Why buy a Mac?

[shaunx]

Is there a special benefit to purchasing a Mac? Appearantly, alot of people here own one. I don't get it Should I?

[cheshirepoet]

Part of it is personal taste...while windows is plagued with problems of getting viruses mac is not (for now, until they become more popular and people start targeting them). But the biggest factor for graphic artists/photographers is the color management with mac. It appears to be much easier to calibrate the screen of a mac; they were the first one's to embrace ICC profiles and helped with the development of them.

[plugsnpixels]

In a nutshell, better OS, smoother experience all-around. Besides, when you get a Mac you get a PC too (ability to seamlessly run Windows/Linux via Boot Camp or Parallels).

And if the cost of a new unit puts you off (even though the configuration costs can end up being similar to PC hardware), buy a recent model used Intel Mac. I happily use a variety of Macs, from this circa-2002 PowerBook G4 I am using at the moment, to a dual 800 G4, to a late 2006 MacBook 1.8 and a Mac Pro tower from last summer (I have to be in the office to enjoy it, though!).

[Swampy]

>>>Is there a special benefit to purchasing a Mac?

Absolutely! Keep all your PC software and add Parallels or Fusion and run the PC stuff on that Intel chip. Then when you want to surf, do email etc. switch to the Mac "side" and do not worry about picking up viri or malware. Of course if you download stuff for the PC side from unfriendly sites you are on your own. Added bonus is all the cool software you get when you buy an iMac or MacBook. (Not offered if you buy the MacBook Pro or a Mac Pro though).

[pixel_monkey]

I use both platforms on a daily basis, so I'll try to shed my opinions as unbiased as possible before this thread turns into another Mac vs. PC debate. I have no problem of getting my work done on either platform for what I do. The question that you need to ask yourself is that what do you really want? What suits you the most? If you're going to get something just because everyone you know has it, I'd suggest you to do your research thoroughly before you make a decision. As far as virus on the PC is concerned, just learn how to protect yourself...it's no rocket science and it'll make you become a better computer user in the process. I've never had anything that causes my PC to hiccup or a total meltdown and I most likely never will unless a hacker is devoting his/her time specifically to target my system. If that's the case, then it doesn't matter which platform that I'm using. The bottom line is that every single computer connected to the internet is vulnerable to malicious attacks whether it's a PC or a Mac.
The new Intel Mac is great. It has the best of both worlds and I like it a lot. But, many people don't know it's that you can run OS X on a PC. Yes, PC has the ability to run Mac OS X and no longer requires emulation since Apple has shifted towards x86 CPUs. The most important parts that you want your computer to have are the speed of the CPU, the amount of ram, and the quality of the graphics card. It won't make sense if it just looks pretty and doesn't perform at the level you want it to be. And, the most important thing that I can never stressed enough is that never let your tools (PC or Mac in this case) to dictate the outcome of what you do. You're the one in control every second of it from start to finish.

[videogal]

I am a Mac person, and like pixel monkey above, use both platforms every day. What I like about my Mac is that photoshop runs faster on my Mac than on my PC. (Yes, this is a valid comparison - I have 2 computers, 1 Mac, 1 PC, same amount of memory, same verson of CS3, the PC is actually about 6 months newer, running XP, that I have compared literally side-by-side on the same photo, etc. just to settle my own curiousity). In total I have 3 Macs and 2 PCs, and each have their moments if you know what I mean!

I love the Mac platform - I find the interface intuitive and easy to use, and it is just "me" as a creative person. I do let my tools dictate my choice to some extent - I'm a video producer and use the Final Cut Studio platform for all of my editing and authoring, and it only runs on Mac - but if I had wanted to stay on PC badly enough, I could have used the Adobe Suite of video products on PC, so I did have a level of choice.

And - all the stuff above about viruses and stuff, is a plus for me, but the software and interface really were my deciding factors.

[shaunx]

Thanks for the knowledge.

[shaunx]

Yup i am going to switch into Intel Mac..all the opinions is on Intel Mac.virus is the main problem if we are connected..i think mac serves better against it.thanks for the information..

Ok i need photoshop to run faster .thanks for the information..

[DJSoulglo]

with the rise of popularity of the Mac, and the increasing number of people using them, there now actually are virusses that target just the Mac.

I still think the Macs are nice looking computers that do their job quite well, but are WAY WAY WAY WAY overpriced and a hassle to upgrade.

