i-mac any good for post processing?

[delander]

Often thought about a Mac instead of my current PC. Now as it happens it could be an opportune moment for me to change over. Thinking of an i-mac but I am concerned about that shiny screen, colour profiling and accuracy, reflections etc.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Jeff

[Marquinius]

Jeff,

I do all my post processing on an IMac (non shiny, intel duo core version). If you really want to go "the extra mile", I'd suggest a G5 with cinema display. But IMacs are A-Okay for "us regular folks".

[delander]

Thanks Marco, I did not know you could get a non-shiny screen

Jeff

[Nicoleica]

Originally Posted by delander

Thanks Marco, I did not know you could get a non-shiny screen

Jeff

I think that the 'shiny' screens are the only option these days, but I use an iMac 24" 'shiny screen' and have not encountered any issues with reflections at all. Colour profiling is very easy on any Mac too.

The latest LED displays are also excellent if you wish to add an extra display.

[microview]

There's information on a screen fix if the current shiny finish proves hard to work with (for me on a 24in intel iMac the screen is excellent, though it has no natural light falling across it) at Make your glossy iMac screen matte | Desktop | Macworld Video | Macworld.

[delander]

Reading that link does not encourage me. It seems the shiny screen can be a real problem for quite a lot of people. I would think sticking a film on the screen without getting dust caught underneath is basically impossible.

Jeff

[andybarton]

Apple haven't made G5s for years, since they went to Intel

As ever, buy as much RAM as you can, but not from Apple. Buy it from Crucial

[archi4]

Jeff,
I managed to buy 2 of the very last i-Macs with the matte screens and am very satisfied for post processing using Capture One and PS CS4. Easily calibrated with x-rite Pro1, the screen matches my prints from an Epson 3800 extremely well. (printer profiles made with the x-rite pro1) Screen brightness calibrated to 80 lumens.
The probem with the glossy screens according to my professional dealer here is that calibrating is very inconsistent hit and miss, because of false reflections. This was a much greater problem for me, as the reflections can probably be avoided by proper workplace lighting,

If I need more power and still want to work with an i-Mac, I think I would go to a two screen configuration with a matte display for the image and the i-Mac display for the rest.

maurice

[Nicoleica]

Originally Posted by delander

Reading that link does not encourage me. It seems the shiny screen can be a real problem for quite a lot of people. I would think sticking a film on the screen without getting dust caught underneath is basically impossible.

Jeff

I use my iMac 10-12 hours a day for my work, and I have had no problems with reflections, even though it is beside a window and I use a halogen desk lamp.

If you are concerned though, the best thing is to try one at your local Apple store.

[stunsworth]

I've had my iMac - 24" with glossy screen - for just over a year. I can't say I've noticed any problems. Maybe that's because I don't have any bright lights behind me, but whatever the reason I haven't found reflections to be a problems.

Andy's advice about memory is spot on. It was cheaper for me to buy 4 gig of OEM memory and throw away the 2 gig shipped by Apple than to buy the upgrade from 2 to 4 from Apple when I purchased the machine.

[MPerson]

I run two 24" iMacs with 'glossy' screens and no problems. Calibrated with a Spyder and no issues whatsoever.

[stnami]

imac and a monitor of your choice or a macbook pro and a monitor of your choice...............use the gloss screen for Photoshop tools,boxes,etc and the monitor with a matte screen for the image. or Lightroom on the monitor and the secondary screen on the gloss etc

[delander]

Thanks to all for the replies. I'll go and find a Mac dealer near to me and look at the screens

Jeff

[ptarmigan]

I've been running a 20" iMac for three years (almost) and it's OK. My major concerns are/have been:

• A max of 3gb of RAM (I think the new ones allow you to have 4) and it is starting to struggle with some CS3 actions and of course Aperture is slower than I'd like
• No proper option to colour manage a second monitor - you can save a second profile but it's not ideal as you really need two separate cards
• No means to properly adjust the colour (no RGB controls) - which means whilst it is easy to calibrate a Mac the iMac and other Mac screens are not ideal if you work in a tight colour managed environment
• No contrast control on Mac screens including the iMac - less of an issue
• It's not easy to upgrade an iMac in comparison to a Mac Pro

Personally, if funds allowed I'd get the Mac Pro and would not buy an Apple screen. They are good but they are expensive and not very adjustable. Others use the same LCD panel as Apple but better electronics - NEC for example. I used to have a link to a site that showed which panels were in which monitors, Amazing how the same panel used in 3 different 'configurations' gives such different results. Wonder if I could find the source again?

[delander]

This could be the link: www.flatpanelshd.com - Your guide to flat panel monitors and TVs

Jeff

[ptarmigan]

Originally Posted by delander

This could be the link: www.flatpanelshd.com - Your guide to flat panel monitors and TVs

Jeff

Jeff

It's not but after a quick search I found that the:

Apple iMac 24 (widescreen) has a 24 inch 12 ms (g2g) H-IPS (LG.Display LM240WU2-(SL)(B1)) panel.

Hazro HZ24W (widescreen) has a 24 inch 5 ms (g2g) H-IPS (LG.Philips LM240WU2) panel.

NEC LCD2490WUXi (widescreen) has a 24 inch 7 ms (g2g) H-IPS (LG.Philips LM240WU2) panel.

NEC LCD2490WUXi-BK (widescreen) has a 24 inch 7 ms (g2g) H-IPS (LG.Philips LM240WU2) panel.

So I guess this as helpful. Good find.

[carylwithay]

I have 2 24" Intel shiny iMacs. I used to use the G5. The shine has never bothered me. i do excessive post processing on them with out any problems.
Caryl