Need some advice re my Mac setup

[68lbs]

Am sat typing this on my Mac G5 tower. I have just looked at LR again (I go through this every now and again) and PS CS5, but neither of these will run on my G5.

However, I also have a 13" MBP which is my 'works' machine, but comes home with me etc. I have CS5 on here, but don't find the screen suitable for photo editing (it's just way too dark and I can't seem to get it to calibrate efficiently with Huey). I also find it looks different from different angles.

So, since I cant afford to dump the G5 and get a new iMac, I was wondering about investing in a better monitor to connect direct to the MBP, and use this setup for my photo editing?

Thoughts?

I don't really have a budget or anything... I just know I can't justify buying a new Mac ATM.

 

[Chappers]

Used a 15" MPB as a main editing computer via an external screen for several months last year. Had no real problem, and the screen calibrated beautifully.

With Lightroom I used my main 24" screen as the main editing screen and the MPB's screen to keep the grid view on.

If you've the miniport on the MBP you'l need an adapter for it to link to your new monitor screen. . Alternatively why not use your existing G5 screen and see how you get on. The thicker input leads from desktop monitors I found a real pain on the desk, as they were very inflexible and got in the way. Apple don't do a miniport extension cable, but I found one on the web. It's about £16.00 and makes things a lot easier

 

[srichards]

I run aperture2 on a g5 imac ok. Found it on amazon for £50. It can be a bit sluggish when you first import the whole library. Gimp also works fine. You might be able to find an older version of lightroom that would run on the g5. You have more choice if you're running leopard rather than tiger (I'm still on tiger)

Laptop graphics cards tend not to be as good desktop ones so you may find even if you do hook it up to an external monitor it might not be that great to use.

 

[Musicman]

True, if you can find a copy of Lightroom 2 and PSCS4 they will run fine on a PowerMac G5 - I did so until a couple of months ago when I bit the bullet and bought a MacPro to replace the G5 (I got a good deal on a BNIB older model).

I also have a 2009 MacBook Pro from work, which I use with an Eizo 2243w screen when it's at the office, calibrated with a Spyder 3. The setup works fine with Lightroom 3 and CS5.

You'll probably want to think about also getting an external drive for your photo data, including the Lightroom Catalog.

Any reason you can't simply use the monitor you're using with the G5 tower and plug it into the MBP, though?