Andy's Un-Official Unsolicited Mac Advice Thread

[wxwax]

Here are the sites I visit on a regular basis.

http://www.looprumors.com/
http://www.macrumors.com/
http://www.appleinsider.com/
http://www.macsurfer.com/
http://www.hardmac.com/

[wxwax]

The refurb store is jumping these days.

Mac Pro 2.66's are rare there. One showed up today. I went through the ordering process. Out of stock.

Of course, they let you go through the entire freaking process before telling you. :wxwax

[andymillson]

The refurb store is jumping these days.

Mac Pro 2.66's are rare there. One showed up today. I went through the ordering process. Out of stock.

Of course, they let you go through the entire freaking process before telling you. :wxwax
I got mine through the refurb store

I ended up with the dual 3.0/2Gb/X1900XT and am VERY happy with my pruchase

I pondered the purchase for 2 months, and expected the model I bought to sell at any time, but it never did. I bought mine and expected the entry to disappear, but there was another on list immediately. They dont seem to list the real number available on the list, maybe as an inticement to get you to buy sooner rather than later

No problems found with my refurb so far. Loks like a brand new box. Have added 2 Gb of memory and 2 300Gb drives in a raid and its still going strong 8-)

Count this as a real vote for the refurb option :D

Andy

[wxwax]

Yeah, the 3.0's are always available. But rarely the 2.66, and almost never the 2.0. Wasn't always that way, but has been for a few weeks, now.

[cabbey]

http://waffle.wootest.net/2007/05/18/hither-and-dither/

[colourbox]

Yeah, the 3.0's are always available. But rarely the 2.66, and almost never the 2.0. Wasn't always that way, but has been for a few weeks, now.

This morning dealmac.com (http://dealmac.com/) alerted readers to the appearance of refurb Mac Pros at all price points. It's a good site to watch if you're keeping an eye out for something. Looks like the refurb 2.0s are already gone tonight; at $1899 that's not surprising.

[wxwax]

This morning dealmac.com (http://dealmac.com/) alerted readers to the appearance of refurb Mac Pros at all price points. It's a good site to watch if you're keeping an eye out for something. Looks like the refurb 2.0s are already gone tonight; at $1899 that's not surprising.
I finally snagged a 2.66, the box is stting next to me. :deal

[DavidTO]

I finally snagged a 2.66, the box is stting next to me. :deal

:clap

[colourbox]

I finally snagged a 2.66, the box is stting next to me. :deal

Congrats, my refurb 2.66 has been serving me well for months. Just added 4 more gigs 'o' RAM.

[DavidTO]

I finally snagged a 2.66, the box is stting next to me. :deal


Report.






:D

[rutt]

OK, Mac gurus, let's see if you can help with this.

My son's macbook pro seems to be developing some bad blocks (maybe it always had them?) The symptom is stalls reading certain files and the system log has something like:

May 28 11:27:36 weegee kernel[0]: disk4s2: I/O error.

Or once in a while and even more disturbing:

May 28 21:27:06 weegee kernel[0]: jnl: write_journal_header: error writing the journal heade\

He tried for a while to do a backup (I don't know exactly how) to an external drive, but that failed every time it hit a bad block. I was able to draw on the old fashioned unix command line tool ,rsync, to backup his home tree to an external drive (with his computer mounted on mine via firewire), skipping the damaged files. Reassuringly enough, two separate runs found the same damaged files (about 300 of them.)

Neither Disk Utilities nor Disk Warrior find any problems. S.M.A.R.T. shows the disk is OK. It seems they aren't checking the media at a low enough level. I seem to remember that there are some low level tools which will do this, without erasing the media. But I don't know which of these are available on OS X (as opposed to Silicon Graphics, Sun, or Linux.)

AppleCare has been pretty unhelpful. My son went to the genius bar and they told him everything was fine. On the phone they say to backup (they don't say how) and reinstall. They will accept the computer for a mail in repair but don't promise to actually fix anything, since they don't believe anything is wrong. (This was after I talked to the guy and told him about the error messages in the system log!)

So here are my questions:

Does anyone know how to do a block by block media check without completely erasing the disk?
Does anyone know a way to check for bad blocks and recover as well as possible, adding to the disk's bad block list?
What do we have to do to get some higher level of Apple help on this one?


Thanks in advance.

[DavidTO]

Not sure if it does exactly that, but have you tried TechTool Pro?

[CatOne]

Rutt,

Your drive is dying. It's as simple as that. The I/O error is a dead giveaway -- there are blocks that it can't write to. Ordinarily the drive would AUTOMATICALLY hide this from the OS so the fact that it's propagating through means bad things.

Are you experiencing hanging (beachball) issues with the machine? If an I/O error occurs and the disk doesn't get back, the machine can lock up.

The problem with S.M.A.R.T. is that there are a number of pre-defined criteria which must be met for a drive to fail. These aren't simply "# of errors," but more like "# of errors in a specific time frame." So let's say a S.M.A.R.T. criteria is "if you get 15 soft errors in 20 minutes, you fail the drive." You could get 14 errors in 20 minutes, then the counter gets reset, and then 14 more in the next 20 minutes. So 28 errors, where 15 is the threshold, but it won't trigger it.

AppleCare's note of "re-install the OS" will fix the problem... for a while. Because on reinstall the bad sectors will be written around. But if you have some bit rot going on (basically, a sector on the disk is flaking off magnetic material), the problem will come back... eventually.

I went through this same issue and got the same feedback from AppleCare's Tier 1 folks. Given I know OS engineers (in fact the guy who wrote the journaling code -- I ride bicycles with him 3 or 4 times a week) I was able to pull strings, and I got a replacement drive.

Do you have AppleCare on the machine (that is, not just the standard warranty)? If so, why don't you private message me and I'll send you a phone number for AppleCare which is *supposed* to be for our higher-level business customers only. It will get you to the Tier 3 agents who should be quicker to replace this. Though because it's a laptop this will require you to send the machine in.

[wxwax]

Dude, you're a valuable guy to have around! Great post.

[CatOne]

Dude, you're a valuable guy to have around! Great post.

Somethin' has to pay the bills... given it's not my photography :wink

Oh, and now that Don buys most of the SmugMug storage from Amazon S3 and not from us I have to go trolling for other customers and fight fires like this more often :cry

[rutt]

Pawsense equivalent for Mac? We have a new kitten and he is very tenacious. Next thing you know he'll hack into dgrin and take over from Andy.

[Andy]

Pawsense equivalent for Mac? We have a new kitten and he is very tenacious. Next thing you know he'll hack into dgrin and take over from Andy.

Here (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/i.m-on-ur-keyboard,-ruining-ur-spreadsheets/pawsense-kitty-keyboard-kover-prevents-that-feline-from-typipppppffffffssss-260658.php).

http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2007/05/1683_500x300.jpg

[patch29]

When viewing my Activity Viewer, how can some applications use over 100% of my CPU? :scratch


It is Lightroom that is spiking to 113-132% CPU on my G5 Dual 2.7. When is goes over 100% does that mean it is tapping the second processor, so I would have 200% available? :dunno

[CatOne]

When viewing my Activity Viewer, how can some applications use over 100% of my CPU? :scratch


It is Lightroom that is spiking to 113-132% CPU on my G5 Dual 2.7. When is goes over 100% does that mean it is tapping the second processor, so I would have 200% available? :dunno

Yes. You can have 100% per CPU, so e.g. on my 8-core if an app were truly able to get absolute max concurrency, you could get 800% on it.

[colourbox]

You can see a test where BareFeats.com managed to get 764% CPU (http://www.barefeats.com/octopro5.html) on an 8-core by rendering in multiple applications simultaneously, with Photoshop using 387% CPU on its own.

[patch29]

Thanks for the info on the CPU usage. That makes sense. 800% would be cool. :thumb

[patch29]

Macbook Pro updates, slight speed bump and

A great video processor powers a great display. The new MacBook Pro is available in 15-inch models with a new mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display

and finally

2GB (two SO-DIMMs) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB :thumb

[DoctorIt]

Just freaking great. i've had mine less than 2 months. :wxwax

with a new mercury-free, power-efficient LED-backlit display

[DavidTO]

Just freaking great. i've had mine less than 2 months. :wxwax


Sell it and upgrade. :D

[patch29]

Just freaking great. i've had mine less than 2 months. :wxwax


I am curious to see how the LED display looks. No matter when you buy, someone is always working on something better.

[DoctorIt]

Sell it and upgrade. :Dperfect timing, I'm unemployed for the next two months :lol3

[DavidTO]

perfect timing, I'm unemployed for the next two months :lol3


Hey, I'm employed, and I haven't upgraded mine! And I'm not gonna, not until it's plumb wore out. I'd love the LED, but really, can't justify it with all that's going on in my life.

[colourbox]

I'm still happy with my ol' PowerBook but when it comes time at least I won't be stuck with the old generation MBP. I love these new specs! Up to 4GB RAM, up to 200GB drive, LED-backlit screen, 2.2GHz dual core, and that's the cheapest version! Way to go Apple!

If you get the 17", you now have an option for a higher-res 1920x1200 display for an extra $100.

[greenpea]

Just freaking great. i've had mine less than 2 months. :wxwax

I feel your pain. Mine hasn't yet had its 2 month birthday either.

[Milan]

Upgrading my old trusty 12" G4 PB looks more and more tempting ...:D

[patch29]

I saw the new Apple Store 2.0 today, interesting. No registers, no more theater, with metal on the walls and a very different feel.

I also saw an LED Macbook Pro, looked good. It is difficult to tell if it is a lot better without having an old one next to it in your own environment.

[DavidTO]

I can't believe it's nearly 12 hours since the WWDC Keynote, and not one post in this thread? :scratch

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about Quick Look, the new Mail, Time Machine and the new Finder enhancements. You can view demos here (http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/).

