New iMacs
- Thread starter muroshi
- Start date
I'm thinking the glass would be highly reflective - possibly very annoying. Also, the keyboard seems odd. Those things aside it looks like a worthwhile option.
The part I don't completely understand is the processors. The top of the line 24" iMac says, Intel 2.8 Core 2 Extreme. I checked Intel's site and they say the Core 2 Extreme is 4 cores. If that info is accurate that's very cool - a quad core iMac. To be honest all the marketing speak (Core duo, Core 2 Extreme, etc.) gives me a headache. It was a lot easier to figure out when the machines were 100Mhz and the next generation cpu was 300Mhz. But I digress, any propeller heads know if I'm reading this correctly - Core 2 extreme is 4 cores?
The part I don't completely understand is the processors. The top of the line 24" iMac says, Intel 2.8 Core 2 Extreme. I checked Intel's site and they say the Core 2 Extreme is 4 cores. If that info is accurate that's very cool - a quad core iMac. To be honest all the marketing speak (Core duo, Core 2 Extreme, etc.) gives me a headache. It was a lot easier to figure out when the machines were 100Mhz and the next generation cpu was 300Mhz. But I digress, any propeller heads know if I'm reading this correctly - Core 2 extreme is 4 cores?
Make that 4, but as Jason said dont get your ram from apple.
Nuke_LaLoosh
New member
I'm also considering going with the new 24" iMac ($1799), but I have few questions. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
First, here are the specs (w/ Apple link):
* 2.4 GHz C2D
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO GPU (256mb GDDR3)
* 4 GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (buying from MacSales/OWC here)
* 320 GB SATA Hard Drive (I'll also use a 500 GB External)
* One FireWire 800 port, One FireWire 400 port, Three USB2 ports (plus two more on the keyboard)
Questions:
1. Will these specs give me any trouble when I upgrade to FC6/Color next year?
2. Glossy Screen? Is this okay for editing work?
3. Should I pay an extra $100 plus for the 500GB Internal Hard Drive?
Note on my Usage: I won't be doing much hardcore editing on the machine (i.e. HD Features). I am putting together a bunch of Web and other short content, that may end up on DVDs. Initially shooting on the DVX. I'll also be using the machine for everyday use.
Thanks again for any help. And if I'm missing any questions I should be asking - please feel free.
Dave
First, here are the specs (w/ Apple link):
* 2.4 GHz C2D
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO GPU (256mb GDDR3)
* 4 GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (buying from MacSales/OWC here)
* 320 GB SATA Hard Drive (I'll also use a 500 GB External)
* One FireWire 800 port, One FireWire 400 port, Three USB2 ports (plus two more on the keyboard)
Questions:
1. Will these specs give me any trouble when I upgrade to FC6/Color next year?
2. Glossy Screen? Is this okay for editing work?
3. Should I pay an extra $100 plus for the 500GB Internal Hard Drive?
Note on my Usage: I won't be doing much hardcore editing on the machine (i.e. HD Features). I am putting together a bunch of Web and other short content, that may end up on DVDs. Initially shooting on the DVX. I'll also be using the machine for everyday use.
Thanks again for any help. And if I'm missing any questions I should be asking - please feel free.
Dave
potipherswife
Member
For my G5 Quad I bought 6 gb's of ram from Crucial.com......I don't know if they have some for the new imac yet or not...
I believe there are only two slots...
so the ram that comes with it will need to be thrown out (or re-sold...wahoo) if you want to have 4 gb's
I believe there are only two slots...
so the ram that comes with it will need to be thrown out (or re-sold...wahoo) if you want to have 4 gb's
Nic Aragon
Well-known member
its just PC2-5300 DDR SO-DIMMS, you can get from Fry's or whatnot for 100 bucks per 2gb stick
KingsReign
Well-known member
I bought the follwing:
- 24" iMac, 2.8 Intel Core 2 Extreme
- 2 Gigs of Ram (Apple - Although I have the feeling I will be buying 4 from OWC soon)
- 750 Gig
- Wireless Mighty Mouse, Standard Keyboard (I was not waiting no 5 weeks for a wireless keyboard, I'll just buy one in addition when they come out).
This is by far the best computer I have ever seen...I absolutely love it. It is VERY fast, and I like the Glossy screen better than the Matte on my Powerbook. The only Glare occurs when there is a very direct light source, and even then, yours eyes adjust quickly.
I have been waiting for the iMac upgrade for a year, so overall I am happy. I heard all of the graphics card complaints, and while I understand Apple should have given the option for a better gaming card, the ATI Radeon 2600 Pro HD (256) is awesome at decoding HD video. So far, it no problems at all. I think Apple is far more interested in Video than gaming, even after the display at WWDC.
- 24" iMac, 2.8 Intel Core 2 Extreme
- 2 Gigs of Ram (Apple - Although I have the feeling I will be buying 4 from OWC soon)
- 750 Gig
- Wireless Mighty Mouse, Standard Keyboard (I was not waiting no 5 weeks for a wireless keyboard, I'll just buy one in addition when they come out).
This is by far the best computer I have ever seen...I absolutely love it. It is VERY fast, and I like the Glossy screen better than the Matte on my Powerbook. The only Glare occurs when there is a very direct light source, and even then, yours eyes adjust quickly.
I have been waiting for the iMac upgrade for a year, so overall I am happy. I heard all of the graphics card complaints, and while I understand Apple should have given the option for a better gaming card, the ATI Radeon 2600 Pro HD (256) is awesome at decoding HD video. So far, it no problems at all. I think Apple is far more interested in Video than gaming, even after the display at WWDC.
