Which way to jump from XP? Win7 or Mac??

[rickp13]

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i've been watching and absorbing rather than answer each response, but i do want to thank you all for taking the time to consider and suggest solutions. from the answers so far, it looks like andy's first assumption about 'concensus' seems to be correct.

 

although both windows and mac have strong supporters (no secret there ) if there is a migration, then it's primarily windows to mac. once moved, the mac users are happy (18 months, 3 years and longer were mentioned). some pluses and minuses ............

 

++

 

• competitive pricing and performance on windows machines (also win 8 looking good)
  
• performance and design on mac machines
  
• several mentioned the mac mini - must be due to a combination of package size and performance.
  
• IF there are 1-2 windows applications not available on mac, andy, steve and manicougan mentioned there is a way to include these in a mac system
  
• key software (LR, PS, ACR etc.) all work on both platforms
  

- -

 

• higher price on macs, but partially offset by higher resale values, better support (1 hour hands on at the genius bar etc.), less fuss/cost with virus and crashing, etc.
  
• XP days are probably limited. LR 4 may be first, but some day other major packages will no longer be supported
  

 

at this point, thanks to your input, i may still do the win7 upgrade, but i've started to take a closer look at apple machines, ranging from a Mac Pro Intel-Xeon Quad Core refurbished at €899 to a Mac mini 2,7 GHz i7 BTO 750 GB+256 GB SSD for €1600. there's a lot to learn ..................

 

i'll let you know which way i jump (or tell you over a pint in copenhagen in october!)

 

good weekend to all

 

rick

[jneilt]

I switched to a MAC a few months ago. After the initial 'culture shock' (even as an iphone user the computers are very different) I am quickly getting used to the new system and I much prefer it.

 

The main reason I decided to switch was that every windows PC/laptop I've owned has been fine at first, but becomes slow and buggy after a couple of years use (despite using anti virus software and doing disk maintenance etc). I had always heard that MACs were less prone to such troubles and as I needed to upgrade I decided to make the switch.

 

I chose a MAC Mini as I liked the idea of its versatility as a media centre as well as a PC. The latest version doesn't have a built in CD/DVD drive but you can buy any external drive. You can also use your existinig monitor/keyboard/mouse to save money, although the wireless keyboard and track pad are very nice.

 

For a lower cost route into Apple you can't fault the Mini. Just upgrade the RAM to at least 4GB (don't buy Apple RAM you can save money buying the base model and upgrading it yourself, simple slot in cards).

 

There is a thread in the Bar section (use the search) where some very helpful members have provided their tips and tricks for a new Mac user.

 

So, from someone who was in your position a few months ago I'd say do it, but be prepared for a bit of a learning curve.

 

It is good to see your settling in!.

 

I switched to apple at home about 5 years ago. Still on windows at the office for software reasons.

 

For home use I prefer mac stuff. And I don't find myself needing a new box every time they update an internet browser. With PC I was only able to get about 2 years before having to do HW upgrades to run new software. I don't run into this with apple, generally they are more stable.

 

I have a new mac mini sitting on my desk with the i7, two drives and ddr5 video card. I should get 4 years out of it for home/browsing/photo use.

[tobey bilek]

IMac27 with i7 processor and 16GB ram from OWC($240).

 

Microsoft has built in a whole bunch of problems to the OS plus it is a virus target of choice, plus it requires you to do computer maintenance such a defrag. I have dumped two windows machines before their time and have since bought 3 Macs and they all run without issue.

 

A Mac pro with pro monitor such as NEC or Eizo would be ideal

 

Some buy a Mac mini and a pro monitor. Photoshop is not really as calculating intensive as many think except for certain transactions like surface blur. Normal stuff goes quite fast.

 

I bought the 27" above, use it for only photo work, and it goes faster than I can think. Batch runs for resizing and convert to JPEG are 1 or two sec per photo.

 

A pro monitor allows better calibration, but my screen is adequate and goes down to 90 Cds per sq meter so prints match what I see. Actually I can make it go black and too bright to use comfortably. 90 is around 1/3 brightness.

 

Windows will work if you keep it off the internet. Buy something else CHEAP, like $300, for email and surfing and get a disk so you can restore it when it goes off.

[leica dream]

OK, call me old fashioned, but I am still on XP and have no problems whatsoever.

BUT>>>>>>>>I do realise that at 5 years old my desktop is probably getting as old fashioned as me, so I always keep my eye on what is available (like cameras) for when I need to make the change.

I have yet to find anybody who changed to Mac and has not been utterly delighted.

One hears grumbles about Windows (whatever version), but no grumbles about Macs.

 

I think what I fear most is having to re-learn basics like Word, Excel, Outlook Express, etc. I use PS CS5 for my images, not Lightroom.

