Several weeks ago I asked for and received suggestions concerning my planned
computer upgrade.
I've made a decision, orders have been placed, I should have my new gear by
this time next week.
Current system is a late 2006 20" iMac with 2Gb 667Hz memory. It works well but
it is choking on the files and applications I use. Externals are limited to
USB2.0 and FireWire 400, and that definitely contributes to the slowness. I had
come to dread taking a card from the camera and starting the download process,
knowing what a long frustrating series of time-outs was ahead of me: waiting
for download, waiting for preview generation, waiting for the images to come up
when scrolling through, waiting for a 1-to-1 view to be loaded in... Wish list
included larger display, more memory, faster processor, and faster I/O ports.
The options:
1. MacBook Pro laptop + external display
2. Mac Mini + external display
3. iMac 27"
4. Mac Pro (new release) + external display
The external display turned out to be my hangup. I found capable to very good
monitors in the $350-$1750 price range. The one that most appealed to me was
the Mac Thunderbolt 27" display. As a display it is said to be a good one
(YMMV), plus it can serve as a hub for external drives etc. However, it hasn't
been updated in 15-18 months; the I/O ports in the "hub" are Thunderbolt (1),
FW800 (1) and USB2.0 (3). But the Thunderbolt is used for the input from a
laptop, Mini, or Pro, so it is only the FW800 and USB2.0 that are available for
external drives etc. Only a slight upgrade over my seven-year-old iMac.
Each of the computers has its own I/O ports, but there are other limiting
factors with each.
1. MacBook Pro.
- I have a good 3-4 year old MacBook Pro, don't really need to get a
new laptop per se
- I had an earlier MacBook Pro that I docked for use as my desktop;
switched away to my 2006 iMac for a couple of reasons including management of
physical space on my desk, and don't want to go back.
+ Up-to-date I/O ports: 2 Thunderbolt 2 ports, 2 USB3.0
- - But not all that many ports. 2 USB3.0 on the laptop and 3 USB2.0 on
the display don't leave me much to work with once I attach keyboard, printer,
scanner, and CD reader. USB hubs tend to be unreliable in my experience, some
items (like the keyboard) just don't work unless directly attached, and the
laptop option just didn't seem very attractive.
- 16 Gb memory limit
2. Mac Mini
- has not been updated in 15 months or so
- Only 1 Thunderbolt (and not Thunderbolt 2) port
+ FW800 (1) and USB3.0 (4) ports. More flexibility than with the laptop
option.
- 16 Gb memory limit
3. iMac
+ all-in-one design, no need for a separate display
+ Two Thunderbolt ports (albeit not Thunderbolt 2)
+ Both TB ports usable, no need to dedicate one to the monitor
- But one T'Bolt port is needed for running my FW external drives.
+ USB3.0 (4) So, a slight gain over the Mini with respect to I/O..
+ 32 Gb memory limit
+ Usable as a stand-alone Thunderbolt display if/when I change to a
system that requires such a display.
4. Mac Pro
+ +Beautiful!
+ 64 Gb memory limit
+ More Thunderbolt 2 and USB3.0 ports than I can count
- - Expensive
- Almost certainly overkill for how I would use it.
I held off for several weeks, thinking that the Mini and/or Thunderbolt
displays might be updated when the MacPro was finally available, but that
didn't happen. I decided not to worry about buying THE computer that would last
me the rest of my life, but rather buy one that is good enough for what I need
now and the next couple of years. So I ordered the iMac. I didn't max it out;
e.g., I'll add memory from other sources. And I went with an old-technology
internal drive; an external SSD is on order that will tie into one of the USB
ports.
Thanks again to those who commented earlier - you gave me useful food for
thought.
stan
--
PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List
[email protected]
http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow
the directions.