[cabbey]

I saw the new Apple Store 2.0 today, interesting. No registers, no more theater, with metal on the walls and a very different feel.

So *THAT* is why I saw contractors with measuring tapes looking around the apple store when we were there last Saturday. (And they clearly were NOT looking at he products. ;) Can't wait until I get back up there to look at it.

[W.W. Webster]

I can't believe it's nearly 12 hours since the WWDC Keynote, and not one post in this thread? :scratchSafari 3.0 beta seems perceptibly faster to me. Any other Mac users noticed this?

Any Windoze users tried it yet?

:dunno

[Milan]

Safari 3.0 beta seems perceptibly faster to me. Any other Mac users noticed this?
:dunno

On my 12" PB G4 it feels about the same as the previous version.

What are you using?

[patch29]

So *THAT* is why I saw contractors with measuring tapes looking around the apple store when we were there last Saturday. (And they clearly were NOT looking at he products. ;) Can't wait until I get back up there to look at it.


It feels very different, much lighter. The black back wall/mini-theater is gone and the black software/accessory shelves in the middle are gone, so it has a larger more open feel too it.

[patch29]

Safari 3.0 beta seems perceptibly faster to me. Any other Mac users noticed this?

Any Windoze users tried it yet?

:dunno


I am testing it on my Macbook and I don't notice a big difference. I have been using FF for a while now.

[W.W. Webster]

What are you using?As per System Profiler -

Machine Name: Mac Pro
Machine Model: MacPro1,1
Processor Name: Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 3 GHz
Number Of Processors: 2
Total Number Of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.33 GHz

[Mike Lane]

Safari 3 messed with my widgets.

Yes, yes, I like me some widget action. So sue me. :-P

[Milan]

Safari 3 messed with my widgets.

Yes, yes, I like me some widget action. So sue me. :-P


Widgets not working Because Safari 3.0 beta modifies the WebKit framework and other files, some Widgets may not work properly after installation.

info from: http://www.macfixit.com/

[Mike Lane]

info from: http://www.macfixit.com/Ya, thanks. That's why I uninstalled it.

I hope the hello kitty widget people fix it before Leopard Ships!!!11!!!!!!1!!

/kidding
//or am I?

[DavidTO]

I stumbled across this article ( http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/howto_readwrite_to_ntfs_drives.html?CMP=OTC-7G2N43923558) about reading/writing to NTFS drives on a Mac.

[wxwax]

I stumbled across this article ( http://www.hackszine.com/blog/archive/2007/06/howto_readwrite_to_ntfs_drives.html?CMP=OTC-7G2N43923558) about reading/writing to NTFS drives on a Mac.
And yet Mike seems to be able to do it without all that work. :scratch

[DavidTO]

And yet Mike seems to be able to do it without all that work. :scratch


Or he forgot what he's installed. :wink

[wxwax]

Or he forgot what he's installed. :wink
Could be, but that sounds like a bit of work. Maybe the difference is that he's not sharing a drive, but using it exclusively on a Mac. I notice the piece mentions partioning a drive. What's that all about?

[CatOne]

I saw the new Apple Store 2.0 today, interesting. No registers, no more theater, with metal on the walls and a very different feel.

I also saw an LED Macbook Pro, looked good. It is difficult to tell if it is a lot better without having an old one next to it in your own environment.

Were people holding off on buying at the old store because the hardware sites told them 2.0 was on the way?

nyuk nyuk :barb

[wxwax]

Reports of yellow screens with the new LED MBP's. Even the "upgraded" versions reportedly have a warmer cast.

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-06-21/#6923

[jdryan3]

I'm moving to a MacBook Pro 15" from an old Sony Vaio PC. I'm looking at upgrading from the 120 GB 5400rpm drive to the 160GB 5400rpm drive.

But I would like to hear opinions, however, on using PS CS3 on the the 160GB 5400rpm vs the 7200rpm.

And if anyone has experience with the even larger but slower 200GB 4200rpm drive, it would be greatly appreciated. Does the better processor & 2GB RAM compensate for such a slow drive in large (70+MB) PSD files

[Manfr3d]

Reports of yellow screens with the new LED MBP's. Even the "upgraded" versions reportedly have a warmer cast.

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2007-06-21/#6923

Thats right, there is even banding issues with gradients. Lotsa
stuff to read on MacRumorsForums about.

I just wanted to post sth I actualy found very useful for my
portable mac. Ever noticed that it takes about 10 seconds
(depending on your ram) until your mb(p) is in sleep mode?
If the light starts pulsing that means the disk stopped rotating
and you can safely carry your laptop away. On the go its very
annoying to have to wait that long. But there is a simple sultion:
Change the hibernate mode of osx to speed things up!

Here is the easy to follow tutorial: http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20070302210328928

Pretty cool stuff, saves me 2gb of disk space as well :D

[patch29]

iPhone rate plans. (http://www.apple.com/iphone/easysetup/rateplans.html)


I think they came in at an attractive price. It is the same as I pay with my current phone with data. I will be watching to see how it functions in the real world, definitely a lot of cool features if it works right.

[patch29]

Here (http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-definitive-iphone-user-interface-gallery/) is a very large gallery showing most if not all of the iPhone interface screenshots.

[Andy]

I will be watching to see how it functions in the real world,
Pure Apple. Signup / switching even, from T*Mobile, was a cinch - a few mins online and done. Instant synching of my Contacts, Calendar, email accounts (SmugMug and Gmail), photos, and music.

So far, so good! I dig the form factor, and the screen quality, and the wireless, and the, and the and the....

[Art Scott]

Here (http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-definitive-iphone-user-interface-gallery/) is a very large gallery showing most if not all of the iPhone interface screenshots.

Where's that link??? I hovered each word and no linky sign.........:dunno:D

[patch29]

Where's that link??? I hovered each word and no linky sign.........:dunno:D


:doh Sorry, fixed it, but here (http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-definitive-iphone-user-interface-gallery/) it is again, from Engadget.

[patch29]

Pure Apple. Signup / switching even, from T*Mobile, was a cinch - a few mins online and done. Instant synching of my Contacts, Calendar, email accounts (SmugMug and Gmail), photos, and music.

So far, so good! I dig the form factor, and the screen quality, and the wireless, and the, and the and the....

It is growing on me. I really like the syncing capabilities.


Can you assign certain ringtones to individuals? I did read you cannot use itunes songs for ringtones.


Do you set all your settings through the phone or can you do it via the iTunes sync interface?

[patch29]

One miss I see is, Why did they not allow the camera to shoot video? Especially considering the youtube connection. It would seem to be a good fit? :dunno

[DavidTO]

Skitch (http://plasq.com/) is in Beta. It's pretty cool.

[patch29]

Cool Firefox tip.

Tired of typing http://www. and .com/net/org?


type the name of the site then

cmd return for .com

shift return for .net

cmd shift return for .org

http://lifehacker.com/software/shortcut-screencast-contest/never-type-httpwww-or-com-again-274712.phphttp://lifehacker.com/software/shortcut-screencast-contest/never-type-httpwww-or-com-again-274712.php
other tips in the comments.

[Andy]

One miss I see is, Why did they not allow the camera to shoot video? Especially considering the youtube connection. It would seem to be a good fit? :dunno
Don's review:

http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/07/02/igot-iphone-part-2-the-phone/

[Andy]

Do you set all your settings through the phone or can you do it via the iTunes sync interface?
Thru the phone, AFAIK

[DavidTO]

Skitch (http://plasq.com/) is in Beta. It's pretty cool.


Has no one tried this yet? Anyone need an invite to the Beta? I have 3 left....

[DavidTO]

Here's a site I came across to help out all of our new brothers in Apple Land.

myfirstmac.com (http://www.myfirstmac.com/)

[ian408]

The company I work for has mostly PC's as both desktop and laptops. The other day, there was this giant box on my desk--it came with a plea. "Help me".

It was a MBP for one our our sales reps. Fair enough, the customer he supports buys plenty of our stuff...

Since our internal support guys only support Windows, I installed a copy of Parallels on it and incorporated that into the Active Directory Domain as well as pushed some productivity software using Computer Associate's Software Delivery stuff. From the support folks POV, it's a PC and that's good for them.

The coolest thing was the help desk gal's comment that it "boots faster than a Windows PC" :rofl

So if you're wondering if your Parallels install will work in an Active Directory world, it can. And it's so much like a PC that the support team won't even know.

[wxwax]

Here's a site I came across to help out all of our new brothers in Apple Land.

myfirstmac.com (http://www.myfirstmac.com/)
Excellent site. :thumb

And a great widget for lappies.

http://www.macwireless.com/html/support/airport_radar/

Fixes a weakness in the Mac that shouldn't exist, IMHO. Winders machines do this better.

[patch29]

Excellent site. :thumb

And a great widget for lappies.

http://www.macwireless.com/html/support/airport_radar/

Fixes a weakness in the Mac that shouldn't exist, IMHO. Winders machines do this better.


not a widget, but still handy.

http://www.istumbler.net/

[I Simonius]

I see.......you blokes are dual addicted... glass AND computers. I used a mac once & liked it.


Sort of like a dirty admission 'eh ?

Only if it was a 'dirty' mac!:rofl
OH if it hasn't been mentioned ( can't do wiitreading160 pages) hold down shift while opening or closing a window=cool

[cabbey]

Only if it was a 'dirty' mac!:rofl
OH if it hasn't been mentioned ( can't do wiitreading160 pages) hold down shift while opening or closing a window=cool

Same works on expose functions (F9, F10, F11).

[Seamus]

I d/loaded Notebook (http://www.circusponies.com/) today. It has a 30 day trial and seems ok so far. ymmv.

Seamus.

