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Replace old iMac recommendations
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Nov 13, 2018 19:09:21   #
tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
 
Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.


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Nov 13, 2018 19:27:56   #
Chris Hayes
 
Whatever you budget is to drive the screen, put your money on the 5K 27inch screen. It's spectacular.

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Nov 13, 2018 19:50:33   #
tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
 
Chris Hayes wrote:
Whatever you budget is to drive the screen, put your money on the 5K 27inch screen. It's spectacular.

Thanks...

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Nov 13, 2018 19:50:44   #
bfur396
 
1. determine your spending limits. iMacs are not cheap compared to pc's. New iMacs will run at least 1800 on up.
2. Go for the 5K 27" models with SSD. The speed enhancement with the SSD is well worth it!
3. Cost will limit your boot drive storage if you get an SSC so think about a 2-3 TB external drive for storage. Keep only the operating system and applications on the main drive. Pics take a lot of space. You won't be sorry.
3. Go to Apple's web page and check the models available in the price range you can afford in the configuration you would like. You won't find much difference in prices where ever you search.

3. Check the refurbished models on the Apple site. Sometimes you will find exactly what you want at a lesser price than new

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Nov 13, 2018 20:55:45   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Would you consider one of the new Mac Minis? Power, ports and expandability galore! You will have to provide your own monitor, mouse and keyboard, but Apple charges a premium for add-ons anyway.

https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

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Nov 14, 2018 00:50:31   #
Rolk Loc: South Central PA
 
I had a 21" iMac, 2008 model that just gave up the ghost this year. Thankfully,
"My Book" did it's job well, so I lost nothing but time...

I went with the 21" iMac Retina 4K, and I love the speed with the 3.4GHz
Core i5 processor but sure wish I had gone with 32MB RAM instead of the
standard 8GB. (I was planning on adding more this month, but found out
you have to take it to a service center to have it installed.)

This iMac only has two memory slots, so I'd have to trash 2-4MB RAM and
then add 2-16MB chips....oh, and unlike your/my old iMac, they no longer
come with any type of optical drive...a real pain in the butt!

Wish I could give you advice on what to buy, but thought it might be helpful
to share the pitfalls so you're not surprised like I was.

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Nov 14, 2018 07:45:38   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
tinplater wrote:
Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.


Look here and keep an open mind -

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

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Nov 14, 2018 08:04:07   #
spraguead Loc: Boston, MA
 
tinplater wrote:
Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.


Another vote for the 27" Retina model. They can be had used at decent prices, just need to take your time looking. I just sold one when we shut down an office last summer, killed me to get rid of it, but how many computers does a one-man show need?

BTW-love your tinplate train photos. TCA #02-54465

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Nov 14, 2018 08:51:10   #
tinplater Loc: Scottsdale, AZ
 
Rolk wrote:
I had a 21" iMac, 2008 model that just gave up the ghost this year. Thankfully,
"My Book" did it's job well, so I lost nothing but time...

I went with the 21" iMac Retina 4K, and I love the speed with the 3.4GHz
Core i5 processor but sure wish I had gone with 32MB RAM instead of the
standard 8GB. (I was planning on adding more this month, but found out
you have to take it to a service center to have it installed.)

This iMac only has two memory slots, so I'd have to trash 2-4MB RAM and
then add 2-16MB chips....oh, and unlike your/my old iMac, they no longer
come with any type of optical drive...a real pain in the butt!

Wish I could give you advice on what to buy, but thought it might be helpful
to share the pitfalls so you're not surprised like I was.
I had a 21" iMac, 2008 model that just gave u... (show quote)


Thanks for sharing...I have been advised by others to get 32MB as well. I hardly ever use the optical drive but sure to miss it when it is not there!

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Nov 14, 2018 09:15:16   #
rusty66
 
If by any chance you are a veteran they will give you a 10% military discount. They don't go out of their way to let people know but will give it if you ask and show some ID.

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Nov 14, 2018 09:26:36   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
A 27" would be nice, but see what you will be able to add to it in the future. I'd want to be able to add memory. When I was buying Dell desktops, I always bought them with minimum memory and then added it on my own - much cheaper. Some Macs don't let you add memory. Consider cost vs usefulness. Paying the highest price doesn't guarantee you the best user experience, although you do get bragging rights.

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Nov 14, 2018 10:20:45   #
bpulv Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
tinplater wrote:
Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.


I bought a new i7 iMac (current model is mid-2017) last month. It has a 1Tb SSD and Radion Pro graphic option. I bought it with the basic 8 Gb RAM and replaced it with 16 Gb for $175 myself. I did not replace my mid-2010 iMac, however. I use them together. Although there may be some unsolvable problems (not sure yet) with using the 2010 as a second screen, I currently use it so I can view tutorials on the old Mac while I work on the new one. The Retina display is an improvement well worth the money. In any case, I would stick with another iMac for editing and calibrate your screen every month for best results as you would with any monitor for photo editing.

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Nov 14, 2018 11:15:04   #
ecurb1105
 
[quote=tinplater]Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.[/quote

Look at Dell or HP.

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Nov 14, 2018 12:18:40   #
Fat Gregory Loc: Southern New Jersey
 
The new 27 inch iMac has a door you can add memory... remember an 8 mb MAC is 2 4’s a 16 is 2 8’s so getting to 32 (enough to render video) is more cost effective

Fusion drive a 3tb has a 256 mb sad plenty to manage speed plus the os optimizes What is best in the ssd based on your use..

I finally said to hell with it and bought the basic iMac Pro... a dream

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Nov 14, 2018 13:01:12   #
burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC
 
tinplater wrote:
Current machine is almost 10 years old, rather sluggish performance with Lightroom Classic. Would like to upgrade with another iMac and appreciate recommendations; I think I would opt for 27 inch display. Help, guidance much appreciated.


What is your budget? 27" iMacs come in a wide variety of choices, from $1800 to $13,348. You can get a nicely equipped Retina 5K iMac for around $2200 to $2500, depending on options.

I would recommend 16GB minimum RAM, and a 2TB Fusion drive. However, buy the 8GB model from Apple and install your own RAM upgrade from OWC or Crucial, or another reputable supplier.

The RAM in the 27" 2017 iMacs is user-upgradable. OWC (http://www.macsales.com) has a video that shows how simple that is.

The drives in 27" 2017 iMacs are harder to swap. Unless you have advanced skills working with tiny parts and tools, consider buying the drive you will want in three years upfront, or get the minimum drive now, and pay a certified technician to swap it for an even better drive option such as a 2TB SSD.

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