Apple’s 2012 iMacs took a long time to be announced, then the 21.5″ version was promised for November, and today (the last day of November) it is finally available, while the larger 27-inch version is at least capable of being ordered now. Most pro video users who consider it will likely prefer a BTO (built-to-order) version, which is available either directly from store.Apple.com (in the USA) or from the few —but important— independent dealers and pro video integrators who have access to BTO versions. In addition to its improved specs and looks, the most important difference for me (and many others) is the 75% reduction in reflectivity (less glare). Here’s a first look for video professionals.

Why many video pros have preferred a Mac Mini up until now

Many video pros (who couldn’t justify a Mac Pro tower) have —up until now— preferred a Mac Mini is because they (and I) have found the highly reflective screen in the 2011 iMacs to be intolerable. Here are two prior articles about pro editors who use Mac Minis:

• Mac Mini for pro video editing: a field report from Guatemala
• Pegasus Thunderbolt RAID5 from PROMISE

Some iMac users have removed the glass to reduce the glare on the 2011 models, as shown in this article. Fortunately, Apple finally listened to our requests and released the late 2012 models with 75% less reflectivity.

Order of preference for DaVinci Resolve

After the high-end extreme of a Mac Pro tower in order to have multiple GPUs, Blackmagic has recommended the iMac 2011 Mac as the best choice below the tower. After that is the largest MacBook Pro, and the Mac Mini is not even a recommendation from Blackmagic for DaVinci Resolve because of the lack of adequate GPU. As of the publication time of this article, Blackmagic has not yet updated its configuration guide to include the iMac 2012 models, but they are likely to recommend the most souped up configuration, which is available as a BTO (built-to-order) via store.Apple.com (in the USA) or via the few —but important— authorized independent Apple dealers and pro video integrators.

How far can you go with a BTO (built-to-order) iMac 2012?

Although the base off-the-shelf models cost US$1299, US$1499, US$1799, and US$1999 respectively, if you select the highest one and then adjust it for the max, here’s what you can do:

• You can upgrade the CPU to an i7 3.4GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, with turbo boost up to 3.9GHz.
• You can upgrade the RAM to 32GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 4x8GB.
• You can upgrade the internal storage to a 3TB Fusion Drive.
• You can upgrade the GPU to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2GB GDDR5.
• You can select a Magic Trackpad instead of a mouse at no extra charge to be more ergonomic and get best advantage of the latest gestures in Mac OS.
• You can select a Spanish ISO keyboard at no extra charge (which is strangely called “Western Spanish” when you order it online from Apple) since in my opinion it’s the best one to use, even if you mainly (or exclusively) write in English, as I have covered in prior articles.

This all adds up to US$3,349 plus tax (unless you’re exempt). You also may want to consider AppleCare for US$169. Educational pricing is also available if you qualify. Unlike with prior iMacs, according to Apple, you can’t upgrade the RAM later with the 21.5” 2012 models,UPDATE: although you can with the 27” model. Thanks to reTooled.net for pointing this out via Twitter.

Upcoming review

I have a few friends who are about to order their BTO version, so I’ll review it after they receive them. I will also publish when Blackmagic has updated their recommendations to include these models. To make sure you continue to see my upcoming articles, sign up to my mailing list here.

Upcoming webinars

Check out the webinars I’ll be presenting on December 3rd, 5th, and 7th, 2012 here.

O si prefieres verlos y asistir en castellano, haz clic aquí.

My latest ebook

I have just published an ebook in two languages. 
The format is Kindle, but even if you don’t have a Kindle device, you can read Kindle books on many other devices using a free Kindle app. That includes iPad, iPhone, Android phones, Android tablets, Mac computers, Windows computers, some Blackberry phones and Windows 7 phones.

In English:

 
In English, it is currently available in the following Amazon stores, depending upon your region: 

• At Amazon.com (for all of the Americas and the Republic of India)
• Amazon.co.jp (Japan)
• Amazon.co.uk (United Kingdom)
• Amazon.de (Germany)
• Amazon.es (Spain, pero a lo mejor lo prefieres en castellano, a continuación)
• Amazon.fr (France)
• Amazon.it (Italy)

If you’re going to buy a Kindle book as a gift, you must do so via the Pan-American Amazon store (the first one listed above), regardless of where you live or where the recipient lives.

En castellano:

 
En castellano, está disponible actualmente en las siguientes tiendas Amazon, según tu región: 

• Amazon.com (todas las Américas y la República de la India)
• Amazon.co.jp (Japón)
• Amazon.co.uk (Reino Unido)
• Amazon.de (Alemania)
• Amazon.es (España)
• Amazon.fr (Francia)
• Amazon.it (Italia)

Si vas a comprar un libro Kindle como regalo, debes hacerlo vía la tienda panamericana de Amazon (la primera de la lista) sin importar donde vivas tú o donde viva la persona que recibirá el regalo.

Allan T©pper's books, consulting, articles, seminars & audio programs

Contact Allan T©pper for consulting, or find a full listing of his books, articles and upcoming seminars and webinars at AllanTepper.com. Listen to his TecnoTur program, which is now available both in Castilian (aka “Spanish”) and in English, free of charge. Search for TecnoTur in iTunes or visit TecnoTur.us for more information.

Allan T©pper's books, consulting, articles, seminars & audio programs

Contact Allan T©pper for consulting, or find a full listing of his books, articles and upcoming seminars and webinars at AllanTepper.com. Listen to his TecnoTur program, which is now available both in Castilian (aka “Spanish”) and in English, free of charge. Search for TecnoTur in iTunes or visit TecnoTur.us for more information.

Disclosure, to comply with the FTC's rules

No manufacturer is specifically paying Allan T©pper or TecnoTur LLC to write this article or the mentioned books. Some of the other manufacturers listed above have contracted T©pper and/or TecnoTur LLC to carry out consulting and/or translations/localizations/transcreations. Many of the manufacturers listed above have sent Allan T©pper review units. So far, none of the manufacturers listed above is/are sponsors of the TecnoTur programs, although they are welcome to do so, and some are, may be (or may have been) sponsors of ProVideo Coalition magazine. Some links to third parties listed in this article and/or on this web page may indirectly benefit TecnoTur LLC via affiliate programs.

Copyright and use of this article

The articles contained in the TecnoTur channel in ProVideo Coalition magazine are copyright Allan T©pper/TecnoTur LLC, except where otherwise attributed. Unauthorized use is prohibited without prior approval, except for short quotes which link back to this page, which are encouraged!