PC vs MAC

[robsteve]

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Having just bought a Macbook pro, I can say there is little difference between a Macbook pro and a high end laptop such as a Thinkpad, except one thing. The Macs are now cheaper! Photoshop and all the other RAW programs are essentially the same on both platforms. When you start getting into the high end laptop or high end workstations, the Macs are now cheaper.

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[lemalk]

The convenience of the Mac is something that is often unsaid.

 

I use both a PC and a G5 at work, but at home, it's all Macs.

 

There's also something to be said about the way the OS handles the colors and the gamma is different - I don't know if that's something that Vista has remedied, but as far as I remember, Windows XP was behind the curve in terms of color-calibration and reproduction (I'd have to go back and find out _exactly_ what was the issue, because I don't want to speak out of school).

 

Adobe also lets you cross-platform your software for a fee so you don't have to go right out and buy brand new versions of the software you already own.

 

The new Intel Macs are great - they're reliable and dependable.

 

But the most important difference I've noticed is that OS X gets out of your way and lets you work whereas Vista tends to get in your face a lot. It's a minor quibble, but it means a world of difference to me.

[marioalessi]

I run a tech support business for Macintosh and Windows. This has been my experience:

 

1. Tech Support:

A.You can pay for great support for either.

B.More macintosh people will be willing to GIVE you help.

2. Types of support I mostly provide:

A. I tend to fix recurring problems on Windows machines.

B. I tend to teach people how to use the Macintosh to do new things for them.

 

3. Custom building a windows machine is sort of like building your own custom automobile. The average person really can't out do a team of engineers. Unless your personal time is less valuable than the time of the person assembling your computer, you will be spending more money to build your own, whether it is a Windows machine or a Macintosh.

 

4. I have never understood the argument of people in leadership positions who say Windows is more popular is the reason to go with it, and yet most of those same people will drive cars with smaller market share than most, wear watches with smaller market share than SWATCH or TIMEX, wear suits that are premium brands, eat at fancy restaurants, all to when it comes to their computer, suddenly price and everyone has it matters. Perhaps this personality type is more interested "in being popular" than making consistent philosophical decisions.

 

5. Since all Macintosh are a premium brand. You almost have to only compare them to premium brands in the Windows marketplace as well.

 

6. There is a little more attention to detail put into most everything about the Macintosh. Which makes me feel like Im part of something that really cares about what they do besides the simple economics of it.

 

7. As for software you may be able to contact Adobe and ask for a "Crossgrade" where you trade the license for one operating system for another. If not you could always sell the Windows version to someone and buy the Macintosh version.

 

8. The Macintosh operating system (which is UNIX now) handles more programs running at once with less slowdown than a Windows computer.

 

9. One thing rarely mentioned is that Windows, shows you an Icon representing the peripheral attached to your computer all the time. For instance, The CD drive is always showing in MY COMPUTER. On the Mac, they show you the MEDIA rather than the DEVICE. So for instance you never see the CD icon until you put a CD into the computer. So you never click on the disk drive, or cd drive, and have nothing in it. That is just one small attention to detail that I enjoy.

 

10. I find most techs and programmers on windows will TELL you everything "they can do" where on macintosh people will SHOW you everything "they have done". Recognize that I started programming on terminals hooked to mainframes. Which after many years I like for a broader audience to enjoy what I accomplish and understand it, so now I take photos to show people, rather than marvel with a few over some obscure code I came up with.

 

11. For the most part, I am able to sell a used macintosh figuring between $50 and $100 a month depreciation. I never can find a buyer for used windows desktops or laptops.

 

Thank you.

 

Mario

[AlanG]

Since you asked about laptops keep in mind that there are a lot more laptops for Windows. Don't think it is only Dell, Toshiba, HP and Lenova. There are many others.

Apple has the MacBook, the MacBookAir, and the 15 and 17 inch MacBookPros. So that is basically 4 models with some variations available. If this suits your needs, then fine.

 

If you want something like a tablet, convertible, or a really tiny computer (such as an OQO and others) then Mac doesn't have it. The same for custom units. My Portable One laptop was modified with a special screen for indoor/outdoor viewing. I have been using it for my tethered shooting and more for 1 1/2 years and it has not crashed once.

 

There are also the Panasonic Toughbooks and other special models for those who need a more rugged computer. And ultraportables from Fujitsu, LG, and others.

 

Here are some sources:

 

LeoG.net Ultra-Portables Forum

 

A tablet or convertible machine let's you retouch with a pen directly on the image just as wiht a Wacom tablet.

 

Portable One

 

Motion Computing Tablet PCs for Mobile Computing

 

Tablet PC 2 - The Latest Comparisons, Reviews, Software, Accessories

[marioalessi]

There is also a Macintosh based tablet at Axiotron : Modbook

 

Mario

[mhoutman]

get the ultimate: a mac intel with mac OS and windows XP installed

[stunsworth]

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I don't see the point of buying a Mac just to run Windows software. In that situation I'd buy a PC instead.

 

If you want to switch from PC to Mac and run Mac software don't forget to factor in the cost of switching the software. Some may not be that expensive, for some you may need to buy a new version - assuming there's a Mac version in the first place.