[CatOne]

The company I work for has mostly PC's as both desktop and laptops. The other day, there was this giant box on my desk--it came with a plea. "Help me".

It was a MBP for one our our sales reps. Fair enough, the customer he supports buys plenty of our stuff...

Since our internal support guys only support Windows, I installed a copy of Parallels on it and incorporated that into the Active Directory Domain as well as pushed some productivity software using Computer Associate's Software Delivery stuff. From the support folks POV, it's a PC and that's good for them.

The coolest thing was the help desk gal's comment that it "boots faster than a Windows PC" :rofl

So if you're wondering if your Parallels install will work in an Active Directory world, it can. And it's so much like a PC that the support team won't even know.

You know of course that the Mac can bind to AD as well, and pass this info through to Parallels if you want.

[tsk1979]

I have a not so tech savvy Photographer friend who is using Photoshop CS2 on an Intel mac.
He wants to open Canon RAW files directly in CS2. I pointed him to Camera RAW plugin link on adobe website.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3583
He has downloaded it but to him it says that this is for Power PC mac, and not intel mac.
Is a version available for Intel MAC somewhere?

[DavidTO]

I have a not so tech savvy Photographer friend who is using Photoshop CS2 on an Intel mac.
He wants to open Canon RAW files directly in CS2. I pointed him to Camera RAW plugin link on adobe website.
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3583
He has downloaded it but to him it says that this is for Power PC mac, and not intel mac.
Is a version available for Intel MAC somewhere?


CS2 is not a Universal Binary, meaning that it must run under emulation on an Intel Mac. It will run, just a bit slower. To get native speed, he must upgrade to CS3.

[pathfinder]

Like Dave says, CS2 runs fine on a Mac Book Pro.

Just not in native code.

CS3 is faster, on PowerPC Macs and Intel Macs.

[tsk1979]

CS2 is not a Universal Binary, meaning that it must run under emulation on an Intel Mac. It will run, just a bit slower. To get native speed, he must upgrade to CS3.
Hmm. So I guess the 3.7 plugin will work out of the box.
They are running CS2 because its a "Graphics shop" and they bought a corporate group license for the entire Adobe creative suite. So if they upgrade to CS3 they will go bankrupt. Adobe is charging too much for it!
So they will stick to CS2 till then.
I have asked him to install the mac plugin in his CS2 folder the way the instructions say and then try opening a canon Raw file in CS2.

[gus]

DoctorIT has taken me to the mac shop here. That 24" 2.16 GHz iMac is a sweet machine alright. He has also infiltrated my house with 2 mac laptops....i dont know where to turn.

...must resist....

[W.W. Webster]

i dont know where to turn.... but, given time, you'll find somewhere! :D

[DoctorIt]

...must resist....how's that line go... resistance is futile!

[DavidTO]

Big Mac event on 8/07, could mean the introduction of new iMacs....but what else? :ear

[I Simonius]

Big Mac event on 8/07, could mean the introduction of new iMacs....but what else? :ear

Cheese? Ey up Grommit - d'ya think there'll be a new cheese?:huh :rofl

[colourbox]

Big Mac event on 8/07, could mean the introduction of new iMacs....but what else? :ear

I don't know what they'll have, but I know what I need.

A 24" Cinema Display with RGB LED backlighting, HDCP, and built-in KVM capability, for $600.
(A man can dream, can't he?)

But if I can't have that, I'll take a full-featured 12" widescreen subnotebook instead...

[W.W. Webster]

Big Mac event on 8/07, could mean the introduction of new iMacs....but what else? :ear42 inch cinema display, maybe? :dunno

[jdryan3]

In another post in Finishing School (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=67692) I talk about my missing presets (specifically duotones, but gradients, etc. are impacted). I found them
in the CS3 folder Application -> Presets ->Duotones.

The bigger issue is my ignorance of how OSX and/or CS3 stores/loads those presets by default. Once I went upstream in the directory structure when I tried to load an .ado while in PS CS3, I found that I was in Users->jdryan3->library->Application Support->Adobe->Abobe Photoshop CS3->Presets->Duotones by default. And all those preset folders are empty.

I understand the concept of user files vs common files from my PC, but my question is do other folks move the presets to their user files? Or maybe store their custom settings in the main CS3 folders? And if I want to just use the main preset folders for everything, how do I get CS3 to use those as the defaults? I saved a custom duotone in the main folder, but when I reopen CS3, I'm back in those user folders.

[I Simonius]

I understand the concept of user files vs common files from my PC, but my question is do other folks move the presets to their user files? Or maybe store their custom settings in the main CS3 folders? And if I want to just use the main preset folders for everything, how do I get CS3 to use those as the defaults? I saved a custom duotone in the main folder, but when I reopen CS3, I'm back in those user folders.

phew - over my head - I thought presets just went in the present s folder in 'Applications>photoshop':noob

[DavidTO]

I don't move my presets. I'm not sure where they are, even. I just leave 'em. :D

[patch29]

The new iMac looks good, nice specs too. 4GB of ram. :clap


2.4GHz Core 2 Extreme processor, up to 4GB of memory. ATI Radeon HD graphics card, up to 1TB of hard drive storage. 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.0 built-in.

[DavidTO]

Heh. 2.4 GHZ

[patch29]

Heh. 2.4 GHZ

:dunno :lol3


.mac looks to be getting a nice upgrade.


How about an updated spreadsheet program????

[DavidTO]

I'm gonna buy the new iMac, soon as the store is up! :D

[patch29]

I'm gonna buy the new iMac, soon as the store is up! :D


definitely tempting. :D

[patch29]

How about an updated spreadsheet program????


NUMBERS :clap

[patch29]

What is the factor limiting working altitude on a mac?


Maximum altitude: 10,000 feet

[ivar]

What is the factor limiting working altitude on a mac?I guess those on top of the K2 can't use it....

Some elements must not be able to withstand the differential pressure at that altitude? Not sure which, a lot of little elements in the thing.

[W.W. Webster]

What is the factor limiting working altitude on a mac?Nose bleeds get messy! :D

[pathfinder]

What is the factor limiting working altitude on a mac?

This is a guess, but I would bet it is a limitation of the hard drive manufacturer.

I had an IBM 4GB micro Drive that I used for years, and I think its specs called for a 9000 feet limit - Needless to say I took it skiing to 12,000 feet several times without difficulty. I still have it and it still seems to work fine.

I have had several solid state Compact Flash chips go south on me - expain that!:D

[DavidTO]

I ordered my iMac.

I live in a county with 7.25% tax, and work where it's 8.5%. I wanted it shipped to work, because of the signature required. I called Apple, and they knocked $30 off to make up the difference in taxes. :clap

[wxwax]

I wonder if they denied entry to anyone not wearing black?

http://images.appleinsider.com/imac-07-gallery-32.jpg

[greenpea]

I ordered my iMac.


Which one did you get?

[DavidTO]

Which one did you get?

The cheapy, for my wife. She's a luddite, and she's gonna hate the new keyboard. Oh, well. My old G4 iMac was ancient, and the CD-ROM is busted, and I'm tired of it, slow, stupid and small drive. 6 years old it is. Time for an upgrade. More for me, not her, so that maintenance, keeping it up to date are easier.

[Mike Lane]

avchd for imovie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

w00000000000000t!

:clap:ivar:barb

[colourbox]

What is the factor limiting working altitude on a mac?

Air pressure, is how I understand it. If the air gets thin enough, the hard drive heads can't use the Bernoulli effect (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/5413198.stm) to float anymore, so they crash across the platter instead (ouch).

It's not a problem to use a laptop (any laptop, this is not an Apple limitation) on a plane at 35,000 feet, so long as it's pressurized to a much lower altitude level of pressure. Using it on top of a mountain probably voids the warranty.

[HiSPL]

The new iMacs look like the hot ticket!

Does anyone know if the end user can access both sticks of RAM? I don't fancy paying Apple 700 bucks to upgrade to 4 gb of memory! On my 12" Powerbook one of the RAM slots is built on the motherboard. I just wondered if the iMac is similar or can we change it ourselves....


Also the Mac Mini is a core 2 duo up to 2.0 ghz now. That's a nice little machine in itself!

[DavidTO]

I'm pretty sure you can change it yourself.

From the Apple site: Two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

[patch29]

Does anyone know if the end user can access both sticks of RAM? I don't fancy paying Apple 700 bucks to upgrade to 4 gb of memory! On my 12" Powerbook one of the RAM slots is built on the motherboard. I just wondered if the iMac is similar or can we change it ourselves....



I think I heard it was one screw to replace ram in the new imac.

[patch29]

Air pressure, is how I understand it. If the air gets thin enough, the hard drive heads can't use the Bernoulli effect (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/5413198.stm) to float anymore, so they crash across the platter instead (ouch).

It's not a problem to use a laptop (any laptop, this is not an Apple limitation) on a plane at 35,000 feet, so long as it's pressurized to a much lower altitude level of pressure. Using it on top of a mountain probably voids the warranty.


Cool, that makes sense. Pathfinder's post reminded me about the warning on microdrives.

[pathfinder]

So - with the new iMacs accepting 4 GB of RAM, is there any real advantage to buying a quad core Power Mac other than the ability to have a second hard drive for a scratch drive for Photoshops swap file? Or the ability to use a 30 in LCD display? ( I've been giving that more consideration also)

I have been looking at the 2.6 Ghx quad core Power Macs, but the iMacs seem likely to be good enough for what I need.

I would like to be able to run a small area in Windows via Fusion ware or Parallels or something to run a few small programs like i2e, Garmin's software updates, Albumn fetcher that will fetch an entire gallery of my originals from smugmug in one fell swoop, Msft Streets and Trips - and I can't do that on my current Power PC dual G5.

I could also clear off my second desk with a P3 WIN XP box kept for the occasional wander in to XP land.

