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dawiz
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p.1 #1 · iMac 24" glossy?

Hi,

Is anyone here using a 24" glossy iMac for professional photo editing?
My old Macbook Pro is starting to have issues keeping up with my large Lightroom db and I'm thinking of moving to a desktop computer for image editing. I absolutely can't afford a Mac Pro (the base model costs about 3500$ here in Switzerland) but I'd hate to move back to Windows for this.

I have some serious reservations because of the glossy screen- do you share these? If not, what are your experiences in terms of performace?

peter

Sep 24, 2008 at 08:23 AM

redmonkee
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p.1 #2 · iMac 24" glossy?

Hi Peter,

I use a glossy 24" Imac and I have to say it works wonderfully well with Lightroom. I use a Spyder 3 elite monitor calibration and have to say I get pretty damn close to what i see on the Monitor when printing using my Epson R2400.

The large screen size is a real bonus when photo editing

Sep 24, 2008 at 08:27 AM

dawiz
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p.1 #3 · iMac 24" glossy?

redmonkee wrote:
Hi Peter,

I use a glossy 24" Imac and I have to say it works wonderfully well with Lightroom. I use a Spyder 3 elite monitor calibration and have to say I get pretty damn close to what i see on the Monitor when printing using my Epson R2400.

The large screen size is a real bonus when photo editing

thanks for the reply! So far I've been using a Huey Pro to calibrate my monitor (I should add that I already use an external 24" monitor with the Macbook Pro but I wouldn't mind having more space on the desktop with an integrated model).
And the reflections don't bother you?

peter

Sep 24, 2008 at 08:34 AM

peterparker
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p.1 #4 · iMac 24" glossy?

dawiz wrote:
(I should add that I already use an external 24" monitor with the Macbook Pro but I wouldn't mind having more space on the desktop with an integrated model).

Don't forget, you can still use the external as a second display with the iMac!

Sep 24, 2008 at 06:12 PM

dawiz
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p.1 #5 · iMac 24" glossy?

Don't forget, you can still use the external as a second display with the iMac!

true - unfortunately I don't have enough space to fit two large screens and the R2400 on my desk - but it's good to know that it's possible.

peter

Sep 25, 2008 at 06:26 AM

mdude85
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p.1 #6 · iMac 24" glossy?

I've not edited on an iMac recently but I have edited on a number of glossy screens and while I don't really like them, they do the job just fine. I prefer matte screens, even though they don't "pop" like glossy screens do. I would recommend some sort of lighting set up which will not cause glare (an easy solution would be to turn off the overhead lights in your workstation and use small amounts of localized light such as lamps). There are also monitor hoods for this type of work, although I don't think they fasten to iMacs very easily. They are also quite expensive (much like lens hoods!

).

I wonder if the iMac would be a big step up from a Macbook Pro if the MPB is having trouble handling your databases. I guess it depends on how old your MPB is.

I know several imaging and video pros whose home set up is a Mac Pro tower with for instance a 24" matte Dell Pro monitor (the Dells are pretty high quality and not very expensive -- the Apple HD displays are just not a good value in my opinion)

Sep 25, 2008 at 02:27 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #7 · iMac 24" glossy?

Folks are divided on these. Came back from shooting some Northern Exposures to a shiny new 24" iMac (B'day gift from Mrs 'monkey)
Unfreakin'believable...images really pop off the screen and the detail is phenomenal. My pics never looked so good.

I have mine recessed in a custom computer hutch, reflections are a non issue.

Sep 25, 2008 at 02:37 PM

dawiz
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p.1 #8 · iMac 24" glossy?

I wonder if the iMac would be a big step up from a Macbook Pro if the MPB is having trouble handling your databases. I guess it depends on how old your MPB is.

It's a 2.2ghz Core2Duo model. I think what makes it slow is the slow-turning notebook harddrive. The iMac has a 2.8ghz CPU and a desktop grade harddrive + a newer chipset - should be about 30-40% faster in theory.
I still haven't decided - I got a chance to check out a 20" Glossy iMac today and wasn't pleased with the colors (seemed off, somehow), but the 24" model has a much better panel (8-bit vs. 6-bit in the 20" version) so that's not really saying much.

peter

Sep 25, 2008 at 07:09 PM

dawiz
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p.1 #9 · iMac 24" glossy?

I have mine recessed in a custom computer hutch, reflections are a non issue.

I don't have any harsh ceiling lighting in my office and the computer's set up with the back towards the window (I know, not ergonomically perfect) - so I should have glare under control. I'll try setting up my wife's macbook on that spot and check how it looks (that one has a glossy screen, too, but it's a bit less reflecting).

peter

Sep 25, 2008 at 07:13 PM

ShutterLover
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p.1 #10 · iMac 24" glossy?

When I got my iMac 24 glossy I was really angry at apple for a day or so as the reflections were really getting my nerves. Now, for some reason, I never think about them. You still get glare on a matt screen - it's just difused into milkiness so I got think glossy is really any worse for editing than non-glossy - calibrate and go.

Sep 26, 2008 at 11:42 AM

dawiz
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p.1 #11 · iMac 24" glossy?

Thanks everyone - I'll head for the Apple Store in Zurich and buy a 24" iMac on Monday

regards,

Peter

Sep 27, 2008 at 02:54 PM

Taylor Barrett
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p.1 #12 · iMac 24" glossy?

The 24" iMac uses a superior H-IPS panel, the same used in high end NEC models. The problem is, they stick a big piece of glass in front of it to make it glossy. Some like it, I hate it. I use a 24" iMac and a 23" Apple Cinema HD display (hooked up to a "hack" pro, a PC running OSX) and I prefer the iMac's screen for on-screen renditions, but not for prints. The matte panel on the cinema display shows a more realistic level of saturation.

Its a thing of beauty, you'll enjoy it.

Sep 27, 2008 at 07:41 PM

Philip Cuenco
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p.1 #13 · iMac 24" glossy?

I recommend you get the 24" slower processor... and max out the RAM to 4gigs. vs. faster processor with less RAM. Make sure you get the Apple Care too so you're covered for a few years.

Sep 28, 2008 at 10:26 PM

TigerLord
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p.1 #14 · iMac 24" glossy?

The iMac is a good machine but if you are minimally good with PC you can build your own for much less with a huge performance boost.

But if you aren't and want something that will work well out of the box, and don't mind the premium, you will be happy.

Sep 28, 2008 at 11:58 PM

Rockies Photo
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p.1 #15 · iMac 24" glossy?

I have a MBP 2.4 current Gen. I just bought an iMac 2.4 current Gen, with the 24" LCD. Before the iMac arrived on Thursday, I was using my MBP as my primary do all machine. Now with the iMac, I can get back to using a desktop. The colors are amazing on the 24" LCD. They just pop. I had many dislikes about the Glossy LCD, but after about a full days' use, I am used to the Glossy. I do not have any bad reflections around my computer desk, except for the TV being 10 feet directly behind. I occasionally see what is on TV, being reflected in the LCD, but nothing that bothers me. I just spent all weekend shooting a Balloon Festival, and the colors/ contrast are amazing, straight out of the box. I have yet to calibrate the LCD.

Sep 29, 2008 at 05:03 AM

Tim Speciale
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p.1 #16 · iMac 24" glossy?

peterparker wrote:
dawiz wrote:
(I should add that I already use an external 24" monitor with the Macbook Pro but I wouldn't mind having more space on the desktop with an integrated model).

Don't forget, you can still use the external as a second display with the iMac!

Or any other computer in the world...

Sep 29, 2008 at 03:01 PM


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