Labtrainer

Go to the webpage of the software you plan to use and they have the recommended requirements for a computer. Then go to a site like Ibuypower.com And build your PC that meets or exceeds those requirements. With a PC you can upgrade the GPU in the future if needed. Not sure about a Mac.

DogFriend

I had a new monitor when I switched to Apple and went with the Mac Mini desktop. You can use any monitor you want or two. I agree with the poster that said go with Intel for now and upgrade your own memory. You can get a new I7 chip and 2 tb solid state drive for $1800 and have $ left for a high end monitor and memory upgrade.

I have to use Windows at work and constant trouble. My Mac Mini is 8 years old and I never have to mess with it. I also have a MacBook AIR 13 inch laptop that fits in several of my camera bags or backpack that travels well for on the go editing.

Woodworm65 Loc: Lombard, IL

I for one was a devoted windows user for over 25 or plus years and after seeing Apple computers being used due to there display and speed versus Windows and all the constant upgrades to windows I found only one pc that was of equal value and was of comparable value actually was more money I decided to go iMac bought a 27” Retina display with a SSD hard drive a better video card and have been very satisfied, I still use my pc and use my iMac for photos and have never looked back as you can see you will get reactions from both sides of the aisles neither is wrong or right go with what you fell is best for you and what you fell comfortable with, both are good I feel Apple has an edge over window pc’s.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Stick with what you are comfortable with....Mac or Windows. Agreed that Windows may give you a bigger bang for the buck plus if you go to a computer shop get them to quote a custom build in a good frame so you have the running speed and memory you need. I stayed with Windows and did exactly this. I had it build on a lap top, and probably to do it again I would choose a desk top/tower as I never move my computer. I have a Samsung tablet for portability purpose. I also brought into my set up a great size monitor. Make sure the computer tech and shop you choose knows what they are doing

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍 My opinion as well. A professional will tell you to pick the SW you will use first and then pick the best platform to run it on.

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Gainesn,
You will undoubtedly hear "Mac" from Mac users and "PC" from the other camp.
In my opinion, there is so much more available for so much less cost, in the PC camp. I've been a "PC'er" since the mid 80's and have been totally content with all my endeavors.

I was professionally in the field for over 30 years, all with great PC's. Pick a good powerful processor, plenty of ram, SSD's, quality monitor... and you can accomplish so very much, for mch less expense compared to Mac equipment. Naturally what software you own or have on hand is a contributing factor. Either way you choose, I wish you well. Main thing: enjoy!
God Bless,
Papa Joe

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

photoman43

I agree with Gene and others who recommend a windows desktop "custom made" to meet your current and future needs. If there is a Microcenter store near you, they can build it for you. Just make sure you understand the importance of getting a video card with the right amount of dedicated RAM to match/meet the needs of the monitor you choose (and that might be impacted by the software you will be using too.)

billmck Loc: Central KY

The new iMacs are pretty impressive, but not actually available for at least a month. I gave up my Windows world ten years ago and have no desire to go back. As someone already mentioned, the new M1 chip is going to be the weakest of all the new Apple silicon, but even in the Windows world new devices always contained newer silicon.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

The hardware looks good, but who wants to put up with a Windows system once you have enjoyed Apple?

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Absolutely!

Ednsb Loc: Santa Barbara

I’m was in same boat as you. I’m more of a computer expert than a photo pro with over 50 yrs of computer experience. I thought about going the Pc route because I was unsure about the m1 and what I took as the limitations to upgrade. But I started watching the reviews and comparisons especially around photo processing.

To summarize: 1. The new chip set is an integrated ram, gpu and ssd. In a typical computer when you run out of memory it makes virtual memory out of storage which slows down the processing even if the storage is an internal ssd. In the m1 there is no significant difference in ram, gpu ram and storage ssd. So they test out as the 2nd fastest Apple devices only slightly slower than the multicore iMac Pro workstations with 64gb of ram which is a 5k to 10k machine.

2. I was concerned about the emulation of intel chipsets. Apple’s first attempt at that was when they moved from PowerPC to Intel. It was a disaster. Rosetta II isn’t. It will run your existing 64 bit intel coded apps as fast or faster. 64bit is important as you may have apps that are 32bit. They will not run on the m1 not because of the chipset but because of the macOS.

