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limitlesschr1s
Participant
November 1, 2018
Answered

2018 Mac Mini + eGPU - viable for Illustrator CC ?

  • November 1, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 3097 views

We currently have an older Mac Pro that we'd like to replace.

We've been looking at the iMac Pros but were curious if a new 2018 Mac Mini with a decent eGPU would work for smooth pan/zoom in large illustrator files?

Just trying to avoid spending $5k when $2700 (Mac mini + AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 in an eGPU enclosure) would do the trick...  But will that actually work?

Thanks!!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer m2ther

    $2,700 would get you a nice iMac why would you go with an overated iMac Pro or New Mac Mini? It’s not because of the pretty brushed black metal is it? If so that’s silly; overtime you won’t care what color it is as long as it gets the job done.

    You could probably get the base model 27’ iMac at $1,799 and it will handle any thing you through at it. Besides you can always up the memory down the road. That black metal is a shameless marketing ploy something Steve Jobs would have never done. The iMac Pro is an insult to Apple enthusiasts as is a spec’d out Mac Mini theye for people who like pretty things I personally said Wow!! I have got to have that but thankfully I was taught to walk away before I purchase and then come back another day and not be impulsive. When you compare you are indeed paying 20-30% more for infused paint.

    1 reply

    M
    m2therCorrect answer
    Participant
    November 2, 2018

    $2,700 would get you a nice iMac why would you go with an overated iMac Pro or New Mac Mini? It’s not because of the pretty brushed black metal is it? If so that’s silly; overtime you won’t care what color it is as long as it gets the job done.

    You could probably get the base model 27’ iMac at $1,799 and it will handle any thing you through at it. Besides you can always up the memory down the road. That black metal is a shameless marketing ploy something Steve Jobs would have never done. The iMac Pro is an insult to Apple enthusiasts as is a spec’d out Mac Mini theye for people who like pretty things I personally said Wow!! I have got to have that but thankfully I was taught to walk away before I purchase and then come back another day and not be impulsive. When you compare you are indeed paying 20-30% more for infused paint.

    B
    bbergman@bankspower.com
    Participant
    November 10, 2018

    Why would you think they asked because it's brushed black? Nowhere in their question did I get that thought?

    I have the same question but for Photoshop/Premiere. Reason being, why would I buy a year and a half old iMac when you can get a newer faster spec'd Mac Mini with an external eGPU which is more upgradable for future proofing. Only concern is how well those eGPUs are actually supported. Other than the internal GPU, I can price out a Mac Mini 2018 with equal or better components than the iMac for a better price.

    I'd prefer to purchase a new iMac when it releases but I am not going to be able to wait until sometime next year. I need the replacement now, already waited an extra 6 months for the October release from Apple only to hear nothing about new iMacs.

    To the original question, I work in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere and many more daily on a late 2012 iMac. I haver zero issues running Illustrator with my 6 year old machine, of course I'm running dual external TB2 drives striped for speed. But depending on what you plan to do with the computer, an iMac would probably be the better option only because from what I can find, Illustrator is not utilizing the eGPU, so the Mac Mini would not be a better option. If Adobe will fully support the eGPU in all the apps, then the Mac Mini + eGPU becomes a better solution.

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