I've been using Windows Vista for a while now and have had not a single problem yet.

Are there bugs in windows software? Hell yes. Are here bugs in Mac OSX? Hell yes. About 5 years ago, there was a distinction between stability, now however there isn't anymore. You can debate till death and there are hardcore PC users and hardcore Mac users. I am neither, but value for money, you can't really beat a PC. I buy a new one every now and again, however if I don't need to upgrade the RAM, I can carry it over. If I don't want a new case, I keep the case. With a Mac.... well.... good luck with upgrading.

And when is Mac going to put some decent videocards in their machines?

I'd vote PC

[saby]

just watch the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpNxE...eature=related

"... it's the same as God made men to fall into a swoon in every hour..."

[pixelzombie]

Originally Posted by DJSoulglo

I am neither, but value for money, you can't really beat a PC. I buy a new one every now and again, however if I don't need to upgrade the RAM, I can carry it over. If I don't want a new case, I keep the case. With a Mac.... well.... good luck with upgrading.

And when is Mac going to put some decent videocards in their machines?

I'd vote PC

it's a well documented fact that macs are cheaper in the long run and you get a faster return on your investment...

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by pixelzombie

it's a well documented fact that macs are cheaper in the long run and you get a faster return on your investment...

I'm going to have to go with DJSoulglo.

The Mac OS is about 4x better than windows, even Microsoft's newest Vista. However, their hardware is usually pretty watery at best. I realize you can customize Apple computers so they're practically tanks, but so far as cost goes you're better with a PC.

I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price. With that said, I'm not going to rain on Apple's parade...

Their OS is SO much nicer than Windows (and *nix) that it's almost enough to look over the fact that their hardware doesn't (practically) compare. I'm a bit of a gamer, so the choice was a no brainer for me.

Now I'm going to be a prude and demand you show some proof that there exists a "long term benefit" of buying a Apple vs. a PC. :P

e: I should add - if you want the better PC for the same cost as the Apple, you'll be building it yourself.

[plugsnpixels]

Originally Posted by pixel_monkey

Yes, PC has the ability to run Mac OS X and no longer requires emulation since Apple has shifted towards x86 CPUs.

pixel monkey, what's the latest on this? I use Mac hardware to run Mac/Windows, so haven't kept up with the opposite approach. Does this apply to running Leopard?

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by plugsnpixels

pixel monkey, what's the latest on this? I use Mac hardware to run Mac/Windows, so haven't kept up with the opposite approach. Does this apply to running Leopard?

I tried it, runs nicely but there's definitely hardware limitations. I ended up going back to windows - but you have to remember running a hacked x86 kernel is considered illegal.

http://www.osx86project.org/

[Markzebra]

Stephen A. You say about apple hardware "However, their hardware is usually pretty watery at best." Does that include durability, and build quality ? I've been using macs for 12 years and had only one hardrive collapse on me in that time.

"I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price." Ok, reliability aside, in what other way is $700 worth of PC hardware better than my Dual G5?

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by Markzebra

Stephen A. You say about apple hardware "However, their hardware is usually pretty watery at best." Does that include durability, and build quality ? I've been using macs for 12 years and had only one hardrive collapse on me in that time.

Uhhh... Apple doesn't make their hard drives, so that's a pretty bad example - they use off the shelf hard drives. :P

Originally Posted by Markzebra

"I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price." Ok, reliability aside, in what other way is $700 worth of PC hardware better than my Dual G5?

Did you dual G5 cost you $700 when it was new?

[Godmother]

Originally Posted by DJSoulglo

with the rise of popularity of the Mac, and the increasing number of people using them, there now actually are virusses that target just the Mac.

I still think the Macs are nice looking computers that do their job quite well, but are WAY WAY WAY WAY overpriced and a hassle to upgrade.

I've been using Windows Vista for a while now and have had not a single problem yet.

Are there bugs in windows software? Hell yes. Are here bugs in Mac OSX? Hell yes. About 5 years ago, there was a distinction between stability, now however there isn't anymore. You can debate till death and there are hardcore PC users and hardcore Mac users. I am neither, but value for money, you can't really beat a PC. I buy a new one every now and again, however if I don't need to upgrade the RAM, I can carry it over. If I don't want a new case, I keep the case. With a Mac.... well.... good luck with upgrading.

And when is Mac going to put some decent videocards in their machines?

