MAC or Windows?

[veronica0406]

I have a feeling I am the only Windows user? Seems like most graphics people love MAC.

Also, do you use a PC or a Notebook? Nosey aren't I? lol I am treating myself to a new Notebook this weekend and have been contemplating entering the world of MAC. I have a feeling I will be SO lost! I will probably chicken out and stick with Mr. Gates.

What is your computer?

[Scott]

We've had two users switch from PC to mac here :) Silky and Blix. They'd be the best ones to tell you.

I, personally, haven't touched a PC in over 10 years.

[Dave]

Notebook - only if you're on the move a lot. BAD BAD BAD for photoshop

Mac- certainly if you've got the money.

PC - what I'm stuck with :(

[Scott]

Okay I've touched one.. but I haven't really done anything on a PC in 10 years

[D Rock]

I was first started off photoshop with PC and used that for a year or so. Then i went to college and was put on a Mac, and since then i never want to touch another PC again. And now Macs are getting to be affordable w/ the new mini which is nothing to laugh at and its only $500!

[Silky]

Ah yes, the decision to change teams was a difficult one. I'd been using my Sony Vaio computer for about 4 years, and loved it. But, when I was "offered" a brand new Dual 2.5GHz PowerPC G5, well, how could I say no? I did worry about the transition from a Windows based computer to a Mac...just ask Jolt how scared I was. When I finally got the Mac, there was definitely some transition time. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought...but there are a lot of things different on a Mac than I'd been used to on a PC. I'm still learning, and I'm still WAY far away from being a well trained Mac user, but I really do like it. I've learned a lot by messing with things...and then asking Jolt how to un-mess them...but I have to say I'm a very satisfied convert. I LOVE not having to worry about viruses, and I don't have to worry about the IE problems I was having with my PC (although Safari has been pissing me off lately). :) Now, with all the monitor issues I've been having, I think the old Sony monitor is on the way out and I'm going to give the 20" Apple Flat Panel a shot. Add to that a new video card and I should be swimming in beautiful colors. :)

Seriously, Veronica...if you're a graphics person, the Mac is the way to go. I loved my PC, but I never really did much in the way of intense graphics. There is definitely a difference in the PC and the Mac...but if you are ready for a change, then I'd say to definitely go for the Mac.

[veronica0406]

Thank you all, great feedback! I really appreciate it.

Dave, I started on a notebook because of all my travel. The past 5 years I have had no travel so the desktop PC worked great, but I am back on the road a bit this summer so I need to have a notebook again. I am a one-woman business so where I go....my business follows. :) I have my little wacom tablet so graphics should be easy on the notebook....I hope.

The notebook I found has a 17 in screen and full size keyboard so that is a plus, but I see there is a 17" Mac notebook too. I wish I had started on a MAC then I would not need to start over with all my software. That is the only thing holding me back all these years is having to repurchase all my software.

My daughter is switching to a MAC for school, but then again her major is graphics so that is a good thing. We should get a good price for Photoshop since she is a student. Sounds like I need to just take the plunge!!

ACK! :) This is skeeeeery!

[Dave]

The first (company) laptop I had was so heavy I still walk with a slight bend to one side from carrying it and there's a groove cut into my right shoulder from the strap. The orange screen burnt spots off my retinae. We were advised to put it in the boot (trunk) of our car only if we could secure it otherwise to wedge it in the footwell of the rear seats, it made quite a missile under heavy braking.

I got rid of it as fast as I could. I know the modern day versions are far lighter and have a million times more memory (mine was 3Mb if I remember correctly) but I'd still only use one if I was out and about all the time.

It was very much like this one ....

http://www.techimo.com/photo/data/500/518lappy-med.jpg

[Scott]

FYI.. if you own a PC version of Photoshop you can pretty much get it switch to a Mac version by filling out some paperwork and paying for the shipping of a new CD. That is of course if you don't want to use the PC version anymore.

[veronica0406]

Oh wow that looks heavy Dave! And I imagine it cost a small fortune. My first laptop was so rediculously expensive, and now I don't even attempt to boot it up....it takes forever!

Thanks Jolt, I just noticed that. The problem is that some of the software I love does not have a MAC version. I am sure there probably is an equivalent though. I just need to do some research. Thank you. :)

[Dave]

Again if memory serve me well the Wang 3000 which was state of the art in its time cost over £5,000 ($9,000), heaven only knows how much that is at today's inflated prices. 3Mb memory, dual floppy disc drives, 10inch screen, one color! The nice thing about the boot up time was you got enough time to make a cup of coffee, drink it and go to the bathroom .... :)

There was a seperate battery pack if you were superman, another bag for the printer and extra suspension for your car!

