Apple Mac questions

UP N MTNS

I've done alot of research but would like some "real user" suggestions.

I'm looking into the Apple MacPro/15.4", my only reason for not going just Mac is the screen size.
I've never owned a laptop of my own. I've never owned any Apple product, it's all foreign to me, and no I'm not 10 years old, I'm pushing 40. I know my way around a computer enough to get by.

I've never used PhotoShop or any type of editing software on my pics, that will be another mountian for me to climb and summit...

I was at the Apple store today but between stepping over the idiots sleeping in front of the door and the staff that has it's iPhone blinders on they were not that helpful.

I would be using the Mac almost 100% time for photos and maybe some video editing. I dont plan on writing a book or giving power point type presentations or running a business with it.
It will be just for photos and messing around on the net, can anyone give me some advice on what I need or dont need out of a computer/Mac/Pro?

I dont mind droping the cash for a soild laptop/Mac, I just dont want to end up buying something that I will never use in the way it was intended. Can I get away with the "stock" Mac or do I need as much speed and memory as my wallet will afford?

I see the Apple has Aperture as a "extra" photo editing program, any thoughts on this software? or any other photo software I should learn to use?

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or suggestions you can give me. My head is spinning and I need to go lay down:rofl

UP N MTNS

colourbox

How mobile are you going to be? If you will be at a desk much of the time, it's highly recommended to hook up a good desktop LCD (any brand) as your main monitor, and use the built-in laptop LCD as a secondary monitor for palettes or other apps. That way you can have a monitor bigger and better than any laptop monitor, since no laptop monitor is that great for critical photo work. Unless the new LED-backlit screen on the MacBook Pro changes that, I don't know.

Aperture is great, but Adobe Lightroom is its very similar direct competition, and if you are considering either, it's a good idea to download both free trials and make sure you're getting the best one for you. In fact you could save some money up front by starting with either app instead of expensive Photoshop, and only moving up to Photoshop later, when you are ready to. Aperture and Lightroom are both specifically designed to organize and process digital camera photos, and both are very powerful. Photoshop is several levels more powerful, but more specialized.

jdryan3

I just ordered a MacBook Pro 15". I got the basic 2.2 Ghz w/the 128MB nVidia card, & 2GB RAM. I did upgrade to the 160GB HD @7200rpm (there is a thread near this one where I asked about the HD drive options). I will use it only for photography - maybe e-mail and some iTunes.

I didn't think the faster video card was needed, and .2Ghz in speed wasn't much. But I shoot RAW on a 5D, and my .psd files start out at about 70MB 16-bit images. So I wanted the larger drive. Additionally, I already own a 400GB external HD, and have a 300GB desktop internal drive. One reason I went for the MBP was the Firewire 800 connection for external storage (thanks DavidTO).

I agree with colourbox on an external monitor. Again, I already own a 24" flat panel w/DVI, so that made the laptop solution easier. If you don't have a good external monitor (and don't HAVE to have a laptop for tavel), then I would seriously consider the 24" iMac instead.

Finally, I have used PS since v6. I own (now) 3 PCs. I am familiar with Macs, but certainly not proficient. But since I needed to upgrade my photo editing platform anyway, I chose to hone my skills on the Mac rather than learn Vista's ins and outs. And I went for the MBP instead of the iMac because, while I travel maybe 6 times a year, not having the laptop was more painful than carrying it around.

Hope that helps.

UP N MTNS

Thank you both for your input... I didnt know you could hook up multiple monitors off a lap top...I told you I was new to this.

I like the 24" iMac but really need the convenience of the laptop,I do travel alot and would like to have my stuff with me.

I will download the trial versions of Aperture and Adobe Lightroom and give them a go.

Thanks again and if anyone else wants to speak up, please do.


UP N MTNS

colourbox

UP N MTNS wrote:

Thank you both for your input... I didnt know you could hook up multiple monitors off a lap top...I told you I was new to this.