I'd vote PC

So you never used a mac right?

PC crashes... 98/XP/Vista you name it! it crashes! Macs don't, ever, ever
Think about fluid use of Photoshop, no delays, no crashes, no strange noises lol

I have the PC on the side (My bf uses it to work) and it's horrid to hear it constantly.

And... upgrades... you need to upgrade your PC because it gets OLD the minute after you bought it.... macs work as new even years (I have a 5 year old imac and it's so faithful it's scary) after you bought them.

Now I work on the new imac aluminium and it's simply a beauty.

I've used both and I don't understand how someone who has used BOTH still debates

Good luck

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by Godmother

PC crashes... 98/XP/Vista you name it! it crashes! Macs don't, ever, ever
Think about fluid use of Photoshop, no delays, no crashes, no strange noises lol

It greatly depends on the hardware you're using. If you're using average hardware (cheap) you won't have a very good user experience. Sadly, a lot of big stores sell PCs that have cheap parts in them, so there are a lot of driver conflicts and just bad programming which gunks everything up.

That's not to say every cheap PC will crash often, but most will - independant of the OS. Crashing isn't the operating system's fault in most cases, it's the drivers and their interactions with the OS that usually cause the problems. If I had to make an analogy I guess it would be like a grandfather clock. You buy the body, and some of the main gears, then you try to carve the rest you need out of foam, and when you find the foam cracks and the pieces jam everything up - you blame the the other metal gears which came with it.

Most of the computers I've put together were carefully selected, and as I've got a bit older and made a bit more money I've been fortunate enough to select higher quality parts. As a result, my computer rarely crashes - and when it does, it's usually my fault (opening several insanely hi-res files at once... although when I say crash I mean specifically a program). My computer has only once entirely locked up and I've been using it for two years now (on almost constantly, at that!).

Originally Posted by Godmother

And... upgrades... you need to upgrade your PC because it gets OLD the minute after you bought it.... macs work as new even years (I have a 5 year old imac and it's so faithful it's scary) after you bought them.

I guess I'll refer to my grandfather clock analogy again. If you want it to work with foam gears, you will constantly have to carve new gears for it until you can afford wood, and then after that it's metal.

Upgrading the metal gears is much less often. On the note of "Metalgear" I'll assume your boyfriend games a lot? That's usually the only reason a person needs to upgrade their computer. That's Apple's one major downsides, their game selection is minuscule in comparison to Windows. The next is that their run of the mill computer, which costs considerably more than a run of the mill PC, isn't that potent hardware wise - although they're always better than the el cheapos from Future Shop and the sort.

Originally Posted by Godmother

I've used both and I don't understand how someone who has used BOTH still debates

When I say this, I'm not trying to be a smarty pants, but using does not equate knowing. What I mean is I know Windows very well, and because of that I can use it very well.

However, I don't know Mac OS very well, but since it's so intuitive I can (for general purpose) use it very well. Ask me to change the port my network connects on and I'm lost like a child in a parking lot.

It's actually a sort of funny situation; I find the Apple is better for the run of the mill user, since it's so easy to use and generally very stable (although, in my experience, the eMacs are TRASH). And while a PC of equivalent value will be stable, it won't be as easy to use - which is what causes so much commotion.

The right tool for different jobs.

Originally Posted by Godmother

So you never used a mac right

Oy, on that note - has anyone else suffered the terrible experience of using an eMac? Constantly it would crash programs. And not the "Oh no! It's slowing down and may crash soon!" sort of crash, the sort that goes something like this... "Oh man, this design is so nice. Now I'll just move my mouse to select this tool... and it just closed? ... my design? "

I'm guessing it's specific to the eMacs, as I rarely encounter crashing on other Apples I've used.

[plugsnpixels]

A few years ago for my higher-ed lab we ordered 13 eMacs, and 2 or 3 were DOA. There was some known issue with a video-related part. Other than that they were decent machines at the time, and heavy as anchors. I've still got a couple that were in use until recently and are now in the haul-off pile.

Now we have two labs of aluminum iMacs and two of the previous model Intel iMac. Computer labs really test the quality of your machines, and most of the Macs (since we got rid of the 8500s and 17" AppleVision monitors years ago!) have been quite reliable. Besides those awful AppleVisions, the white G5 iMac model has had the most repairs (again, a known issue with bad capacitors). Our dual-533 G4s were quite reliable, aside from an occasional failure of the IBM DeathStar hard drives.