[TrinityOfOne]

I'm a Windows user, although I'd have a Mac if I could afford one.

[down2earth2]

[QUOTE=Silky]Now, with all the monitor issues I've been having, I think the old Sony monitor is on the way out and I'm going to give the 20" Apple Flat Panel a shot.[/QUOTE]

Silky, If you're shopping for a new monitor, you should check out the new 24" flat panel Dell that came out on Monday for $1199 (it was on sale yesterday $150 off that, but the sale seems to be gone). The 23" Apple is $1799. So another inch for $600 less. I don't know how the quality compares, but the one review I read didn't say anything bad about it.

[QUOTE=Silky]Add to that a new video card and I should be swimming in beautiful colors. :)[/QUOTE]

Video cards are good for photoshop?

[Silky]

[QUOTE=down2earth2]Silky, If you're shopping for a new monitor, you should check out the new 24" flat panel Dell that came out on Monday for $1199 (it was on sale yesterday $150 off that, but the sale seems to be gone). The 23" Apple is $1799. So another inch for $600 less. I don't know how the quality compares, but the one review I read didn't say anything bad about it.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't buy a 23" Apple because of all that I've read about that particular size monitor having so many issues with pink tint and color "staining". These issues aren't happening in the 20" or the 30"...weird to me, but it's true. I've read a lot of reviews on the 20" Apple ($999) and I think I'll go with that one. My monitor is having issues with color...and picture quality so it's time to retire it. As for the video card...I figured if I was going to upgrade my monitor that I'd upgrade my video card as well. If I ever decide to go with the 30" Apple monitor I'll need this particular video card to support the monitor. This way, I'm prepared. :)

[Scott]

[QUOTE=down2earth2]Video cards are good for photoshop?[/QUOTE]

Yes, within reason. You don't need a huge monster card necessarily. but Photoshop's rendering engine will speed up a little if you've got the better cards.

[blisters]

Keep in mind that if you go to a MAC you will not be able to "right click" anything. This is coming from a network admin...I just find that so annoying when using a MAC.

[PDG]

I have 4 computers.

1 Runs WinXP for strictly Art work.
1 Runs WinXP for everything else.
1 Runs Smoothwall Express Firewall (Linux) to protect my network.
and the last is the Dell Laptop I'm writing this on.

That said, my next purchase will probably be a Mac if I can afford it. Otherwise it'll have to be PC for a few more years. I honestly can't wait to get my hands on iLife. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

[Scott]

[QUOTE=blisters]Keep in mind that if you go to a MAC you will not be able to "right click" anything. This is coming from a network admin...I just find that so annoying when using a MAC.[/QUOTE]

well.. unless you purachase a two button+ mouse. Then you can right click all you want.

And on the Mac, control-click is the same as a windows right-click, so you don't lose any functionality at all. You actually GAIN some.

[burndog]

Well I'm a PC guy, because that is all I have ever used except when taking evening courses. Wherever I've worked they have used PCs because (especially 10 years ago) Macs were so much more expensive. Although Macs have always been the industry standard for graphics, I think PCs have done alot of catching up.

Personally I do not think that one is really that much better than the other. I'm sure both have their advantages. PCs I believe are still a bit cheaper on the whole. Of course with a PC you get what you pay for, as there is alot more than just a processor to look at when you buy a computer.

Silky, I think a good fast video card is a must. I have always bought good video cards, nothing fancy for gaming or anything, but I have always researched their 2D display. Any kind of 3D renering capability is only a bonus. My first computer had a cheap video card and since then I have realized it's importance especially when using a program like photoshop.

I'll probably be a PC guy until a Mac makes it's way into my office at work, and I am not holding my breath on that.

The only thing I can recommend when buying a computer is this...

1. Don't worry about upgradability, it is not worth it, people just buy new ones these days.

2. buy quality components, a well known manufacturer for the video card and ram. If sound is your thing a good sound card. I only have an onboard sound card and it works fine, but I rarely even turn on my speakers.

3. Make sure you have room for lots of ram

4. If you use USB devices on a regular basis (Digital camera, that type of thing) try to find a case that has a USB port on the front. It is much easier than reaching behind to plug in...I would imagine that most have then in the front now.


