iMac Purchased/ Should I Cancel it

[karino1]

Processors have rarely been the performance bottleneck on any machine (PC or Mac). So, waiting on a slight higher processor clock rate is rarely worth the delay. It's usually the hard drive and motherboard slowing everything down. Especially on iMacs where you basically have a desktop monitor, desktop hard drive, and pretty much everything else in the machine is a laptop component.

Me, I usually wait. But then, I'm one of those douche bags that just likes the bragging rights of having the latest thing (no matter how short-lived).

I've been waiting so long for an upgrade and can't wait to brag for a minute.. I'm not so concern with the upgrade in the iMac being the speed but I'm hoping the rumor about the improvement in screen is true. I was told the screen after prolong use can be bothersome..(glare) I will wait it out and see..if all else fails and I don't feel the upgrade is worth it, I will just buy the current refur model and save a few $.

 

[matbook101]

I've been waiting so long for an upgrade and can't wait to brag for a minute.. I'm not so concern with the upgrade in the iMac being the speed but I'm hoping the rumor about the improvement in screen is true. I was told the screen after prolong use can be bothersome..(glare) I will wait it out and see..if all else fails and I don't feel the upgrade is worth it, I will just buy the current refur model and save a few $.

There aren't going to be any improvements to the screen.

 

[macstatic]

I'm in a similar situation to the OP as I also have a Powerbook G4 and am into photography, but find the Powerbook to being very slow and lacking as I have to pass by a lot of Intel-only software. The Mac Pro is too expensive, so an iMac is a nice compromise.

But.... if you're seriously into color critical work such as professional design, photography etc. you really need an external display suited for that. However, the iMac screen isn't a complete waste as you could for instance in Photoshop use the iMac for all the menus/tools and the external display for the just the photo you're working on. For web, email etc. the iMac screen is of course more than good enough. Certainly better than the Powerbook screen!
the 21.5" should do for me.
Mid 2011 iMac for Pro Photographers and Videographers is a useful read for deciding which processor etc. you should go for. I'd go for the most powerful processor option I can afford, then as others have suggested max out the memory (but buying from somewhere else, not Apple).

Since I already have a working computer and don't use it for professional work yet I'll wait and see if a new iMac appears in the next few months. I'd kick myself behind if the next one appears in a few weeks with USB 3, a BluRay DVD burner and a built-in SSD drive as standard for the same price or so
Still using a computer from 2005 you can see that I'm not the kind to upgrade every time a new Mac comes along, but rather long-time investments So top-specs is the way to go if you want them to last for a while.

As for the Powerbook G4 -since they don't go for much these days anyway I'll most likely keep mine as it's nice to have a portable machine for tethered shooting in the field, checking mail on the go, showing clients my portfolio etc.

 

[harcosparky]

Not challenging at all. In fact I was going to say cancel for the same reason. Apple has instructions on their site for how to upgrade the RAM and it has no effect on the warranty. The process takes about 5 minutes (took me longer to find a screwdriver)

1. Turn off computer and discharge static (basically just touch the aluminium after it's unplugged)
2. Lay the iMac down, screen first, on a soft surface. I used my bed that has a nice soft comforter on it.
3. Tilt the stand up to reveal a cover with three screws.
4. Remove the three screws (they don't come out, they stay attached to the plate)
5. You should now see the RAM bays. If you are only adding 2 extra sticks don't worry about the top two bays, they are filled with your default RAM.
6. Push the new RAM sticks into the bottom two bays firmly. It takes more pressure then you think at first to be sure they are seated properly.
7. Put cover back on, pick up computer, plug it in and turn it on. Under your "About This Mac" section it should now say that you have more RAM (depending how much you insert)

Apple's site has some pictures to go with the instructions and places like OWC sell the RAM and have step by step video guides for adding it.

Heck I did not even lay mine down.

Disconnect power.
Tilted the screen back.
Undid the RAM cover.
Removed old RAM
Installed new RAM
Installed cover
FIRED IT UP!


All is well, running like a champ.

 

[AcesHigh87]

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Not challenging at all. In fact I was going to say cancel for the same reason. Apple has instructions on their site for how to upgrade the RAM and it has no effect on the warranty. The process takes about 5 minutes (took me longer to find a screwdriver)

1. Turn off computer and discharge static (basically just touch the aluminium after it's unplugged)
2. Lay the iMac down, screen first, on a soft surface. I used my bed that has a nice soft comforter on it.
3. Tilt the stand up to reveal a cover with three screws.
4. Remove the three screws (they don't come out, they stay attached to the plate)
5. You should now see the RAM bays. If you are only adding 2 extra sticks don't worry about the top two bays, they are filled with your default RAM.
6. Push the new RAM sticks into the bottom two bays firmly. It takes more pressure then you think at first to be sure they are seated properly.
7. Put cover back on, pick up computer, plug it in and turn it on. Under your "About This Mac" section it should now say that you have more RAM (depending how much you insert)

Apple's site has some pictures to go with the instructions and places like OWC sell the RAM and have step by step video guides for adding it.

Heck I did not even lay mine down.

Disconnect power.
Tilted the screen back.
Undid the RAM cover.
Removed old RAM
Installed new RAM
Installed cover
FIRED IT UP!


All is well, running like a champ.

That would work too, obviously, since you did it lol. Laying it down just gets you better access to the bays.

 

[karino1]

I'm in a similar situation to the OP as I also have a Powerbook G4 and am into photography, but find the Powerbook to being very slow and lacking as I have to pass by a lot of Intel-only software. The Mac Pro is too expensive, so an iMac is a nice compromise.

But.... if you're seriously into color critical work such as professional design, photography etc. you really need an external display suited for that. However, the iMac screen isn't a complete waste as you could for instance in Photoshop use the iMac for all the menus/tools and the external display for the just the photo you're working on. For web, email etc. the iMac screen is of course more than good enough. Certainly better than the Powerbook screen!
the 21.5" should do for me.
Mid 2011 iMac for Pro Photographers and Videographers is a useful read for deciding which processor etc. you should go for. I'd go for the most powerful processor option I can afford, then as others have suggested max out the memory (but buying from somewhere else, not Apple).

Since I already have a working computer and don't use it for professional work yet I'll wait and see if a new iMac appears in the next few months. I'd kick myself behind if the next one appears in a few weeks with USB 3, a BluRay DVD burner and a built-in SSD drive as standard for the same price or so
Still using a computer from 2005 you can see that I'm not the kind to upgrade every time a new Mac comes along, but rather long-time investments So top-specs is the way to go if you want them to last for a while.

As for the Powerbook G4 -since they don't go for much these days anyway I'll most likely keep mine as it's nice to have a portable machine for tethered shooting in the field, checking mail on the go, showing clients my portfolio etc.

Wow we are in the same boat. Thanks for that info. I don't even have the intel processor with my Powebook and I have updated to the leopard but that's it..can't go any further.Its a little slow but otherwise its fine. I can't download videos.
I do have the first iPad and I'm so mad with Apple for telling me I can purchase the camera kit to down load videos while I wait it out for the iMac. Not only did I get the kit but also purchase the Canon M41 Camcorder which I'm disappointed with bc it so big. iMove isn't available for the iPad1. Total waste of time and money. Sorry, for vending here. I'm on the phone with them right now.

 

[rocknblogger]

There aren't going to be any improvements to the screen.

And you know this how?