Mini vs iMac vs MacPro for file server?

I need a machine to serve as a home server and do some video encoding on the side (my dvd collection). As this machine would remain running 24x7, would the mini be the best choice because of low power consumption? Maybe the imac for more internal staorage available? I have a MacPro as my main machine but not sure I want to a server and client running on the same machine?

JaimieV wrote:
For use as a home server and video encoder, a Mini is a great choice (although your Pro would be an awful lot quicker at the encoding!).
I agree.
You don't need to buy the Server version of the Mini, adding external hard drives is far more cost effective, so unless there are features of OS X Server that you actually need stick with the normal version. Plus you probably want the DVD drive.
Far more cost effective?
2.66 GHz Mac Mini with 8GB of RAM (since you'll want to max out the RAM for your video work), a 500GB internal HDD @ 5400 RPM, and an internal SuperDrive: $1449 from Apple's online store
2.66 GHz Mac Mini Server with 8GB of RAM, 2x500GB internal HDD storage @ 7200 RPM (which will speed things up further; the extra RPM isn't just for show), and an external SuperDrive: $1498 from Apple's online store
Even if you were to get the normal Mini's 320GB HDD and make up the difference with a 1TB external HDD, you'd basically still arrive at the price of a Mac Mini Server with the above listed options (and this is assuming you'd even NEED an external DVD drive for the Server; I've been doing fine without so far, using my MBP as my Server's SuperDrive when needed), and with 320GB of your storage at a slower access speed than what you'd get with the Server. Not to mention that this is not even including the price difference of Snow Leopard Server vs. Snow Leopard Client + bundled iLife.
So not only is this certainly not far more cost effective, one could argue it is, in the end, *more expensive*!

Similar Messages

High availability for file server and exchange with 2 physical servers

Dear Experts,
I have 2 physical server with local disks only. I want to setup below on same with high availability, please advise best prossible options. We will be using windows 2012 R2 Server..
1. Domain controller
2. Exchange 2013
As of now I am thinking of setting up below:
1. Install Hyper-v on both and create 3 VM on each as
-On Host A- 1 VM for DC, 1 VM for File server with DFS namespace and replication for file server HA and 1 VM for Exchange 2013 with CAS/MBX with DAG and DNS RR for Exchange HA
-On Host B - 1 VM for ADC, 1 VM for File server DFS member for above and 1 VM for Exchange 2013 CAS/MBX with DAG member
I have read on internet about new features called scale out file server (SoFS) in Windows 2012 Server but not sure that will be preferred for file sharing.
Any advise will be highly appreciated..
Thanks for the help in advance..
Best regards,

Dear Experts,
I have 2 physical server with local disks only. I want to setup below on same with high availability, please advise best prossible options. We will be using windows 2012 R2 Server..
1. Domain controller
2. Exchange 2013
As of now I am thinking of setting up below:
1. Install Hyper-v on both and create 3 VM on each as
-On Host A- 1 VM for DC, 1 VM for File server with DFS namespace and replication for file server HA and 1 VM for Exchange 2013 with CAS/MBX with DAG and DNS RR for Exchange HA
-On Host B - 1 VM for ADC, 1 VM for File server DFS member for above and 1 VM for Exchange 2013 CAS/MBX with DAG member
I have read on internet about new features called scale out file server (SoFS) in Windows 2012 Server but not sure that will be preferred for file sharing.
Any advise will be highly appreciated..
Thanks for the help in advance..
Best regards,
DFS is by far the best way to implement any sort of file server. Because a) failover is not fully transparent and does not happen always (say not on copy ) b) DFS cannot replicate open files so if you edit a big file and have node rebooted you're going to
lose ALL transactions/updates you've applied c) actually slows down the config. See:
DFS for failover
http://help.globalscape.com/help/wafs3/using_microsoft_dfs_for_failover.htm
DFS FAQ
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/cc773238(WS.10).aspx
(check "open files" point here)
DFS Performance
http://blogs.technet.com/b/filecab/archive/2009/08/22/windows-server-dfs-namespaces-performance-and-scalability.aspx
SoFS a) requires shared storage to run and you don't have one b) does not support generic workloads
(only Hyper-V and SQL Server) and c) technically makes sense to expand SAS JBOD or existing FC SAN to numerous Hyper-V clients over 10 GbE w/o need to invest money into SAS switches and HBAs and FC HBAs and new licenses FC ports. Making long story short:
SoFS is NOT YOUR CASE.
SoFS Overview
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831349.aspx
http://www.aidanfinn.com/?p=12786
http://www.aidanfinn.com/?p=12786
For now you need to find some shared storage to be a back end for your hypevisor config (SAS JBOD from supported list, virtual SAN from multiple vendors like for example StarWind see below, make sure you review ALL the vendors) and then you create a failover
SMB 3.0 share for your file server workload. See:
Clustered Storage Spaces over SAS JBOD
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj822937.aspx
Virtual SAN from inexpensive SATA and no SAS or FC
http://www.starwindsoftware.com/native-san-for-hyper-v-free-edition
Failover
SMB File Server in Windows Server 2012 R2
http://www.starwindsoftware.com/configuring-ha-file-server-on-windows-server-2012-for-smb-nas
Fault
tolerant file server on just a pair of nodes
http://www.starwindsoftware.com/ns-configuring-ha-file-server-for-smb-nas
For Exchange you use SMB share from above for a file share witness and use DAG. See:
Exchange DAG
Good luck! Hope this helped :)
StarWind VSAN [Virtual SAN] clusters Hyper-V without SAS, Fibre Channel, SMB 3.0 or iSCSI, uses Ethernet to mirror internally mounted SATA disks between hosts.