 

What I have failed to pick up from anywhere, not just this forum, is WHY people change and WHAT is better, and HOW they coped.

Can anyone point me to a source of such answers?

 

Richard

[kdriceman]

 

I think what I fear most is having to re-learn basics like Word, Excel, Outlook Express, etc. I use PS CS5 for my images, not Lightroom.

 

 

No need to re-learn these things Get Office for Mac. It works great... I think even better than on Windows. And CS5 works on Mac. There may be a few keystrokes you have learn but overall it is pretty much the same.

[philipus]

i've started to take a closer look at apple machines, ranging from a Mac Pro Intel-Xeon Quad Core refurbished at €899

 

That's a good deal for a refurbished Mac Pro. If I had to re-choose, I'd pick a Mac Pro again. The upgrade possibilities are truly excellent.

 

Photoshop is not really as calculating intensive as many think except for certain transactions like surface blur. Normal stuff goes quite fast.

 

Yes exactly. One should not focus too much on the processor speed. It is mainly the application of filters that is CPU-intensive. For most other tasks Photoshop just needs more RAM and a fast scratch disk.

[earleygallery]

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some pluses and minuses ............

 

++

 

• several mentioned the mac mini - must be due to a combination of package size and performance.
  

at this point, thanks to your input, i may still do the win7 upgrade, but i've started to take a closer look at apple machines, ranging from a Mac Pro Intel-Xeon Quad Core refurbished at €899 to a Mac mini 2,7 GHz i7 BTO 750 GB+256 GB SSD for €1600. there's a lot to learn ..................

 

 

Recommended as the most cost effective upgrade, as you presumably already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse - when you buy the Mini all you get is the Mini.

 

Also I would suggest that the base model with a RAM upgrade should be perfectly good, along with an external hard drive.

[wda]

I will take a virtual bet as to what the concensus will be.

 

Move to the Mac environment - you won't regret it.

But even that move, Andy, would not rule out future upgrade options.

[1JB]

My wife has a new macbook pro and has been using macs for several years. I just can't get the hang of finding files and photos on it and dealing with all of the automation that seems to put photos where it wants rather than where I want. I recently upgraded to a Windows 7 computer from XP and it is very stable with CS5. I have installed Lightroom and am curious why you want to switch from Photoshop to Lightroom? I prefer Bridge and Photoshop to Lightroom, though again it may be since I've been using PS for 15 years. Are there real advantages in the processing and options of Lightroom over CS5 or is it a question of preferring one interface over another?

[roguewave]

"I made the switch from Windows to Mac a few years ago and have been very happy with it. Get a Mac Mini."

 

 

I moved all my images to a new Mac Mini with 8 GB of RAM for a very modest cost. This little machine is lightening fast with Photoshop & LR, I attached 4 X 3TB drives for local storage & redundancy. If you use Abode software, the Apple OS is much more elegant & FASTER! The Mac Mini is tiny. I have a second, older version of the Mini as well which I'm using as a server for everything related to imaging. That old Mini cost me $300 4 years ago & runs like charm. Because it runs an older OS version, I can synch my Windows machines with my new Mac Mini & my Windows 2003 Server.

 

I don't think Apple is ready for Business yet, but within a year, I think they will have great product offerings that will challenge MS's business hegemony. The only complaint i have with Apple is that the secure file removal takes too long. If anyone know a faster way to erase large numbers of files, without reformatting, or some utility that does the same thing, I would be eternally grateful.

[rickp13]

I prefer Bridge and Photoshop to Lightroom, though again it may be since I've been using PS for 15 years. Are there real advantages in the processing and options of Lightroom over CS5 or is it a question of preferring one interface over another?

 

hello JB

 

if you're asking me (the OP), i'm interested in LR4 just for the image management side, instead of xnview i currently use for that purpose. like you, i use photoshop (CS3) and ACR plus some NIK plug-ins for all image work.

 

cheers

 

rick

[S. Wong]

I have several computers running windows xp, vista, and 7.

I have never had an issue with windows, except when using ancient/poor quality hardware and software.

You pay a premium for MAC because they provide quality hardware including improvements in battery life for laptops, thoroughly checked software, and a great design ascetic.

 

I personally can't stand the interface of OSX, and continue running XP and 7 on my personal systems. I did modify my desktop slightly, and looks very unique vs other windows 7 systems.

I've never had an issue with viruses that I didn't cause, and have never purchased antivirus programs. MS Security Essentials is light and I don't have to touch it.

 

Oh, to respond to the not switching to windows from mac, my girlfriend's macbook pro (3 yrs old) is dying badly, no battery life at all, and she's looking for a windows 7 system, after the great experience her dad had with a Toshiba Laptop, and mine with various computers.

