iMac 24”

Jennifer Carlstrom · November 2

Hi Brian,

can you weigh in on purchasing the new iMac? The highest memory upgrade is less than my 1TB iMac 2017. First glance it would be a more cost effective option than the Studio. I use mostly for photography. As you’ve noted and I’ve found, one can no longer upgrade the Adobe software. My 2017 grinds along with tasks.

Jennifer

**Brian** · November 3

DO NOT BUY A 24" IMAC!!!

Why?

Because those damn 24" screens REFUSE TO CALIBRATE!!!

If you buy that 24" iMac, you are on your own, with no help from me.

I know it's so expensive now, and people can't afford spending $4500 on a new Mac Computer. I get it. But the reality is...if you want to stay with the Macintosh, you are going to pay for it. The 24" iMac is meant for "General Computing" and not Photo Editing with the current versions of Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom. For whatever reason, ANY member that has bought one of those 24" models, can't get the screen calibrated, even with a brand-new Calibration Device. Since you are here in Ask Damien, chances are...you are a Photographer who edits photos, and your prints matching your screen is kinda important. Even though the 24" seems "affordable," you are just throwing money away in the long run. Save yourself the heartache and stress.

I'm in the same boat as you, I have a 2017 iMac and REFUSE to update my Photoshop to the current version, because I know how slow it will be. I'm still on Mac OS Monterey and PS CC 2023, and my iMac is starting to show its age.

Apple has always been expensive. In fact, the original Macintosh Computer in 1984 sold for $2499. Seems like a deal, huh? Well if you adjust that price for inflation...$2499 in 1984 is equivalent to $7,583.61 in today's money. Honestly, it would probably be marketed for $7499 in 2024, which is way more than a Mac Studio setup. What got people hooked was when Apple decided to use Intel's chips and the masses could afford them. That was the Golden Years of this Century. Now with Steve Jobs dead, Apple is going back to the way they did things in the 1990's.

Now, take the current Mac models, it's known as a "System on a Chip," and that means there is NO UPGRADING ANYTHING AFTER THE FACT!!! Need to add more RAM because you didn't buy it at the time of purchase? Too bad!! Have to buy a computer. Need more HD storage? Either you are buying an external HD...or buying a new Mac. Photoshop running really slow because the Video Card isn't powerful enough? Time for a new Mac.

See a theme here? The new Macintosh Computer / Laptop Line are glorified iPads.

This is why I configure things the way that I do. I know it's more expensive in the short term, but in the long term it saves you money. Otherwise if you go cheap, :::COUGH::: I mean "affordable," you are in the market every 24-36 months. So spend $2500 now and then $2500 in 30 months or so...OR spend the $4500-ish and have it last for 7-8 years.

Here is the kicker with the current M-Line of Macs, they changed the video signal coming out of the HDMI Port. So ANY display that uses the HDMI Port, which is typically what a 3rd Part Display uses, looks like crap on the current Mac Computers / Laptops. What used to look "Fine" on a Intel Based Mac no longer applies to the M-Line Macs, i.e. M1/M2/M3/M4. As of right now, in order to obtain the "Macintosh Experience" that Apple users are used to, you need to purchase the over-priced Apple Studio Display for $1600. The Studio Display uses the Thunderbolt Port instead of the HDMI Port for connectivity.

What's so bad with 3rd Party Displays? Take a look at the Technical Bulletin from EIZO, who make high-end Professional Grade Displays. Fortunately, it seems they have developed some work-arounds with their ColorEdge Displays, but it's still not ideal. Basically things like Banding, Text Looking Funny/Blurry, and inaccurate colors are likely with 3rd Party Displays and the M-Line of Mac Desktops/Laptops. Apple purposely makes it so that the only display that looks best on Macs is a Apple Studio Display.

Now that's out of the way, here are two configurations that I have come up with in the last few days of what to buy heading into 2025.

**Brian** · November 3

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Mac M4 Pro Mini Configuration - Late 2024 / Early 2025 - Mac Desktop that's good for Photo Editing

Start by selecting "Mac" and choose the M4 Pro. We are after the GPU Cores, and you want the 16-Core GPU to start, but we will be upgrading:
Select the "Apple M4 Pro chip with 14‑core CPU, 20‑core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine" for $200 more. (It's all about the GPU Cores now with PS & LR.)
Increase the RAM to 64GB of unified memory. Sure, you could get by with 48GB, but since there is no upgrading after-the-fact, might as well go the "Full Monty" and get 64GB.
Increase the Hard Drive to 1TB. It's up to you if you want a larger internal drive, but 1TB is still "fine" heading into 2025. Chances are, you are going to have a large 20TB External Thunderbolt 3/4 Drive anyway.
Ethernet. If you are planning on upgrading your Internet to your home that is above 1Gbps to something like 2.5Gbps or faster, then you will need the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Port. If you are in an area that doesn't have those internet speeds, the default Gigabit Ethernet is also fine. This option is totally up to you. For Techno-weenies like me, spending this much money on a stupid Mac Mini, might as well spend the extra $100. I plan on upgrading to 2.5Gbps (hell, I will probably get 10Gbps,) so the higher end Ethernet Port is what I'm after. For the other 99.999999% of the folks here, 1Gbps is perfectly fine. So for this example, we will leave it at the default.

