[joachim]

Hi,



I am considering updating my processing hardware. One thing I am considering is moving from Windows to Mac - I have the impression we have quite a number of happy Mac folks here. So here we go with the questions:



I quite like the idea of the iMac, everything lives in the monitor not to much clutter. The potential issue with that one is, if the monitor sucks you can't upgrade the monitor. Can anyone comment on the quality here? How easy is it to calibrate this one? Are there other issues? I understand earlier iMacs had issues of turning bright and dark depending on viewing position.



The alternative might be a Mac Mini, which is still on the previous processor generation, despite being a quite recent model. Any comments here?



Ta

Joachim

[Brightcolours]

[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1284225750' post='2646']

Hi,



I am considering updating my processing hardware. One thing I am considering is moving from Windows to Mac - I have the impression we have quite a number of happy Mac folks here. So here we go with the questions:



I quite like the idea of the iMac, everything lives in the monitor not to much clutter. The potential issue with that one is, if the monitor sucks you can't upgrade the monitor. Can anyone comment on the quality here? How easy is it to calibrate this one? Are there other issues? I understand earlier iMacs had issues of turning bright and dark depending on viewing position.



The alternative might be a Mac Mini, which is still on the previous processor generation, despite being a quite recent model. Any comments here?



Ta

Joachim

[/quote]

The screens do not suck, you can verify that in any mac carrying store.

Calibrating is no problem, you can even calibrate the screen quite well without any hardware calibrating stuff, just with its own screen "control panel"



But all screens nowadays are reflective. Nice for the contrast, but can be problematic in certain environments. I prefer reflective myself, though. I am not sure why you should worry so much about processor generation, they are all fast enough.

If an iMac screen for some reason does not do it for you, a mac mini is an ok solution to run mac os x.



But I am pretty sure the iMac screens will be able to make you happy.

[anyscreenamewilldo]

yes i agree with Bc, i like mac - it always seems to work just fine and is fast - i haven't used a pc since the last century -



for me the monitor is very good, some don't like the glossy screen reflections but in my room this is not a problem (and if you've been living with your face for long enough it never ages in the screen reflection : ) -



for screen calibration i use SuperCal from bergdesign (free or cheap) = my monitor looks exactly like my prints - if you have a studio set up you might want to use an external calibrator to match across various screens, but for me it's supercal - 90% of my pictures are people pix and the results are accurate -



initially my screen (24") appeared to change in brightness/hue across the screen but now that is not so - (aged??, i don't know) - and no unusual probs re. light and dark at viewing angles, but for accurate grading your face should be not too far away from centre anyway i think -



and you might want to also get Shades from Charcoal Design (free or donation) to reduce the brightness of the very bright screen in a dark room, works well without obviously distorting colour (but don't forget to turn it off when calibrating) -



a friend had a minimac - for me too many wires out for necessary add-ons, so a no go -



i hope this might be accurate and might help - have a look in the shop with your own pix, it's quite good out of the box anyway

[popo]

Do try the OS out if you can. I bought an early Intel Mac Mini to play with and give it a fair chance. At the end of the day, it didn't do anything I could already do better in Windows so I saw no value in switching. The hardware was overpriced for what you get, in effect a laptop without the keyboard and screen.

[Guest]

Look for yourself in a shop whether you like the iMac screens. A new Mini is relatively expensive these days, but fast enough for most things, provided you have a minimum of 4 Gigs of RAM and a speedy harddisk. Forget the Mini if you are into gaming. If your usage is basically Internet, home-office, plus PS/Bridge even older Mini models would do the job.

[joachim]

Hi,



Thanks for your replies. The iMac screens always looked ok to me, when I saw them in the shops, but I have never used them in anger to edit photos. So I am wondering whether there are hidden flaws in the screen. I had surprises with my first laptop screen here - the well known problems of brightness?contrast change when changing viewing position. So please keep comments coming in.



Concerning the mini-mac, not many seem to like it. One sees many comments a long the line of old technology and expensive. But someone needs to buy them?

[Guest]

Hello Joachim,

I switched from Windows to iMac 2 Years ago, mostly because of the superb, very bright Screen.

No regrets.

Two major advantages, each alone a reason to switch:

- Time Machine for Backups, works like a breeze

- no viruses



Disadvantages:

- you will need a good file manager (e.g. "Path Finder"), the "Finder" is horrible

- the menu bar of all software is fixed at the upper frame of the monitor (software window and menu are separated)



I think (read in c't) iMac is a better bang for buck than Mac mini.