Nuke_LaLoosh
New member
I also went ahead and bought the new iMac.
24"
2.4 ghz
4 GB of memory from OWC ($230 - works perfect)
320 GB Hard Drive
500 GB External HD (FW800 g-tech from B+H Photo)
M-Audio DX4 Studiophile Monitors (Amazon.com)
Some Thoughts:
This is my first Mac and I love it. Everything works great and fast. The glossy screen concerned me going in, but I really like it and have zero glare. And I actually like the new slim keyboard. My only reservation, and it's only from what I've read, is about the GPU. Apple seems to have wimped out a bit here - hopefully for my use, it won't be a big problem down the road.
I am swapping out the "mighty" mouse - I don't understand how people manage with these. (looking at this Microsoft mouse)) I am also looking at some kind of dedicated Final Cut Keyboard solution, maybe keycaps or stickers (on a different keyboard).
One final, very minor annoyance - Apple has put a black Apple icon on the new iMac's chin. It stands out enough that it occasionally catches my eye. Maybe I'll get used to it and it will go away - or I'll cover it up.
To sum up, I love it. No regrets.
Dave
24"
2.4 ghz
4 GB of memory from OWC ($230 - works perfect)
320 GB Hard Drive
500 GB External HD (FW800 g-tech from B+H Photo)
M-Audio DX4 Studiophile Monitors (Amazon.com)
Some Thoughts:
This is my first Mac and I love it. Everything works great and fast. The glossy screen concerned me going in, but I really like it and have zero glare. And I actually like the new slim keyboard. My only reservation, and it's only from what I've read, is about the GPU. Apple seems to have wimped out a bit here - hopefully for my use, it won't be a big problem down the road.
I am swapping out the "mighty" mouse - I don't understand how people manage with these. (looking at this Microsoft mouse)) I am also looking at some kind of dedicated Final Cut Keyboard solution, maybe keycaps or stickers (on a different keyboard).
One final, very minor annoyance - Apple has put a black Apple icon on the new iMac's chin. It stands out enough that it occasionally catches my eye. Maybe I'll get used to it and it will go away - or I'll cover it up.
To sum up, I love it. No regrets.
Dave
mainstreetprod
Veteran
Glad to hear the new Imacs are higher powered and more capable of FCP.
I bought a 20" Intel Imac a year ago and have successfully run FCP on it, but not without issues. Primary problem is that the preview window when doing P2 import can't keep up (I upgraded from 1/2 to 1.5 gig ram with little change). Previews in FCP are slow too, not quite as bad though. Second issue
is there seems to be a firewire buss problem. I was able to edit OK with a USB drive, then bought a firewire drive and basically can only store files on it - can't import from camera to it and can't edit on it. I ended up using external drives for file storage and internal drive for editing. I understand that is a no no but for me, it worked great.
Bottom line is I bought a Macbook Pro to replace it.
I bought a 20" Intel Imac a year ago and have successfully run FCP on it, but not without issues. Primary problem is that the preview window when doing P2 import can't keep up (I upgraded from 1/2 to 1.5 gig ram with little change). Previews in FCP are slow too, not quite as bad though. Second issue
is there seems to be a firewire buss problem. I was able to edit OK with a USB drive, then bought a firewire drive and basically can only store files on it - can't import from camera to it and can't edit on it. I ended up using external drives for file storage and internal drive for editing. I understand that is a no no but for me, it worked great.
Bottom line is I bought a Macbook Pro to replace it.
Nic Aragon
Well-known member
I like the glossy screen so far as well. I got:
24"
Core 2 Extreme 2.8ghz
1GB ram (upgrading later)
320gb 7200rpm
Im just getting all my stuff ready on it, havnt even made it home yet, just playing at work. Ill probably give it my ram from my Macbook Pro for the time being. Now that im finally back and fully updated with both the MBP and iMac im ready to get back to full workload
NUKE:
ya im hoping for new drivers as well in the Video card department, because I had the 2.16ghz 24" iMac, and upgraded the video card to the 7600 w/ 256mb VRAM, so the graphics update is especially disappointing to me, but the numbers arent that bad, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, motion is faster on the new system
you can see here for some windows game specs, and the main page has the other updates.
http://barefeats.com/imacal3.html
24"
Core 2 Extreme 2.8ghz
1GB ram (upgrading later)
320gb 7200rpm
Im just getting all my stuff ready on it, havnt even made it home yet, just playing at work. Ill probably give it my ram from my Macbook Pro for the time being. Now that im finally back and fully updated with both the MBP and iMac im ready to get back to full workload
NUKE:
ya im hoping for new drivers as well in the Video card department, because I had the 2.16ghz 24" iMac, and upgraded the video card to the 7600 w/ 256mb VRAM, so the graphics update is especially disappointing to me, but the numbers arent that bad, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, motion is faster on the new system
you can see here for some windows game specs, and the main page has the other updates.
http://barefeats.com/imacal3.html
I'm thinking of buying this system for editing as well. What should I expect to pay, all in all, assuming I buy the hard drive and ram from the cheapest outlet (1 tera hard drive - 3 or 4 gig ram) for a 24" system or a 20" system?
The only thing I'm concerned about is using external hard drives. As one person mentioned above, their external hard drives were basically worthless for editing. But apparently that was for an earlier system. Can the current system handle external hard drive editing? Will be editing in HD.
The only thing I'm concerned about is using external hard drives. As one person mentioned above, their external hard drives were basically worthless for editing. But apparently that was for an earlier system. Can the current system handle external hard drive editing? Will be editing in HD.