Brian

I agree. I'd start looking there first, before messing with anything on your computer.

THERE'S YOUR PROBLEM. Well, that and your CPU is very under-powered by today's standards. Yeah, it's time for a new computer. Well, good news and bad news...I was able to configure a system for you. Bad news is, that it's not 100% of what I recommend, but it should get you closer to a "Normal Experience" these days. Keep in mind, speed is relative. Your computer sounds like it's been struggling for awhile, so any improvements in terms of speed will be a bonus, because you don't know any better. It's just too bad that $1500 this year doesn't go as far as it did just 12 months ago, before COVID19. You really need to save up just a bit more and be closer to $2000. But I get it, I realize that this isn't always possible. So without further ado... Dell XPS Special Edition Tower -- $1579 Make sure you upgrade the Main HD to a 1TB m.2 SSD Drive!! A 256GB Main Drive is MICROSCOPIC BY TODAY'S STANDARDS AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED LIKE THE PLAGUE!!! This is really a short-term solution. When I recommend / configure things for the members here, I have a 7-8 year lifespan in mind. Anything less will require replacement sooner rather than later. So that configuration should get you about 3 years at most before it becomes "Too Slow" again.

Damien is correct. Don't ever save stuff to your desktop, whether your are Windows-based or a Mac. Stuff gets corrupted easily when they are on the desktop. Especially if something happens to your Windows profile. Usually at this point, I get the response, "Well...I've always saved on my Desktop and nothing bad has ever happened!" Yep. That is usually true. Until it does. It's like saying, "I've always driven 85MPH-90MPH on the Highway and have never gotten pulled over!" Until you do. Now for the Red X Problem. It could be a bunch of things. From your Cloud Storage being full and your computer has lost its connection to those files, to something like your Icon Cache File needs to be reset / purged / deleted. Have you done anything at this point? Run any commands or whatever? Also, how full is your HD? What are the specs of your PC? When is the last time you have run Windows Update? Please fill out this form and post the results here in the thread: Details about your Computer's Health

Very Cool! You are off to a great start! 80mm to 105mm is where you want to be for product photography, so that's why I recommended a lens like a 24-105. Enjoy your purchase. Don't be afraid to shoot at f/8 or even f/11...but usually these apertures tend to need some sort of strobe or two off camera, with a modifier of some sort.

Yep. My prices are US Dollar Based. Canada is more expensive than the US. England is even higher...and OZ, well...that's a whole other topic altogether. I feel really bad for recommending this shit to people who live in OZ. Your prices are incredibly expensive.

Always remember: As with anything Macintosh related, or anything Apple related, they want you to "Go Big or Go Home." You are going to pay a premium for that to happen. With current Macbooks, both the 13" and 16" versions, you MUST upgrade the RAM to 32GB at the time of purchase, and pay Apple's insanely high prices as a result. Today's Macbooks are not like ones a decade or more ago, the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, and there isn't any upgrade sockets. So if you just get a Macbook with 8GB or 16GB of RAM, you are stuck with it and will have to buy a new computer if you want to go higher. Fun times, eh? From my POV, spending $4000+ to run seamlessly with no lag on a MBP is a hard pill to swallow for a 13 year old. I'm 47 and I can't justify that kind of cost. Of course, your 13 y.o. is just starting out. Speed is relative. How complex are their videos going to be? Just 5 second Tic-Tok videos? Or stuff that is posted to YouTube? She might just love a 13" MacBook and the cost will be around $2600. Basically, start with the most expensive 13" MBP and upgrade the CPU, RAM and HD: You will save about $1000 or so by choosing a Windows Gaming Laptop with similar specs. The Windows laptop will need to have: i7 Intel CPU 32GB RAM 1TB EHD A video card that has at least 2GB dedicated Video RAM. (More is better, like 4GB - 8GB.) A IPS-Based display panel. 1920 x 1080 is fine. Believe it or not, this is the hardest thing to find on a Windows Laptop. When it comes to a Mac, it's a standard thing. Windows, especially gaming laptops, will have a cheaper TN display panel, which is faster / meant for video games. As soon as you add "Photo Editing" or "Video Editing" to the mix, your requirements really increase. The problem with the 13" MBP is the video; the graphics card which After Effects or any current Adobe product for that matter, will definitely use...is under-powered. That "Intel Graphics" card that you get with the 13" MBP is only meant for "General Computing," not Photoshop. Not anything major. Will it work? sure. Will it work well? Probably not. So if you choose Apple, the only alternative is a tricked out 16" MBP for around $4000+. Truth be told, you are going to pay out the ass for any computer now, as prices are $500 - $1000 more than they were last year, before COVID19. So if she is going to get really serious, and take classes and eventually become a Professional, then spending the cash if you can afford it might be a good investment. If this is just a fad and next month she will want to learn to play the guitar or whatever, then spending a huge chunk of cash for a laptop will be a decision you will have to make. Do not think for a second that you can get away with a $500 laptop for anything PS or Adobe Product related. I can say this, my Mother was a single Mom and we didn't have a lot of cash. She was the 1st person to purchase my first DSLR camera, and well, she couldn't afford it. (What do you mean the lens is extra? This expensive camera doesn't come with a lens?!?? - I remember that day well.) Well here I am, 34 years later-still taking photos.