Regards

Lars

[mst]

[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1284275087' post='2660']

So I am wondering whether there are hidden flaws in the screen.[/quote]



There were reports for earlier models that the brightness could not be adjusted down to an appropriate level for rather dark environments. I don't know if this is still the case with the current models, haven't heard anything along these lines for a while (but haven't searched for it, either).



The biggest issue for me is glare. These aren't just glossy screens, they have a real glass cover. You should carefully check if you can stand the reflections. It's a personal thing, some can blend out the reflections in the image, some can't (that would be me).



Best thing to check this is with a low key b/w photo.



[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1284275087' post='2660']

Concerning the mini-mac, not many seem to like it. One sees many comments a long the line of old technology and expensive. But someone needs to buy them?

[/quote]



Well, the mini is a beatuiful machine. It was my first mac and it still serves well as a media center. The current one is certainly all you need regarding performance (for everyday tasks, inclusing photoshopping), but yes, the prices have gone through the roof with the latest update. IMO, the latest generation is definitely overpriced (in Europe).



In addition, the current model is a lot more difficult to upgrade (RAM excluded) than the earlier models. However, this is also true for the iMac.



Regarding OS X: after years with Windows, it takes a while to get the hang of the slightly different Apple OS. If you're fed up with Windows and on the other hand enjoy the beauty and aesthetics of well written and designed software, the switch will be easy and fun. Lots of new stuff to explore. However, if you don't have any serious issues with Windows or don't feel a strong urge towards OS X because of it's design or elegance, so if you're more the kind of guy that just wants to get things done (and can do so with current machine and OS), switching to the Mac will probably be a bit more of a hassle. Maybe even rather frustrating.



It's a bit like switching from an SLR to a rangefinder <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />



Not everything is better on the Mac, for sure. Finder, as Lars already mentioned, is a good example of this. I can get along with its functionality for basic tasks, but anyone I know using a Mac sooner or later looks for alternatives. Some prefer direct replacements (like Pathfinder), others (me included) look for alternative ways to launch programs or files (I use the built-in Spotlight, other options would be Launchbar or Quicksilver).



In any case, with an Intel Mac you could fall back to Windows at any time. However, you'd end up with a rather expensive PC, yes.



-- Markus

[Guest]

[quote name='mst' timestamp='1284286138' post='2666']In addition, the current model is a lot more difficult to upgrade (RAM excluded) than the earlier models.[/quote]



Yes, a RAM upgrade is now much easier as it was before (it was never exceedingly difficult though), but exchanging the harddisk is kind of tricky with the current model.





Another option for Joachim: If mobility is also of interest think of a Macbook (performance is equal to the Mini) or a Macbook Pro plus an external monitor. In any case, look for refurbished Macs online in the Apple Store, they are usually as good as new and have the full Apple warranty.

[Guest]

[quote name='joachim' timestamp='1284225750' post='2646']

Hi,



I am considering updating my processing hardware. One thing I am considering is moving from Windows to Mac - I have the impression we have quite a number of happy Mac folks here. So here we go with the questions:



I quite like the idea of the iMac, everything lives in the monitor not to much clutter. The potential issue with that one is, if the monitor sucks you can't upgrade the monitor. Can anyone comment on the quality here? How easy is it to calibrate this one? Are there other issues? I understand earlier iMacs had issues of turning bright and dark depending on viewing position.



The alternative might be a Mac Mini, which is still on the previous processor generation, despite being a quite recent model. Any comments here?



Ta

Joachim

[/quote]



All I hear is that the iMac screen is great, as long as you can avoid reflections. Probably the best you can get short of dumping several thousand euros into the monitor alone. There were some display problems earlier this year, but they seem to have been fixed.



I would not recommend a Mac Mini. Even though they've been upgraded, they're still kinda slow for photo work, plus then you'd need to find a good monitor.



As for switching from Windows to Mac, that's a personal issue. Some people are deeply into Windows, using specialized programs and knowing the ins and outs, and they would probably be frustrated. Others just use a couple of programs that also exist on Mac, and would be at least as happy on a Mac as on Windows. I find the Macs to be very well thought out, and like them a lot (trying to stay neutral here.



-Lars