IMac freezes at login screen for file server

The machine: iMac (lampshade), OS 10.3.9
The symptom: During the boot/login sequence, the machine locks up at the login screen to the file server.
If I disconnect the network cable during the boot sequence, it will error but not freeze; I can later reconnect the cable and login without a problem.
Any ideas?
James

You may want to look at this similar post:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=690609&#690609
Heres what Mac Help said.
Open System Preferences and click Startup Disk.
If necessary, click the lock icon and type the name and password for an administrator user.
Click the icon of the system folder or system volume that you want to use, then click Restart.
IMPORTANT: When selecting a network startup volume, be sure you select a valid network startup volume and not a network install image. Choosing a network install image reinstalls your system software and may erase the contents of your hard disk. A standard network volume icon appears as a globe and Mac OS X system folder. When you select a network volume icon, a message appears in the Startup pane describing the volume. A network install icon appears as a globe with downward pointing green arrow.
Another way to select a startup disk is to hold down the Option key as you restart your computer. You'll see the available startup disks and can select one.
If your computer is on a network and a network startup volume is available, you can start up from the network startup volume by holding down the N key as you restart your computer.

Suggestions for File Server?

I've got a small architecture office with six Macs - one is a white iMac G5 (wired) that's set up as the file server for the others. The system is sometimes slow to load our CAD files (300MB ones are understandable, but 15 minutes to open a 30MB file from the server is crazy).
I'm wondering what the fastest file server setup is going to be (even if it means getting another machine). I'm told a USB Network Attached Drive (NAD) hung off my Airport Extreme or switch/hub won't allow file sharing, and would just give each user separate folders - is that true?
I thought about Time Capsule, but am told it can't also be a wired (thereby faster) server.
Is there a way to figure out where the bottleneck is (ethernet vs. computer)?
Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Erick Mikiten-
More free space or a larger hard drive on that dedicated mac would probably help a bit.
Macs generally do connect at the fastest possible speed, unless of course there is something to prevent them from doing so. Generally the internal wiring of a facility is often to blame, as are the jumper canbles used to connect each machine to the wall.
A gig switch might help quite a bit, assuming your wiring is all at least Cat 5e.
A dedicated server can be a machine not being used for something else as described. I was just trying to clarify. That machine connected to an external FireWire drive and communicating via gig ethernet should provide a fairly snappy setup.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

Selecting VHDx as storage for File Server Role (Failover Cluster 2012 R2)

Is it possible to select an already existing (offline) VHD or VHDX as storage when creating the "File Server" role? Reason I want to do that is because I already have a file server setup as a virtual machine and causing issues so my company
decided to make the change towards a File Server role.
Thank you
David

Hi David,
Do you mean you configured it to file server failover cluster via "High Availability Wizard" ?
I think you need to choose a shared volume between two nodes to achieve high availability .
Please refer to following link :
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731844(v=WS.10).aspx
If you do not select a shared volume , I think there is no difference than sharing a mounted VHDX file on a standalone file server .
I would suggest to copy these files to CSV and share them .
Hope it helps
Best Regards
Elton Ji
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No more connections available to this remote computer...Urgent Help for File server...

