User profile for user: mjf
mjf Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

best Mac Pro for photography?

I am evaluating now to upgrade my system and I am thinking to buy a powerful MacPro.

I am a decennial Apple user (I have started with a 8600 A/V and Mac OS 6) therefore I have tried more or less every different solutions, according with my needs at the time.

Now, working in photography (Aperture with various plugins, Photoshop) 90% of my computer work I am searching to have virtually zero waiting time, more than stressed from the rainbow spinning wheel of my old MacBook 15" (4 years life).

I am aware any MacPro I will choose will be light-years ahead of my trusted old laptop, but I would like to know from other users in this community if anyone can suggest me an optimised configuration, according with price and performance.

I could go from the base to the top of the range, since I will choose a financing plan anyway, but I don't want to waste money for just "few nanosecond more" in speed. Solidity and upgradable options are good points to consider for me.

Thanks for any upcoming advice.


Have a great day,


Marco

Posted on Oct 24, 2011 6:23 AM

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User profile for user: The hatter
The hatter
User level: Level 9
61,031 points

Posted on Oct 24, 2011 8:18 AM

Apple Store Special 4-core 2.8 $2100


Pull the 4-core out and W3680 ($600) then sell the 2.8.


Next, 2 or 3 x 8GB RAM OWC


Final: SSD boot drive

2-3 2TB WD Blacks


Everything you can think, try here:

http://www.macperformanceguide.com

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User profile for user: CGW3
CGW3
User level: Level 2
305 points

Oct 24, 2011 8:23 AM in response to mjf

Rather then spending so much on a Mac Pro have you considered an iMac?
The only thing you lose is the ability to have more then 2 hard drives, you can now custom iMacs to have a SSD boot disc for the OS and a second fixed hard drive for your files up to 2TB.

You will find the iMac a fast machine and many professionals are looking to the iMac as good option (and way to save money) compared to the Mac Pro.

Memory upgrade is nice and easy and can go up to 16GB on the iMac (which I would recommend you do to resolve those spinning beach balls), although I would recommend buying this after as you save a lot of money compared to purchasing it with the computer at Apple's prices.

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User profile for user: mjf
mjf Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Oct 24, 2011 5:58 PM in response to mjf

Thank you to all of you for the precious suggestions!


@TheHatter: I have seen the link you gave me, but I am a bit concerned to manipulate the computer so heavily as you suggested, as I am sure it's a good value for money operation.


@CGW3: I had iMacs in the past and thus they are ready made good machines I have found they reach their obsolescence a bit too fast compared to the MacPros, which are much easily upgradable or even set as office server once the processors become too slow for calculation (as I did previously with a G4).


@Grant: thanks for the advice, in fact I wasn't oriented to the iMacs from the beginning...


My initial question was if someone has experienced troubles or at the opposite absolute good performances with a peculiar configuration of the actual MacPros... hence could advice where to put more/less money: bigger processor or more RAM... which is the right balance?


Thanks again,


Marco

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best Mac Pro for photography?

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