By now, the specs should look like this:

The cost should be $2399.00 before Shipping and Tax.

Click Continue.
Choose the Apple Studio Display with the Standard Glass.
I'd choose the standard Tilt-adjustable Stand. If you want to be able to adjust the height up and down, then you will have to upgrade. But in reality, the standard Tilt-adjustable stand is similar to how your 27" iMac is now.
Add Apple Care for the Studio Display:
A choice will appear. Either choose 3 years coverage or pay annually $49.99 / year until cancelled. Which one? Either. 3 years is more than enough, but paying $50 a year also works and is a easier pill to swallow over time, especially if you plan on keeping the Apple Studio Display for at least 7 years. Or you can pay the flat $149 and be done with it. Honestly? If your equipment hasn't died within 3 years, there is a good chance, (minus external forces, like a power surge or flood,) that it will last 7 years without issue. But this is your decision. For now, I will leave this example at the $49.99 subscription.
Click "Add to Bag."
Choose Apple Care. I'd pick three years of coverage for the Mac Mini. It's a Mac Mini and is easily replaceable.
Choose the Keyboard Color you'd like, along with a new USB-C Charging Port Mouse.
Click Add to Bag for all three.
Click "Review Bag" and it should look like this if everything is done correctly. Pay attention and make sure Apple Care is attached to both the Studio Display and Mac Mini.
If you purchase the Apple Care with your Mac Mini, AND add the Keyboard & Mouse, Apple Care on the Mini should cover those two items. If not, it's just a Keyboard & Mouse.

The subtotal should be $4355 and the Shipping should be free. Then add the applicable taxes and you should be around $4600-ish for the whole thing.

Oh! one more thing!!

I HIGHLY-HIGHLY-HIGHLY RECOMMEND BUYING THIS APC SINE WAVE 1500VA UPS TO PLUG EVERYTHING INTO.

Not only does that UPS provide power in the event of a power outage, the "Sine Wave" portion actively monitors the current, which makes it better for sensitve electronic equipment. If you are going to spend $4600-ish on a computer, do not use an el-cheapo power strip. Plug the Mac & Studio Display, plus external Hard Drives into the "Battery+Surge" Side, and things like Laser Printers and Speakers into the "Surge Only" Side.

Some external Hard Drive Power Bricks might be a bit large, in which case simply use these Cable Matters 2-Pack 16 AWG Heavy Duty 13A Short Power Extension Cord 1 ft to give you some room.

**Brian** · November 3

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M4 Max MacBook Pro Configuration - Late 2024 / Early 2025 - Mac Laptop that's good for Photo Editing

Start by heading to Apple's Website. Click Mac and select MacBook Pro.
At the time of this writing, click "Pre-order."
Select 16" then click "M4 Max."
Look towards the one on the right, which should be the most expensive model. Remember, when it comes to the Modern Versions of Photoshop CC, it's ALL ABOUT THE GPU CORES.
Be sure to choose the desired color, either Space Black or Silver.
Click Select at the bottom of the column on the right.
Stick with the Standard Display
I'd upgrade the RAM to 64GB unified memory. Remember, there is NO UPGRADING ANYTHING AFTER THE INITIAL PURCHASE. 128GB is complete overkill for Photoshop CC and 64GB is more than enough, even with large MP cameras.
Leave the HD at the default, 1TB. It's completely up to you if you want to spend $400 more. For me, 1TB is perfectly fine, even headed into 2025.
As of right now, your subtotal should be $4199, before Apple Care & Applicable Local Taxes.
Click Add to Bag.
Select the AppleCare+ for your Mac. Some want to pay a flat fee and just have a block of coverage and some folks plan on keeping their MacBooks for 7 years or so, in which case they pay annually for it. Since Apple is the only ones that supply parts, and they are the ones to fix things, then it makes sense to fork out the extra $$ for AppleCare+. Just be sure to purchase AppleCare+ by clicking Add to Bag after you have made your choice!
Click Review Bag. It should appear as follows:
Then make your selection for Payment at the bottom. Conversationally speaking, the cost should be around $4500 for a M4 MacBook Pro. This configuration should last you at least 5-7 years, if not more.