Apple iMac 20"

[lightwrangler]

I certainly drooled over Swampy's new computer setup, looks great and I am sure it will just scream. BUT, like many folks I have space and budget issues and I am no computer wiz. Also, I am a Mac head. (NOT that I think it's better in general, just better for me) Since I was desperate for a new screen and hot for a 20 incher and my old machine was just a tad slow (eMac) I took a look at what was available and went with an iMac 20" with 1.5 gigs of RAM. First of all the screen is just great, very sharp and great colour. The computer is almost silent and OSX Tiger is a huge improvement over the OSX Jaguar that I was using on the eMac. Photoshop runs very quickly and certainly fast enough for the S2 files that I regularly pump through it. I don't have much use for the RAW converter (I shoot a lot of JPEGS), so I haven't yet addressed any issues with compatibility and OSX. Any input on that from Tiger users would be appreciated.

So, want a Mac and on a tight budget? Look at this one, it's sleek, stylish and works great. I think I will really like this one.

Cheers,
Adrian

[Tom V]

I agree that the iMac is a great computer, with great features, at a great price - especially the newest ones with the built-in camera. I am seriously thinking of getting one. Many computer columnists write that it is the best computer value out there.

I use Mac OS X 10.4.3, aka "Tiger" and am very happy with it. I have been using Mac OS 9.2.2 primarily until about a month ago, then I made the switch. I am using it on a PowerMac G4 Dual-866mHz and a PowerMac G4 533mHz. It is very very stable. It hasn't crashed in..... ever.

I don't use the Fuji Raw converter. I haven't tried to even install it or know if it can be installed or work with OS X.

[AzRich]

Welcome :)

I bought my mom a 17" refurb iMac from the apple store... that was also a great deal.

There was a problem with the Fuji Raw converter and X.4 but it has been resolved if you upgrade to the latest version of HSV2. From what I can remember.

[NZDoug]

The iMac 2.1 mghz just arrived yesterday in NZ and Im on the waiting list for one.
Think I'll hold off til next year as work dries up around now and doesnt kick in til March, when summer holidays are over.
All the cheque signers are on their yachts til then so, as Cliff once sang,
" Were all going on a summer holiday".
Another few months with my 5 year old G-4 400 will be fine.
By then the new ones may be cheaper better faster, etc.
I know a retoucher with a 20 iMac G-5 2 MGHZ and he found it was prone to overheating, so it can double as a heater in the winter months. :)

[lightwrangler]

Like most Macs Doug, this one does generate a bit of heat. I think it cools itself rather well, but I will keep an eye on that. Have a great summer and get those clients to open their wallets so that you can get one of these fine babies. I did update the Fuji Hyper Utility software and it seems to work just fine on Tiger. The interface is a bit better too at first glance.

Supposedly in the new year Apple will introduce a model of the iMac G5 that will accept a cable input, so that you can watch cable (or satelitte) TV on it. No big whoop de doo for me, I already own a number of TVs and rarely want to watch one when I am working on the computer. But I can see the draw as a multimedia machine. A computer and TV in the same package will be a huge seller.

Next I am going to upgrade my G3 Powerbook (talk about hot!) to Tiger. Considering it is 6 years old and still working fine (although by comparison it's a snail) I think it's been a pretty good value. That one I want to replace when Apple starts to ship the new PowerBooks with an Intel chip.

Ah, so many toys, so little money....
cheers,
Adrian

[corneliaB]

I agree with you on the new iMac. I bought the 20" with 1.5 Gig of Ram and it is just awesome! I am just getting used to the size of the screen :cool:
No glitches yet, but I haven't been able to install the new raw converter properly so I just ditched it for the moment. What I actually got installed was some asian version!!! don't know how that happened. Guess I should try again. BTW, my Photoshop CS does not open Nikon raw files, do I need to upgrade to CS2?

