Darktable on Apple iMac M3?

Software darktable
1

At the moment I’m using an Asus zenbook, core i7, IrisX graphics, Linux Mint for DT. OpenCL is enabled. Yes, it can be a bit slow especially with D or S, and I’m also starting to play around with video (kdenlive).

So I’m looking around for something faster. I recently saw refurbished iMAC M3 with 512G disc for around £1100. I know nothing of Apple stuff…I’ve been using PCs in one form or another since the 1980s and the only apple thing I’ve ever used was an Apple II.

What’s DT like on an M3, either with Apple OS or Mint?

Thanks.

2

M3 cpus arent supported yet under linux. IIRC the asahi hardware page. the distro for Apple M devices you want is called Asahi linux and they are still working on M2 support.

if you want to keep linux as an option. how about a framework laptop?

or tuxedo.

3

With an M2, it was pretty fast: Darktable Performance macOS, or: Don't be Stupid Like Me - #4 by bastibe

4

Hmm. Looks like I’ll have to live with macOS then, if I go this way. i’m planning to have a play on an M4 later today so I’ll see how that goes.

Thanks

5

Look for atleast 32gig ram IMHO - I have a m4 mac mini with 24gig and regret not spending a bit more on ram…

6

Yes, it’s important to remember that the RAM is shared with the GPU on Apple silicon, so it’s not actually as much as it seems.

7

it’s true shared memory - data used by cpu and gpu cores are just stored once and can be accessed by both without copying it around