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Ars Technica Reviews Aperture

Ars Technica Reviews Aperture

by , 12:40 PM EST, December 5th, 2005

Ars Technica put Apple's new pro-level image editing and management application, Aperture, through its paces, and came back disappointed. Although Aperture has some great features, it comes up lacking in some of the tools that pro users will need.

The review lists several features in Aperture's favor, including a well organized interface, nondestructive edits and versioning that don't waste hard drive space, powerful search features, and powerful red eye, highlight and shadow filers.

It also noted that Apple has a free application that checks to see if your Mac meets the minimum system requirements. It's a good idea to use the Aperture Checker application before purchasing your copy, because it won't install if your Mac doesn't meet the minimum system requirements.

On the down side, Ars Technica was disappointed with the hard to read text in the interface, the inability to edit base EXIF and IPTC data, and poor RAW conversion. Other issues the article pointed out include extremely slow batch metadata processing, inaccurate histograms, no curves adjustment, no per-pixel RGB information, no DNG exporting, and that the application is full of bugs.

The review noted "It saddens me to say that Aperture's innovations are only skin deep. If it could deliver on the promise of being both fast and produce flawless results, it would be the dream package."

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: Johnny Ringo

Only version 1.0. Just wait til it hits version 8!

Close Name:wallyfoo Posts: 19 Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Subject: Odd Review

It starts out by saying that Aperture isn't meant to be a Photoshop replacement, but goes on to spend almost half of its space pointing out that Aperture's editing filters aren't as good as Photoshop's.

I think if this review focused more on the workflow aspects of Aperture it would be more balanced. The reviewer seems to lose his focus about a third of the way through.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Does anyone Know....

I have a Dual G5 2GH but it only has a GeForce FX 5200 ( which does suport core image ) but the checker says it is not enought for Apeture ... does any one know if i can just upgrade the grafics card and then install it ?

Close Name:Jonkun227 Posts: 238 Joined: 02 Mar 2004
Subject:

You should be able to just upgrade your graphics card.

This review is precisely the opposite of the reviews I'm hearing from my various photographer friends. They all love it. In fact, their only complaints aren't even listed in this review, and are mostly nit-picky anyway.

I already have too many writeoffs this year so I have to wait until January to buy my new system w/ Aperture. I hate waiting.


- Jon

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Fair and helpful review

The Ars review is a fair and helpful insight into some of the essential pros and cons of Aperture. It isn't comparing it to Photoshop, apart from to point out where the app is lacking. The reviewer's biggest moan is that Aperture appears to be built on a shaky foundation - poor RAW conversion. That's the deal breaker.

Close Name:coaten Posts: 3071 Joined: 10 Oct 2001
Subject:

I, too, thought it was fair. For me, poor RAW handling is a deal breaker. Aperture's workflow management looks fantastic, but I'll be waiting for v2.0.

Close Name:deasys Posts: 296 Joined: 08 Apr 2003
Subject:

Quote
"The Ars review is a fair and helpful insight"


Fair?

If so, I'm trying to figure out how Aperture was given the lowest rating of any product they've ever reviewed, including such gems as the Dell Latitude C600 and satellite radio.

The review was not only unfair, it was unbalanced, ill-informed, and (as wallyfoo points out) misoriented.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: review of a review?

this is a review of a review? can't you guys generate your own news?

napoleon: "god....."

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