berchman Loc: South Central PA

Thanks for the lead to Microcenter. There is one in Towson,MD, a two hour drive for me. I've been waiting for Intel's Optane drive to become available and then I wanted a custom built desktop to replace my five year old Dell XPS. Can the people at Microcenter supply guidance on which components to use to build a high end computer for photographic post processing that they would then assemble?

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

If you are a computer "novice" I woudn't attempt to build one. I agree that an iMac would probably be a good buy for you. Or you could stick with PCs and check out Dell, Acer, and Asus.

Novots Loc: Grand Forks, ND

Reminded me of when I step into my computer room!

glenmarshall

I favor desktops. Mine is a Dell 8700 with Windows 10, 32GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 1TB disk drive, and an AMD graphics processor. I also have a Dell 22" monitor, which is essential for photo post-processing. Lightroom and Photoshop utilize the graphics processor, as well as the RMA, so it's quite fast. FWIW, I also have MS Office 365 and use the added 1TB cloud storage for backing-up my photo library, among other things.

Kuzano

Most all in one's are simply giant laptops, and have the same upgrade path... Very Little to None. The ONLY place for an All-In-One, is if you live in an RV or a Tiny Home where you count as valuable every square inch of flat, horizontal space. Otherwise totally worthless.

Upgrades in an AIO----RAM and Hard Drive and that's pretty much it. Very little say in graphics adaptor and no change or upgrade there (limited form factor-no slots for expansion cards), monitor other limitations, and more on the list. Of course, with every manufacturer offering AIO machines, you also have manufacturers limited by their own form factor on cases, with some of the same problems.

Last, and actually only, All In One I worked on took me three hours to figure out how to get it open and pull the hard drive. Everything I met on the way was custom and NON upgradeable.

The most flexible arrangement is to order a custom desktop computer built to industry standards and form factors. However you often pay more for that flexibility in the long run, and you will run into end-of-line changes in form factors.

Graphics chips and monitors (if you are post processing heavily) are the areas where you want to retain the most flexibility, as long as you start with an i5 or i7 intel(or comparable AMD CPU), and pack as much RAM in as you can afford.

Now, in the time it took me to write this, something changed (I've been building computers for 25 years, conventional consumer AND high end)

Frankly, if you are a novice, you simply can't win making these decisions, unless you find someone who can help you honestly and reliably.

Hard to find in any environment. Take about two years on this decision and talk to everybody who will answer questions. You won't be in any better position, but whatever you buy will be 10-15% cheaper, or 10-15% faster, but not both.

Wonder why I got out of the business??? It's a horrible business to advise in.... it's best to be on somebody's payroll as an IT or Network person. Your job is secure, because nobody knows what the HELL you do each day!!!!!!! It's called job security and those guys work it like crazy!

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

My vote is for an iMac 27" as well! Dual monitors if you can swing it.

Alfresco

You say you are new to computers. Starting there, I would recommend a 27" iMac. You can price one out on line at apple.com and speak with an Apple salesperson to configure the iMac for you. If you are anywhere near an Apple store, you can pick one up there. The nice thing with Apple is you can speak with someone who is familiar with all aspects of the iMac. If you can get to an Apple store, the people there do Not sell on commission and are a pleasure to speak with. They also have free classes at the Apple store so you can become familiar and comfortable with the iMac. If you get a chance, stop in to your local Dell store, just kidding, there is no local Dell store. If you currently have an iPhone, an iMac is very similar in operation to an iMac, very intuative and easy to get used to. I switched from a Dell 18 years ago to a iMac and I've never looked back. Good luck in your quest!

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

you can go to dell or hp and have them build a system to your specifications. I had hp build me an Envy system a few years ago and it works great, did not cost much more than an over the counter model that did not meet all of my specs.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I see that after yesterday you are keeping your answers more succinct.

exposeu Loc: Wenatchee, WA

I started using Mac back in 2007 when I purchased a new 24" imac. I still use it today for all my lightroom, PS work. I purchased a 27" 5k, i7, 16mbs ram, with a 1 tb fusion drive for all my video work running fcpx and motion 5. The 27" I bought from the apple site as a refurbished. Has worked perfect for a year now. It is a 2014 model but looked like new. I also purchased applecare for it. I saved about $900 buying refurbished. I also have an HP i7 laptop, 17" and it works very will but I only use it for web searching, not much more, my wife really like it. Unless apple just starts making junk, I will stay with apple for many years. No virus problems and I may reboot every 2-3 months. The thing just works every day, all day long.