 

 

Windows 7 improvements over XP:

1. SSD awareness. Fast boot, very responsive

2. Don't have to defrag, windows will do automatically

3. interface joins the 21st century without treating you like a school child.

4. Works with almost any peripheral. This is both a cause of problems and a great asset.

5. 64-bit permits more than 3.5gb of RAM. Very important for photoshop and other memory intensive programs.

6. Cost. A 3 pack of windows 7 home premium can be had for $150, and laptops/desktops can be had for a very reasonable price.

 

Windows 7 vs OSX:

1. Software compatibility. Just about everyone makes software for windows. Not so much for MAC. True, you can run a Parallels or Bootcamp, but you still have a Windows environment

2. Adjustment period. People who use MAC expect appliance-like turnkey experience, while in windows, its much more customizable, but you have to think about what you're doing. Both are equally as powerful, but both have tasks that seem impossible to do that the other makes pathetically easy.

3. Licensing. MS office for windows is not the same as MS office for MAC, so you have to consider that extra cost as well.

4. Performance. Both will perform about the same on the same hardware, and there's alot more options for windows. Which means there's a lot more junk for windows machines too.

5. Laptops. MAC says "11, 13, 15, 17. Pick one". I prefer 14", which of course isn't an option.

Look for business class systems (Macbook PRO, Lenovo Thinkpad, Dell Latitude, HP Elitebook). I use thinkpads and latitudes and have been very happy with both brands of them.

 

Good luck, and make a wise decision based on your personal needs.

[Guest jarski]

little OT, but will be interesting to see what is future of Microsoft. some chip makers have already gone belly up because success of tablets and iPads (less components needed than PC's used to). Microsoft isn't going to get any share from this fast growing market, its all Android and iOS game. they were left scratching heads how to copy iPod with Zune, and missed next products completely. sorry could not resist

[k-hawinkler]

The only complaint i have with Apple is that the secure file removal takes too long. If anyone know a faster way to erase large numbers of files, without reformatting, or some utility that does the same thing, I would be eternally grateful.

 

 

Ben,

 

Maybe this works better for you

 

ShredIt: Wipe a file, erase a hard drive and more with this file shredder for Mac OS X - computer privacy software

ShredIt X Tutorial - How to install and use ShredIt on your OS X Mac: File Shredder/Hard Drive Eraser for Mac OS X

http://www.mireth.com/doc/shreditx_readme.pdf

 

I am also using:

 

Clear cache, erase history with Netshred internet track eraser for Mac

NetShred X Tutorial - Introduction : Internet Eraser for Mac OS X

http://www.mireth.com/doc/netshredx-readme.pdf

[rickp13]

I have several computers running windows xp, vista, and 7.

I have never had an issue with windows, except when using ancient/poor quality hardware and software.

 

thanks very much for this good look at both OS transitions. i'll keep your examples in mind

while i'm 'spinning'. rick

[dorman]

Yesterday I had an on-line conversation with Adobe about Lightroom 4 and windows XP.

I was told it would run OK on XP.

I pointed out that the LR4 spec only mentioned Vista and Windows 7, but was assured it would be OK.

I haven't tried it yet though! Has anyone else?

[stunsworth]

I pointed out that the LR4 spec only mentioned Vista and Windows 7, but was assured it would be OK.

I haven't tried it yet though! Has anyone else?

 

If no one is able to answer your question you could always download the demo version and try that.

[dorman]

Update: I've just tried to install LR4 on XP and it says I need Vista or later.

So much for Adobe help!

[rickp13]

interim report

 

i 'jumped', and am in the middle of moving from XP to LION! following the main stream of advice from this thread, i found all the following either used or new online or at local stores:

 

* mac mini i5 2.7 with 8gb ram

* upgraded the 500/5400 drive to a new 750/7200 (no problem, thanks to step-by-step videos on the internet)

* reinstalled LION from an 8gb USB stick (more internet instructions)

* bought an apple full UK keyboard (wired, but stylish aluminum like the small ones) at amazon

* hooked up my existing apple mouse and EIZO 19" monitor

* still to finish, adding a dvd ram drive to a lacie external enclosure (came with mac drivers)

* bought a slim external lacie NAS box, and am upgrading it to 1TB (should be good for backup and as an iTunes server)

 

budget so far (excluding existing monitor and mouse), less than euro 950

 

thank you all for your good ideas and suggestions. i'll post an update after the transition period is over.

 

greetings from hamburg

 

rick

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[AbbeyFoto]

When I retired 12 months ago I had the freedom to choose. Gone to Macs in a big way. It just seems to work and let me get on with it. Not hit any walls here. I am happy with the whole SYSTEM.