which mac?

[Anonymous]

Hello there!
I have a problem. I ve always worked with pc and now that I need another computer I started thinking about buying a mac.
I wanted to ask, because I see that most of you are using a mac which mac should I buy in order for Archicad to work properly and .. much better than properly.
I have no idea about mac computers so any help would be nice.
Also I wanted to know if the ACv.10 I bought last year for pc is going to work on Mac or if I can buy another version for Mac with discount, because I m going to keep using my pc's.
thank you in advance.. 🙂

[Anonymous]

Your AC is anyway compatible for PC and Mac.
But AC10 is not compatible for intel version for Mac. You can order this one cost free. Maybe it is also possible to download it.

[henrypootel]

I am a sometime Mac user, so i'm probably not the best to answer(just got rid of my WinXP running iMac), but i would say don't even look at anything besides a Mac Pro.
None of the other apple offerings are suitable as a powerful, reliable, and flexible workstation. the imac is nice and cheap, but not very upgradeble, and made with cheap(as in 'cheap-and-nasty', matsushita, I'm looking at you) parts.
Plus I think they look kinda tacky, but that's just me.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Yes, AC as delivered runs on either Mac or Windows. Starting with 11, the Intel version is on the delivered DVD. For 10, US users can download the Intel version from:
http://tr.graphisoftus.com/

Users in other countries should contact their reseller - it may be a download, or they may have to send you a CD, either at no cost, or perhaps just for shipping.

The 24" iMac is a sweet spot for value I think - for the new 2.8 or 3 GHz dual core models, which have the option of the more powerful nVidia 8800 display card and decent sized internal drives. Beautiful display, and very good performance.
http://www.apple.com/imac/specs/

http://www.macworld.com/article/133467/2008/05/imaccomparison.html?lsrc=mwweek

http://www.barefeats.com/imp01.html

http://www.barefeats.com/imp02.html


I'd recommend MacPro (which I have) over the iMac for someone who does lots of rendering (or is impatient for the ones that they do), tends to insanely multitask, perhaps does video editing, etc...

Karl

[Anonymous]

I've been using a mac for AC for over 10 years now... Started with a apple 7500, then G3 laptop attached to 19" viewsonic, then a G5 tower, then a G5 17" iMac (new company), then a 24" white iMac, now a 24" aluminum iMac. I love them. I agree that a tower would be nice especially for a heavy rendering load, but the iMacs are fine for every day use and are okay for rendering.... We don't do a ton of heavy rendering so it is fine... I'd have and would get all the upgrades on the biggest iMac one can get.... We are a small firm and can't really afford the cost of the mac pro, these iMac are plenty productive for what we do... BTW... we do lots of 3d work and black line views, not a ton of LW rendering.. Thought that is what I've been doing for the last few days...

[Anonymous]

Karl wrote:
The 24" iMac is a sweet spot for value I think - for the new 2.8 or 3 GHz dual core models, which have the option of the more powerful nVidia 8800 display card and decent sized internal drives. Beautiful display, and very good performance.
I'd recommend MacPro (which I have) over the iMac for someone who does lots of rendering (or is impatient for the ones that they do), tends to insanely multitask, perhaps does video editing, etc...
Karl

Given that AC12 will now utilize multiple processors, do you still feel the iMac has the best bang for your buck? Or do the extra processors of the Mac Pro now make it the best value?

[Karl Ottenstein]

Hi Scott,

I still think the 24" iMac is a sweet spot for value for people doing smaller projects and not spending a significant portion of time rendering. See Ben's dual core informal benchmark results here:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=121603#121603

For bigger models, lots of rendering, an impatient and heavily multitasking user, or when portability isn't an issue, the 8 core Mac Pro is a beautiful machine...

Cheers,
Karl

[Stress Co_]

Karl wrote:
For bigger models, lots of rendering, an impatient and heavily multitasking user, or when portability isn't an issue, the 8 core Mac Pro is a beautiful machine...

I'm confused by "Quad-Core" vs the number of processors. Is the extra $500 for two Quads money well.....spent? I assume by 8 core you need 2 quads, yes?

EDIT:
OK, I understand a bit more after reading THIS.

Be nice to see a Speed Comparison like back in AC10

[vfrontiers]

Karl wrote:
Hi Scott,

I still think the 24" iMac is a sweet spot for value for people doing smaller projects and not spending a significant portion of time rendering. See Ben's dual core informal benchmark results here:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=121603#121603

For bigger models, lots of rendering, an impatient and heavily multitasking user, or when portability isn't an issue, the 8 core Mac Pro is a beautiful machine...

Cheers,
Karl

Just got a 24" iMac for the office..... 4gb RAM 3.06ghz. So far so good... but can't wait till 12 arrives to see some speed..

[Stress Co_]

vfrontiers wrote:
Just got a 24" iMac for the office..... 4gb RAM 3.06ghz. So far so good... but can't wait till 12 arrives to see some speed..

I just ordered the same (w/ the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics card)