It'll be a long time before I can afford to get a new computer (probably years), but I figure someone could tell me what model would work for me when that happens. The one I have now is dual-processor iMac with Snow Leopard installed, and it's starting to show its age when comes to what programs I can run. Plus it's always been a tad too slow for my liking.
I don't require much, but the general idea is to get something that will run Dolphin full-screen at full speed. Or alternatively, be able to run Photoshop and a browser at the same time. Of course, I want a Mac.
Thanks in advance
Years is decades in the tech industry. Ask again in "years".
Otherwise buy whatever the guys at Apple preach is "in" at the time.
Okay, well, I kind of doubt Dolphin or Photoshop is going to be that much more resource-intensive by then. I'm not going to be updating Photoshop anyway, since it does all I want already.
I'm not really asking for any specific model. All I need is a general idea of what to look for in a computer that will run the programs I've got already, just more efficiently.
See, when I got the one I have now, it wasn't that great in the first place. I wanted a quad processor, but couldn't get one. I just want to avoid that the next time.
If your intention is to buy another Apple product then your question is a moot point. Then there'd really be one choice, two if you're a little more picky about your wallet. But you wouldn't need to ask a question if that is the case.
Also, if you want something more efficient than what you got right now, you can buy almost any computer and they'll run it better. What you're looking for in a computer is entirely based on how much money you want to spend.
If you want a more direct answer: Just focus on the CPU first, GPU second, the rest doesn't matter.
Does that answer you question?
It'll be a long time before I can afford to get a new computer (probably years), but I figure someone could tell me what model would work for me when that happens.
So, basically, you're asking for help daydreaming about getting a new computer?
If you want a mac, and you don't want a laptop, then get a Hackintosh. There is zero sense in paying for Apple's desktop options unless you also need Apple's support plans or you're planning to display your computer as a status symbol.
Pyrel - an open-source rewrite of the Angband roguelike game in Python.
If your intention is to buy another Apple product then your question is a moot point. Then there'd really be one choice, two if you're a little more picky about your wallet. But you wouldn't need to ask a question if that is the case.
Also, if you want something more efficient than what you got right now, you can buy almost any computer and they'll run it better. What you're looking for in a computer is entirely based on how much money you want to spend.
If you want a more direct answer: Just focus on the CPU first, GPU second, the rest doesn't matter.
Does that answer you question?
Well, yes and no. I don't think you get my point.
Obviously when I got the computer I have now I had several to choose from. As I said, I wanted to get a better one, but had to compromise and get a poorer one. The idea is, this time I save up for the better one.
But anyway, thanks for giving me something to look for.
Derakon wrote:
So, basically, you're asking for help daydreaming about getting a new computer?
...No.
Derakon wrote:
If you want a mac, and you don't want a laptop, then get a Hackintosh. There is zero sense in paying for Apple's desktop options unless you also need Apple's support plans or you're planning to display your computer as a status symbol.
I'm not too familiar with the advantages of a Hackintosh over a usual Mac. If you think that it will run the resource-hogging programs better than a regular one, okay- if not, can you be more specific?
I have no idea where you get the idea that I'd want anything as a "status symbol". All I want is what to look for- for future reference- that's all. I asked you guys because I thought you would know better than any other forum I go to.
I'm not sure that's true for the iMacs, but it certainly is for the Mac Pros. They are ludicrously overpowered for anything you want to do other than serious workstation work, and the pricing doesn't make sense for that, either. The Mac Minis, too, aren't competitively priced vs NUCs these days, and they only have integrated GPUs, which won't do Dolphin on OS X. (The OS X Intel drivers are shit.)
If you want a laptop, you're probably best off with a MacBook Air right now, although you won't be able to play Dolphin on it. You'll need a 15-inch MBP for that, one of the ones with two GPUs.
If Dolphin is a major criterion and you don't want do do Hackintosh, your prices START at $1500 and only go up.