Hi Guys,
I need urgent help regards to our school File server which is having "No more connection to this remote computer error"
on SMB Shares where I usually authenticate with a domain username it used to work fine since till 3 weeks ago.
Now I can browse the SMB shares with only IP... Netbios gets straight away this error message from non-domain joined pc's where the computer needs to connect to the SCCM distribution point on this file server.
Strangely, Domain joined pc's does not have this problem at all they can use Netbios or IP no problem at all. But someone from a standalone laptop or desktop who needs to access shares through netbios gets this message.
Can someone help me please?
I did check DNS yet there is no problem on DNS I checked PTR record for the server to make sure it is not turned in to multihome accidently but nothing at all.
I also did a NETMON where I captured the data from server and the client I get these errors:
205 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3299179 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 TCP
TCP:Flags=......S., SrcPort=49312, DstPort=Microsoft-DS(445), PayloadLen=0, Seq=1771710719, Ack=0, Win=8192 ( Negotiating scale factor 0x2 ) = 8192
{TCP:22, IPv4:21}
206 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3299668 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 TCP
TCP:Flags=...A..S., SrcPort=Microsoft-DS(445), DstPort=49312, PayloadLen=0, Seq=2167618331, Ack=1771710720, Win=8192 ( Negotiated scale factor 0x8 ) = 2097152
{TCP:22, IPv4:21}
207 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3301468 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 TCP
TCP:Flags=...A...., SrcPort=49312, DstPort=Microsoft-DS(445), PayloadLen=0, Seq=1771710720, Ack=2167618332, Win=16425 (scale factor 0x2) = 65700
{TCP:22, IPv4:21}
208 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3301468 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB
SMB:C; Negotiate, Dialect = PC NETWORK PROGRAM 1.0, LANMAN1.0, Windows for Workgroups 3.1a, LM1.2X002, LANMAN2.1, NT LM 0.12, SMB 2.002, SMB 2.???
{SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
209 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3307974 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R NEGOTIATE (0x0), GUID={8447F237-5219-D48A-40C0-29092450C68E}
{SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
210 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3314064 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB2
SMB2:C SESSION SETUP (0x1) {SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
211 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3318815 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R - NT Status: System - Error, Code = (22) STATUS_MORE_PROCESSING_REQUIRED SESSION SETUP (0x1), SessionFlags=0x0
{SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
212 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3324012 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB2
SMB2:C SESSION SETUP (0x1) {SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
215 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3339977 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R - NT Status: System - Error, Code = (109) STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE SESSION SETUP (0x1)
{SMBOverTCP:23, TCP:22, IPv4:21}
216 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3341805 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 TCP
TCP:Flags=...A.R.., SrcPort=49312, DstPort=Microsoft-DS(445), PayloadLen=0, Seq=1771711788, Ack=2167619070, Win=0 (scale factor 0x2) = 0
{TCP:22, IPv4:21}
217 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3357089 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 TCP
TCP:Flags=......S., SrcPort=49313, DstPort=Microsoft-DS(445), PayloadLen=0, Seq=2943201172, Ack=0, Win=8192 ( Negotiating scale factor 0x2 ) = 8192
{TCP:27, IPv4:21}
218 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3357422 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 TCP
TCP:Flags=...A..S., SrcPort=Microsoft-DS(445), DstPort=49313, PayloadLen=0, Seq=3718656547, Ack=2943201173, Win=8192 ( Negotiated scale factor 0x8 ) = 2097152
{TCP:27, IPv4:21}
219 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3359768 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 TCP
TCP:Flags=...A...., SrcPort=49313, DstPort=Microsoft-DS(445), PayloadLen=0, Seq=2943201173, Ack=3718656548, Win=16425 (scale factor 0x2) = 65700
{TCP:27, IPv4:21}
220 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3359768 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB2
SMB2:C NEGOTIATE (0x0), GUID={8213462D-2600-D1B1-11E3-65FC4BCDE707}
{SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
221 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3364173 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R NEGOTIATE (0x0), GUID={8447F237-5219-D48A-40C0-29092450C68E}
{SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
222 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3369702 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB2
SMB2:C SESSION SETUP (0x1) {SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
223 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3373474 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R - NT Status: System - Error, Code = (22) STATUS_MORE_PROCESSING_REQUIRED SESSION SETUP (0x1), SessionFlags=0x0
{SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
224 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3377060 10.2.1.96
10.2.0.13 SMB2
SMB2:C SESSION SETUP (0x1) {SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
227 4:54:35 PM 16/12/2013
7.3390552 10.2.0.13
10.2.1.96 SMB2
SMB2:R - NT Status: System - Error, Code = (109) STATUS_LOGON_FAILURE SESSION SETUP (0x1)
{SMBOverTCP:28, TCP:27, IPv4:21}
Regards,
Gokhan

