New computer - desktop PC, laptop or Mac?

ShoeQueen

ShoeQueen

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Lynn
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My 5+ year old laptop with 1GB RAM just isn't good enough for what I need anymore. Its slow running LR3, overheats and switches off a lot (esp if I try to export out of LR!) - for the amount of use its got over those 5 years its more than done ok - but time to upgrade.

My options are either
- laptop - with separate monitor and keyboard. This is the set up I currently have but the monitor is an older one someone gave me so I'd need a decent new one.

- desktop PC - I have no real need for portability and tend to do all my work in a study so this would be the best value option.

- iMac. Never had Mac before, but this might be a good time to change over?

Suggestions/advice?

(If saying which you prefer and why - positive comments about option preferred rather than anti Mac/anti PC stuff!)
 
If you're going to need to buy EVERYTHING, an iMac is a good option, especially a refurb which is cheaper but aesthetically brand new and carries the same warranty.

If you've already got a good colour correct monitor etc a desktop might be better.
 
Digitalize said:
If you're going to need to buy EVERYTHING, an iMac is a good option, especially a refurb which is cheaper but aesthetically brand new and carries the same warranty.

If you've already got a good colour correct monitor etc a desktop might be better.
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No, my monitor is ok, but was given to me when someone upgraded theirs, so it didn't cost me anything. I'd like a better, and larger, one, whichever option I go for. And one with built in speakers I suppose, if I get a desktop?
 
I'd always go external speakers, far better quality. Even with an iMac I'd want external speakers.

I'm on a blurry line if I tried to fit in with your choices.

I own a mac, it's a laptop, it's used like a desktop a lot of the time, and that works for me.
 
Have you used a mac before? If not go to an apple store and try one before buying as you may find you don't like it. If you like it more than the equivalent windows box then great, but make sure any comparisons are the same price and spec because otherwise both systems are identical in terms of reliability and performance.

Personally I'd avoid the iMac, the glossy. Screen can be a pain to work with and the gloss introduces a false sense of contrast.

If you go down the mac route I'd suggest a MacBook pro with anti glare screen and/or external screen.
 
I'd agree with Neil - go and try one out first. Choose whichever you prefer - the underlying hardware is the same (a Mac is a PC built into a particular configuration running OSX) so once you are in the programs (LR/PS etc) they will run the same assuming similar hardware configuration.
 
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