Best Mac Monitor for Photoshop?

[billh]

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Apple has just announced the new Intel desktop, so I can finally replace my glacial old dual processor G4. I have the old 22 inch Apple monitor, but I think I remember reading the new 23 inch was better, so I will buy it or the 30 inch monitor. Is either of these better for Photoshop work?

 

I assume it is better to order this new computer with the dual 3 GHz as opposed to the 2.6?

 

Thanks,

 

Bill

[Overgaard]

I think the difference between 23" and 20" was on the old screens. As far as I know the new alu screens are similar.

 

I'll be considering either two 20" side by side or one 30". It's funny how small and limited one 20" seems these days.

[chrisweeks]

i use a macbook pro 15 with two 23's ...

 

one for "road use" and one for home!

 

i think i see the one i use on the road more often though.

 

the only bitch was calibrating both the macbook's screen and the external 23's ... so that they all look the same!

 

good luck with the new purchase!

 

too bad PS CS2 isn't out for the intel machines!

[johnkuo]

Apple just lowered the price of the 30" by $500 - now $1999, that's how much I paid for my 23" a few years ago..

[billh]

I ordered the 30 inch monitor with the Processor 0656508 3.00 GHz Quad Xeon and Memory 0656414 8GB 667 DDR2 FB DIMM ECC4x2GB (Quad Xeon means there are four processors?)

 

I was told you can run the four internal HDs as a RAID. I have a bunch of 1.6 TB RAIDs hooked to the G4 now.

 

Chris, it is too bad CS is not out for the Intel yet, but even though it has to run by a translator program, it is still faster on my Intel iMac and Intel Powerbook than it is on my old dual processor G4, which of course is my primary Photoshop computer. CaptureOne is out for Intel Macs, and it takes forever to go through the 1Ds2 files on the G4. I did not want to buy a G5 because it was obvious they would come out with the Intel Power Mac, and the other Intels I have are, by comparison, very fast.

 

Maybe the fact they have finally released Intel Macs will hasten the new version of PS?

[gepetto]

Bill there are 2 CPU's but each CPU has 2 processor cores. So you have four altogether.

 

These new machines are really top notch. The RAM slots are FB-DIMM slots which brings the architecture of the motherboard on pair for each subsystem. The CPU's and PCI express were out pacing the old RAM standards. FB-DIMMs were created by Intel.

 

What type of RAID do you have set up?

 

Aside from the RAID I would suggest setting up one HD just to run the OS something like a 74GB WD Raptor drive that spins at 10k RPM. And another Raptor just for scratch disk space for photoshop, disk burning etc.

 

Are you aware that these machines and also the G5 machines are using the SATA HD standard. It uses a different type of cable. The drives in the G4 will not move to the Mac Pro unless you upgraded the G4 with SATA vie a PCI card. The Mac Pro actually is not even going to use any cables. The beauty of SATA design is they created the drive slots with a socket in the back that the drives actually plug right into for interface and power.

 

I don't think there is really a choice for the monitor. If you have the desk space the 30" display is the way to go.

 

I don't think you will be waiting very long on those 1Ds2 files any more.