“That might be my next Mac.” My phone typing skills are subpar. Paul On Dec 23, 2013, at 4:12 PM, Paul Stenquist <[email protected]> wrote:
> Good call, given the variables. Out might be my next Mac, although like you. > I would consider the freshness of the technology. My iMac 27 is currently in > the shop for a new hard drive. It's free -- a recall. > > Paul via phone > >> On Dec 23, 2013, at 1:55 PM, Stan Halpin <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> 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. > > -- > 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. -- 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.