Correct. Well, partially. The problem is the MacOS speaks one language and Windows speaks another, at least as far as the hard drive partitions are concerned. By default a Macintosh will READ a Windows hard drive, but not write to it. This makes switching from Windows to the Mac really easy, and it's intended that way. The problem is going the other way, Mac to Windows. You really do not want to go back and forth, so pick a format and stick with it. What you will need is to purchase this translation software, yes...it's better for it to be paid and not free, and install it on your Mac. Then purchase a Windows-based computer, laptop or desktop and a new external HD. Then partition/format the new EHD on the Windows computer with a NTFS partition and then hook it up to your Mac. Then copy your data files to this new EHD and let it finish. Then eject the EHD on your Mac and hook it up to the Windows computer and see if it can read the files. Most of the time, there aren't any issues. That said, this "Translation Software" isn't 100% bullet-proof. This is why it is very important to "Copy" and not "Cut" your files to the EHD. This way if something goes screwy during transfer, you have the source file(s) to try copying again. If you select the "Cut" option, you are moving the files, which is very bad due to the source file getting deleted on your Mac as it moves stuff over. Recovering data on a Mac is extremely difficult, and I wouldn't recommend it. I've permanently lost files due to my own stupidity on my Mac.

Software options...no, I do not care what software advertises to increase RAM capacity, it never truly works. What it does is take a chunk of the HD to act as RAM. It doesn’t work. All you are doing is throwing money away.

Right. That’s because you probably chose the lowest priced 27” iMac. You need to start with the most expensive one, usually the one in the right column. That particular version will allow you the most configuration options and those options will be cheaper. Yep. You read that correctly. If you choose a lower priced iMac, and upgrade something like the HD, you will pay more for that upgrade than you would if you configured it with a lower prices iMac. Again, Apple wants you to “Go Big or Go Home.” For example, upgrade the HD on a lower 27” iMac. Then do the same for the most expensive model. You will see you are paying $100 more for the same exact hard drive. You are being penalized for choosing a lower end iMac! Really what you need to do is save up a bit more and start with the top level 27” iMac. It will come with a better video card built in. A faster CPU, etc. Then upgrade the HD to a 1TB SSD model. Do not upgrade the RAM as Apple’s prices are insanely over-priced when it comes to RAM. You can keep the CPU the same to save some cash. After you get your new IMac, purchase a 32GB kit from a 3rd Party like Crucial.com or one in OZ. You can upgrade the RAM yourself in about 10 min. Yes, you can do this, I’ve coached Moms who have had 4 year olds running around when doing it, it’s not hard at all. Why do it this way? Because instead of spending $600+ to get it to 16GB, we can spend around $150 to get it to 40GB! Well, prices in OZ are way more expensive, but I think you will get what I mean.

That one should be fine. You really have to pay attention to the details and avoid the buzzwords like "Optaine" "Super-Duper" "XJ245 Excelsior!!" That's marketing. It's to make you think you are buying something fancy. I realize my main article on what to look for is a bit long, so give the short version a read instead.

See this? Please read my article that I wrote. Particularity in the very first section: "...a Video Card that has it's own separate and dedicated Video Memory." Notice how it only says "Integrated Graphics" with no mention of separate and dedicated Video Memory? It only lists RAM. Therefore, the video takes a chunk of RAM in order for it to use. Video RAM is a lot faster and more efficient than your typical RAM. Today's Photoshop relies on dedicated video memory for a performance boost. So no. I'd skip that one.