The price difference between the iMac and the quad core Mac Pro is substantial. I do like the idea of running two 760 Gb drives in a Raid 1 configuration for data ( image ) storage inside the box itself though.

What is the noise level of the iMac versus the Mac Pro?

My dual 2.5Ghz Power PC works fine, but sounds like helicopter about to take off with its cooling fans fanning its water cooled radiator.

When I have shopped Crucial for RAM for the current generation of APple machines, it does not seem like it is very much cheaper than OEM RAM installed by Apple.

[DavidTO]

Yeah, those 2GB sticks are expensive, any way you slice it.

[wxwax]

So - with the new iMacs accepting 4 GB of RAM, is there any real advantage to buying a quad core Power Mac

1/ The iMac screen is a glossy. Deal killer. I've tried editing images on my glossy MacBook lappie and when viewed on other monitors they lack punch. You'd be constantly second-guessing what you see on the screen and blindly trying to compensate.

2/ 4GB sounds like a lot today. Tomorrow? :dunno

[patch29]

When I have shopped Crucial for RAM for the current generation of APple machines, it does not seem like it is very much cheaper than OEM RAM installed by Apple.


I think it is a much better deal, $139 for a 2gb chip. $280 for 4GB vs $850 from Apple, plus you have the original 1GB to sell. :dunno

[noeltykay]

Well...I think I am going to do it...I have been using a Dell 2.4 GHZ Pentium 4 for the past 4 1/2 years...the system has been maxed out at 1GB since I got it...it just is not doing it for me anymore.

I have been eyeing a Macbook Pro and an iMac for quite some time...with the announcement of the new iMac I am 99% sure I will have one by next week. I figure I do not need a 24" since my current system has a 20" flat screen and I can always add it if i want dual monitors...

I am set on getting it with only 1GB and then probably adding a 2GB bumpr from Crucial or Newegg for a total of 3GB's. I am going to go with a 500GB HD and most likely will buy Parallels and have the Geniuses transfer one of my PC hard drives over...I'll most likely keep all my images and music on seperate external drives.

The only real question I have has to do with my current router/wireless router setup...I have my PC tethered to a DLINK wireless router...its an old 80211g router which sits under my desk...my wife has a laptop with a wireless card in another room...I am wondering if the iMac will work right out of the box with this wireless router...my guess is it will.

I will be using Adobe Lightroom which I purchased for my PC and realized was a bad decision since it kills my PC...I also use CS2...I would like to use CS3 natively on the Intel iMac...and probably will. Any other apps I should consider?

[DavidTO]

wireless: yes, out of the box.

other apps. depends, I wouldn't worry about it until you have the machine.

[colourbox]

So - with the new iMacs accepting 4 GB of RAM, is there any real advantage to buying a quad core Power Mac other than the ability to have a second hard drive for a scratch drive for Photoshops swap file? Or the ability to use a 30 in LCD display? ( I've been giving that more consideration also)

Other than those two, it's the ability to have more than 4GB of RAM. That was a big deal when iMacs couldn't go above 2, then 3, but at 4GB your next statement becomes true for most people:

...the iMacs seem likely to be good enough for what I need.

What you lose above 4GB with Photoshop is the OS's caching ability to use upper RAM as a fast substitute for the scratch disk, if you can afford all that RAM.

Still love my 2.66 Mac Pro though. No regrets.
(I get my RAM and disks at transintl.com (http://www.transintl.com/macupgrades/index.cfm) or macsales.com (http://macsales.com/)...crucial always seems more expensive)

[jdryan3]

I figure I do not need a 24" since my current system has a 20" flat screen and I can always add it if i want dual monitors...

I see the new ones have a mini-DVI connector and require a separate adapter to connect your external monitor

I am going to go with a 500GB HD and most likely will buy Parallels and have the Geniuses transfer one of my PC hard drives over...I'll most likely keep all my images and music on seperate external drives.

I will be using Adobe Lightroom which I purchased for my PC and realized was a bad decision since it kills my PC...I also use CS2...I would like to use CS3 natively on the Intel iMac...and probably will. Any other apps I should consider?

Just out of curiosity, why are you going to use Parallels if you are going to 'go native' with CS3? I just did the switch from CS2 on a PC to CS3 on a MacBook Pro and after signing and faxing the LODs Adobe only charged me the normal upgrade price - no platform change fee. They sent me a brand new full version of CS3 for the Mac. And the Lightroom CD has both O/S versions on it.

Finally I copied all my archived files from my Seagate 400GB external drive back to a PC, formatted the drive right on my Mac and then copied, via my network and a file share, all the files back from the PC to the extrnal drive.

IMHO, not worth using Parallels (or Bootcamp) unless you absolutely have to use them for a Win O/S app that can't be replaced. :deal

[jay]

if ya in to saving a few bucks look at the refurbished mac section a 24''was 1400 bucks last night they are leftovers from the brand new redesighn i love the old style better

[pathfinder]

1/ The iMac screen is a glossy. Deal killer. I've tried editing images on my glossy MacBook lappie and when viewed on other monitors they lack punch. You'd be constantly second-guessing what you see on the screen and blindly trying to compensate.

2/ 4GB sounds like a lot today. Tomorrow? :dunno
I agree, a glossy screen is a deal killer. I'll stick with my Cinema Display.

Anyone with knowledge about how quiet the Mac Pros are? I like quiet a lot.

[pathfinder]

Other than those two, it's the ability to have more than 4GB of RAM. That was a big deal when iMacs couldn't go above 2, then 3, but at 4GB your next statement becomes true for most people:



What you lose above 4GB with Photoshop is the OS's caching ability to use upper RAM as a fast substitute for the scratch disk, if you can afford all that RAM.

Still love my 2.66 Mac Pro though. No regrets.
(I get my RAM and disks at transintl.com (http://www.transintl.com/macupgrades/index.cfm) or macsales.com (http://macsales.com/)...crucial always seems more expensive)

Will I really see that much improvement in speed with 8 Gb of RAM as opposed to 4?

I don't think my Mac Book Pro with 3 Gb is really as fast as my 2.5 Dual Power PC with 4 Gb RAM. I must admit I have not tried to time them though.

[colourbox]

Will I really see that much improvement in speed with 8 Gb of RAM as opposed to 4?

If your files are so large that they would normally take up that space as scratch disk space. If not, then no difference. The Efficiency indicator in Photoshop is one way to tell.

What I know I learned from here (http://photoshopnews.com/2005/04/04/photoshop-cs2-how-much-ram-fact/), where it says "We’ve seen 40% and greater speedups when running tests on big documents that hit the scratch disk by increasing RAM from 4GB to 6GB." But you have to be working with those big more-than-8-bits lots of megapixels files with all kinds of layers and masks hanging off of it. So far what I've seen of CS3 is that for example, Smart Objects and Smart Filters eat up RAM in a hurry.

[Stustaff]

Ok I dont have lots of money to spenf unfortunately, so my choices are

New IMAc - £799
2.0ghz core duo
1GB Ram
250GB HD
Superdrive
ATI HD2400XT

+ Its nice! spec is ok, future upgradability, screen keyboard and mouse
- I already have 2 20" monitors, and a keyboard, and a mouse, it seems expensive for the spec.

New MacMini - £499
2.0ghz core duo
1GB Ram
120GB HD
Superdrive
Intel GMA 950

+ same spec almost for much less, uses existing equipment use saving to add more ram big external HD
- graphics card, can it run dual monitors?, future upgradability.

Macbook - £699
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB Ram
80GB HD
Combo drive
Intel GMA 950

+ Same spec but portable,could sell Ibook and put money £250 towards this)
- Means not having a 'home' computer, reduces Macs in house by 1(would sell ibook only if get macbook)

Ok so they are my initial thoughts, what does anyone else think? the Mac I choose will be used for photo editing, and general computer stuff, will deff upgrade to 2GB ram.

So what do I spend my £'s on?

thanks

[eoren1]

Hi Noel,
I was actually just reading about the new iMac in a thread over at macumors. In person, the glossy screen is apparently a deal-breaker for anyone interested in photography applications.
I was finally set on switching from PC to Mac but now am thinking of going to the new mini with the Apple Pro Display instead of the iMac for just this reason. Take a look at one in the stores before you decide.
E

[HiSPL]

I thought the Glossy screen was supposed to be better for image editing?

[Lovesong]

If it's in your powers to squeeze out another 30 quid, I'd actually go for a mid range MacBook. There are several reasons for this.

First off, as surprising as it may be, the MB is actually the most upgradeable of your current choises. On the iMac, it's virtually impossible to change the hard drive (though changing the RAM is no problem). On the Mini, you need a putty knife (and sometimes a jackhammer) to get in there to change anything. On the MB, it's actually very easy to change the HD and the RAM- so this means most future- proof.

The 2.16 model has a 120GB hard drive and a DVD-burner (That's the Superdrive). I would highly recommend a DVD-burner over the Combo drive. Though possible, it is a pain to change those things out in the future. Also having a larger HD will prevent you from having to upgrade sooner than you need to.

The MB can be used in the so-called clam-shell mode. This means that you can close the lid on your new mac, plug in a mouse and a keyboard, hook it up to one of your 20" monitors and thus be used as a "home" computer. And when you need a notebook, it's aways there. I'd say the iMac might be a bit faster, but it's not worth it if you have screens.

[Hindsight]

If you don't need portability go with an iMac which would be a great photo editing rig. If you do need to travel, a MB would be fine for editing photos as long as you have an external display (cheap these days) for when you're in the office. Superdrive is a good idea, yes. Personally if I had to choose a Mac on a limited budget for photo editing I'd take the iMac because I like desktops over laptops- HOWEVER my laptop is an indespensible part of doing event shoots. The small display on the MB would bug me a little bit, but would be fine. I've actually used a MB to do live video captures in field with firewire and it was a nice little workhorse so photos editing wouldn't be a problem- bt as I said I'd get an external display for the office.

