Etruscello Posted October 5, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm new to the technology forum. I hope and would appreciate some advice about a computer purchase. I am concerned that you may find my basic questions boring. The problem is, I don't know the Mac computer system. I use a 5-years old PC. Since I've gotten Adobe Photoshop CS4 to process FF multi-layered .psd images and Adobe Premiere Elements 7 to process AVCHD video for home DVD show burning, my PC struggles. I'm quite frustrated. I would know how to buy the best PC right now to handle the new demands on my computer, but I understand that microsoft will offer a new OS in the new year. I can't wait that long (and I know that Windows' upgrades create more problems than they solve. I think I should go Mac. Pro photographers say the Mac system is best. How would you configure a mac system to handle FF files and HD video? What specifications and models? The best places to buy or order from? Assume cost is no object -- well, within reason. I've always used PCs -- would I be able to make the transition easily? Thank you for any advice -- even if it is to point me in the right direction for my research. Tom P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 5, 2009 Posted October 5, 2009 Hi Etruscello, Take a look here Mac vs PC for HD editing and CS4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Shootist Posted October 5, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 5, 2009 I've never owned a Mac but I have worked with a few. Basically the 2 system are very similar, especially now that Mac's use Intel CPU's. If you think upgrading Windows can be a pain just look at some of the Mac forums about all the problems people are having with the newest Mac OS. I would stay with the system you are familiar with. From what I've heard the new Windows 7 OS will be OK. I have even pre-ordered a copy and I stayed as far from Vista as I could. The big thing for me is software. I have tons of Windows software that I use everyday. These programs are not made for or run on a Mac, specifically the CAD software I use along with other programs. So it's not just about the hardware you are buying but either upgrading your software for the Mac or finding other program that do the same thing that run on a Mac. What you want, as it has always been, is the most RAM you can afford. At least 8GB of RAM and a OS, 64bit, that can address that RAM. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etruscello Posted October 6, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted October 6, 2009 Thank you, Shootist. Yours may be my only reply, but it is clear that quality has compensated for quantity. Your well developed and stated points reinforce my thinking that I give up too much, in terms of software and expertise, by moving to a new system. And, yes -- I checked, the Mac OS is not trouble free. I think I will get by on my wife's new laptop until Windows 7 is available on new PCs. Yes, I will get at least 8GB of RAM and a very fast processor chip. Thank you for guiding and confirming my thinking. Tom P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mby Posted October 6, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 6, 2009 (...) If you think upgrading Windows can be a pain just look at some of the Mac forums about all the problems people are having with the newest Mac OS. (...) Wouldn't overrate number of issues posted in forums; I'm working with several Mac and Snow Leopard just runs, not a single problem with any of them... (...) The big thing for me is software. I have tons of Windows software that I use everyday. These programs are not made for or run on a Mac, specifically the CAD software I use along with other programs. So it's not just about the hardware you are buying but either upgrading your software for the Mac or finding other program that do the same thing that run on a Mac. Completely agree with that; nevertheless, I'd suggest that you do some soul-searching on which software you really use... Wishing you a good buy, whatever you choose! Best regards, Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 6, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 6, 2009 I too haven't had a single problem with Snow Leopard. Indeed, I have owned and used Macs since 1990, and have never had a single problem updating any of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted October 6, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 6, 2009 As one of the people who's had several issues with software post-Snow Leopard, I'd point out that it's not Snow Leopard *per se*, it's the fact that any newer version of any OS (Mac or Windows) will cause various incompatibilities with hardware or software if developers haven't done proper updating. Apple had builds of Snow Leopard seeded within the developer community for months ---- I think the fault largely lies with the developers if they haven't upgraded their software appropriately. This is not a rationalization at all --- it's still a major pain in the @ss. My film scanner, for example, has been rendered a very expensive paper weight by Snow Leopard. But for that I blame Hasselblad, not Apple. The one aspect of this that may be unique to Apple is that in this era of limited resources, software developers are probably far more likely to dedicate appropriate levels of resources to the Windows platform than to MacOS. Windows is 85-90% of the marketplace, after all. So the odds of having Windows 7 (or Vista, etc.) compliant versions of software ready upon release of the OS may be more likely than what we've seen with Snow Leopard, given that software companies couldn't afford the negative consequences of stranding their Windows customers. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted October 6, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 6, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Have you tried Vuescan? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted October 6, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 6, 2009 Have you tried Vuescan? It doesn't support Hassy scanners --- doesn't detect it at all. I do happen to own a copy of Vuescan, so did give it a try, but as expected it didn't work. Hasselblad tech support has told me they're working on a Snow Leopard compliant version of FlexColor (the scanning software), but have been unwilling to give a timeframe. I also contemplated trying to run my scanner through VMWare Fusion, but discovered Fusion doesn't support Firewire (no loss of money --- I already owned Fusion). Version 3.0 of Fusion is being released later this month. Supposedly has 50+ new features, but I can't tell if Firewire support is one of them. If so, I guess I'll be scanning in Vista for awhile.... Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted October 8, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 8, 2009 The one aspect of this that may be unique to Apple is that in this era of limited resources, software developers are probably far more likely to dedicate appropriate levels of resources to the Windows platform than to MacOS. Windows is 85-90% of the marketplace, after all. I'm not questioning your intentions in saying this but his analysis is flawed in regards to the question. When it comes to graphics, photography and video Macs represent a much higher percentage of the market and at the high-end of these markets macs dominate the market (NPD, an independent research firm says that Macs make up 91% of the market of PCs which sell for over $1000. So when it comes to photography, the OP should not worry about the availability of software. I agree with miami91's second point that problems with new OS's are frequently down to the resources 3rd party providers apply to updating their older products. As was said above, the number of people complaining on a forum represent a disproportional part of the buying public as satisfied users rarely post to say, "yeah, its working fine". I upgraded both my Macs to Snow Leopard with no problems. Lastly to the OP, you don't sound enthusiastic about going to a Mac so I would suggest you switch to a Windows 7 machine. First reports sound good, you have some level of PC knowledge already and probably enough software to make the switch an added cost (switching adobe products is generally free though, contact Adobe if you decide to switch). However, to answer your questions about buying a Mac: 1) Buy as much RAM as you can afford. Best if you don't buy the RAM from Apple, 3rd party ram from Kingston and Crucial is excellent and significantly cheaper. Lots of videos on google to show exactly what to do to insert RAM. If you can water the lawn, you can install RAM. 2) Figure out how much storage you need. The Mac has room for 4 drive bays internally. Don't buy the drives from Apple, they're easier than RAM to install and cheaper from 3rd party suppliers. 3) Buying a Mac from Apple is easy using the online store. You can configure your machine and reconfigure to your hearts content. I don't know much about HD video but for photoshop you don't need a fast graphics card. Generally the fastest MacPro is priced at a premium and the slowest is last year's fast. Look for the middle option but if you have the dosh, go for the fastest processor. 4) The industry standard video processing software is Apple's Final Cut Pro. It only runs on Macs. If you're a video and photo hobbyest you probably can get away with a new iMac and some external drives. If you're a serious amateur get a high spec'd MacPro from the Apple Store sans ram and HDs and buy those and install yourself. A useful site is Barefeats and don't forget for just a bit more dosh you can buy Windows 7 (or XP) and run it on your mac natively in several different ways. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted October 9, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 9, 2009 Jeff raises a good point, with 95% of the desktop market windoz is always going to be the best supported for software and hardware. I've had printers, print servers, scanners, skype phones and other kit that just wont work with a mac. I have to use a PC (laptop) for work but otherwise I never use anything but macs. Recently had to buy my wife a lappy and she insisted on a PC - what a nightmare with Vista. Had to rebuild it after just 6 weeks! I hear better things about 7 though and we have some peeps at work using the beta. Macs are easy to update but I nearly always have some issue with hardware no longer working or as at the moment, CS3 is way slower than it was and hangs on to memory after I close it down - frustrating! Installing updates is very fast. The main big plus for me is how mac os x handles multiple open applications, much better than windoz in my experience but the kit is expensive in comparison to PCs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted October 9, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 9, 2009 CS3 is way slower than it was and hangs on to memory after I close it down - frustrating! Installing updates is very fast. You should look into this. I run CS3 (assume you're talking about the photoshop part of CS3) on a Macbook Pro 17" and a MacPro and if anything its a bit more responsive. No problems with memory. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericperlberg Posted October 9, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 9, 2009 Walt Mossberg, the technology columnist for the Wall Street Journal who is a big Apple fan has given a very good review for Windows 7 entitled A Windows to help you forget. He also really liked Vista when it came out but you might find the article useful in your decision making. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etruscello Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted October 9, 2009 Thank you all -- now I have quantity as well as quality of response. Of the recent responses, I appreciate in particular the specs recommendations provided by ericperlberg. After re-reading all for further considering, I've decided again to wait for Windows 7. I am happy to learn that Windows 7 is due out October 22nd! Very good reviews are coming in. Below, I link you to Mossberg's review which builds in Mac comparisons. He actually says, "...I, like many other reviewers, have argued that Apple's MacOS X operating system is much better than Windows. That's no longer true [with Windows 7]." I must add that I admire and even envy the Mac user -- switching, however, is too difficult and expensive. I'm happy that Windows 7 may mean that I won't be missing too much by staying with the PC. Tom P. A Review of Windows 7 - WSJ.com Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etruscello Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted October 9, 2009 It's funny Eric, our replies "crossed in the mail." Tom P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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