| ||||||||||
| I haven't sat down and done the maths but my experience with After Effects is that putting money into processors and video cards only has a small effect on productivity. This might change with future releases that utilise processors and video cards more effectively, and if you're running other applications such as Premiere Pro or Cinema 4D then it's a moot point. But for anyone who only uses AE, there's other possibilities than buying a single monster machine. Buying a larger monitor might actually make you more productive than buying a faster machine. Likewise, using SSDs as the boot disc might make a bigger difference than a faster processor. Even a comfortable chair can make a difference. I also explore some more radical options, such as using a 27" iMac as a workstation (new models due out soon, according to MacRumours) and setting up a Deadline render farm with any old machines you have or with mac minis - although the CS5.5 licensing changes may nix this idea in the bud. I've worked at a few places that use Deadline and when you get the farm to yourself it's almost like magic. I'm in the minority that only uses AE, so I don't have to worry about the way other applications use hardware. But my next machine will be an iMac and the difference in price between an iMac and a MacPro will go towards things like books, a nice chair, and batteries for my power hungry apple mouse ;) -Chris |