The iMac's are sweet. If I didn't need more horsepower for editing video I'd definitely own one now, but I've got a G5 which will soon be replaced with a Mac Pro when I have another 4k (usd) to throw down.

[cmason]

How about a Mac (http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/08/08/wheres-the-mac/)? (sorry this reminded me of Don's post on his blog)

[pathfinder]

Only if you print on REALLY, REALLY GLOSSY paper. ( Hint - the first statement was a joke!)

You will find folks on line who do like and use glossy screens, but I bet if you survey professionals who edit images for a living, darned few would even consider a glossy screen.

Ok - the flame wars can now begin!!:thumb

Needless to say, I am a strong advocare for the matte screens. I did not start there - My earlier displays in the windows world tended to be glossy, but the matte LCD is easier on the eyes, and resembles the contrast range of the printed page much more closely for me.

[colourbox]

Forget the mini.
- Laptop-sized hard drive, small and slow for a desktop computer.
- Limited RAM expandability, only 2GB.
- No second monitor port, no slot for a second video card and port.
- By the time you spec it right and add monitor and keyboard, you've almost paid for a MacBook, which has dual monitor capability, portability, and a hard drive that can be upgraded in 60 seconds.

I think that with the MacBook you can have a "home" computer. Attach a big screen and a keyboard/mouse and you will have a dual-screen setup, which you cannot do with the mini.

If you don't think you'll be burning DVDs while mobile, don't worry about the SuperDrive. External SuperDrives cost half (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/optical-drives/) of Apple's US$200 premium for the internal ones, and usually have better specs than the internal. Just leave it at home next to the big monitor. You'll still be able to burn CDs anywhere with the MacBook combo drive.

[Ann McRae]

Can you expand on the 'glossy screen' - I am on the verge of a purchase. Guess I should go look. Really like the photos of the iMac - :lust

Hi Noel,
I was actually just reading about the new iMac in a thread over at macumors. In person, the glossy screen is apparently a deal-breaker for anyone interested in photography applications.
I was finally set on switching from PC to Mac but now am thinking of going to the new mini with the Apple Pro Display instead of the iMac for just this reason. Take a look at one in the stores before you decide.
E

[DavidTO]

Can you expand on the 'glossy screen' - I am on the verge of a purchase. Guess I should go look. Really like the photos of the iMac - :lust


It just accentuates the color and contrast in a way that might be nice for a casual user, but for color correcting photos is going to be misleading.

I just bought one for my wife/daughter, but they're not serious photogs, so they'll be fine.

[Ann McRae]

So, where does that leave me? Hopefully not dealing with vista for much longer?

Do you suggest buying last years model?

It just accentuates the color and contrast in a way that might be nice for a casual user, but for color correcting photos is going to be misleading.

I just bought one for my wife/daughter, but they're not serious photogs, so they'll be fine.

[DavidTO]

So, where does that leave me? Hopefully not dealing with vista for much longer?

Do you suggest buying last years model?


I'll personally know more when I get our new iMac on monday, and have a few days to play with it.

[HiSPL]

Good to know, Thanks!

[Stustaff]

Thanks everyone, I think as much as I would like a nice imac in my office a macbook makes more sense.

mostly for the reasons a few of you have posted here! ta

[DavidTO]

Thanks everyone, I think as much as I would like a nice imac in my office a macbook makes more sense.

mostly for the reasons a few of you have posted here! ta


Yes. Colourbox makes a lot of sense in that post. As usual! :D

[wxwax]

I thought the Glossy screen was supposed to be better for image editing?
Images look nicer on a glossy screen.

But the glossies aren't so great for editing. The screen makes the piccies look so nice, you assume they're saturated and contrasty enough.

But if you look at your work on a non-glossy monitor (like a Dell LCD for example) you'll see that you actually need to work on adding pop.

I speak from experience with the Macbook screen, not with the new iMac.

[eoren1]

I'll personally know more when I get our new iMac on monday, and have a few days to play with it.

I'll be interested to hear your take on the screen. Also, if you use Lightroom, please post on how the iMac handles it.
I read that the color space needs to be changed from the default as that leaves very washed out colors. Can current hardware calibrators work correctly with such a screen (glossy, glass)?
E

[DavidTO]

I'll be interested to hear your take on the screen. Also, if you use Lightroom, please post on how the iMac handles it.
I read that the color space needs to be changed from the default as that leaves very washed out colors. Can current hardware calibrators work correctly with such a screen (glossy, glass)?
E


I won't be running LR on it. That is on my Mac Pro. :D The iMac is for family.

[noeltykay]

Hi Noel,
I was actually just reading about the new iMac in a thread over at macumors. In person, the glossy screen is apparently a deal-breaker for anyone interested in photography applications.
I was finally set on switching from PC to Mac but now am thinking of going to the new mini with the Apple Pro Display instead of the iMac for just this reason. Take a look at one in the stores before you decide.
E

Ugh...I went to the Apple store last night...I am not crazy about the glossy screen iMac...It could be the bright lights of the Apple store...I did play around with the monitor settings...but wasn't crazy about the colors. My home office is much darker than an apple store and it may be fine here...but man I was less than impressed...perhaps I should just stick with a MBP with matte screen.

My home office:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/134587726_83afeff852.jpg

[DavidTO]

Most likely it's the default Mac gamma of 1.8. Easily fixed. When you calibrate your monitor you set it to 2.2 and it will look more like you're used to.

At least, that's my theory. 1.8 looks a bit washed out.

[cabbey]

If your files are so large that they would normally take up that space as scratch disk space. If not, then no difference.

OR if you work on a lot of them at once.

OR if you move back and forth between a lot of big apps at once.

Case in point, a few weeks back I was doing a slide show in keynote and adjusting photos in PSE to use in it, while using omnigraffle to create overlays for them. Back and forth between the tree apps all day long, load a photo into PSE, adjust and export. Import the photo into Graffle as a layer, create a layer over it with a few dozen elements, export that layer as PDF. Jump to Keynote, load the original image, load the pdf overlay, line 'em up, move on to the next, which often in order to get the transitions between slides seamless required going back to a previous image and re-cropping it slightly to get the same alignment as the one I'm matching to. My quad has 3G of memory, and it was using every last byte of it. A couple of times, when I was cycling from application to application a lot to apply the same alignment adjustment to 4 images in a row I could feel it getting sluggish. A quick check of top showed several thousand pages in/out per second, but I was only using about 900M of swap, so if I had 4G instead of 3G I probably wouldn't even have noticed, 'cause I wouldn't have hit page file.

[wxwax]

At the mac store trying to type on the super skinny new keyboard. It's ok, but for some reason it feels like I need to be more precise with my fingertips. Which is asking a lot, I must say! :doh I guess the lower-profile keys take some getting used to, even though i already have them on my macbook.

There's no question that the iMac screen is full blown glossy, not desirable for image editing. Anyone who wants to seriously edit images with this machine really needs a second monitor, I'm afraid.

[BradfordBenn]

Another mac question: Is there any mac equivalent to Nikolai's star explorer for bulk downloading images from smugmug. I'm fine with the mac tools for uploading images, but I want to be able to be able to bulk download images from my smugmug site.

Before I post the question again, was there an answer for this question? :scratch

Thanks.

[BradfordBenn]

I thought the Glossy screen was supposed to be better for image editing?

I looked at these screens side by side with the same image before purchasing my Matte MacBook Pro. Same software, same image, side by side. This was what I experienced. The image was easier to manipulate on the Matte screen for me, as the glare was much lower, and I want not seeing myself as much. I tried something on the screen after noticing myself. I was able to change the "color" of the image on the screen just by holding a piece of white paper up in front of my blue shirt. I was surprised at how much of a change it made to the image characteristics.

Of course your mileage may vary.

[cabbey]

Dunno how many folks knew about this little apple gem, the tip of the week: http://www.apple.com/business/videotips/ even though it says "business" in the link, most (if not all of them) are applicable to anyone wanting to make more effective use of their system.

[colourbox]

OR if you work on a lot of them at once.
OR if you move back and forth between a lot of big apps at once.

Well, that's true. Part of the reason I loaded up on RAM was so that when I boot Windows in Parallels Desktop, it doesn't take over the majority of the RAM.

And these days, "multiple apps" can be something as simple as Photoshop, and Bridge, and Camera Raw, and Safari, each of which wants a big chunk. 2GB can go to swap fast.

[jdryan3]

...but man I was less than impressed...perhaps I should just stick with a MBP with matte screen.

Very happy with mine. But I will tell you I calibrated both it and my external 24" Dell FPW and there is a difference in how the colors look. They were done at the same time, and I think it may be related to the MBP 'dimming' even with power management off (IOW problem=enduser :D ). But they do each have their own profile - not a shared one. And I did change the gamma to 2.2.

[colourbox]

Very happy with mine. But I will tell you I calibrated both it and my external 24" Dell FPW and there is a difference in how the colors look.

There's going to be a difference. Even the newest, best-of-laptops MacBook Pro screens have a smaller gamut than a desktop LCD. See the comparison charts about 3/4 down in this review (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-8741-9027).

[kini62]

Apparently the 20" iMAc has a 6 bit display, eg. cheaper than last years. The 24" has a similar screen to the old model at 8 bit color depth.

Bummer about the 20":cry

Gene

[Ann McRae]

I'll personally know more when I get our new iMac on monday, and have a few days to play with it.

David - any opinions?

ann

[DavidTO]

David - any opinions?

ann


It just arrived this morning at work.

I opened it, took a look, and put it back. So far, so good. It's beautiful. But I've not yet turned it on. More to come...