That's about it, do lots of research and buy for what you need, not what you think you may need in the future...you'll be shopping again most likely in a few years anyway. Good luck!

[Siouxie]

[QUOTE=TrinityOfOne]I'm a Windows user, although I'd have a Mac if I could afford one.[/QUOTE]

same here :)

[veronica0406]

Thanks again everyone for your feedback, I really do appreciate it.

It is going to come down to dollars and cents. Not so much the cost of the equipment I think, but the cost of getting all new software so I will make a list and see what is the best solution.

At least I feel better knowing I am not the only Windows user left out there in the graphics world! lol :)

[down2earth2]

Apple does come with a decent word processing program, so depending on your needs, you might be able to avoid buying Microsoft Word. I'm not sure what else you get with it a Mac for software, but you should find out if some savings would tip the balance in your choice.

[blix]

Hey guys! Blix lives!

Sorry I missed this one... working from home and running my own business has been a blast, but leaves little time for forum play time.

Veronica, I made the switch after years of avid PC geek-dom. I loved the PC. I loved tweaking it. I loved building them. (Forgive me... but I even spoke sorely about the Mac at one time of my life.)

I can't say there's a BIG difference between Mac and PC.

Except stability. If you value a system that doesn't need a lot of babysitting, you'll love the Mac. I find myself running a batch in Photoshop on say.... 1000 images while color correcting RAW images, while FTP'ing files, while Mail, iTunes, and iChat are running in the background. Sometimes I'll even have a movie playing instead of music. On my supercharged PC, I'd take a hit in performance if I had Firefox and Photoshop open. ergh!

Bottom line: run a ton of programs, go about your business.

And then there's logic. I like things to be simple... almost.... uncomplicated. Things just seem to run a little smoother. Have you ever been confused by what your PC is trying to tell you? (http://www.xvsxp.com/dialogs/[/)

Well, there's also the programs. Swwweeeeeeet programs come stock (http://www.apple.com/macosx/overview/) with the Mac. iLife is killer. Mail, Stickies, iCal, iChat, Address Book. Not to mention TONS (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/) of open source, free or almost free programs to keep things running smoothly and beautifully.

That reminds me... OS X is visually pleasing. I can't really explain it, but it's like driving a fatty Lexus for two weeks and getting into a Kia to run errands. It just doesn't feel the same. Yes, that's subjective and touchy-feely... but so am I.

Veronica, I love the Mac. I won't ever go back to the PC. I haven't heard from a switcher yet who actually hated it and went back. Go to an Apple store and spend an hour in there playing with the different machines and asking questions. Apple stores actually hold free seminars to show you how to do practically anything. Take advantage of it.

Good luck!
-Blix

[Silky]

[QUOTE=blix]Hey guys! Blix lives!

Sorry I missed this one... working from home and running my own business has been a blast, but leaves little time for forum play time.
[/QUOTE]

Guess we have to keep posting about the Mac vs PC controversy to keep you coming back. :) Nice to see you nosing around a bit, b. :)

[blix]

[QUOTE=Silky]Guess we have to keep posting about the Mac vs PC controversy to keep you coming back. :) Nice to see you nosing around a bit, b. :)[/QUOTE]

Nice to be seen! I miss you guys! :(

-b

[Scott]

We've missed you around here Blix! Welcome back!

[veronica0406]

Great advice Blix, thanks so much! I actually took the plunge in the PC direction. Yes....I chickened out. I went ahead and purchased an HP notebook and I love it so far.

I am getting the MAC for my daughter, so I have a feeling I am going to kick myself once I sit down to play with hers. lol

Maybe I will start small and get the mini mac and build from there. :)

[blix]

[QUOTE=veronica0406]
I am getting the MAC for my daughter, so I have a feeling I am going to kick myself once I sit down to play with hers. lol
[/QUOTE]

LOL! Put your daughter on the phone...

"Hello, daughter? Yes, Veronica has bought herself a Mac. She's only letting you borrow it so don't get too attached!"

As soon as I got mine, my wife hated using the PC!

Good luck to you!

-B

[veronica0406]

[QUOTE=blix]LOL! Put your daughter on the phone...

"Hello, daughter? Yes, Veronica has bought herself a Mac. She's only letting you borrow it so don't get too attached!"

As soon as I got mine, my wife hated using the PC!

Good luck to you!

-B[/QUOTE]

LOL! Ack my ulterior motives have been discovered! :)