iMac spec question

[Socobloke]

Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009)

i5 Quad Core 2.66Ghz

20Gb Ram

1TB HDD

Looking to see if a Mac with the above specs would run Lightroom Classic as I’ve heard there can be issues with older models. I have a MacBook Pro 2012 which runs fine but looking at a secondhand iMac also.

[dj_paige]

The problem is likely going to be what operating system is installed, Lightroom Classic CC needs OSX 10.11 or later.

Also, you don't say what size in pixels (not inches) your monitor is. 4K monitors will be a problem on older computers.

[Socobloke]

Thanks for getting back to me. According to the seller it has El Capitan so would be ok, I’d upgrade to the latest OS anyway. I’ve no idea what the monitor resolution would be but what would be the issues if it was 4K?

[tunney moriarty]

I just bought a brand new 2016 Mac Book Pro (15 inch) from the Apple store. It has 16 Gig of ram and 2 graphic cards. I installed both LightRoom Classic and Photoshop CC 20[18 on it and it runs like a dream. Very happy with it.

Tunney

[dj_paige]

The original poster is looking at a 2009 iMac, much slower than yours, with a 4K monitor, and I really can't see this working out well.

[Socobloke]

What is the issue with it being a 4K monitor?

[dj_paige · Accepted solution]

There are more pixels on the screen, so the CPU takes longer to generate all those pixels so you can see your image. If you have a 2009 iMac, then the CPUs are going to be quite slow by today's standards. And so, image rendering will be quite slow, and I'm guessing close to unusable. (Also, Mr Socobloke, although I've mentioned the number of pixels in the images taken by your camera, you haven't provided that information ... another important piece of the puzzle, if you have a recent camera that takes relatively large images, and a 4K monitor, and old slow CPU, I'm guessing the performance of Lightroom will be terrible)

[Socobloke]

Ah ok get where you are coming from now. I have a Fujifilm x-pro2 so the RAW files are 24mb. Sounds like it’s a no go for this machine. I’ll just stick with my MacBook Pro in the meantime, possible linking this up to a good monitor is the better option. Thanks so much for all your advice.

[Just Shoot Me]

Socobloke  wrote

Ah ok get where you are coming from now. I have a Fujifilm x-pro2 so the RAW files are 24mb. Sounds like it’s a no go for this machine. I’ll just stick with my MacBook Pro in the meantime, possible linking this up to a good monitor is the better option. Thanks so much for all your advice.

The Fuji X-Pro2 RAW files are 40+MB in size. The sensor is 24MP (Mega Pixels) but the actual file size of the RAW images is 40+ MBs. Same as the X-T2 I have.

There is a option to shoot compress RAW images which knocks it down to about 28-32 MBs.

[Socobloke]

Ah ok, thanks for the info. I’ve never bothered with these things to be honest. Loved the image quality of my old x-pro1 and only upgraded for the AF performance.

[dj_paige]

It is the megapixels that determines the effect on speed. Megabytes is really meaningless in this context.

[John Waller]

20Gb Ram

I assume that's a typo and should read 2GB. Seems low for that model which seems to have normally shipped with 4GB.

The system requirements for Lightroom Classic CC state minimum 4GB (8GB recommended)

Lightroom Classic CC system requirements​

I suspect Lightroom will still install on that iMac but I would expect it to be extremely sluggish given the low RAM available and the fact that it's an 8 year old machine.

[Socobloke]

According to a screen shot in the ad it has 20gb, 4 slots with 2x 8gb and 2x 2gb

[John Waller]

If true then that's good but I'd confirm that for certain.

Maximum available RAM seems to be 4 slots x 4GB each = 16GB.

Install memory in an iMac - Apple Support

Has the seller given you a screenshot from Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report > Hardware > Memory?

[Socobloke]

The seller has a screen shot showing 20gb installed so I think I can take that at face value. Are you aware of any issues with the i5 processor running the latest Lightroom?

[John Waller]

The seller has a screen shot showing 20gb installed so I think I can take that at face value.

OK. No problem. As always, caveat emptor.

Are you aware of any issues with the i5 processor running the latest Lightroom?

No. It's low end so I would not expect it to be fast. It's really a case of how sluggish are you prepared to allow it to be so that you can still work with it.

[dj_paige]

So let me just interject a comment or two.

If you are going to use such an old computer, and you have a recent camera that takes large photos (let's say 20MP or larger), you are going to find that Lightroom will be quite slow. If the monitor is 4K or larger, I think it would be a no-go. I wouldn't even consider this setup.

So, you need to confirm the monitor size in pixels (not inches) with the seller. I would also DOUBLE CONFIRM the memory, again if Mr. Waller is correct and it doesn't have 20GB, if it really has 4GB, I would say purchasing this computer for Lightroom is a waste of time and money.

[Socobloke]

I’ve confirmed it has 20gb RAM installed.  Stll unsure if I would buy it at that age, have the opportunity to try it out first so will see how it runs. Thanks for the input folks, much appreciate.  

[John Waller]

Best wishes with your purchasing decision. Hope you find a computer which meets your needs.

[dj_paige]

Socobloke  wrote

I’ve confirmed it has 20gb RAM installed.  Stll unsure if I would buy it at that age, have the opportunity to try it out first so will see how it runs. Thanks for the input folks, much appreciate.  

And the monitor size in pixels (not inches)?

[Socobloke]

The resolution of the monitor is 2560 by 1440 pixels

[Just Shoot Me]

Socobloke  wrote

I’ve confirmed it has 20gb RAM installed.  Stll unsure if I would buy it at that age, have the opportunity to try it out first so will see how it runs. Thanks for the input folks, much appreciate.  

Do not buy a 8 year old iMac. Not unless it is only a few hundred dollars, like $200 or $250. And even if it is only that much buy only if you want it for nostalgic purposes.

Once any Mac is 5 years old Apple won't even talk to you about it let alone fix it if something goes wrong with it.

Also in 2009 Apple was still shipping DVD disc with the OS on it so if the hard drive failed you could reinstall the original OS on it once you replaced the drive. Without those discs there is no way to get OS X back on the system.

[Jao vdL]

This computer can be upgraded to 32 GB as it will take 8GB memory cards. When Apple released it 8GB DIMMS didn't exist yet but according to Other World Computing (macsales.com) it will take them. That said, I can't imagine a 2009 machine working well in Lightroom. It barely supports the latest MacOS X version.