[wxwax]

So, where does that leave me? Hopefully not dealing with vista for much longer?

Do you suggest buying last years model?
Just use your current monitor a a second monitor for the iMac.

[Ann McRae]

Unfortunately, this monitor needs to go (or stay with the kid computer, as it were - we did not buy a new one with the new computer). But a second monitor has its merits..I'll think on that for sure.

Thanks, waxy!

Just use your current monitor a a second monitor for the iMac.

[ShepsMom]

I bought mine back in January, this model:
IMAC 17" 2.0GHZ 2GB/160/SD/X1600, i don't have a glossy screen, i think it's coated. David, is your screen glossy?

[DavidTO]

I bought mine back in January, this model:
IMAC 17" 2.0GHZ 2GB/160/SD/X1600, i don't have a glossy screen, i think it's coated. David, is your screen glossy?


Yes. That's all you can buy now, is the issue. I just got it from Apple yesterday (ordered last week, the day they were announced).

For me, it's no big deal, it's for my wife. She'll be just fine.

[Artur C.]

Hi Noel,
I was actually just reading about the new iMac in a thread over at macumors. In person, the glossy screen is apparently a deal-breaker for anyone interested in photography applications.
I was finally set on switching from PC to Mac but now am thinking of going to the new mini with the Apple Pro Display instead of the iMac for just this reason. Take a look at one in the stores before you decide.
E

There has been a fairly large uproar in the mac-photographer-video editor community about the lack of a matte option for the imac. Whether this will get fixed is but a guess :dunno (that's apple), but apparently the new iMovie uproar has forced apple to make availabe the old iMove HD as a download, no doubt due to the large dislike of its customer base. Perhaps if enough people complain about the lack of a matte option, one will come down the pipe eventually. I think apple is trying to get photographers to buy the MacPro.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Also, I can't find the link, but Toshiba polled it's users about screen preference and the overwhelming majority (over 78%) has echoed that they do very much prefer a non-glossy display.

[eoren1]

Since that last post, I've decided that a macbook might be the better way to go and hooked to an Apple Cinema Display. The problem is that all macbooks have glossy screens as well now so PPing on them in the field would be hit-and-miss I think. It would be nice if Apple opened up to 3rd party hardware vendors so that options like matte vs glossy screens would be made possible - though I can't honestly see that ever happening. Right now it really does look like they are pushing photographers to buy their 'pro' models as well as splurge on the nicer lcd displays.
E

[Ann McRae]

Review for perusal. (http://www.physorg.com/news106419257.html)

ann

[caroline]

My G4 needs replacing I think - I had been considering an imac but it seems the new screen is a no-no - any suggstions or advice please ?
Caroline

[wxwax]

My G4 needs replacing I think - I had been considering an imac but it seems the new screen is a no-no - any suggstions or advice please ?
Caroline
Are you able to afford a second monitor? That would be my suggestion. Added bonus, you could move your toolbars etc to the iMac screen, only use the secondary screen for the image itself.

[mrbill62]

My G4 needs replacing I think - I had been considering an imac but it seems the new screen is a no-no - any suggstions or advice please ?
Caroline

Check the Apple Store for refurbs on the previous generation of iMacs:
20" 2.16 GHz - $1099 and 24" 2.16 GHz - $1449

[DavidTO]

Check the Apple Store for refurbs on the previous generation of iMacs:
20" 2.16 GHz - $1099 and 24" 2.16 GHz - $1449


:thumb Good idea!

[caroline]

Check the Apple Store for refurbs on the previous generation of iMacs:
20" 2.16 GHz - $1099 and 24" 2.16 GHz - $1449

I'm in the UK but have found a couple - I'm not uptodate with what makes for a good buy, if anyone has time could they check out these links for me please ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Imac-20-inch-intel-core-2-duo-2gig-ram-mint-condition_W0QQitemZ320149630504QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4603QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=FA589

We dont seem to get such good deals on price as you do in the US.

Cheers
Caroline

[DavidTO]

Buy from Apple.

:D

[patch29]

Buy from Apple.

:D

Apple looks to be doing well, hopefully they can keep it going. When is the iPhone 2.0 coming out? :D I saw the 4GB referb iPhone is $399, starting to get tempting. :deal


Dell takes huge hit as Apple laptop sales soar
'Halo effect' generated by demand for iPhones has caused a transformation in Apple's laptop sales

In an ongoing alteration of the consumer PC landscape, Apple laptop sales have surged to a new all-time high over the past 90 days -- up from 12 percent in June to 17 percent currently.

Source (http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/21/Apple-laptops-drive-transformation_1.html?source=rss&url=www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/21/Apple-laptops-drive-transformation_1.html)

[cabbey]

Apple looks to be doing well, hopefully they can keep it going. When is the iPhone 2.0 coming out? :D I saw the 4GB referb iPhone is $399, starting to get tempting. :deal






Source (http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/21/Apple-laptops-drive-transformation_1.html?source=rss&url=www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/21/Apple-laptops-drive-transformation_1.html)

Heh, the irony of this is that Apple now makes a better windows laptop than many of the traditional windows laptop companies. A fact that was hammered home for me recently when my mother called to say "you'll never guess what they handed me at work today? :) " Apparently her school district bought every credentialed staff member a brand new mac book. Which they then loaded Windows onto, locked it down, and set it to default to boot directly into windows. Thankfully she knows the IT support guy, and made some comment about "I'll stick with my personal g4 iBook if you're going to make us run windows..." and he told her how to make it boot into Mac OS/X.

[Artur C.]

This post is completely subjective, as I can't quantify my results, only an experience from playing around with the system at the Apple store.

Here is what I did. I took some prints from a calibrated screen, along with my MBP (also with a calibrated monitor).. and loaded the photos on a flashdisk. I then opened them on each of the iMac's in the store.

Here is what I think about the glossy monitor.

It's not as bad as some posts/web discussins will make you believe. Here is what I found. On monochrome images, the deepest greys will display as blacks, but not none of the iMac monitors went through the calibration process. On color prints/files the deep blue hues tend to go dark due to the glossy display, but honestly I was hard pressed to see much of a difference, even with the retail store lighting which is pretty harsh as most mac users will. I did notice that the contrast is strong and colors are quite vibrant... not over saturated but vibrant. If you catch my drift.

I think that for very serious pro work this montior may not give you the accuracy one may demand, but for serious amateur work this system is very capable, to include the screen.

On a sidenote... I got a chance to play with the iPhone....man this thing is COOL... I want one!!!!

Just my 2 cents worth... your mileage may vary.

-Art

[patch29]

ZDnet has an article about the glossy screen here (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=809).

[crj330]

With Adobe's new Lightroom system, versions for both Mac and Windows are on the same disk for the boxed product, and presently availability at introductory pricing.
I know this post is old but, have a question regarding Lightroom that I have been getting conflicting info on. Someone told me because I was thinking of purchasing a MacPro laptop in the future and told him that I will be getting Lightroom, he said to make sure I order the Mac version. Well, my thought was that it would run on both the pc and this new dual platform mac. Then I find out that sure both mac and windows are on one disk, but can be installed only onto one computer. Is this true? I spoke with someone from Adobe and they said if i installed in on a pc then uninstalled it when I make my mac purchase then I can reinstall it on the mac. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right information and not spend money twice.

Thanks for your help!:scratch:thumb

[DavidTO]

I know this post is old but, have a question regarding Lightroom that I have been getting conflicting info on. Someone told me because I was thinking of purchasing a MacPro laptop in the future and told him that I will be getting Lightroom, he said to make sure I order the Mac version. Well, my thought was that it would run on both the pc and this new dual platform mac. Then I find out that sure both mac and windows are on one disk, but can be installed only onto one computer. Is this true? I spoke with someone from Adobe and they said if i installed in on a pc then uninstalled it when I make my mac purchase then I can reinstall it on the mac. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right information and not spend money twice.

Thanks for your help!:scratch:thumb


Yeah, just deauthorize it on the one before you move it to the other.

[Van Isle]

I'm close to slitting my throat here...

why is it so complicated?

PC to MAC. Wireless network. I'm following the directions. I get un-repeatable results that include up to "migrating data...migration failed or cancelled."

Pls walk me through it! I follow the set up directions: "click next. Click next. Once complete, enjoy your new system."

Yeah, not quite.

Many thanks, sorry for the late night rant.

VI

[Andy]

What are you migrating?

Exactly how are you doing it?

[Van Isle]

Andy,
PC XP SP 2 to mac OS X 10.4 on a Macbook w/2GB ram (or whatever is latest)

I think I've got it figured: instead of trying to do it over the wireless network, I just plugged the PC in to the MAC. The mac figured out where my PC was. Now it looks like it's working...will update!

Many thanks! (grr...worked on it for too long last night...)

Mitch

[mwgrice]

Where would you buy a Mac in NYC? I need to buy one for someone in Brooklyn, and I'm wondering if I should buy it at some place like B&H or just online from Apple. Support (or at least the ability to return it) is potentially important.

I should add that I live in Wisconsin, so my ability to deal with anything in person is limited.

[DavidTO]

Buy from Apple, IMO.

[Giphsub]

Sorry if this has been asked before. I am considering moving to a mac from a windows. I have been using photoshop elements and am mostly happy to use it for my needs. Does the included iPhoto software allow me to do most of what elements does? I mostly just fiddle contrast, lighting and colours. Basic stuff really. Thanks.

[Giphsub]

Don't worry about answering this. I have talked myself out of getting a mac after reading some other threads in here. My issue is the size and cost difference between the power mac and the mac book. I can't afford the pro model, but the mac book is not quite enough to make me happy. I wonder why they don't have the intermediate sizes anymore? Anyway, no need to answer the question about iPhoto. I might look into lightroom.