Yeah, most laptops seem to have an external monitor port these days, PC or Mac. Macs have been doing it since the early 90s. The MacBook Pro can drive up to a 30" external monitor (2560 x 1600)!

By the way, if you are thinking about getting the AppleCare extended warranty, if you buy a laptop and Apple monitor at the same time they can both be covered under one extended warranty. If you bought them at different times, each would need its own.

jdryan3, when I'll have to get a new laptop, I plan to make the same decision you did. As a long-time Mac user I think your take on the video card and CPU are correct. I think it's great that the low-end MacBook Pro is powerful enough.

DavidTO

Far and away the single most important photo app for you to learn/worry about is Photoshop. Spending time in Aperture or Lightroom at this point is putting the cart before the horse, IMO. Neither one replaces the one app that you need to know: Photoshop.

The MBP is a great laptop(I'm typing on one now! ), but the display on it cannot compare to a desktop display.

jdryan3

DavidTO wrote:

The MBP is a great laptop(I'm typing on one now! ), but the display on it cannot compare to a desktop display.

On the MB Pro the laptop screen and external monitor can be calibrated separately (different profiles), correct? I believe that is not available on the regular MacBook.

colourbox

jdryan3 wrote:

On the MB Pro the laptop screen and external monitor can be calibrated separately (different profiles), correct? I believe that is not available on the regular MacBook.

It should be possible on any Mac, because recognizing separate profiles per monitor is another thing that Macs have also done since way back. It was certainly possible on my last two PowerBooks.

However, there is a possibility that doesn't apply to the MacBook because it uses integrated video instead of a separate video card. I don't know if that is a factor, but haven't seen any negative reports about it either.

mrbill62

In addition to the the suggestions about using an external monitor for desktop use, I have a few more suggestions:

1. The 2.2 GHz MacBook Pro will be more than fast enough for your general use.
2. Max out your RAM to 4 GB. DON'T buy from Apple. (about $220 from OWC) The extra RAM will be useful if you do more than one thing at a time ... i.e. use Photoshop, surf, etc. OSX loves RAM.
3. Get an external HD (FW400 minimum, better is FW800). The MacBook Pro has firewire 800 - almost as fast as the SATA drive bus in real world use.
4. External mouse/trackball/tablet (whatever you prefer) for desktop use.

When it comes to photo editing software, I have several questions for you:
1. What kind of photography do you do?
2. Do you shoot RAW?
3. What type of editing do you want to do? How deep do you want to go?

All Macs come with iPhoto and Preview both which are capable of basic photo editing (Exposure, Gamma, White & Black Points, Saturation, Contrast/Brightness, Sharpness, Sepia, Crop, Rotate L/R, Flip Horiz/Vert) and there are other low cost alternatives (Graphic Converter, Seashore, etc).

Finally, go back to the Apple Store & even if no one will talk to you - start using one of the MacBook Pros. See if you like how it works. There is still a learning curve to Macs (just not as steep ) I recommend David Pogue's books on OSX.

CatOne

jdryan3 wrote:

On the MB Pro the laptop screen and external monitor can be calibrated separately (different profiles), correct? I believe that is not available on the regular MacBook.

Yep. But you can do it on both. The MacBook doesn't force mirroring like the old iBooks did.

UP N MTNS

jdryan3 wrote:

I agree with colourbox on an external monitor. Again, I already own a 24" flat panel w/DVI, so that made the laptop solution easier. If you don't have a good external monitor (and don't HAVE to have a laptop for tavel), then I would seriously consider the 24" iMac instead.

I went with the 24" iMac after giving it a long test drive at the Apple store.
I talked myself out of thinking I needed the mobility of a MacBook/Pro and I'm very happy with my choice so far. The damm monitor is bigger then my TV

Its like learning to walk all over again,I only wish I would have crossed over sooner. I signed up for the one on one in store class, so I'm hoping that will help me alot.

Thanks again,
UP N MTNS

DavidTO

Let us know if we can help, and also, when you've reached that point where you are starting to feel comfortable, and we can start throwing the really cool stuff at you.