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

Agree. But when it comes to value, it is absurd. No one wants to pay more for less. And a "reasonable" photoshop/lightroom computer, given the larger file sizes and software that can do more but requires more processing power and storage, it is absurd.

Going the other way, if I were to configure a computer to match the spec for a maxed out MacMini - it would look like this:

Intel i7 6700k - Quad Core, 3.5 ghz Iris Graphics 5100 with Asus Z170AR mother board $405
16 gb DDR4 ram - $70
1 TB SSD PCI-E drive - $320 (Samsung 850)
case & power supply - $100
wireless keyboard and mouse - $50
Windows10 - $120
Build fee - $130

Total cost - $1210.

Keep in mind the following:

The i7-6700K is a current quad core CPU that is more than double the performance of the 2 yr old Intel Core i7-4578U used in the mini - CPU mark scores are 4679 for the dual core, and 10995 for the quad core.
16 gb DDR4 is faster than DDR3, and the motherboard accommodates up to 64 gb.
The case accommodates up to 10 internal drives - keeping the cost down when adding storage.
You can upgrade to a discrete graphics card of your choice, freeing up system memory for program execution.

Again, I can't imagine why someone would want to spend $2300 on a dead-ended, fully maxed-out, closed-architecture, mac mini - when for half the price you can get a fully upgradeable current processor-based, fast machine with room for lots of internal storage. That is where the absurd part comes in. You don't have to spend super $$$ for super performance, if you keep an open mind. If you value your time and money, the Windows machine makes a lot of sense. If you enjoy waiting for things to happen, don't mind a collection of external drives, external video adapters, and zero upgrade options - and spend more to get that, then Mac is for you.

I support students with both - all the apple users are amazed at how fast my 3 yr old, Intel 2600K/32gb ram/1TB SSD boot drive and internal 4TB RAID 1+0 system is compared to their macbook pros and assortment of other Mac hardware. There is just no comparison. And I built my system for around $1700, when drive capacities where lower and prices were higher. They are all envious, and enjoy coming over to "borrow" my system to process a large pano stitch, HDR, focus stack, 500 mb and larger multilayer image etc because they can do it in a fraction of the time it would take on their machines.

There is a reason why Mac only accounts for 11% market share in personal/workstation computing. And this is up from 9% in 2012.

Jim Bob

No. My answers are routinely succinct. Yesterday-whatever the hell that means-has nothing to do with it. Most posters go on and on and still don't answer the inquiry. You are obviously unfamiliar with my reply style. Perhaps you should refrain from commenting on things about which you know little or nothing. Break the UHH mold, if you will.

CASpic

You will love the i Mac. If you do not PP your photos , Photos comes with the i Mac and you will find that it is a good way to start. Also your i Phone and it's calender are compatible so that when you place dates in your calendar they will automatically appear on your screen 48 hrs prior to the date. You are going to love this machine! Lynn Sumerson

jaycoffman Loc: San Diego

If you are new to computers I recommend going with an all-in-one. Computers have a shelf life and if you find you love the whole process you can try building your own next time when you know more what you want. Having started on PCs and moved to Mac I agree with prior commentators who say it's easier to switch from PC to Mac than the other way around. Having said that, I've found that I get more support from Apple then I ever did on a PC but that could be just the change in times. In many ways I think I'm happier with the Mac although both systems have severe limitations. If you want to do a lot of word processing or writing you may consider a PC as you have more choices in WP programs--I absolutely hate Apple's Pages and don't like MS Word either so that's my bias. If you're thinking photography I think the Mac has an advantage although don't count on their new stupid Photos program unless all you want to shoot is iPhone pics. But other than that I think the Mac has an advantage. Finally, while both systems are compatible with other devices and programs I find the Apple programs very compatible and easy to use together--like I have an iPhone, iPad and Mac and they are very easy to sync and I can have access to all my information on each. If you are into photography I'd recommend getting the 27" display (but I'm old and maybe need it for my old eyes). Have fun and don't take it too seriously!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I've seen your answers before. Even now you can't answer without being belligerent. Take a pill.