[Andy]

Don't worry about answering this. I have talked myself out of getting a mac after reading some other threads in here. My issue is the size and cost difference between the power mac and the mac book. I can't afford the pro model, but the mac book is not quite enough to make me happy. I wonder why they don't have the intermediate sizes anymore? Anyway, no need to answer the question about iPhoto. I might look into lightroom.
Pssst: LR runs on a Mac :thumb

What are your needs? Macs may be a few bucks more when you compare apples to apples (!) but those few bucks are worth it in terms of zero headaches. Ever.

[CatOne]

Don't worry about answering this. I have talked myself out of getting a mac after reading some other threads in here. My issue is the size and cost difference between the power mac and the mac book. I can't afford the pro model, but the mac book is not quite enough to make me happy. I wonder why they don't have the intermediate sizes anymore? Anyway, no need to answer the question about iPhoto. I might look into lightroom.

What's wrong with an iMac?

[cabbey]

If the current MacBook Pro is out of your price range, perhaps the previous generation of MBP is closer? Keep an eye on the refurb and clearance section of the apple store, there are occasionally some very nice surprises in there, but they don't last long. A couple weeks ago a buddy of mine picked up a 17" MBP 2.0Ghz for around $1450.

What's wrong with an iMac?

Possibly the fact that it's not a laptop, which seems to be what GlphSub wants.

[colourbox]

Does the included iPhoto software allow me to do most of what elements does? I mostly just fiddle contrast, lighting and colours. Basic stuff really. Thanks.

It won't do most of what Elements does, but it will do the few specific things you mentioned, but not as precisely as Elements. If you just want to make overall corrections, then yes, iPhoto can do that. But it's pretty basic. You might have to buy Photoshop Elements on the Mac side to do pixel editing.

Or graduate to Lightroom or full version Photoshop on either platform, or Aperture on the Mac side.

Edit: Oh, you don't need the answer anymore. Oh well. I feel your pain. There is a big hole in the middle of the Mac line. I chose to buy a refurbished Mac Pro tower to save a couple hundred dollars. The iMac is now a decent Photoshop machine, since it can now take 4GB of RAM and you can attach a second monitor, but it wasn't that way at the time when I bought. For some, the un-customizable glossy screen may be a dealbreaker. Yes, many people are wondering where the capable headless midrange Mac box is, many articles have been written about that.

[cabbey]

Does the included iPhoto software allow me to do most of what elements does? I mostly just fiddle contrast, lighting and colours. Basic stuff really. Thanks.

Here's a shot of some of the options iPhoto 7 (in iLife '08) can do, more details are at apple's site. http://www.apple.com/ilife/iphoto/#editing If that's all you're doing, I suspect you'll be happy with iPhoto. Plus the smugmug uploader can hook right into it to simplify your upload workflow. :)


ETA: 100% agree with what colourbox said.

[rosselliot]

but those few bucks are worth it in terms of zero headaches. Ever.

um...can I get an AMEN! hahaha! There's no joking that Apples are SO much less trouble than PCs...it's amazing. Go for it - get an apple...then come back in a few months and thank us : )

- Ross

[DavidTO]

What's wrong with an iMac?

The glossy screen.

[CatOne]

The glossy screen.

Just retrofit the entire back side of the room with dark velvet :ivar

[CatOne]

Possibly the fact that it's not a laptop, which seems to be what GlphSub wants.

Where does that come from? A Mac Pro (which is most definitely NOT a laptop) and a MacBook Pro were mentioned.

People keep hoping for a mid-sized headless desktop from Apple... something between the Mac Mini and the Mac Pro. Steve has noted quite a few times how he really likes the "all in one" form factor and it's how the Macs started out... so I wouldn't hold my breath. Use the iMac and hook up an external monitor and get 2 screens worth of real estate. Well, that is if you can handle the glossy screen :wink

[DavidTO]

Just retrofit the entire back side of the room with dark velvet :ivar


I bought a glossy screen iMac for my wife, and it's great. I wouldn't want to use it for serious photo work, but it's a sweet machine. The 2nd monitor would solve that. Sounds like Giphsub might even already have one.

[cabbey]

Where does that come from? A Mac Pro (which is most definitely NOT a laptop) and a MacBook Pro were mentioned.

I read this sentence:

I can't afford the pro model, but the mac book is not quite enough to make me happy.

to mean Giphsub was comparing the two laptop models. But in re-reading I can see either interpretation.

People keep hoping for a mid-sized headless desktop from Apple.

:rofl No one we know. Nope. (http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/08/08/wheres-the-mac/) Too bad the comments on that post went to hell in a handbasket so quick. I swear digg turns any site into /. quality comments once it's on the front page.

[mwgrice]

Buy from Apple, IMO.

Apple it is.

[RogersDA]

Where would you buy a Mac in NYC? I need to buy one for someone in Brooklyn, and I'm wondering if I should buy it at some place like B&H or just online from Apple. Support (or at least the ability to return it) is potentially important.

I should add that I live in Wisconsin, so my ability to deal with anything in person is limited.


1. There is an Apple store in the West Towne Mall in Madison. Stop by and visit. In New York City there are Apple stores on 5th Ave. and in SOHO.

2. Join NAPP (http://www.photoshopuser.com/) and get a discount on buying an Apple online. Could save you more than the cost of the membership. :wink:wink:wink

[z_28]

Maybe in this Brooklyn Downtown store ?

http://local.yahoo.com/details;_ylt=Alk07wAGEc32P0xL2y3gYMiHNcIF?id=11353024&lsrc=results&p=McDonalds&csz=Brooklyn%2C+NY&fr=&lcscb=CEPLxQc4I52

[Giphsub]

LOL

Thanks guys! In fact, I spoke with my brother in law (a mac freak for many years) and he does a lot of music processing on an older g4 (??) using less ram than the new mac books. He said he would be very surprised if the new ones would be insufficient for anything at all that I could throw at it. So the screen size is the only factor. Screw it I'll get an external screen to hook up. SO, I talked myself back into it and ordered a mac book with 2G ram (that was one of my worries after reading a few opinions). Should get it this week sometime!:D

Cheers for all the comments. No doubt I'll be saoking up a lot of the knwledge already floating around in here about macs over the coming months...

[cabbey]

Hahaha! Welcome to the light side.

[Giphsub]

Hahaha! Welcome to the light side.


LOL That is exactly what my brother in law said!

[cabbey]

ROFL. Now I'm wondering if I might know your brother in law... I've not seen that logic very often.

[TerryP]

I have now read user reviews of both the Spyder and Eye One product line. Users of both say neither work with a MAC LCD.

I have an iMAC G5 OS X Tiger and getting non-matching colors out of my printer (Epson R1800 using profiles for Epson paper). This machine was specifically mentioned as having issues with the Spyder.

I'm ready to step up to monitor calibration but what really works? Are these people nuts or is it a real problem calibrating a MAC LCD screen? These two brands seem to be the biggest dogs on the block. Is there a dark horse out there I should be trying?

Thanks!

Terry

BTW, they cite "failures" in reading the monitor as the reason why.

[silica]

Here's the one I use. It definitely works with a Mac:

http://www.integrated-color.com/cedpro/coloreyesdisplay.html

[pathfinder]

I calibrate my 23 in Cinema Display with a Spdyer2 Pro, print with an Epson Stylus Pro 4000, and my prints match my monitor perfectly in color and B&W.

My box is a Power Mac dual 2.5 G5 with a Radeon 9800 XT video board.

The matching between print and screen is so routine that I expect it, and only soft proof infrequently.

I am not aware of difficulties calibrating Apple displays. I calibrate my Mac Book Pro with the same Spyder2 Pro colorimeter, and it matches my Cinema Display as well. Laptop screens are less reliable than desktop screens for a number of reasons. Lighting, body position, etc. The lighting for my desktop never changes. My prints I evaluate under an Ott light that is full spectrum.

Before I calibrated my monitor, matching print and screen was always an exercise in futility.

[CatOne]

First, what's a MAC LCD screen? Are you talking about the Apple Cinema Display?

Second, I've used the Eye One for a couple years with my Cinema Display -- when it was attached to a G5, and now attached to a Mac Pro. It works great.

[Elaine]

Well, I'm not actually a Mac newbie yet, but we're looking into getting one. I've been following a lot of the discussions around here about the glossy screen on the iMac (which I think is a very nice looking display), and I'm getting somewhat confused. For one thing (this is probably a really dumb question), why wouldn't callibrating the monitor work to help it display more accurately? By more accurately, I guess I mean make it match how the prints turn out, since making it look right on everyone else's screen is impossible.
I'm mostly a portrait photog, so I don't want something to mess with skin tones or the subtleties of a B&W photo. We're considering getting an iMac and just plugging in a second "photo editing" monitor. Is this my best option? Is the glossy screen really going to cause me problems? If Macs have been a favorite with photographers and graphic designers, why have they only offered a glossy version of the latest screen?

Any feedback or links appreciated!

[Lovesong]

The biggest problem with the new iMacs (as well as any glossy screen) is the fact that the finish will intrinsically over-saturate the colors. You can thus have the monitor calibrated all you want, but what you see is hardly going to be what you get.

There have been a number of discussions on Mac-specific forums as to why Apple did this with the new iMacs. The consensus is that they are trying to push more people towards the pro machines (MacPro with a 23" ACD). One of the possible work-arounds is what you suggested- getting a second monitor, and doing the color corrections on it. I actually decided to go for portability and got the MBP, which I hook up to a monitor when I'm editing photos. The two computers essentially have the same guts, save for the fact that the iMac has more HD space, and a better graphics card.

[dogwood]

And I'll add, the calibration won't matter if say there's light from a window or overhead light glaring off the screen which is an issue with the glossy screens (mac or pc). I use a MacBook for my day job, but mostly with an external monitor. The external monitor is beautiful, the MacBook screen is a bit glary and shiny for photo editing (we have overhead fluorescents that I can't turn off).