Solution has been found,
After doing bit of a backtrack, site DC's were out of sync with PDC with time.
Also Time service was shutdown on PDC which has been enabled and pointed to the Australian pool ntp IP address.
Everything is back on track now.
Regards,
Gokhan Cil

Backup not working for File Server

We have System Center 2012 Sp1 installed with Agent Version : 4.1.3453.0
We are protecting File Server which is member in DFS. We have Volume of More than 2TB and which is spanned accross multiple VHDs.
I am facing problem with Backup not working and DPMRA service is getting stopped unexpectedly. When i try to create recovery point manually i don't get option to syncrhonize the changes. 1st and 3rd option is geryed out.
I am getting Error on DPM as Affected area:   E:\
Description:   The replica of Volume E:\ on<ServerName> is inconsistent with the protected data source. All protection activities for data source will fail until the replica is synchronized with consistency check. You can recover data
from existing recovery points, but new recovery points cannot be created until the replica is consistent.
For SharePoint farm, recovery points will continue getting created with the databases that are consistent. To backup inconsistent databases, run a consistency check on the farm. (ID 3106)
   DPM failed to communicate with the protection agent on <Server> because the agent is not responding. (ID 43 Details: Internal error code: 0x8099090E)
   More information
Recommended action:   1) Check recent records from the DPMRA source in the Application Event Log on FUSE.win2k.internal to find out why the agent failed to respond.
2) Make sure that the DPM server is remotely accessible from <Server>
3) If a firewall is enabled on the DPM server, make sure that it is not blocking requests from <Server>
4) Restart the DPM Protection Agent service on <Server>. If the service fails to start, re-install the protection agent.
   Synchronize with consistency check.
   Run a synchronization job with consistency check...
Resolution:   To dismiss the alert, click below
   Inactivate
I have Re-installed Agent but it is not helping.
I have Other Volume labeled as F: and sized at 600 GB. Backup of that Volume is working fine for Same server.
Please Suggest how to troubleshoot.
Thanks in Advance.
Swapnil
Thanks, Swapnil Prajapati

HI Chris,
Sharing files using Bluetooth
To share files using Bluetooth, you first need to make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and then use Bluetooth File Exchange to send a file.
To turn on Bluetooth:
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Bluetooth.
Select the On checkbox. To allow other Bluetooth enabled devices to “discover” your computer and send files, also select the Discoverable checkbox.
Select “Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar” so you can quickly send files and perform other actions using the Bluetooth status menu in the menu bar.
To send files using Bluetooth:
Choose Send File from the Bluetooth status menu in the menu bar.
If the Bluetooth menu isn’t visible, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Bluetooth, and select “Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar.”
In the window that appears, select the file you want to send and click Send.
Select the device you want to send the file to and click Send.
If you don’t see the device you want to send the file to, make sure the device has Bluetooth turned on and is discoverable.
You do not need File Sharing turned on for Bluetooth technology.
Another way to share files between two Macs is How to use Firewire Target Disk Mode
Carolyn

Smart folders for file server

A while back I got very excited about Spotlight and created some Smart folders to display my PNG, PSD and FLA files that live on our file server.
Problem is that that when I click on them, they take ages to load. I assume Spotlight is not indexing the file server. If that's the case, can Smart folders ever been of any practical use for me?

Hi, Paul.
Spotlight neither works nor plays well with server / network-attached / shared volumes. See my recent post here for details.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

Best practise Analyzer for File Server

Hi Team,
I have a file which are running in windows 2003 server, we are going to migrate this server to another server which will be in 2008. I need best practice Analyzer or any tool, so that we can check file servers performance and data ,DFS Data.
Regards, Triyambak

actually we are planning to migrate our file server which is running on 2003 server to 2008 server , we want sure before migration that there is no issue with the DFS. DFS is based on Domain.
Just wanted to know what are the things keep in mind during migration , what are the pre-analysis required before migration
Regards, Triyambak

New Mac Mini or iMac (late 2012) for Logic Pro?