3. What about photo processing? A number of pros I follow tested them. Matt Suess did a great job. Generally he found a M1 Mac Mini beat his late model Macbook pro usually significantly. He tested most of the current apps including PhotoShop , LightRoom , capture one and Luminar AI.

You have a few choices. Buy one of the 4 current M1s: M1 Mac Mini , MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or the new 24in iMac. Or you could wait for the next set which will of course could be incrementally faster.

So what did I do? I bought a 16GB/1TB M1 Mac Mini. I had to buy a monitor because my desktops have always been iMacs. I went with a 27inch BenQ. Then I used time machine to migrate. Results? This is the fastest personal computer I’ve ever used even on intel coded apps. I have and use On1, Affinity, Topaz DeNoise , Sharpen, Gigapixel and Studio. I also have Luminar 4 , PhotoShop and LightRoom. The slowest of these apps on my old iMac was Topaz DeNoise and especially Sharpen. They both have been certified for the M1. Talking with topaz support they told me they haven’t recompiled yet but have made sure some 3rd party parts of their code was brought up to date. Using one of the JPEGs topaz provides as tests was glacial on my old iMac taking over 7 minutes to process and save that jpeg. On the M1 Mac Mini it takes less than 10 seconds. My 28MB .cr3 raw images aren’t any slower. The same is true of the other intel apps. They all run significantly faster. And the recompiled apps like PhotoShop and pixelmator pro? Wow.

So for under $1,600 I bought my last computer (72 yrs old). Will there be faster computers? Of course there will be but I don’t care about saving a few seconds. The M1 Mac Mini is the best value regardless of Pc vs Apple. My set up is cheaper than the base 24in M1 iMac. It has no fan and doesn’t get hot. I processed a 64 image focus stacking in affinity photo and it didn’t even get warm.

So the cons -

I wish it had more ports (and yesterday rumors that the next version of Mini will have 4) but these are full powered ports (previously if you had 4 ports they were half power).

I had to buy a new mouse because Logitech didn’t upgrade their mouse control software but created a new app which wasn’t backwards compatible.

I had to buy a webcam. But it is better resolution than any of the webcams on Apple devices. Well not buy as I had one.

I bought speakers because while the Mini has a speaker it isn’t impressive. Well not buy but rather hook up the stereo echos which I already had.

Good luck

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

24" iMac reviews are ALL OVER YouTube. See a few links, below.

Unless you are doing HIGH END, multiple stream 8K video editing or making poster-sized prints from hundreds of 50 to 100 MP images, it is fine for most people.

Performance is the same as the 13" M1 MacBook Pro and the M1 Mac Mini, when configured similarly. But you get a GREAT 24" P3 monitor, GREAT speakers, GREAT Mics, a new 1080P webcam with advanced video processing for crisp images, GREAT connectivity with its limited port selection*

*You'll need a hub, dock, or dongle like

this one: https://www.charjenpro.com/products/ultimatedock OR

this one: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-hub OR

this one: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-dock

More information than you really want to see:

https://www.apple.com/imac-24/ Apple's complete overview

https://youtu.be/qa2g2AknvrY MaxTech's Buying Guide to the 24" iMac

https://youtu.be/ao7795OcWZE The Everyday Dad's review

https://youtu.be/L2Id-zY3b24 Engadget review

https://youtu.be/elPwKxjXReg Tyler Stalman review

https://youtu.be/4ecN7yGcqcQ "iJustine" Ezarik review

https://youtu.be/aYCymyp69iU Wall Street Journal review

https://youtu.be/UFe9cuyBAy8 The Verge review

Quite literally dozens of YouTube review sites (tech mavens) will have reviewed this by now, and dozens more will review it over time. Watch a few of them and a consensus will bubble up in your head about whether this is right for you.

slcarn Loc: Draper, Utah USA

I built one like yours and added two 1TB SSD’s. One is on the motherboard for my programs. Lightroom load up in less than 10 seconds ready to go. And like yours, it is expandable. I agree with your recommendation!
Steve

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Thanks. I have two SSDs and four other hard drives. I am happy with my set up. I use Photoshop and Topaz, not Lightroom.