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fishingfromakay

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2012
87
24
Hello all, While I am an Apple person Im not a graphics person. A family friend wants to get and Apple pute to use as an introduction to designing and using graphics. Can anyone recommend a good setup that is under $2000 ? Thank you for your time and help.
 

arw

macrumors 65816
Aug 31, 2010
1,198
943
It's not too much to go on... Laptop (size) or Desktop? Which programs? Which type/size of graphics?
But for graphical use I'd say:
GPU:
- higher GPU options are of no real benefit except for some artistic filters that finish faster or the final batch export​
- but lower configurations are limited in the number of displays one can connect​
RAM (unified memory):
- 16 GB should be the absolute minimum for handling multiple/larger files without swap​
Storage:
- I'm a fan of using external storage instead of paying the insane Apple upcharge. I don't see graphical work bottlenecked by using significantly cheaper external SSDs.​
- So unless one travels a lot, I'd say 512 GB is completely fine and still guarantees maximum internal SSD speeds​
CPU:
- Hard to tell, but for most stuff, base config is pretty sufficient. Only for generating lots of previews or batch exporting would a higher config make sense.​

So for desktop use, I'd probably say, anything more than a Mac mini (base) M2 Pro won't feel any different:
- $1300 Mac mini M2 Pro (10c/16c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD
- RAM and SSD can be increased if the budget allows it. 32GB RAM result in $1700 and would be my preferred choice.
(the non-Pro M2 Mac mini (8c/10c/16c) for $1000 would probably also suffice but the M2 Pro is faster, allows for more displays and has 2 additional Thunderbolt 4 ports)

For laptop usage, it depends on the preferred display size/portability. The same M2 Pro SoC as above but in a laptop is:
- $2000 14" MacBook Pro M2 Pro (10c/16c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD (120Hz, 1000 nits, P3, Liquid Retina XDR display)
With a little less power (same as the non-Pro M2 Mac mini) but a larger (yet inferior) screen than the MacBook Pro above:
- $1700 15" MacBook Air M2 (8c/10c/16c) with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD (60Hz, 500 nits, P3, Liquid Retina display). 24GB RAM result in $1900. The 13" MacBook Air is always $100 cheaper than the 15".

To max out the budget on a desktop Mac, the Mac Studio trumps the previous devices but I suspect it's overkill.
- $2000 Mac Studio M2 Max (12c/30c/16c) with 32GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.
Nonetheless, it is the better choice than the $2000 Mac mini with 32GB RAM and the (12c/19c/16c) M2 Pro.

Others may see it differently (especially the lower SSD config) but that should start the ball rolling.
 
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fishingfromakay

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2012
87
24
@arw "It's not too much to go on"- yes I agree sorry but she didn't give me much info, she said it doesn't matter laptop or desktop. "external storage" - I didn't think of that, good idea. Thank you for so much help/info.

Anyone have any suggestions for a monitor ? thinking 32"? I am currently using an LG 32UP83A-W that I like but I don't know if this would be considered a good monitor for graphics ?

Does anyone have any experience using an iMac for graphics ?

Sorry for such newbie questions but I don't use my mini for much graphics/gaming.
 

arw

macrumors 65816
Aug 31, 2010
1,198
943
I should have explained why I didn't mention an iMac.
It hasn't been updated in over 2 years (April 2021) and is still only available with a base M1 SoC.
Other than that, the display is quite great with 24" 4.5K (500 nits, P3 color space) but I'm not sure where the difference to the Liquid Retina display lies that now even the MacBook Air offers.
 
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Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,052
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M2Pro Mini (the 2k budget leaves room for upgrades)
or
Base model M2 Studio (1,999, but will be better for heavier graphics).
 
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fishingfromakay

macrumors member
Original poster
May 22, 2012
87
24
@arw - Ill try to compare the two displays iMac vs Liquid Rental,,,thank you
@Fishrrman - I like the idea of the Studio,,, I am going to pass on that info and see how much room she has for a monitor for it. Thank you.
 
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