Between these two specifically, which would be better for Logic Pro, and why?
The new Mac Mini (mid-tier) has a 2.3gHz i7, and the low-end iMac which has a 2.7GHz i5. Both are quad-core. The i5 is faster in clock-speed, but the Mini sports the i7, which has hyperthreading.
Can anybody offer any insight on which of these two computers would be better for Logic?

While this is not quite the answer you be looking for...
The 2011 Mac Mini Server, is in many ways the better bet for use with Logic because...
It has a 2.0Ghz i7... so slightly slower than the 2012 models..but it is the i7 version with 8 Cores.. so it still flies..
It comes with 2 x 500GB 7200rpm Hard Drives built in (Compared to 5400rpm Drives in the 2012 model)
Memory easily upgraded to 16GB for about $90 via Amazon..
..and yoi get a free copy of OS X Server, if should wish to use it at some point in the future... (The MMS comes with the Standard OS X installed and you have to run the add on server program to install OS X server so if you don't need the server stuff, don't run the Server installation software and you'll be running standard OS X as normal)
USB2 instead of USB3 is about the only other important difference that matters for AudioExt Drive use but using the FW800 and Thunderbolt ports, via Tbolt to FW adaptors on the 2011 MMS removes the need for USB3 I find..
Othert than that the 2011 and 2012 models are pretty much the same...
But.. the real kicker is that Apple are currently selling refurbished ones (with full warranty) at $759..... down from $999 originally...so they are quite the bargain..
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC936LL/A/refurbished-mac-mini-with-lion-serve r-20ghz-quad-core-intel-core-i7
I bought two of these originally and have never regretted it.. So much so that i just picked up another as a spare...
Got to be worth consideration... and at that price.. You could buy two... and use Vienna Ensemble Pro 5 to sync them together..
A Basic Guide to VEP5 and Logic info that i wrote, can be found here...
http://www.logicprohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78956http://www.logicprohe lp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=78956
...add a screen and still save money conpared to buying a mid level iMac.... and you would be getting one **** of a punchy system for your buck.
Other than that suggestion..
In regards to the original question... Always go for the i7 models as hyperthreading adds 4 more (virtual) cores and that can really make a difference in performance compared to the 4 cores of an i5...

Error while adding file share for File Server role

I'm getting this error when trying to add a file share on a Server 2012 R2 failover cluster:
"Unable to retrieve all data needed to run the wizard. Error details: Cannot retrieve information from server. Error occurred during enumeration of SMB shares: WinRM cannot complete the operation. Verify that the specified computer name is valid, that
the computer is accessible over the network, and that a firewall exception for the WinRM service is enabled and allows access from this computer. By default, the WinRM firewall exception for public profiles limits access to remote comptuers within the same
local subnet."
Despite the message, I can still create the share and it seems to work, but I'm concerned there may be an issue and I'd like to resolve it before putting the service into production. TIA!

Hi,
Your error often caused by the WinRM can’t communication to the others node, please confirm all the node “Windows Remote Management” service is running or try to disable your
firewall and AV soft then monitor it again.
More information:
WinRM (Windows Remote Management) Troubleshooting
http://blogs.technet.com/b/jonjor/archive/2009/01/09/winrm-windows-remote-management-troubleshooting.aspx
WINRM
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/powershell/archive/2007/10/30/winrm-exe.aspx
Installation and Configuration for Windows Remote Management
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa384372(v=vs.85).aspx
Hope this helps.
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8900 to imac bluetooth connection for file transfer

Hello, I have a brand new curve 8900 javelin and a new IMAC. Both devices can see each other and I can manage to get a green connection light however it only lasts a few seconds and then disconnects. Can someone please tell me how to overcome this problem?
thank you

That's really weird, the different ways that the providers cripple the same phone. I do not need any plug-in for BT iSync but I can't do file transfer with BT or with USB (I do have a microSD card installed). Unfortunately, I have no use for iSync. I can also use the phone to provide Internet access for my Mac but the Mac is a desktop and a hardwired connection makes more sense.
The USB connection is really frustrating. Profiler knows that the phone is present and the phone knows that the Mac is present (the battery does charge) but otherwise it's as if it's not even connected.
I am able to put the card into a card reader and transfer files that way. I don't mind all that much but it's not easy getting the card out of the phone.
By the way, there are several RAZR versions. Is your "V3XX" the same phone as my "V3m?"

