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iMac ie7 with 16BG RAM ok?
Hi there,
I’ve been a stubborn FCP editor for many years and have resisted updating my old Mac PowerPC tower for just as long. It just works, it works well and I’ve always had a chip on my shoulder about giving in to the ‘you-must-upgrade-to-keep-up’ cycle.
But… I guess it is 2011! Times have changed (a lot) and my ‘feature envy’/common sense has finally won out. I’m thinking of upgrading my computer system and jumping over to Premiere Pro CS5.5.
I never thought I’d say that but Premiere’s interface seems so similar to my favourite program in the world (After Effects), plus it’s said to integrate so well with AE, that I’m opening my mind to the change. The more I find out about it the more attractive it seems.
Anyway, though I’d love to get the latest MacPro tower, with maxed out cores and RAM, etc it’s not in my budget range (especially as my software upgrade costs will be in the thousands)… so I’m thinking about getting the most powerful iMac instead. That would be the ie7 with 16GB RAM.
Finally my question: Is this going to cut it? Will I have problems editing? Especially if I’m working with RED or DSLR footage. It’s my biggest worry: buying into a ‘slow, buggy and frustrating workflow’.
Would love some constructive advice. Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
ALEX
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3 Replies
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I’ve been going through much the same thought processes as you are and here is where I have come down (for what it’s worth).
I don’t think you will have a “slow, buggy, and frustrating” experience with a i7 iMac with lots of RAM. But two things to think about…
1)As of now, I don’t believe there are any graphics cards for the iMac that will utilize the Mercury Playback Engine. The MPE is one of the big factors that makes CS5 so great, especially with DSLR footage. This could change or you could find a hack or workaround with an iMac GPU but that is something to think about
2)The big problem I see with iMac (and I have iMac5 on my desk at home)is that it is very difficult to expand or upgrade. So my thought is, if you can, invest a little now so that when you do need a little extra processor power or storage or GPU power or RAM, you can do that as needed instead of getting a whole new machine. I have thought about spending the money to get a decent MacPro now, not going all out of RAM or processor cores, even using a used monitor, and then upgrading and expanding when I am able to in the future.Hope that helps.
John -
Hey John,
Actually that’s a really good point, I was overlooking. I suppose I don’t have to get the biggest, baddest MacPro there is as an alternative to the iMac. I’m sure even the entry level quad core MacPro with heaps of RAM would blow my current PowerPC G5 out of the water! And would be closer in price to the iMac.
Then again, the top of the line iMac has one thing even the MacPros don’t at the moment – Thunderbolt ports. I know they’re not quite available yet but I like the idea of simply hooking up a ‘supersonic’ external (footage) drive.
As far as upgrading goes, I figure these newer computers only seem to last a few years these days so if an iMac does a good job for those few years I’d be happy.
Mmm… I’m still confused! Thanks for the perspective though, it’s opened up another door.
Appreciated,
ALEX
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It might be OK, but I’d get a Mac that you could cram more RAM into + an Nvidia card into.
Kevin Monahan
Sr. Content and Community Lead
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Systems, Inc.
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