[wxwax]

If you can afford a second monitor, that's the way to go, IMHO. The iMac screen exaggerates saturation and contrast. I've seen it at the Apple store, and it's like my Macbook's glossy screen, which I've discovered, the hard way, I simply can't use for editing. When I look at the finished product on a non-glossy screen (in my case, a fancy CRT) it's not at all similar.

[pathfinder]

I suspect one reason for the glossy screen, is that for folks who do not edit pictures, the deep saturation and gloss look "better" than a matte screen. It is only after working with a matte screen for a while that you really see and appreciate the virtues of a matte surface. I think Apple is merely trying to grab some computer newbies from the Windows world, but I could be wrong.

A second screen seems like a great solution - you still can keep your brushes and palette wells on the glossy screen. Lots of us used two monitors for Photoshop before the much larger monitors were affordable.

[Elaine]

Thanks for the help! If I understand it correctly, callibrating actually adjusts stuff going on inside the monitor, and with the new iMac screen, the glossy outer coat will always make it look different than it's "supposed" to look. Is that a simplified way of saying it, or am I still way off?

Hmm...I'm not sure if I'll like actually using two monitors. I guess I could get used to it. I'm interested to know more about getting a MacBook and then being able to plug that into a nice (unglossy) monitor. Having a laptop sounds appealing, but I know I don't want to do my editing on that screen either.

I don't know what to do. :rolleyes

[Lovesong]

The nice thing about going the way of the MB/MBP with a large monitor is obviously portability. The MB lacks a real video card, and thus will eat up some of the RAM from the machine. That being said, it will push a 24" (1920 X 1200) without a hitch. The MBP has a dedicated GPU, and can push up to a 30" monitor. When I'm editing with it, I usually have it hooked up to my 24" Dell, and keep the brushes and tools on the MBP screen, while the image occupies the external monitor.

There are downsides to going mobile of course. For one, it's more expensive. A 15" MBP will run you a little more than the 24" iMac, with less than half the HD space. External HDs are going to be a requirement, but given the fact that I have a couple of firewire 800 drives, it's never been an issue, in terms of speed.

It's a tough call for you. If I had enough money, I'd spring for a MacPro (2.66), and a decent monitor, and add better graphics cards, HDs and RAM over time. If price is a problem, however, it's tough. One thing you should remember though, is that if you're split between the MBP and the iMac- they are essentially the same computer.

[TerryP]

Thanks, all. I suppose a Cinema and my G5 differ only in size. Both are LCD and run by MAC OS's so I will continue my search for the right hardware.

Terry

[DavidTO]

Apps I've been using lately. Or have been using for a long time, and just feel like mentioning.

Little Snitch (http://www.obdev.com/products/littlesnitch/index.html)

Macaroni (http://www.atomicbird.com/)

AppleJack (http://applejack.sourceforge.net/)

Growl (http://growl.info/)

Quicksilver (http://quicksilver.blacktree.com/)

Monolingual (http://monolingual.sourceforge.net/)

AppFresh (http://metaquark.de/appfresh/)

Adium (http://adiumx.com/)

Keyboard Cleaner (http://jan.prima.de/~jan/plok/archives/48-Keyboard-Cleaner.html)

Skitch (http://plasq.com/)

[gluwater]

If I had enough money, I'd spring for a MacPro (2.66), and a decent monitor, and add better graphics cards, HDs and RAM over time. Am I missing something? The fastest MBP I see on the Apple site is a 2.4Ghz? Also, does this discussion refer to the non-glossy MBP display? What about the "High-Resolution" MBP screen? So in general all MBP screens are no good for editing photos?

[Lovesong]

Am I missing something? The fastest MBP I see on the Apple site is a 2.4Ghz? Also, does this discussion refer to the non-glossy MBP display? What about the "High-Resolution" MBP screen? So in general all MBP screens are no good for editing photos?

Sorry- MacPro's are Apple's towers. The OP was mainly asking about iMacs- the all in ones. The MacPros actually go up to 8-core 3 GHz... I just wish I could afford it :cry

[colourbox]

Sorry- MacPro's are Apple's towers. The OP was mainly asking about iMacs- the all in ones. The MacPros actually go up to 8-core 3 GHz... I just wish I could afford it :cry

Don't worry about it...most photo applications can't take full advantage of 8 cores (yet?) when editing a single image. The 4-core is the price/performance sweet spot right now. 8-cores pay for themselves if you are a video editor.

[arodney]

Thanks for the help! If I understand it correctly, callibrating actually adjusts stuff going on inside the monitor, and with the new iMac screen, the glossy outer coat will always make it look different than it's "supposed" to look. Is that a simplified way of saying it, or am I still way off?


The calibration and profile know nothing about the screen attributes. They allow you to keep an unstable device in a consistent behavior so everytime you view the same set of numbers, they always appear the same color appearance and with the resulting profile, the colors should be correct based on what profile you ultimately use to soft proof your output.

http://www.takegreatpictures.com/HOME/Columns/Digital_Photography/Details/Color_Management_and_Display.fci

I don't like the fact the glossy screens show finger prints and potentially more relfections/flar than matt screens. But the calibration and profiling hardware/software don't know anything about the surface type.

[cabbey]

AppFresh (http://metaquark.de/appfresh/)

I'm curious how usefull you find this? All of the apps I use day in and day out have their own up-to-date check in them, that when I tested it out beat the iusethis.com based AppFresh. As I look at my dock right now, there's only three applications that aren't already covered by their own auto-up-todate check, and they're either ones that I don't want upated (a couple of corporate tools that I'm intentionally staying downlevel on because I want a working version) or are ones that are so old they're not being updated anyway (PSE 2.0 anyone?)

[DavidTO]

I'm curious how usefull you find this? All of the apps I use day in and day out have their own up-to-date check in them, that when I tested it out beat the iusethis.com based AppFresh. As I look at my dock right now, there's only three applications that aren't already covered by their own auto-up-todate check, and they're either ones that I don't want upated (a couple of corporate tools that I'm intentionally staying downlevel on because I want a working version) or are ones that are so old they're not being updated anyway (PSE 2.0 anyone?)


Well, the one time I used it, I updated 18 aps that I have that were out of date, and it did it in minutes, and very easily. But: it got the latest version of SAFT, which is actually only compatible with Safari 3, not the Safari 2 that I use, so there you go. In the end, for SAFT, it caused me more work than if I had done the update myself.

I forget which apps it was that it updated, but I guess not all of my apps update automatically, so that was helpful. And although I don't imagine that I'll be doing this all THAT often, I do hate how apps always update at the worst possible time....when I want to use them. :D

[jay]

processor upgrade :dunno i just put a 1.6 in my g4 runs very well

[Miguel Delinquento]

Here's the one I use. It definitely works with a Mac:

http://www.integrated-color.com/cedpro/coloreyesdisplay.html
I recently downloaded a demo of this software because it works with the Spyder2 hardware I already own. I have been calibrating the two LCDs hooked up to my Mac Pro for the past year with the Spyder software and the results have been OK, but not great.
Well, the leap to outstanding provided by the Coloreyes software was very welcome. The colors just popped off my screen, like what I expected but never obtained. Now it is a matter of budgeting for the new software.
Highly recommended.
M

[colourbox]

Weird. I use an Eye-One to calibrate an Apple PowerBook LCD, an Apple Cinema Display LCD, and an IBM Thinkpad LCD, with the latest version of the Eye-One software. It's never failed.

[billhughlett]

Hi friends -

Sorry if this has been covered specifically but I have searched this forum, others and done general googling without much success and am finally at wits end

About six months ago I transitioned from a Windows desktop with CRT + Epson 2200 to a MacBook Pro + large Apple display + 2 new Epson printers, a 3800 and 7800. Then and now I have the Monoaco Optix XR calibration system.

Under the old regime, prints from the Sony/CRT to the Epson 2200 were perfect. I always printed in CS2 and let Photoshop handle color management using relative rendering intent and no blackpoint compensation.

Under the new regime I've tried everything....calibrating and re-calibrating both Mac displays, every possible combination of software or printer controlled color management in both Photoshop Cs2 and Lightroom. In all cases the prints, on both new printers are (identically) dark and muddy. The only way I can seem to get anything close to what I'm seeing on my "calibrated" monitor is to go into Lightroom's Develop module and dial up the exposure about 2 stops....and even then the colors shift all over the place. Having the printer control color management seems to give the prints a little more life, but they're still not right. Have tried tech support from all three hardware and software vendors to no avail. I'm using the paper profiles provided by Epson for both printers which others seem to think are very good.

Surely someone out there is running with this or a similar combination and is getting good results. If anyone could point me to a resource that might help me straighten this out I'd be grateful. I'd love to start printing again!

Bill

[DavidTO]

Not sure how you're calibrating, but....

have you set the gamma to 2.2 instead of the Mac default of 1.8? That's important.

[billhughlett]

Not sure how you're calibrating, but....

have you set the gamma to 2.2 instead of the Mac default of 1.8? That's important.

Calibrating with gamma @ 2.2, native white point (not sure how else to adjust white point on these Mac monitors). I found a string tonight over on photo.net where a couple of guys with similar woes suspect it's an Intel Mac / Adobe problem.......so, I grabbed my retired copy of Apple's Aperture and viola! The result wasn't perfect but the prints are an order of magnitude better than printing out of CS2 or Lightroom.

I'd be interested to know if anyone else on the forum have these hardware/software combos and are /aren't having issues (Intel Mac, Adobe software and an Epson 3800 or 7800 printer).

Bill

[Rockporters]

What did you use to calibrate your monitor?

Have you checked for an updated driver from Epson?

[billhughlett]

What did you use to calibrate your monitor?