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hi, I am running an iMag G5 ver.10.4.11 and want to know how far I can upgrade it before I purchase a new camera.

I am thinking of purchasing a new camera and before I do I was wanting to upgrade my iMac G5 running version 10.4.11 to as far as it will go. What is the last mac os I can upgrade to before an intel mac is required.

Thanks.

Ian

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 2.1GHz + 1.5GB Ram

Posted on Jan 28, 2012 12:09 AM

Reply
16 replies

Jan 28, 2012 11:11 AM in response to steve626

Hi there Miriam and Steve,


Thank you both very much indeed for taking the time to reply . It is indeed very much just for that work but the newer cameras require the latest software from Adobe to process their Raw images. As it stands I cannot upgrade my current version of Photoshop which is CS4 to CS5 because it requires the Intel chip Macs. I could live and do my work ok with CS4 but to get the latest ACR converter to convert the Raw files coming the cameras means upgrading and again I think it will mean a newer version of Mac unfortunately for me from what I can glean from my online research.


The reason I asked the question here was to see as to what level I could go to and you both have kindly answered that for me. I will now have to see what ACR version I can download suitable for Mac 10.5.8 which in turn will determine what camera sensor can be supported also. It may well mean I might have to sell my current iMac and buy a seconhand one up the scale a bit running the newer Intel chips or go for a slightly older camera which my upgraded 10.5.8 will support. More research needed I`m afraid.


If I do go for the upgrade for my current iMac I will definitely ensure I get genuine Apple Mac software from a reputable supplier or Apple direct.


Once again thank you both for your help.


Ian

Jan 28, 2012 2:46 PM in response to MGW

Hi again Miriam,


My last message got slightly garbled somehow through retyping parts of it and not realising other bits had been cut out but the main points I hope got through.


As I am almost 71 years young now and one who is not up to speed with all this technical speak could you enlighten me as to what the "Rosetta based apps will not run on Lion" means. I have kept up reasonably well with the digital photography side of things but re computers - well - that`s another world to me. All I really want now is a fairly up to date system which will take Adobe CS5 plus say one or two more updates to the future. Is Snow Leopard the earlier version before Lion and if so I`m sure that would be more than adequate for my purposes. As I said all I use the computer for is going on the net now and then for internet shopping items and my photography which is reliant on processing speed with good graphic speed etc. as I use Raw files. If you have any ideas I am open to any advice you can give me because if I go in complete ignorance to a dealer they are liable to head me up to get a system which may not be entirely needed.

Thanks,

Ian

Jan 28, 2012 2:58 PM in response to bannview

Adobe CS5 won't work on your type of Mac, you need to get one with an intel processor. All the new iMacs come with Lion, so try and get a used one, make sure you get the install discs with it. Rosetta is a language many older apps werevw rotten in, they will work with Snow Keopard, but not Lion.

Jan 28, 2012 4:16 PM in response to MGW

Hi Miriam,


Thanks indeed for that info.


I realise my present setup cannot use Photoshop CS5 thus my enquiries so as to know what should I be looking for by way of a spec for a secondhand computer so as to be able to run CS5 and be able to process the raw files from the newer cameras. Maybe I should be asking these questions on a site somewhere where photographers visit and who use these facilities on a daily basis. It`s probably unfair of me to ask these questions of you. Are you aware of any sites where I could visit and talk to someone. Sorry for all my questions and lumbering you with this but I thought I would ask you in any case. If you cannot help no hard feelings as I do appreciate what you have already done.

Ian

Jan 28, 2012 4:48 PM in response to MGW

MGW wrote:


You will need iLife, which processes raw files in iPhoto. It will have to be bought separately as iLife no longer comes with new Macs.

You can also check the iPhoto forum on this site.


You can purchase iLife '08 which WILL run on your Tiger 10.4.11, so iLife '08 does not necessitate any need to upgrade OS or architecture.


http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1010


It's no longer available for retail, however you can find a copy on eBay here. Be very careful, I would recommend a new one in the shrinkwrap and only purchase from reputable sellers with 100% feedback.

Jan 28, 2012 5:58 PM in response to bannview

For Adobe CS5, you must have a Mac multicore Intel processor with OS 10.5.8 or 10.6 or 10.7.


There is no reason to buy a used Mac with Snow Leopard (10.6) unless you have software that runs only in 10.6 but not in 10.7, or if you are on a very limited budget and can't afford a new Mac. For instance, some of the older MS-Office suites won't run in 10.7 (some of the older versions require the "Rosetta" capability others have been discussing here). You mentioned only internet browsing and Adobe CS5 as the software you require. If that is really it, then I thiink you are best off with a new Mac computer with 10.7. It will take longer for you to fall behind "the latest" this way and you will be able to install updates (for the Mac OS and Adobe software) for a good while into the future.


It can be a little risky to by a used computer. It would be good to have someone run some hardware tests and check it over for you if you aren't too savvy about these things. If you check the cries for help on these forums, a lot of them start with "I got a used computer and now xxx doesn't work ..." One of the hardest things to sense with a used computer purchase is an intermittant type hardware problem that you might not see until you use it for a while (long after the seller has disappeared).


You can get a state of the art brand new iMac with the latest operating system for not much over $1100. It actually costs less than Adobe CS5. But I don't know your budget contraints.


We have used Adobe CS with iMacs of various vintages (going back 6 years or so) as my daughter is a photographer who does intensive photo processing and editting, including use of RAW files. The iMac platform is a great one for this work, the newer ones have the computer power required.

Jan 28, 2012 10:45 PM in response to steve626

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your detailed reply.

Regarding CS5 I will only need to purchase the upgrade for this as I already have CS4. This is what started this whole thing off initially as I was going to upgrade to CS5 and then when I went on to the Adobe site to look into it I then became aware that my current computer was not suitable. The same thing applies to the converting of the Raw files from the more recent cameras if I want to stay with ACR as my converter. As your daughter is a photog who shoots Raw files just out of interest what spec of an iMac does she use currently use for her work.

Regards,

Ian

Jan 29, 2012 10:30 AM in response to bannview

bannview wrote:


As your daughter is a photog who shoots Raw files just out of interest what spec of an iMac does she use currently use for her work.

Regards,

Ian

Until recently she was using an iMac, Core 2 Duo 20-inch 2008 model (2.66 GHz). Now she has a 2011 MacBook Air 13-inch 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (purchased in early 2011). She did fine with either, but she uses the Macbook Air now. Apple makes much faster and more powerful computers than these (that iMac is 4 years old) but not only does she use Adobe Photoshop a lot, but she tends to run all her programs simultaneously (Adobe CS especially Photoshop, iPhoto, iTunes, MS-Office [everything], Firefox, Mail, plus other browsers [I don't know why] ...) and I am amazed that they handle the load as well as they do. Sometimes the fans come on in the Macbook Air for a short time, but other than that, there seems to be no sign of "stress." I think it is important to get a lot of memory for good performance, at least 4 GB and more if possible.

hi, I am running an iMag G5 ver.10.4.11 and want to know how far I can upgrade it before I purchase a new camera.

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