Apple Imac for photo editing/review. 21.5 or 27"?

[Gad-Westy]

I'm deliberately posting this here as my question solely relates to the benefit of using a larger monitor with photo editing.

I'm likely to be replacing our aging PC in the next few weeks and having got used to using a Mac Laptop for the last three years, I am going to go for an imac desktop as well. I'm not really interested in a Mac vs. PC debate. I know I could get a PC for an awful lot less but I like using macs so my mind is made up in that regard.

There is a dilemma though. There is a near £400 price difference between the 21.5" and the 27" displays, spec for spec. If I hadn't got into photography last year, I'd be going for the the 21.5" but I'm wondering now if the 27" (which also has higher resolution) is worth forking out the extra for. The thing is I'm not prepared to pay anymore than the £1400 that the base 27" imac costs but if I was to pay the same for a 21.5" imac I could spec it with some useful internal upgrades or save the difference and spend it on a lens or full fat photoshop etc...

Just wondering if those that have used both can offer me some insight?

[JustinP1]

I run a 28 inch monitor with a old Mac Mini for work stuff - admittedly not photo editing.

Once you are used to the space, you don't want to go back.

I'd consider the other options. Mac Mini plus monitor is not as lightening quick, but it won't be a slouch for the cash.

[Gad-Westy]

JustinP1 said:

I run a 28 inch monitor with a old Mac Mini for work stuff - admittedly not photo editing.

Once you are used to the space, you don't want to go back.

I'd consider the other options. Mac Mini plus monitor is not as lightening quick, but it won't be a slouch for the cash.

Cheers. I had considered this route. There is something quite appealing about the all in one iMac build but you do pay through the nose for it. Where it is to sit, space is at a premium and it does seem like the neatest solution still.

The current PC has a measly 15" monitor and an appalling resolution. Whatever I go for will be a huge leap forward but I use a 24" monitor at work mainly for CAD etc and I know how useful having a few more inches can be (quiet at the back!). It's just difficult to justify the cost.

[JustinP1]

I also use it where space is a premium.

At the time, the Mini plus the huge monitor was 60% of the cost of the 'middle spec' iMac.

The Mini is now £612 plus the RAM you would no doubt fill it with before using. 27 iMac us now £1429.

You might save £450 by going separate today. iMac will still be slightly quicker, but not so much.

[Gad-Westy]

JustinP1 said:

I also use it where space is a premium.

At the time, the Mini plus the huge monitor was 60% of the cost of the 'middle spec' iMac.

The Mini is now £612 plus the RAM you would no doubt fill it with before using. 27 iMac us now £1429.

You might save £450 by going separate today. iMac will still be slightly quicker, but not so much.

Cheers. I think it's worth be taking a closer look at this option then.

[Ammo 7]

I bought a 27" iMac last April specifically for photo use after having received some very useful advice on this forum. I am very happy with it.

The things I like are the lack of wires everywhere. Not like a computer with a separate monitor. The monitor is very clear and seems pretty much calibrated out of the box. When you edit vertical shots the image is still quite big. It comes with iPhoto which I find quite useful and have used for the last 8 months until recently upgrading to Aperture 3 which is much more versatile.

I don't think I would like to go back to anything smaller now.

[bolide]

Pay the extra £400. Every time you use it you'll be glad you did

You can add RAM upgrades & 3-year AppleCare over time. You can't make the screen bigger once you've bought it

Nick Froome

[JustinP1]

bolide said:

Pay the extra £400. Every time you use it you'll be glad you did

You can add RAM upgrades & 3-year AppleCare over time. You can't make the screen bigger once you've bought it

Nick Froome

I'd agree.

The thing is with Apple stuff, especially at the top end, you are not just dumping money into nothing. Secondhand market for macs is great.

£400 extra may mean £150 extra resale value, so over 4 years of use, that's like £1 a week extra to use the big screen. If you are using it any more than occasionally, you'd be silly not to.

[leeb]

yep, agree with the above, The fact you can have one wire, plus a usb wacom tablet and wireless keyboard really does make it handy.

I looked at the 21.5 but decided to swallow the extra and get the 27" and i would not change it for the world. It is so true, once you get used to the space and size it is all you will ever want to use. You wont regret it going bigger.

[Diabolik]

I've got the 21.5 and I never have any problems with screen size using Aperture, however it would be nice for it to be 27...

[CVP]

Definitely the 27. Mrs CVP & I went through a similar discussion when we moved to the iMac a couple of years ago and we decided in the end the screen acreage was worth it.

Now it's also used as a TV from BBC iPlayer content so 27 is definitely worthwhile

Chris

[Gad-Westy]

Man, you lot are expensive. Can somebody please come on and post that the difference between 21.5" and 27" is barely perceptible and a total waste of £400. Thanks in advance

[Diabolik]

Might be worth a bit of research, but in the months following the release of the 21.5 and 27 models, there was a heck loads of manufacturing issues, particularly with the 27 - don't know if that still applies, but for the price you pay I'd it expect it to be absolutely faultless.

[rhubarb]

Bit of a late reply, but I've just moved to a 27 imac, from dual screen, and its totally changed my workflow. There's so much more room, to play with. The screen is ace as well, so I would spend the extra, its worth it. In terms of memory - spec it with the minimum from Apple - I bought mine with 4Gb. Then go and buy extra memory from crucial, its around 2/3rds the price, I bought 2 * 4Gb to add to the 2 * 2Gb already there, and its like lightning. CS5 and LR3 struggled a bit on 4Gb but no such problem at 12.

[CommanderJameson]

I have a 27" aluminium iMac, and the screen is simply marvellous.

Huge, bright and crisp with a wide viewing angle.

I'd make the same buying decision again.

[Gad-Westy]

Thanks Diabolik and Rhubarb. My mind is made up on the 27 I think and I probably will put in some extra ram from the off. I don't think I want to go any further than that with upgrades at this stage (the faster processor options are mega bucks) but I may see if I can get the wired keyboard and mouse thrown in instead of the wireless versions.

Any £'s left over may be spent on PS Elements and maybe aperture if the app store offer is still running.

[CVP]

Extra RAM is always worth it, cram in as much as you can

[Stu R]

27" is worth every penny

[scoobal]

If buying from the high street, remember to haggle the price down saying you will take their warranty cover. I got 300 off my MBP. Then once your home just post the certificate away to cust services, and cancel the policy. Money returned (cheque) and a computer for a huge chunk less. Upyours Comet

Edited by scoobal on Thursday 20th January 19:55

[Gad-Westy]

scoobal said:

If buying from the high street, remember to haggle the price down saying you will take their warranty cover. I got 300 off my MBP. Then once your home just post the certificate away to cust services, and cancel the policy. Money returned (cheque) and a computer for a huge chunk less. Upyours Comet

Edited by scoobal on Thursday 20th January 19:55

Interesting. I'll almost certainly be buying from John Lewis as I have some vouchers to use. I've never managed to get anything knocked off apple stuff in the past but will give it whirl.