Need some Advice about Switching

2. Best choice is to stick with stock RAM, use the computer for a couple weeks to see if you actually need more, then buy as much as you can reasonably afford.

3. I think so, you'll have to wipe it off the Dell to use it though.

5. Aperture is excellent, but I believe is more management than editing. Just like RAM, wait until you get the computer and have a chance to check out iPhoto or some other editing software before you spend money on something you may not need.

 

3. If you bought a boxed retail copy, then yes, the license lets you transfer it from PC to PC (as long as it's removed from the previous PC).

If you have an OEM copy (the type that come bundled with PC's from Dell, HP etc. but can also be bought separately from the right "sources"), then no. But...people have gotten away with transferring it in the past, it usually involves phoning someone from MS and explaining that your current PC crashed, motherboard failed etc. etc. and thus need to reactivate it again. Worked for me

 

1) If you can afford to, yeah, go for it.

2) At least 4Gb extra, but again, if you can afford an extra 8Gb (for a total of 12Gb) then that'll come in handy once you're working on multiple RAW files and so on.

If you can only afford to upgrade either the CPU or RAM right now, but will have a bit more cash later, then I'd do the CPU now as you can add more RAM any time (and you'll be fine with 4Gb for a while - I do photo and video work on a 4Gb 2008 MBP with no problems).

3) That should be fine; depending how many times you've already activated it you may need to ring MS to activate. Also, check this thread as some people have reported issues with a pre-SP1 install.

4) Windows games and apps will need to be reinstalled. There are plenty of guides on transferring your iTunes library - do a quick search for something like "Move itunes library from pc to mac". Photos can be transferred by simply copying them over, and if you want, importing them into iPhoto.

5) Aperture offers some editing capabilities, but it's more about photo management and correction than doing Photoshop-type manipulation. The best thing to do is download the 30-day trial from Apple and try it out - I found the Apple Pro Training book very useful for finding out how to use the app. If you buy One to One with your Mac, of course, you can get Apple to train you! Personally I love Aperture - but you'll find just as many people who think something else is better. One last thing - do NOT buy Aperture preinstalled on your Mac or in a physical Apple store; buy it through the Mac App store on your Mac, it's a hell of a lot cheaper.

 

You can use NTFS3G to make the NTFS partition read/write. It has some problems (such as updating the amount of free space -- you have to unmount and remount the drive), but works well. Obviously the best if you're not going cross-platform with the drive is to format it to HFS+.

http://macntfs-3g.blogspot.com/

You are smart going with the Magic Trackpad. If you're doing any sort of gaming, you know wireless peripherals usually aren't the way to go.

-Aaron-

 

Aperture combines great asset management and excellent non-destructive editing capabilities. It integrates brilliantly on the Mac.

I have a library of ~40,000 images and used to use PhotoShop a lot. Now I find that Aperture meets 99.9% of my editing needs and is far easier to use than PS.

The only times I go to PS is if I want to add text, or need to use layers or creative filters. So it's really only when I'm going seriously creative that I go that way.

You will need lots of RAM as you plan, Aperture is hog and will disappoint you if you run short of memory. 12 GBs should be fine, that's what I ordered.

 

1) I would go with the i7 because it will help with gaming and photo editing. I mean, if you want to play some games "smoothly" I would recommend even a i7 27inch, but thats only if its in your budget. However, to answer your question, the iMac 21.5 inch (i7 upgrade) would be sufficient for photo editing
and some decent gameplay.

2) I would go with the max the 21.5inch can support -I belive 8GB, 12GB or 16GB. I would personally max out the ram because for photo-editing, it really helps.

3) I don't think you can use the Windows 7 with your mac because apparently one copy is only good for one machine.

4) Dump all your stuff to an external hard drive. How do you play your games from your pc? Do you use Steam? If you use Steam, just re-download the games on the Bootcamped PC. If not, then your going to have to reinstall the games on your Mac.

5) Aperature is a good editing program, however, if you can stretch to Photoshop, that would be great. I personally love both programs because Aperature allows me to get some simple edits fast and simple, and make aLOT of the tasks I would do on Photoshop (as far as clearing any "blemishes" from a photo) is much faster done on Aperature. Photoshop is beautiful for editing your photos, and if your a creative kind of person, then its wonderful!

Good Luck!