Hey everyone! I'm currently using an 8-year-old PC that I've built myself, but I'm starting to hit some major limitations. My main SSD is getting full, and Lightroom has become quite sluggish. On top of that, my CPU isn't compatible with Windows 11, which is another headache. I've been considering upgrading my SSD, motherboard, CPU, and RAM, but that could easily cost me over $500 AU.
I've heard that Adobe applications are better optimized for Macs, but I'm not sure if that's widely true or just hype. I've used Macs before and wouldn't mind going back to one if it makes my workflow smoother. However, I'd prefer to build a system that can equal the performance of a Mac Studio which I've benchmarked after working with a photographer recently. That machine was a dream, running everything seamlessly!
So, I want to know - if I decide to go the Mac route, what CPU and GPU should I look for? The starting price for a Mac Studio is around $3,000 here in Australia, and I'm open to buying refurbished or older models. I rarely upgrade my PCs, generally just adding SSDs and RAM, so I'm not too concerned with upgradability now. Any thoughts or suggestions on whether to stick with building a PC or just get a Mac?
2 Answers
Is that $3K you're quoting in Australian Dollars or USD?
I came across Tech Notice on YouTube that has some solid comparisons between Mac and PC setups specifically for workloads like Lightroom and Photoshop. It's really worth a watch!
Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a look. Most of the comparisons I've seen only pit the Mac Mini against PCs.
That's in AUD. I did find some open box deals from Canada that were around $1,300 CAD, which is a huge price difference. I'm hesitant about importing anything from the US right now though since I doubt Apple Australia would support it.