 

I use a Macbook and an XP desktop. Can't remember the last time my desktop failed, but I've had random problems with the Macbook, some requiring a reboot - and after 2 years or so there's a big problem with the battery. This idea that Macs are somehow bulletproof is a myth in my experience.

[mhoutman]

I don't see the point of buying a Mac just to run Windows software. In that situation I'd buy a PC instead.

 

If you want to switch from PC to Mac and run Mac software don't forget to factor in the cost of switching the software. Some may not be that expensive, for some you may need to buy a new version - assuming there's a Mac version in the first place.

 

I use a Macbook and an XP desktop. Can't remember the last time my desktop failed, but I've had random problems with the Macbook, some requiring a reboot - and after 2 years or so there's a big problem with the battery. This idea that Macs are somehow bulletproof is a myth in my experience.

 

 

steve i agree with you. don't buy a mac to run windows exclusively. it is just a additional benefit that it is so easy to run both systems on the same box.

 

using mac since 1985 i must confirm that imho quality (control) of apple had become worse. one of my macbook pro (bought last january through applestore) was replaced 3 times before it was ok. other than that i have no complaints. viva apple

[pascal_meheut]

Same as others here: I have my own software development company, we work on PC but for personal use (and for demos) we use Macs.

 

If you can afford a Mac, go for it. It is not 100% problem proof but statistically, you spend more time using it and much less trying to understand why something which worked yesterday does not work today.

 

P.S: my mac owner friends request my assistance less frequently too and when they do, I spend less time on their computers and more enjoying their company.

[rick_dykstra]

I was PC user and now run 5 macs at home. So much better. Would never go back.

 

Just switch, be patient during the learning process and then become an evangelist like so many other switchers.

[rick_dykstra]

Macs made it easy for my kids and I to do this.

 

http://web.mac.com/theberrysband

[Overgaard]

I hear many PC-users thinking of switching to Mac.

 

Never heard of any Mac users considering switching to PC

[Hans Roggen]

Four of my best friends were using pc's exclusively but after having seen my macs three of them after thoughtful deliberation have made 'the switch' and all three of them have turned into absolute mac fans. The fourth is still running a pc, but then, he has no mobile phone either, so that will be a while before he gets his first mac.

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[albertobari]

I am in a bit of a quandry at the moment. I am about to replace my notebook and can't decide whether or not to change frpm PC to Mac.

My desktop is a PC and therefore my programs, ie. Capture, Photoshop etc are for PC.

I know that Windows can be run on a Mac.

My question is, is it worthwile making the change? The Mac has certain benefits, but are these negated by also running Windows programs. Are the newer PCs as good as Mac?

I am sorry if this has been covered before, but I would appreciate some advice.

 

You can test "Photo Line" for 30 days, it's a program made in Germany like Photoshop but most speed that has a price of 59 € ! If you like it, you can choose MAC without much money for Photoshop CS3

 

I buy iMAC 24" 1 tera - 4 gb ram the last month, with Photo Line I do all without problems. Mac is infinity better than PC !

Photo Line you can buy in internet at this adress:

PhotoLine: Image Processing

By

Alberto Bari

[dfarkas]

I hear many PC-users thinking of switching to Mac.

 

Never heard of any Mac users considering switching to PC

 

I used Macs for 10 years and swihced to PC. Never happier.

 

David

[prk60091]

I am in a bit of a quandry at the moment. I am about to replace my notebook and can't decide whether or not to change frpm PC to Mac.

My desktop is a PC and therefore my programs, ie. Capture, Photoshop etc are for PC.

I know that Windows can be run on a Mac.

My question is, is it worthwile making the change? The Mac has certain benefits, but are these negated by also running Windows programs. Are the newer PCs as good as Mac?

I am sorry if this has been covered before, but I would appreciate some advice.

ionce you've gone mac you wont go back

 

seriously, i bought my 1st mb to replace my wife's laptop (she actually got my old windows laptop and I got the new one - her very old laptop died).

 

you will really appreciate the ease of use of a macbook (or mbp) i stuck 2gb of ram in my mb and haven't looked back

 

spend the extra bucks and get the mac if you need windows only apps (like for work) get parallels or vmware and install a window vm and you will have the best of all worlds

[Cadfael_tex]

I'm a Mac guy. I spent years with PC's (got my first in 1982) thinking the mac's were toys. That changed with the arrival of OS X. Got my first Mac in 2000 and have had very few problems since then. The biggest drawback for Mac is the more limited software choices. However, most photographic software is available for the Mac and I believe that at least some of the Adobe programs run out of the box on either (at least they used to).

 

My wife plays games so I build her a PC every few years but for me, I'm happy with my Mac. use what you like.

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[pleeson]

I hear many PC-users thinking of switching to Mac.

 

Never heard of any Mac users considering switching to PC

 

Took the words right out of my mouth !!

[docolmo]

I, too, am considering moving on to Mac. I really like the high resolution 17-inch Macbook Pro's 1920x1200 screen with its great color depth. Is the display quality good enough reason to move to a mac notebook? Or do you think there are other Windows notebook that have the same or better quality displays? I am interested only in notebooks.