Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

This site will provide you with lots of data that you can rely on to inform your decisions:

https://www.pugetsystems.com/solutions/content_creation/photo.php

You can tailor your configuration to fit your performance/budget goals.

I've gone the other direction - from a desktop (that I built), to a laptop for more portability. There is no question that the new (one yr old) laptop is amazingly fast. I spent about $2200 on it, it has an Nvidia 2060, Intel i7 10th generation cpu with 8 cores, 32 gb ram (expandable to 64), 4 TB of storage on two NVME m.2 drives, space for a third SATA drive, and three fast USB C ports for additional expansion. Basically the same computer is available for around the same price this year with an 11th gen cpu and an Nvidia 3080.

As should always be the case - if you are not using Photoshop and Lightroom, check to see what are the recommended (not minimum) configurations for the software you plan to run on it. Gaming machines are built to slightly different criteria, emphasizing a DCI-3P color space (as opposed to RGB), and multiple parallel graphics processors (CUDAs) and lots of VRAM which neither Lightroom nor Photoshop is coded to take advantage of. Also, refresh rates are considerably higher for smoother video rendition, something else that is not necesssary, yet you would be paying for if you went the gaming machine route.

Making some prudent choices to avoid unnecessary expenditure is not going to save you a fortune, but with fixed income, every bit counts.

And no, I don't think an iMAC is a good solution for you. A 27" iMac with i7 10th gen 8 core (last year's cpu), 32 gb ram, 4 SSD storage, and a Radeon Pro 5500 XT with 8GB of GDDR6 memory (less desirable than Nvidia) will set you back about $4100. Not exactly value priced. And you pay a lot for the 27" 5K screen which is an outstanding display in many respects, but not ideal for photo editing, due to DCI-P3 color space and somewhat difficult font scaling in various applications.

By comparision, looking at what's available at MicroCenter - a Windows system build with similar components - Intel i7 10th gen, 32 gb ram (expandable to 128 gb), Nvidia GTX 1660 with 6 GB VRam, 750 w power supply, 4 TB system storage on 2 m.2 drives, DVD, cpu cooler, Win10 Pro - and a Dell S2721DGF 17" display with 10 bit per channel bit depth 2560x1440 resolution, and 130% sRGB 98% DCI-P3 will set you back $2150 if you build it yourself, or slightly more if they build it. The system is modestly configured, but will be just as fast as the $4200 iMac, with a resolution that is less than the 5K offered on the iMac, but easier on the eyes. Bumping up to a 5K display (LG UltraFine 27MD5KL-B) would bring the price to $3000, but I think that would be a lot more cost for little extra benefit.

For the Apple fans, notice, I am not trashing Apple stuff - I am only presenting a comparably performing system with a similar configuration using a Windows platform. It is cheaper, more flexible, user upgradeable. It is neither better nor worse when it comes to performance and user experience. On the other hand, at the same price point ($4200) of the iMac, a custom PC build will be faster, have more capacity, use a preferred AND Ryzen 5900 series cpu with 12 cores - an excellent choice for Lightroom, and more VRAM, system ram, storage and future expansion capability. That comparison would no doubt give the performance edge to the Windows system.

SaratogaMan

Check out local, independent computer shops to see if one can build it for you. Twice I've had a desktop built here (there are two shops to choose from). You set the specs (shop owner can help you to select appropriate components) to fit your needs and budget. Price in both cases was much less than big outfits (local or online). Never had a problem (for PC, not Mac).

SaratogaMan

Have it built locally...check local computer shops, not big box.

Brokenland

+1 on this, if there is ever a time when I need something technical its microcenter.

photoman43

I had my win 10 desktop built for me by Microcenter. Depending on your budget they will help you prioritize what goes in it.

Minimum specs would be:

SSD card for software
HDD for image storage
Video card with its own memory, at least 4GB
RAM, as much as you can afford now, with space to add more if needed. 32 GB Ram is what I would try and get
Open slots for additional HDD or I/O cards.
Extra fans for cooling.
Microprocessor depending on your budget
Motherboard to meet your needs

If not Microcenter, google "PC Build" or something similar.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

That's the route I took some years ago. I recently upgraded to a 2021 27" iMac. I added a second monitor to the setup and I couldn't be happier.
--Bob

old poet

Thanks to all for the information. I must take it all in for a decision. My inclination after all is to go with a good monitor and stay with my i7 processor and Nivida card. 64 bit. Windows 10 laptop. From all of the info, I think my Asus is doing well for now running Adobe cc, Microsoft Office etc. With multiple tabs open.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Right now, I would not buy any Intel-powered iMac. The 27" uses an Intel processor.

Apple is transitioning to their own "Apple Silicon" systems-on-chips that they've been making for over a decade and putting in mobile devices. Now they have four computers and an iPad with the M1 SOC. The M1 MacBook Air, 13" M1 MacBook Pro, M1 Mac Mini, and the all-new 24" M1 iMac are Apple Silicon devices.

Their transition away from Intel has succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. The Internet is awash in rave reviews about extreme battery life in the two notebook computers, price:performance ratio of the Mac Mini, and the brilliant technologies in the new iMac. If you haven't looked at Macs seriously in a while, now is the time. Apple Silicon is shaping up to create another paradigm shift in the computing industry.

The next wave of Macs is due out this fall, with both 14" and 16" MacBook Pros known to be in production now. These will use a more powerful system-on-chip than the M1. Beyond that, expect a larger iMac (27" replacement, perhaps 30" or 32"), a more powerful Mac Mini, a new generation of MacBook Air or MacBooks, and a new Mac Pro. Apple has pledged that their transition away from Intel will be complete by the end of 2022, and so far, they are on target to reach that goal.

Buying right now, I would avoid the 13" M1 MacBook Pro, and all Intel Macs, unless required for a specific application. The M1 MacBook Air, M1 Mac Mini, and M1 24" iMac are all solid deals if you get 16GB Unified Memory and at least 512GB storage. The Mini is especially attractive if you already own a good monitor, keyboard, mouse, webcam, and speakers (none of which are absolutely needed if you get the 24" iMac).

MDI Mainer

Sorry hadn't seen your repost.

pshane

I Agree with 'Mr. Lou'! -
Go with a Dell XPS Model! - I did about 9 months ago, and have been Thrilled with it!
A very nice, and powerful machine, with plenty of features, at a reasonable price, with Dell having your back, AND, - Financing as well!

tenny52 Loc: San Francisco

Last year, I upgraded my old desktop top, and I chose something similar to the below link for around $250
I had the i-7 core and 250G SSD instead, I added another 4G RAM(from my old desktop) totaling 20G, I have a 40" Samsung monitor($400 about 6 years ago on Black Friday Sale). This is for your reference only that you don't have to spend a fortune to get something decent for your photo editing/storage purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/Dell-Optiplex-7010-Professional-Refurbished/dp/B01LKOZEF0/ref=sr_1_4?crid=28E27G7MRA3C2&dchild=1&keywords=desktop+used+and+refurbished&qid=1628702667&sprefix=desktop+used%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-4

jimnyc1 Loc: New York, NY USA

I got one from Puget Systems a few years ago. It is by far the best desktop and I've ever used I started in the 80s with DOS 1.0. If you go to their site and select the Content Creators Build you get some decent specifications to use when shopping for another brand. OR, if your budget allows, buy from them.
https://www.pugetsystems.com/

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

That made two of us

tenny52 Loc: San Francisco

A Dell XPS sells for at least $1300, it is an expensive laptop and not a desktop. You are not responding to the originator's quest.

old poet

Thanks for the information!