It's too bad that you didn't max out the RAM when you upgraded the HD. Your model will need to be completely taken apart, and I mean completely, to add more RAM as the slots are located on the backside if the iMac and there isn't an access panel. Your iMac also maxes out at 16GB, which is the bare-minimum that I recommend for today's Photoshop. In reality, you are looking at buying a new computer. Putting in another $300-$400 (RAM & Labor to install the RAM) doesn't make sense for an 8 year old computer. Whatever you do, please don't ever buy a 21.5" model again. If you bought a 27 instead, then we could have increased the RAM easily.

Switching from Mac to PC is a real pain in the ass. The main issue is the Mac Format on its partitions, Windows can't read it by default. There are work-arounds requiring paid software to act as a translator and if you do go that route, we can discuss it then. Unfortunately, the 13" MBP is like a 21.5" iMac, and if you have read any of my pinned topics, you know how much I hate the 21.5" iMac for photo-editing. General computing, it's fine, but like the 16" MBP the 27" iMac is a better buy and has way more horsepower for editing photos. Windows Laptops are a moving target. The models are changed what seems to be every 4-6 weeks. Finding a IPS Display for a Windows Laptop is also quite difficult. (This is a standard thing on the Mac Laptops.) Honestly, I've created this article in my Windows Group. For a Windows Laptop, here is one I would purchase, but due to COVID19...everything is screwed up production-wise: ASUS 15.6" Republic of Gamers Laptop. I have no idea when that laptop will ever be in stock. In reality, I hate-hate-hate laptops for photo-editing. But people are determined to buy them and I'm tired of arguing.

What year, and what size is your iMac? 21.5" or 27"?

Yeah. You are due for an upgrade. With the model you linked to, you are jumping in from one fire into another one. When it comes to Apple's products, they want you to "Go Big or Go Home." Especially when it comes to Mac Laptops. Yes, you will need to upgrade the RAM to 32GB, as you can not upgrade it after the fact. (The chips are soldered to the board and there is no upgrade socket.) Hard Drive, I'd go for a 1TB SSD. CPU can be left at the default. That said, I would not buy that Mac Laptop you linked to due to the video card configuration. It's under-powered, and Intel Video Cards have a history of not playing well with Photoshop. Since it's a laptop there is no upgrading after the fact. Actually, you need to purchase all of the over-priced upgrades at the time of purchase, which significantly drives up the cost. Fun, eh? Mac Laptops are insanely expensive. Are you sure you want to go this route? Because if you truly want a Mac Laptop that's "Good for Photo Editing," you are closer to the $3800-$4000 price-point. I can not in good conscious recommend spending $4000 on something you will get 3-4 years out of. Yep. You read that correctly. You might be one of the lucky ones that may get 5 years out of a Mac Laptop, but in reality...Lithium Ion Batteries only last for a certain amount of time, usually around 2 years or so. Then there is the other issues with Mac Laptops, and I can link you to a guy on YouTube that fixes them all day long. They aren't all what they claim to be. Now to answer your question, I'm actually in the process of writing an article addressing some of your questions. So here are some quick-and-dirty thoughts: RAM - Today's 16GB was yesterday's 8GB or even 4GB. 16GB is the absolute bare-minimum RAM Configuration that I recommend for today's computer. Better yet...try to get 32GB or more. 32GB is the "Sweet Spot" for today's computers, and as cameras get more MegaPixels, gone are the days of squeaking by with small amount of RAM. You could get away with that 10 years ago, when PS CS6 ruled the roost. Not today. HD Capacity - A 500GB HD is also a bare-minimum capacity for a computer in 2020. Even at that capacity, you need to be hyper-anal on what is stored on your internal HD, because the more crap you have on your HD, the slower your Mac runs. In fact, I always recommend never going above 75% full on ANY Mac HD, internal or external. Why? As soon as you get above 80% full on a Mac HD, your performance takes a huge it. So I usually recommend 75% to give people a little wiggle-room. For a HD that is 95% or more full, you are in very dangerous territory; not only will your Mac operate at a snail's pace, you are in real danger of data-corruption. If your HD is 99% Full, you are lucky if the blasted thing boots at all. So no, I highly recommend getting a 1TB HD for your Main HD. It gives you enough room for the OS, Programs, and data / images, plus having enough capacity for the PS Scratch Disk and other Cache Files. Video Card - This is a new item. Those gray squares? That's PS not playing well with your video card and / or drivers. It's under-powered. Adobe's products these days use the video card to help increase performance. Up until recently, it's been an untapped resource. Now, it's common place and your choice of video card is even MORE IMPORTANT than the speed of your CPU Chip. Well, at least as far as Adobe's products are concerned. Believe it or not, I'd rather have a Member purchase a slightly slower CPU chip and then take those savings and put it towards a better video card. I'm dead serious. As far as the whole P3 Wide Color Gammut with sRGB, that's just marketing. Sure it's a good thing to have, but you will have to budget for a new Calibration Tool, such as a SpyderX Pro or SpyderX Elite to get the best results. So add $200+ to your budget for a Calibrator. So now I'm sure you are at the point of what would I buy if I were to buy a Mac Laptop for "Photo Editing." So let's go shopping. Of course, I will warn you it's not gonna be cheap. Here is my configuration. Man, COVID19 has really increased prices. Now is NOT the time to be in the market for a new computer. Even on the Windows side, computers are $500-$1000 more than they were a year or so ago. Cost before Apple Care and Tax: $4124. Can I interest you in a 27" iMac? You will have a faster computer for about $1000 less.