[lightwrangler]

CS2 will open NEF files. So you may have to upgrade. I haven't had much of a chance to really do much with that function - I'll have to look at it. Fuji's Hyper Utility upgrade loaded up over my version 2 disk without issue. I downloaded the upgrade from Fuji's USA site. About the only thing that I am getting used to is the way that Tiger burns CD/DVD. I'm used to Toast, but my version won't do Tiger and isn't upgradeable. I'm thinking about buying a new version of Toast .... but we'll see.

Cheers,
Adrian

[Melody]

BTW, my Photoshop CS does not open Nikon raw files, do I need to upgrade to CS2?

If I remember correctly you only need to upgrade if your using the D2x. I could always read my raw files from the D2h, D70 etc. with CS. Oh wait remember I'm blonde and don't use a mac so I am no help at all! However I'm fine with wishing you luck and saying Congratulations on your new computers :)

Melody

[Carlton]

I picked up the 17"model a few months ago and really like it. Photoshop does run very well on this Mac. Have you tried out garage band yet? Very cool!

[Tom V]

[clip]

Next I am going to upgrade my G3 Powerbook (talk about hot!) to Tiger. [clip]

Adrian

According to Apple, Tiger reqires built-in Firewire, and the standard installation is from DVD.

My Apple PowerBook, 333 mHz, aka "Bronze Keyboard" or "Lombard" does not have FireWire, nor a DVD. I have Panther on it now (Mac OS 10.3.x) and I think that's as far as it's going. I have not actually tried to install TIger on the Lombard.

Pizmo PowerBooks have FireWire, but I don't know if they all had DVD drives in the bay.

I am pretty sure all slot-loading iMacs have FireWire and DVD.

I had to temporarily install a CD/DVD ROM internal drive in one of my G4s in order to load Tiger in it. This particular G4 has only a stock CD/R/RW.

The retail TIger installer DVD can be exchanged for a set of installer CDs for a small charge ($10?). I think you have to buy the DVD version, then send to Apple for the exchange. I don't think there is a way to buy the CD installers directly.

[Tom V]

[clip] BTW, my Photoshop CS does not open Nikon raw files, do I need to upgrade to CS2?

Go to Adobe's update download page:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

or directly to Adobe's Photoshop for Macintosh update download page:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=39&platform=Macintosh

I don't know which camera you are using. :confused:

You can read which Camera Raw #.# updates will cover your camera. For example, for the Nikon D2x, you need to get at least Camera Raw 3.1, which only works in CS2 (v9). For the Nikon D70, you need at least Camera Raw 2.2, which works in CS (v8)

[corneliaB]

Thank you, Tom!
I will check it out when I get home tonight.
:)

[lightwrangler]

According to Apple, Tiger reqires built-in Firewire, and the standard installation is from DVD.

My Apple PowerBook, 333 mHz, aka "Bronze Keyboard" or "Lombard" does not have FireWire, nor a DVD. I have Panther on it now (Mac OS 10.3.x) and I think that's as far as it's going. I have not actually tried to install TIger on the Lombard.

Dang! That's what I have. I have used it for years with a firewire card in the PCMCIA slot (People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms?). But it doesn't have a DVD player either. Oh well, I can leave that alone with 9.2.2, I use it occasionally on location. I have 320mb of RAM and a 20 gig HD on that, not a screamer but it does the job. Guess I will just have to save up the coin for a new one.

Thanks,
Adrian

[lightwrangler]

Have you tried out garage band yet? Very cool!

Actually no, but I own a 15 year old boy who in turn owns a couple of bass guitars and a couple of keyboards. So I'm sure I will be getting the low down on this sooner or later. Looks like fun!

:rofl:

[Mobius Entwine]

.. I am pretty sure all slot-loading iMacs have FireWire and DVD. ...

I am prettier sure that's not so.
In all iMac slots DVDs won't go,
For some with slots
Have Firewire nots,
So Tiger for some is a no-show.

[proberts]

BTW, my Photoshop CS does not open Nikon raw files, do I need to upgrade to CS2?

For CS, the raw converter was a seperate $100 option, but with the changes for CS2, it's a better value to do the upgrade IMO.

Paul