking forward a few years it might be a bottle neck sooner rather than later,
depending on you pixel count in photos and videos.

Adobe is moving towards GPU acceleration so even if it don't matter right now it might give you a really nice boost down the line

Stay away from internal HDD´s, SSD is the only way.

It depends on your workflow. Its not only Photoshop that is fired-up. Spotify, maybe other programs like Adobe Bridge, Adobe illustrator, Some browsers.. there is a lot happening on a system. I had to buy an memory cleaner that fresh up my 12gb memory every 2 minutes. I wish i bought more ram 2 years ago to push it to 24gb. With 16GB the OP wil do fine i think.

 

[Georgio]

much thanks to everyone for their input. I finally made a choice & ordered my new Mister Mac on Sunday.
Sirmausalot, your suggestion was what my gut was telling me to go with all along. I DID consider picking up last years model, but the siren call of having the latest toy won my heart.

On order: 27" 5K w/ 3.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, & 2TB Fusion.
yes, i7 would've been nice but given my budget, I had to make some tough choices. I feel good about my choice & am insanely excited for it to arrive. ...she types from the creaky keys of her 2009 MBP.

Now if I can just make it through more than one page of the RAM thread without my brain melting. CL10 vs CL13... DDR DDRL... R2D2... C3PO... whaaaaaat?!

Good choice, also factor in a decent graphics tablet, something like an A5/A6 Wacom will help you enormously while involved in graphics/imaging; I'm left-handed and use a magic mouse in my right hand and a Wacom A6 tablet and pen in my left. Takes a little while to get used to but once mastered it makes for a very fast workflow.