Imac or Mac Pro?

[virtualme78]

Hi all,

I have done a search on Google and I know this has been massively discussed. However, I don't think I have found an answer to my question.

I am a Graphic Design and most of the time, I am using Adobe Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop CS 6 for my work use. I am running those softwares on a late 2009 iMac 27" 2.66GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache; Turbo Boost dynamic performance up to 3.2GHz. 4gb 1067MHz DDR3 ram and ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB graphics card.

With all the softwares updating and improving ever so quickly, I find my iMac getting slower and slower each day. I know for sure a 4GB ram is definitely not enough for my current use thus I am looking for upgrade. There are a few upgrading options I'm consider:

1. Upgrading the ram to at least 16gb

2. Upgrading to the current iMac (3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, 8GB (two 4GB) memory, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M with 2GB video memory)

3. Mac Pro

I am inclining towards Mac Pro as I am looking to 'future proof' myself, hoping the new machine can last me another 5 years. I know the Mac Pro is a beast in a machine and that is exactly why I'm a little worried that I might be throwing 5 grand for something that I may not even fully utilize.

Appreciate any helpful comments. Thank you very much.

 

[chickenbackside]

Like you my work depends on a Mac. My work is non-visual (music/audio)

I have almost all iterations of Apple computers, Mac Pro, iMac, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and Mac Mini.

For serious work, it's always the best to work on a Mac Pro. It's fast and quiet and has seemingly unending computing muscle (with 64GB of RAM).

When the going gets really heavy, the iMac (and all the rest for that matter) will fall down way before the Mac Pro will skip a beat.

My experience with the longevity of Mac Pros are excellent. They last a long time. My G5 is 12 years old and it still works (my kids use it to surf the net in the living room). Prior to that, I used my G4 and G3 until the software overtook their ability, but they still worked when I gave them away.

Having said that, I am not sure whether your usage will be processor/RAM heavy. If I can make a loaded Mac Pro fall down with music software (when doing huge orchestral music), I'm guessing visual based software will be even more taxing?

Nothing beats having lots of computing muscle at your disposal when you need it. Especially when it generates income to pay your bills.

 

[chenaz]

there are 2 options. if u are budget then go for mac pro but comes with 256 SSD. extrage storaage extra top ups even for the basic model.

second option is buy a 27 inch imac with 2gb of graphic and upgrade to i7/16gb ram/1TB funsion drive. is good to last u another 5 years.

second option is only 3600++ compare to 4200++ basic mac pro

 

[virtualme78]

I think what I am doing is pretty taxing on my iMac now and I can hear the noise from my iMac louder and louder. Sometimes I'm doing editing on 3-4gb photoshop files or indesign files that is linked to 1gb or more worth of images and illustrations. I agree with you that having more at disposal is always better esp when I want the machine to last me another 5 years which is why I am inclined to the Mac Pro. It is not a full-time money generating machine because I only do freelance graphic design whenever I have them.

Like you my work depends on a Mac. My work is non-visual (music/audio)

I have almost all iterations of Apple computers, Mac Pro, iMac, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air and Mac Mini.

For serious work, it's always the best to work on a Mac Pro. It's fast and quiet and has seemingly unending computing muscle (with 64GB of RAM).

When the going gets really heavy, the iMac (and all the rest for that matter) will fall down way before the Mac Pro will skip a beat.

My experience with the longevity of Mac Pros are excellent. They last a long time. My G5 is 12 years old and it still works (my kids use it to surf the net in the living room). Prior to that, I used my G4 and G3 until the software overtook their ability, but they still worked when I gave them away.

Having said that, I am not sure whether your usage will be processor/RAM heavy. If I can make a loaded Mac Pro fall down with music software (when doing huge orchestral music), I'm guessing visual based software will be even more taxing?

Nothing beats having lots of computing muscle at your disposal when you need it. Especially when it generates income to pay your bills.

I am by no means a person who can throw 5 grand down easily so I am really looking at making the money last as long as I can (hopefully 5 years like every Mac machines I have owned so far). I am running NAS so I won't be saving files on my machine. Most save them natively in the machine when the project is WIP so I guess storage space isn't very much an issue.

there are 2 options. if u are budget then go for mac pro but comes with 256 SSD. extrage storaage extra top ups even for the basic model.

second option is buy a 27 inch imac with 2gb of graphic and upgrade to i7/16gb ram/1TB funsion drive. is good to last u another 5 years.

second option is only 3600++ compare to 4200++ basic mac pro

 

[chenaz]

i still think that imac is enough for ur needs. if ur current machine can run ur current load from 2009 to now. new imac with more ram and speed sure will last u this long i guess.

 

[virtualme78]

I had a chat with my fren who is an IT person. He too agrees that iMac with upgraded specs is all I need. I guess I will be heeding his advice.

Any advice on fusion drive or flash storage? 27" imac is ram upgradable right?

i still think that imac is enough for ur needs. if ur current machine can run ur current load from 2009 to now. new imac with more ram and speed sure will last u this long i guess.

 

[PetPet]

If you've got enough budget.
Flash storage.
else Fusion drive is fine

 

[themarxx]

Get an iMac if your OCD nature cannot stand cable clutter



Get a Mac Pro if you foresee doing 4K work (which will probably earn more $$). or intend to use multiple screens.

 

[faithsilence]

the new Mac Pro is more geared towards FHD or 4K resolution video work or 3D modelling and animation, if you are looking at the Xeon processors and the GFX cards. I think personally, it is an overkill for your usage + it also does not include a monitor. If you wanna save some money, the 27" iMac with max out RAM is more than enough for your needs.

 

[punggolkid]

If I had the money I'd go for the Mac Pro. Looks good and lots of power at your disposal.

 

[Morugana]

mac pro anytime.

if u got too much cash to spare

and doing 4k edit