We used to have purchased-new Dells across the hall, but they were so badly obsolete after 2 years, unlike those G4 Mac towers which we got seven years' use out of in the labs (and now various faculty are still using them).

[pixelzombie]

that reminds me of my time at schawk, when they purchased new machines for the pre-press area the old machines would then be used by the csr's and they would take the csr's old machine and sell them to the employees, so each mac got to live 3 lives so to speak...

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by plugsnpixels

We used to have purchased-new Dells across the hall, but they were so badly obsolete after 2 years, unlike those G4 Mac towers which we got seven years' use out of in the labs (and now various faculty are still using them).

Blah. Dells are shit unless you spend a fortune on them, which is generally how it is with everything else in life. lol

[CJ Swartz]

Originally Posted by DJSoulglo

...You can debate till death and there are hardcore PC users and hardcore Mac users. ...

Okay, let's get back to photography... and NOT Canon vs Nikon vs Olympus vs Fuji vs Pentax vs ....

[Markzebra]

"Did you dual G5 cost you $700 when it was new?" no but your $700 PC is equivalent to a $1200 mac? (1.5x-2) Ok, maybe thats an unfair comparison.

Apple "isn't that potent hardware wise - although they're always better than the el cheapos from Future Shop and the sort." - can you be more specific? in what way is your PC BETTER than the equivalent priced mac hardware? faster? Not that interested in frame rates, and games. I use my mac for 90% Photoshop. 10% ... Invoicing ;-)

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by Markzebra

no but your $700 PC is equivalent to a $1200 mac? (1.5x-2) Ok, maybe thats an unfair comparison.

Actually... I said you could get a better PC for the same amount. The whole is less than the sum of the parts.

Originally Posted by Markzebra

can you be more specific? in what way is your PC BETTER than the equivalent priced mac hardware? faster?

That relates directly to a the "el cheapo" PC statement. You won't find a equivalent Apple to such a PC... well aside from the mini mac, which I'm sure is fine for browsing the intertubes and playing the odd movie now and then, but probably pretty trashy for any serious business.

Originally Posted by Markzebra

Not that interested in frame rates, and games. I use my mac for 90% Photoshop. 10% ... Invoicing ;-)

In a way that's like asking someone how much they make a year, and then telling them you're not interested in dollars. The newer Creative Suites are designed to utilize the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) on your video card where previously they were just "In ur ram, slowin ur processin".

What sort of work do you do on your computer (you mentioned photoshop)? I do web design for the most part and the odd restoration now and then, and even less frequently I do a retouch - but that's almost the exact opposite with my hobbies, with the exception of gaming being on top.

Now that Apple has switched over to the x86 architecture you will see less and less of this bible-thumping behavior from Apple fans. It's no longer "apples and oranges" now it's just "Granny Smiths and Golden Delicious'" (I'll let you decided which OS is which, hah).

[Markzebra]

Can you find a single comparative speed test online that rates any PC hardware faster than current macs for running Photoshop CS3? I can't.

So it turns out that "I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price."only means that you can build a PC that is better than a min mac? hmm maybe, but Ill be damned if its reliable

I'm a retoucher, sometimes need to work on layered files above 1gig. Thats one reason, but heres 2 other reasons I could never use a PC to do my job - I hate the PC keyboard, its design, shortcuts. I hate the Operating System in too many ways to say.

I have a pc laptop at home running XP, and am forced to learn maintenance techniques such as typing Msconfig into the run window, and run registry cleaner etc just to get it to run at its best speed. Ridiculous. A worldwide IT industry propped up by Microsoft. When I say "propped up" I mean that without Microsoft's ingeniously stupid operating system 70% of them would be out of work. I work in studios where everyone is on a mac (design and retouching studios), In most of these situations you don't need to pay an IT man 50k a year. Speaks for itself

Back to bed, my St James awaits.

[Stephen A]

Originally Posted by Markzebra

Can you find a single comparative speed test online that rates any PC hardware faster than current macs for running Photoshop CS3? I can't.

Yes, after a very lengthy Google search (5 seconds) I did find numerous examples. However, they're all outdated (which comes as no surprise, most comparisons are).

