Mac or Not?

[Algernonep]

I'm about to click the order botton. I have been looking at the 27" iMac for a few weeks now. I'm about 90% sure that I want this Mac. My biggest worry is my workflow, because if I get the iMac I will be switching from Lightroom to the new Aperature 3. I decide to get opinions here on DPS. When there is Mac vs. PC issues here on DPS it seems to attract a lot of attention. I figure this attention will help me go ahead and click the order button or think a little more. I do have an HP laptop. I do plan on keeping my PC because I don't know much about Mac. So DPS, bring on the advice! About to click buy...

[Nicole]

You're not locked into using Aperture on the Mac. You may already know that and you may want the features Aperture offers. However, I use LR on my Macs. And those 27" iMacs are gorgeous. If you stick with LR you can just import your catalog and keep going. Otherwise, just make sure you save all your metadata into the files before you move them over so that you keep your keywords, etc. You'll loose any LR processing though.

[SoxAddict]

I bought my first Mac last month after my laptop died (for the 2nd time in 6 months). It's wonderful - go for it.

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by Nicole

You're not locked into using Aperture on the Mac. You may already know that and you may want the features Aperture offers. However, I use LR on my Macs. And those 27" iMacs are gorgeous. If you stick with LR you can just import your catalog and keep going. Otherwise, just make sure you save all your metadata into the files before you move them over so that you keep your keywords, etc. You'll loose any LR processing though.

Yes, you are right, I already knew that I'm not lock into using Aperture. I think some of the features of Aperture 3 are very tempting. I like LR, it's just tempting to think of getting the new Aperture. You brought up a good point about sticking with LR. The 27" iMac is a gorgeous machine huh...

[Nicole]

Yeah, it is gorgeous. I have a 24" which is nice enough, but I saw the 27" ones the other day and it's just like *drool* especially over the quad cores.

Just from personal experience, I've tried Aperture and LR. Each time a new version of either comes out I'm downloading the trial / beta / etc. At v2 of each, I'd spent time trying to figure out which one suited my needs better and which one I liked working with better. LR won out. Partially for performance, partially for me just preferring the layout. I tried Aperture again at v3 and while there were some features I really liked (the ability to import video being one of them), it still didn't draw me in.

That being said, there are tons of people who love Aperture! I'd go with a trial of it before committing to it. And enjoy the new iMac!

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by SoxAddict

I bought my first Mac last month after my laptop died (for the 2nd time in 6 months). It's wonderful - go for it.

When my PC laptop died on me last year, I bought another HP. If I would have known what I know now, I would have bought a Mac.

[jdepould]

I'm sort of in the same spot, and those 27" quad-cores are calling my name. Now if it weren't for those pesky production problems.

[Jim Bryant]

Just yesterday I upgrade my 17" Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard and Aperture. Not only is Snow Leopard the cat's meow (no pun intended) but Aperture is a beast. I'm one happy photographer. I happen to use Photomechanics for all my metadata entries, image renaming, numbering and editing. After than I open RAW images up in either Adobe Bridge or Aperture 3.

[Algernonep]

Originally Posted by jdepould

I'm sort of in the same spot, and those 27" quad-cores are calling my name. Now if it weren't for those pesky production problems.

Quad-cores Wow... That's not the one I'm looking at but it's so tempting...
I'm about to click on buy and wait for it to be shipped...

[Jim Poor]

1. Check into refurbed units on Apple.com. You save a few bucks and the warranty is the same.

2. Do a Google search on 27 inch imac yellow tint as there are some displays with a color problem.

3. I just got a 27 in iMac and have two 21.5 inchers on the way for mobile viewing and sales at events.

I've never been happier with my computer since I switched. I run a Mac Pro with two 30-in displays along side two Mac Minis with 17 inch non-Apple displays. For my mobile set up, I have a 27, two 21.5 (on the FedEx truck today!) and two Mac Book Pros. Love em all!