IMac or MacPro for Photographers?

I'm fairly new to photoshop, aperture, etc. but as I am starting my photography career I'm looking to upgrade from my Macbook Pro as I am using Photoshop more and more and need that added speed and space to handle all my pictures.
I am in love with the new iMac however I have a few hesitations for getting it:
#1 the glossy screen-the glare makes me nervous as I don't want to have to turn all the lights out and strategically place lamps around just to avoid the glare.
#2 as this computer will need to last me a while, I want to make sure it will do the job for at least a few years
So, should I get the new iMac and just load it up w/RAM and maybe a 750GB Hard Drive or should I spend the extra bucks to get a MacPro and display to go along with it. Any thoughts would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Mark Eccles1 wrote:
I have to disagree guys, I've just bought a 24" iMac and the screen is crytal clear and spot on for colour matching - the best colour I've seen on a monitor for a good while. I'm a Graphic Designer of 7 years and nothing comes close for the speed of the iMac and screen. I use a Mac Pro Dual Core Xeon at work and I would say it was slower for Photoshop and general use than the iMac!!
The reflectiveness of the new iMac doesn't remotely bother me!
Sorry, but these comments do not sound credible (no offence though).
- There is no dual core Xeon Mac Pro - they have quad and eight-core models
- All benchmarks show clearly that the Mac Pro is clearly faster than the iMac, especially with Aperture where the 2600 PRO cannot remotely compete with the X1900XT
- We have spent half a day trying to calibrate an iMac using three different colorimeters and software packages, did test prints and compared to a perfectly calibrated 23" ACD. I cannot confirm your findings at all. We got somewhat closer to the ACD than the default profile (which was way off), but the best results where still off in terms of black point and rendition of gradients. If that is the best colour you have seen on a monitor, you should try an Apple CD or Eizo, NEC or LaCie models with 10/12/14-bit LUTs which are predominant in professional graphics editing.

IMac or MacPro for Windows CAD Program?

I am an architect that uses Parallels to run Autodesk's Revit software. I currently have a 2 year old iMac with 16GB. I am looking to update my computer. I don't know which computer to get. 1) an updated iMac with 32GB of memory or 2) spend big dollars and get a MacPro with 64GB and a faster processor. I have been using my PC side for CAD renderings more and I think more memory would be nice. SO, which is better a faster processor or more RAM?
Of course all bets may be off if Apple annouces new iMac with more memory.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Mike

A big question is - does Revit multi-thread or not? If it is multi-threaded then the 4-core or 6-core Mac Pro with its improved on board cache and memory channels would be a major step forward. But if it is not muti-threaded then the spead of the iMac with the top-end processor should be enough. If you are rendering, or ray tracing, the number crunching of the Mac Pro will come out better.
The iMac is a high-end consumer product, the Mac Pro is a professional grade unit...which means it will run at very high work loads much longer before the thermal design power causes run back in cpu speed.

IMac or MacPro for Photoshop ?

Hello all ...
I need some advice on which Mac to buy for some Photographers I look after. I was thinking of MacPros - Two 2.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon “Westmere”, 12 Gb ram, and an ATI Radeon HD 5870 with a 23 inch screen of course ... OR ... an iMac 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 8GB with possibly the SSD and Terrabyte SATA drive ...
I've been sitting here searching - (in Google we trust) - for some hours and thought I'd ask the Community ...
Here in Oz the price difference is the issue - the iMac is about $3k and the MacPro setup is about double ...
I can get more people upgraded with iMacs, and management really needs a justification for the MacPros ...
Regards
Mitch

I'm only referring to the fact that SATA drives are slow compared to SSD's. Other than that they work fine, I'm just a speed freak and want to take full advantage of the expensive computer I bought.
A SATA drive is the biggest bottleneck in your system, it slows things down because they take much longer to access data than a SSD. SSD's are pricey but well worth the money.
But if you've always been happy using a SATA drive then dont worry about it. I just hate to see my 2.93 quad core not use its full potential because my drive is so slow.

Mini vs iMac vs MacPro for file server?

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