Skip to main content
E
EveCaro
Known Participant
October 26, 2023
Question

New iMac spec recommendations for running Adobe apps?

  • October 26, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2638 views

I’ve been having insane trouble with my iMac the past year or so, it grinds to an absolute halt when running any Adobe creative cloud programs. I’m using the oldest version of the Adobe apps that i can but its still lagging the whole machine to a halt. I looked into it previously and as far as i know what I was told at the time; the iMac is reaching the end of its lifespan / I cannot update the OS any more past the current one which is OS Catalina Version 10.15.7 so issues will be continuing & accumulating / the graphics card/driver can no longer cope with how the new adobe apps works as it is only 1GB - Is all of this correct?

 

The spec of my current iMac is:

mac OS Catalina

Version 10.15.7

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013)

Processor: 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5

Memory: 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M 1 GB

 

If there is no other way to fix this, I am happy to buy a new machine at this point it is completely unusable.

 

If so, can someone please recommend to me what I need to buy to easily run Adobe?I am not super well informed when it comes to this stuff like the hardware, memory etc. I am a professional self employed graphic designer and I want it to be a 27 inch iMac like I have but any other additions in terms of graphics card, memory or RAM recommended? I’ll buy straight from the Apple website here in Ireland.

 

Appreciate any advice.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    Warren Heaton
    Community Expert
    Warren HeatonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 28, 2023

    Your 27-inch iMac should handle 1080p ProRes well, assuming storage media is fast enough.  2160p edits are going to require the Proxy Workflow to be smooth (for example, 2160p ProRes 422 HQ Full Resolution source with "ProRes Low Resolution Proxies") and patience when it comes to rendering Previews and exporting.

    As you've noticed, it's a tough time to upgrade from a 27-inch Retina Display iMac.  The modern equivalent of your Intel i5 27-inch iMac is a higher-end Mac mini or lower-end Mac Studio with a 27-inch Apple Studio Display, but even a base M1 will offer an excellent performance increase compared to what you are using now - the main difference would be that a base model Mac mini has fewer ports.  You'd want to be very mindful about what you need to connect.  

    Or course, Apple will be announcing new hardware this Monday, October 30th.  


    E
    EveCaroAuthor
    Known Participant
    November 2, 2023

    Thank you, from research so far I am thinking a high end mac-mini would suffice and get a basic screen somewhere. I don't think my existing iMac can be used as a screen with the new mac mini or mac studio and it has no trade in value either so will just become a spare! So you think the base M1 would be fine in the mac mini? I don't need ports I don't do video editing or anything like that just InDesign, AI & PS.

    kglad
    Community Expert
    kgladCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2023

    in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

    p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



    <"moved from using the community to photoshop to hardware">
    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2023

    @EveCaro 

     

    Look at the Recommended (not minimum) system requirements for Premiere Pro and Photoshop. If you meet or exceed those, you'll be good.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html#macos

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html

     

    Jane

    E
    EveCaroAuthor
    Known Participant
    October 26, 2023

    Thank you thats helpful.

    I'm just super confused as looking at Apples current products there is no 27 ins iMac, has it moved to a box and a seperate screen? and if so could i keep my current 27 inch screen and just buy a little box thing or a laptop?

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 26, 2023

    @EveCaro 

     

    I'm in the same situation as you, except my 27" iMac is a 2017. I might be able to hold out another year.

     

    MacWorld has rumors, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that a new iMac comes out:

    https://www.macworld.com/article/349270/imac-pro-release-date-display-price.html

     

    If I had to buy right now I'd go with the Studio and a separate monitor.

     

    I'll tag @Conrad_C for his advice.

     

    Jane

     

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices