The network issues have no bearing on the performance issued since I already removed that variable when working on the files. This is not a new thing I introduced either - I've always worked on files locally unless it's a tiny vector only eps or something. So yes, it has everything to do with the hardware and the OS. Yep, and that's reality. I never said that wasn't part of the problem. For the record, here is the problem as I see it: - Hardware, too little RAM for the OS and apps I'm using in the way I'm using them, slow HDD for swapping. - OS, it doesn't seem to manage RAM as well as Windows 7 from my experience and it does a few quirky things wrt performance in my general use. Windows 7 has issues as well, it's not perfect - especially if you are the type of user who easily downloads viruses and shit-ware programs, but it's far less troublesome for me. - Applications, Adobe CS isn't ideal on OS X, you're better off using Windows 7. Just make sure you can cost effectively get access to all the fonts you need before making the switch. Converting fonts from Mac to PC is more time consuming than it should be from what I've seen (I never actually went through with it). That's my assertion anyway. You can sit there and blame Adobe, which is valid since they obviously made the conscious effort to shift their lead platform. I don't see how that attitude is at all useful though... If someone needs to use CS, Mac OS X is still fine for most peoples use of it, but if you work with larger files then you're going to get a nicer experience for your money with Windows. With modern, balanced hardware I have no doubt that OS X is fine for CS use. These iMac's aren't really balanced though - they're more like a cheapo laptop with a higher tdp CPU and a nice screen. If Apples new Fusion hybrid drive setup works as well as it should, the new iMac's should be a lot better. I'm hoping they do put more than 4GB of RAM in them though, especially if it's soldered onto the mainboard. My initial thinking with going for the iMac was that a screen of that caliber cost $750-850 anyway (and there wasn't as much selection back then for similar screens also) so the cost saving wasn't going to be as much going with a PC. On top of that, the PC would bring potential headaches with fonts when working with packaged inDesign files from other studios and when editing PDF's. Ultimately though I've been disappointed by the performance, surprised at the fact that network related issues have increased when compared to the older Mac's, and find OS X unintuitive to use with such a large desktop resolution. I'm not sure what else to say, these have been my findings while keeping an open mind (I just want to get work done efficiently). Going with a PC would have brought about it's own issues which could have wasted some time, but I'm damn sure it would have performed a hell of a lot faster with no network issues.
I have to disagree. The iMac line has essentially replaced the Mac Pro line for the majority of creative professional uses outside of things like video editing and CG. Like I said, I'm using a 2009 Core 2 Duo iMac with 4GB of RAM at work and it runs the non-native, non-64 bit CS4 smoothly on a non-SSD drive. I routinely open and work on large layered files across a server network with no problems. So my own experience isn't matching up with yours. And I would also say that Adobe's stranglehold on the market is starting to slip. I'm seeing more and more competitive products, with lower price tags and less legacy complications, vs. things like Photoshop and Illustrator.
The new imacs have a screen that's glued in. Whilst the RAM is "technically" replaceable, you'll need to unglue the screen and remove a logic board to do so. http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936/3#s42504
Apple's RAM price scale is about $25 higher for custom factory install than Dell all-in-one PCs. $175 for upgrading to 16 GB on Dell, and $200 for Apple. The difference is that all of Apple's iMacs are now 8 GB standard for base price. EDIT: just for laughs... 21.5" iMac Core i5 quad 2.7 Ghz (up to 3.2 Ghz Turbo Boost) 16 GB RAM 1 TB HDD NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512 MB $1499 23" Dell OptiPlex 9010 Core i5 quad 3.2 Ghz 16 GB RAM 1 TB HDD HD 2500 Integrated GPU $1530 Add a $30 external DVD drive to the iMac and the prices are essentially the same.
Do you realize that by spending your time pricing a comparable PC from Dell, Khaid has won this battle. He will probably never post here again!
And here I was thinking that chi and khaid were trying to imply that the iMac was unusually expensive if you wanted more RAM factory installed.
Yeah, but only the 27" model supports 32 GB, and that has the easy manual upgrade access. There's no barrier to buying the inexpensive RAM from 3rd parties. Really, I'm just trying to point out why Apple has set it up this way. Maxing out the base model RAM from factory is not expensive compared to competitors, and the higher-end 27" model still allows cheaper manual upgrades.
Doing things that need more than 30GB RAM..... In all seriousness I would say you only need that sort of RAM if you are running loads of VMs or databases. Are people likely to be doing that on an iMac? I doubt it. I would guess the call for that sort of RAM in an iMac is very small and part of the reason why the cost is so unjustifiably high. All of or blades have a minimum of 32GB RAM but they are all running VMware hypervisors and lots and lots of virtual Windows servers. As an example this is one currently running 7 VMs (2 currently offline, when online expect the memory usage to jump up another 6-8GB). In the world of VMs memory is far more valuable than CPU speed which is why VMware now price licenses per 32GB RAM rather than per core.
Higher end audio/video/photo/graphics/CG work. 64 bit software can make use of any amount of RAM in your system, really.
I'm going to go with Grim on this one. That price is clearly a "don't buy me" price, to steer you to a different model at that point. It is part of any good up-sell technique, in this case it will entice you to leave the iMac and buy a Dell.