Help buying iMac (graphic design)

[Pat7755]

Hi,

I need help buying a computer for my wife who is an artist and aspiring graphic designer / computer illustrator. She is just starting out and will be teaching herself with the help of online tutorials, videos, etc. Id like to go with the imac for the bigger screen compared to macbooks. We have an older macbook now and love it so we want to stay with apple. Is the most basic imac suitable for a beginner? Or should I spend more for a better processor and more ram? I want something that will last a few years and as my wife gets better it will hold up. We will be getting the adobe creative cloud programs. I also saw while researching on these forums that the imacs are getting an update soon. Should I wait for the update, and does anyone know when it is expected? Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[rkaufmann87]

Hi,

I need help buying a computer for my wife who is an artist and aspiring graphic designer / computer illustrator. She is just starting out and will be teaching herself with the help of online tutorials, videos, etc. Id like to go with the imac for the bigger screen compared to macbooks. We have an older macbook now and love it so we want to stay with apple. Is the most basic imac suitable for a beginner? Or should I spend more for a better processor and more ram? I want something that will last a few years and as my wife gets better it will hold up. We will be getting the adobe creative cloud programs. I also saw while researching on these forums that the imacs are getting an update soon. Should I wait for the update, and does anyone know when it is expected? Thanks in advance for the help.

I would recommend looking at Apple refurbished models. While Retina models would have the best views, any 27" model would work while learning. If you are in the USA, here are some possibilities:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/FE088LL/A/refurbished-27-inch-imac-32ghz-quad-core-Intel-Core-i5

or


http://www.apple.com/shop/product/G0MS5LL/A/refurbished-27-inch-imac-34ghz-quad-core-Intel-Core-i7

There is no downside to Apple refurbished. They are identical to new machines, come with the same warranty as a new machine and are eligible for AppleCare and finally can save hundreds of dollars. In fact, I am writing this from one I bought 3 trouble free years ago.

 

[mlody]

whatever you decide to pick, make sure it has at least Fusion drive, or preferably SSD/Flash based storage. Buying any iMac with a traditional hard drive is like buying a Ferrari with a Yugo engine.

 

[markel253]

Hi,

I need help buying a computer for my wife who is an artist and aspiring graphic designer / computer illustrator. She is just starting out and will be teaching herself with the help of online tutorials, videos, etc. Id like to go with the imac for the bigger screen compared to macbooks. We have an older macbook now and love it so we want to stay with apple. Is the most basic imac suitable for a beginner? Or should I spend more for a better processor and more ram? I want something that will last a few years and as my wife gets better it will hold up. We will be getting the adobe creative cloud programs. I also saw while researching on these forums that the imacs are getting an update soon. Should I wait for the update, and does anyone know when it is expected? Thanks in advance for the help.

I am a (retired) graphic designer, and I do agree that refurbished is just as good as new. I have had many refurbished computers and accessories.

What I would recommend is add as much RAM as possible. If there is a choice between storage (disk) space or memory - always choose memory. Adding additional EXTERNAL drives is easy and inexpensive.

Mark

 

[randalf72]

I am a (retired) graphic designer, and I do agree that refurbished is just as good as new. I have had many refurbished computers and accessories.

What I would recommend is add as much RAM as possible. If there is a choice between storage (disk) space or memory - always choose memory. Adding additional drives is easy and inexpensive.

Mark

Just remember that replacing an internal drive is a tricky (but not impossible) proposition and that upgrading RAM on the 27" iMac is easy.

For that reason I'd be more inclined to go for a refurbished iMac with a larger SSD/Fusion drive than one with maxed out RAM all other things being equal. At least for the 27".

 

[randalf72]

Just remember that replacing an internal drive is a tricky (but not impossible) proposition and that upgrading RAM on the 27" iMac is easy.

For that reason I'd be more inclined to go for a refurbished iMac with a larger SSD/Fusion drive than one with maxed out RAM all other things being equal. At least for the 27".

Oh and to the other part of your question (I'm waiting for the refresh myself) there are many different opinions. Some of which may even be right.

My own expectation is evolution rather than revolution.

Upgraded graphics cards, faster processors, TB3, the return of target display, USB C, no HDD options and perhaps force touch touchpad/mouse.

 

[markel253]

Just remember that replacing an internal drive is a tricky (but not impossible) proposition ...

But adding external drives is not.

 

[MacGizmo]

My advice for hardware/software.