Originally Posted by Markzebra

So it turns out that "I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price."only means that you can build a PC that is better than a min mac? hmm maybe, but Ill be damned if its reliable

Right, you're going to want to read the entire sentence of the statement. I was comparison shitty PCs with shitty Apples, and made the statement that Apple didn't really make any "shitty" computers, with exception of the mini-mac. Not really sure how you put the two together, but anyways.

Originally Posted by Markzebra

I'm a retoucher, sometimes need to work on layered files above 1gig. Thats one reason, but heres 2 other reasons I could never use a PC to do my job - I hate the PC keyboard, its design, shortcuts. I hate the Operating System in too many ways to say.

I'm using a Apple keyboard on my PC right now, but that's only because it was a gift... Anywho... Right, opening large files. You realize that is OS independent and relies entirely on the hardware? So I don't see why you keep bringing the OS into this, aside from "ease of use" which I've already admitted is the leading point Apple has - and is indeed why I would buy one over a PC if I wasn't such a gamer.

You'd think I was insulting his mother, or something.

What I'm saying is, for the hardware you get when you buy a Apple, you could get a better PC for roughly 1/2 to 1.5/2 the price of the Apple. Mind you, I'm talking about building it myself and installing Mac OSX on it. And the fact of the matter is practically everyone can do both of those things now a days, so it's not like I'm talking rocket science here. Sure, it's complex if you're new to it, but mostly everyone that's owned a computer for atleast 10 years knows how to use it well, and how to work on them - they could do this.

Originally Posted by Markzebra

I have a pc laptop at home running XP, and am forced to learn maintenance techniques such as typing Msconfig into the run window, and run registry cleaner etc just to get it to run at its best speed. Ridiculous.

In my opinion, this is roughly the same as saying, "I bought this Mercedes and I'm forced to do silly things like check my oil and windshield fluid every such and such a amount of miles!"

typing "msconfig" isn't exactly daunting, and neither is running an automated registry maintenance tool, so I don't really see where this complaint stems from to begin with. But these are just poor examples - because there is in fact things you need to do to maintain your system. However, I don't have to do many of these things very often, and that is because I am pretty computer savvy.

But once again, this is becoming repetitive. I've already stated that for general purpose the Apple is a better computer. They're very easy to use, and very reliable. The reason you probably have trouble with your laptop (especially laptops) is because the company probably has cheap components in it, more specifically components with cheap support.

However, if you're trying to tell me that - despite running on the same architecture (x86) Apple somehow puts wizards and magical bunnies into the products that somehow make them different from PCs... I'm going to have a hard time believing it.

Originally Posted by Markzebra

A worldwide IT industry propped up by Microsoft. When I say "propped up" I mean that without Microsoft's ingeniously stupid operating system 70% of them would be out of work.

... I'm just going to make a point of this to illustrate how biased you're behaving.

On the interwebs we call that being a "fanboy".

Originally Posted by Markzebra

I work in studios where everyone is on a mac (design and retouching studios), In most of these situations you don't need to pay an IT man 50k a year. Speaks for itself

Right, and a lot of businesses are switching over to Apple for their stability - this is entirely true, and a good idea. But go back 10, even 5 years and the tools businesses needed weren't available on Apple computers. So this is a sort of moot point. ]:

Originally Posted by Markzebra

Back to bed, my St James awaits.

I googled this and found a lot of pictures of churches, and a few of babes. I'm going to assume you meant a babe.

[superkoax]

Originally Posted by Markzebra

Stephen A. You say about apple hardware "However, their hardware is usually pretty watery at best." Does that include durability, and build quality ? I've been using macs for 12 years and had only one hardrive collapse on me in that time.

"I can build a PC that's ~1.5x-2x better than a Apple for the same price." Ok, reliability aside, in what other way is $700 worth of PC hardware better than my Dual G5?

In my 13 years with pc I have had no harddrive crashes! I still have my first computer for gaming fun! old 486 dx2 8mb ram, 64mb harddrive! Good old AST computers! Still kicking! I also have my old commodore 64 and my old Amstrad!

[chillin]

Originally Posted by superkoax

In my 13 years with pc I have had no harddrive crashes! I still have my first computer for gaming fun! old 486 dx2 8mb ram, 64mb harddrive!...

What is the frequency of your 486, Gerry?

[pixelzombie]

i think St James refers to a scotch or whiskey...

[Markzebra]

Sorry "King James" I meant, its a little tattered and its got an apple logo on the front cover. And leave my mother out of it