Apple computor for Photography: I am seriously thinking about upgrading my computer to an Apple. I know nothing about them, only most photographers use them. I am a hobbyist...

Judy49

I am seriously thinking about upgrading my computer to an Apple. I know nothing about them, only most photographers use them. I am a hobbyist photographer, but would still like to do the best work I can afford. Any advise would be helpful.

rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

Good choice but add some memory. There newer processors are very fast.

It will come with a photo program "iPhoto" but an inexpensive add-on would be "Aperture." It is a very sophisticated way to keep your photos and do post processing for small $.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I just did this; dumped my windows laptop, Android tablet, and android phone for a Macbook pro 15" retina display, iPad, and iPhone 5s.

I couldn't be happier.

Even out of the box they are powerful enough to run LR and PS just fine unless you are really talking pixel pushing.

They are expensive but worth it.

I'd recommend that whatever you get has an SSD drive instead of a mechanical one, and get lots of ram...8gb at least.

For post processing Apple is discontinuing and not supporting Aperture anymore so I recommend Photographers Bundle at 9.99 per month; that includes LR and PS.

A good deal.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Judy49 wrote:

I am seriously thinking about upgrading my computer to an Apple. I know nothing about them, only most photographers use them. I am a hobbyist photographer, but would still like to do the best work I can afford. Any advise would be helpful.

Yes, the IMACS may come standard with 8 GB of ram, but better at least double it or more... I run 16 GB currently but want to upgrade to 32 GB.

Iphoto is a freebee with the OS, it will allow some processing, Aperture is a older program that is pretty powerful, but Apple has decided to discontinue Aperture in favor of a new program as yet unseen.

I run Adobe's creative cloud photography package on my system - 10.00 per month subscription for full blown Lightroom, Bridge & Photoshop - hard to beat.

In my opinion, Lightroom blows Aperture away - I was a long time Aperture user.

Good choice in going Apple! :)

"Once you go Mac, you will never go back!"

:)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Dngallagher wrote:

"Once you go Mac, you will never go back!"

:)

I would have never thought I'd agree with this but....

I do. :)

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

rpavich wrote:

I would have never thought I'd agree with this but....

I do. :)

:) Yep, I was die hard winders myself for many years... made a career supporting windoze..... switched to Linux first, then finally went to Mac.... now I have a house full of Macs - love em!

mtbear

Which model depends on your budget and needs. Do you want a laptop? I just bought a 5 year old 13" notebook from Amazon for $259 to augment my other 4 Macs. My main machine is a mini, I have a older tower to run OS 9 so I can use my obsolete but high end scanners. My mother has a 7 year old iMac, I'm not impressed with the quality of the lcd. And I have a functional but heavily abused 15" notebook. Each unit serves a different purpose.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

rleonetti wrote:

Good choice but add some memory. There newer processors are very fast.

It will come with a photo program "iPhoto" but an inexpensive add-on would be "Aperture." It is a very sophisticated way to keep your photos and do post processing for small $.

Aperture is no longer supported. A new photo offering is in the works. Lots of photographers us Adobe Lightroom to organize their images and do initial corrections; with the option of using Photoshop or other programs for supplemental modifications.

With Apple computers do ask questions- can memory be added later? Some require it to be factory ordered- others you can order it later from third party venders like OWC Computers at a better price. The Mac Mini and i Mac models are overdue for "upgrades", delayed due to production issues with Intel's new chips. The previous models will become bargains when the new ones come to market- hopefully in late Fall? Apple also sells Factory Refurb computers online- you have to hunt for the listing on their website- it changes daily. A way to Save money.or buy from an independent like Small Dog Electronics in VT and save on sales tax.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Judy49 wrote:

I know nothing about them, only most photographers use them.

:?: Really?
http://digital-photography-school.com/mac-vs-pc-for-photo-post-production-poll-results/

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

OddJobber wrote:

:?: Really?
http://digital-photography-school.com/mac-vs-pc-for-photo-post-production-poll-results/

No doubt because way more people from the general population have become interested in photography. Since Windoze has always had a larger market share, this is to be expected. It is not because they are sophisticated and educated consumers.

At any professional convention, it seems at least 85-90&% are on Apple.

TheDman Loc: USA

As both a Windows and Mac user, can I just say that they're both the freakin' same. It's like the Canon/Nikon argument.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

CaptainC wrote:

It is not because they are sophisticated and educated consumers.

LOL :thumbup:

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I was a diehard windows user, preacher and blue-screen watcher. I still have two PCs and they sit idle. I have 4 Macs and I love them. Apple support is second to none in the world. The Apple stores are wonderful. The only downside, as I see it, is the initial cost of a Mac. I do suggest, if you should purchase a Mac, that you purchase an Apple Care policy along with it. It's just good insurance.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

DavidPine wrote:

I was a diehard windows user, preacher and blue-screen watcher. I still have two PCs and they sit idle. I have 4 Macs and I love them. Apple support is second to none in the world. The Apple stores are wonderful. The only downside, as I see it, is the initial cost of a Mac. I do suggest, if you should purchase a Mac, that you purchase an Apple Care policy along with it. It's just good insurance.

The other downside that people probably get sick of hearing me say is most of the Macs Apple sells today either can't be upgraded or are very difficult to upgrade.

Every prospective Mac buyer needs to understand this - not to scare them away but so they know they have to buy whatever they think they "might" need a few years from now.

Want to double the ram in your MacBook Pro to 16 gig? Not possible because the RAM is soldered onto the motherboard.

Want to add RAM to your iMac? Cut through the glue holding the screen in place and remove most of the guts to get to the RAM sockets at the back then use 3M tape to stick the screen back on...

I like Macs but this just baffles me!

If you're being told to get 8 gig of RAM, get 16 as this is your only chance to get it. Get at least a 256 gig SSD - no, get at least a 500 gig SSD. Either way you'll need a 2nd drive (and 3rd) for storage and backup of your images. You'll have a great system and you'll love it but you have to plan ahead.

rleonetti Loc: Portland, Oregon

Not quite. My iMac 27 (which is great for photo work) does have several slots you can do your own memory in--up to 32 mb. There must be 4 slots, because it came with two slots of 4 and I added two slots of 8's to bring it up to 24.