OK, perfect. Plug in your New External WD HD Open your Applications Folder >> Select Utilities >> then choose Disk Utility. Your new HD should appear in the left column, under "External." Select the EHD and click on the Erase Button at the top of Disk Utility A pop-up box will appear, asking you what you want to do. Give it a familiar name, like WD EHD 2TB or something similar. The format must be MacOS Extended (Journaled). Don't worry about encryption or anything fancy. Your pop-up box should look like this: Then Click on Erase. It should clear out the drive in a few minutes and prep it to use for a Mac. If it doesn't let me know. We will need to delete the existing Partitions and start over, but that's just an extra step. I want to see if this works or not.

I’m sorry, you need to wait a little longer and save up a bit more. Sell some crap that you no longer need. Be creative. Every dollar adds up.

Here, I went searching on Dell's Website and did a quick configuration: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/desktops-all-in-one-pcs/xps-tower-special-edition/spd/xps-8930-se-desktop/cto8930w10ph150s?view=configurations&configurationid=12b42cc6-eff0-4b4b-80ea-af20510298fb Here is what it looks like: In reality, you need to budget around $1500-$2000 for a lower-end model. Prices are insane right now.

Here is a computer that checks all of the boxes for my recommendations: Notice the price-tag? $3180! That same PC would have retailed for about $1800 or so last year, before the world went insane.

Nope. It's actually worse. I'm not crazy about the i5 CPU chip. These days it's better to get a Intel i7 CPU. The i9 for Photoshop work, is honestly overkill. This is a HUGE RED FLAG: "Video Card Intel® HD Graphics." Notice how it doesn't specify Video Memory? That's because it's integrated and uses the RAM to work. You want the video card to have at least 4GB of Dedicated Video Memory. Also, due to COVID, the manufacturer's are trying to recoup losses from this year. The manufactures that make the individual parts which make up computers, are also behind production. Which means that there is less supply to go around so the prices are higher. You will need to budget an extra $500-$1000 for a computer purchase. Most of the items that I recommend, which should create a computer that should last around 7 years, is way more expensive now. Yesterday's $1200-$1500 computers are now around $2000 - $2500. It's a real bad time to be in the market for a computer, so please look for any discounts or coupon codes. If you are trying to keep the cost lower than $1000, do yourself a favor and save up and wait. More than likely, the PC you are looking at was the $500 or less model last year.

in reality, ANY HD will work with a Mac, so there is no need to purchase a "Macintosh Formatted" HD. It's just a way for manufacturers to force people an "Apple Tax." Meaning, you get charged an extra $30-$50 for something that you can do for free, and in under 5 minutes. So which HD did you actually purchase, and what version of the MacOS are you running?

I'm moving this to the Macintosh User's Group.

No. This is why... The main hard drive is too small by today's standards. It's really mean for the OS only and one or two programs. You will NOT be able to store images on it and will have to be super-anal on what is installed where. Have you seen this article that I wrote?

Do a search of "This Forum" above: