Tag: RAM

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Buying an entry level Mac system for Photography

Update: Go to bottom of post for a change in advice …

I was recently asked my opinion on buying an entry level Mac system that could be used for Photography – principally for use with the Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan.

The budget was set as equivalent to an iMac M1, 2021 24″ system, but I had been impressed by the reviews I’d read for the  Mac Mini M1, 2020 system – the first of the new Apple M1 systems to be introduced. I made the following observations in comparing the Mac Mini as an alternative to the iMac …

“We’re talking about the base model at £699 with 256Gb of SSD (storage) and 8Gb RAM. [I’m thinking you would not need more than 256Gb for storage as you could store/archive photos on an external disk – more about that later because it relates to a possible iMac 24” as well.]

A comparably spec’d iMac 24″ would be £1449 – both are 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU systems, so identical processing power.

The cheaper model (£1299) I wouldn’t recommend as it doesn’t have ethernet, and doesn’t have the legacy USB-A ports (which are not essential, but are really useful to have and removes the need for convertors – which would take up Tb/USB-C ports which you could be using for external fast Tb hard disks – see below!).

With the Mac Mini you also get an HDMI slot (so you could run it through a TV as well as possibly using this port for a monitor). [I have done this – I’m still using an old Mac Mini as a Media Server.] However you need to purchase a display, a keyboard and a mouse to do a true comparison. That’s the next step.

The latter two are easy. Apple’s Magic keyboard – (£20 less if you want a silver/white one) and Magic Mouse – again £20 less if you want a silver/white one are the obvious choices – but you can repurpose exiting keyboards and mice if you want to save money! So that’s £258 to add to £699 for the Mac Mini.

To match the iMac (similar spec as above) leaves £492 for a monitor, and here’s a ViewSonic one that gets good reviews for £201. So that leaves you with money in hand. If you wanted to spend more you could go for a bigger screen, or a different make. I have a Benq monitor (not this one though) – they have a very good reputation. A recent review of monitors for the Mac Mini can be found here.

Doing it this way gives you a lot of flexibility to buy the right machine, with the same performance, and add the flexibility of getting the best possible display within a budget of £1449 – which I deem to be the minimum for an iMac 24″ equivalent.

Next … on to RAM. The consensus appears to be that if you’re NOT a professional, and you AREN’T into heavy-duty video-editing, then 8Gb RAM should be sufficient. However … as you can’t upgrade either of the two Mac models, I would always shell out the extra £200 to get 16Gb RAM, if you afford it. Indeed you could use the money saved on the ViewSonic monitor (above) and you’d still be in credit!!!

And finally external hard disks. The beauty of the Mac platform is that it has developed and promoted the fastest Thunderbolt technology. Therefore for archived images (or documents) you will not notice any problems (at least I don’t) by using external hard disks rather than increasing the minimum of 256Gb SSD in the system. You should use this storage for applications and current (ie a couple of recent years) images, and store everything else on a dual-drive external configuration. One for archived images/documents that you might want to access occasionally, and the other for TimeMachine backup – the best and easiest to use backup software ever invented. [Indeed I would go as far as to say that I’d consider buying a Mac for TimeMachine alone!!!]

Both of these could be normal HDD technology as the speed of access you get from SSD would not be required. I’d certainly recommend looking at either Lacie, or G-Tech Drives (I’m using the latter these days) – I have this one for my photos – and this one for my backups.“

I have one caveat to make. The Mac Mini M1, 2020 will almost certainly be replaced/upgraded later this year which means you a) might have the opportunity to get a refurbished one, b) might considering a possible delay until later, or c) might just crack on with the project knowing that even the current model is a really good option [Review article]. 

24 hours later: I showed this to a friend and he pointed out the discrepancy between the monitor I’d suggested and the pixel density of the iMac 24″ display, and casually commented that I hadn’t added a camera either. Both of these factors materially change the advice given above, and whilst I still maintain the Mac Mini is an excellent platform for Photographic use especially when paired with a high quality monitor, I have to concede that you cannot improve on the iMac 24″, 2021, 8Gb RAM, 256Gb SSD with the extra ports at £1449.

 

 

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Upgrading the RAM on your Laptop PC

This is all you need

The only tool you need is a Posidrive #0 screwdriver for this laptop, I bought a set of six small screwdrivers made by Black & Decker some time ago; if you’re going to do more of this sort of thing, you might need to buy a more sophisticated toolset. I also attached an earth strap – just to show you how to the job properly – but to be perfectly honest I don’t usually bother.

But I’m jumping ahead. You first have to find out what upgrades you can do to your PC. I recommend using Crucial as the supplier of both RAM and hard disk upgrades. When you land on the site, you will see a screen something like this – it will change as new products are introduced …

… you click on Select Computer (you can download a tool to scan your computer, but that shouldn’t be necessary as all the information you need is usually on the bottom of the laptop) and supply the information required about your computer …

… and the following information should come up.

I’ve selected the Upgrade I want, but I’m also offered different DRAM memory choices, as well as SDD hard disk upgrades …

… from this I get the Part No. and then see if I can purchase it cheaper on Amazon – for old memory I usually can …

… so that’s saved £10. Now we turn to the removal of the old 1Gb DRAM module and the insertion of the new 2Gb module. Turn the laptop so that it’s back is facing upwards …

… take your screwdriver and unscrew the screws which are holding the back panel in place.

On this model the screws don’t totally come away from the panel which is great as there’s less likelihood of losing any of them. Unscrew them all, and slide the panel off …

… the DRAM is right in front of you on the left-hand side of this picture. All laptops have different layouts, but the DRAM modules are very easy to pick out! Next comes the first tricky bit (not really). You need to prise the two clips holding the module in place on either side of it. Here’s me prising one clip away …

… you have to do them together of course, but as I don’t have three hands … the module will pop out and swing upwards so that you can easily remove it, which you should do and place it on an electrically inert surface – just in case you have to put it back! You then get your new module and slip it into the space vacated by the old one at an angle. [My apologies – I should have taken a picture of this.] Most problems occur at this point as it can be tricky to insert the new module in firmly enough. You then gently push it down so that the clips re-engage with the module.

Nearly finished now. The new DRAM module is in place and you just have to replace the back panel, tighten the screws and hope that the new memory will be recognised when you boot-up the computer. You may be advised that the Memory Configuration has changed when you re-boot, just ignore this the first time you attempt to re-boot your computer. Check the memory has been recognised from the Windows System Panel …

… and you’re good to go. Any problems, first try and check the module has been inserted firmly and far enough into the slot, and then if necessary run the System Configurator when asked to when you boot up. I’ve never had to do the latter, I have had to unscrew the panel and re-insert the memory module though.

And that’s it. It took me about 10mins, but I have done it before. Still 30mins tops will see you with more memory in your old laptop and hopefully improved performance.