PC or Mac

[Mike T.M.]

I didn't check any related topics on this but, I'm looking at the Macpro (knewest one) or the HP Pavilion. Pretty much editing photos and using it for home purposes. Anything besides cost, ram, memory...etc I should look at?

[Shortie]

this is going to open a can of worms

this is the most debated question on the internet

from my point of view I use both each has their merits

let see what happens but a feel a war coming on :

[Mike T.M.]

yeah I'm just going and looking at older post I can see the war. I just want something I can count on.

[Shortie]

what do you want the machine to do for you

if you have kids then go PC - if you want graphics then go MAC

but to be honest again it is six of one half a dozen of the other I also use Linux but we wont open that can

[Mike T.M.]

I'm going to use it more for photo editing and beginning web building. I've heard all about how good apple is against virus and things of that nature, and how slow PC's are. I guy a work with has an apple and loves it. Loves it so much he uses it a work instead of our PC's. He knows I'm looking to get one and going to take my"at home photography" more serious, instead of at the studio where I just shoot memory mates and sports and hopefully learn more on the Sr portrait work, but I digrest. The thing is, is I'm not going to bring my mac or pc into the studio to help out my bosses work-flow. I'll be using it here at home and right now I only have two weddings booked. So, I guess it'll just have ps2 on it and some other free application on it. But mostly I'll just be doing some editing. I need help, thats all I know.

[Shortie]

Either a Mac or a PC will do the job if you spend like for like

Decission is realy down to which interface you prefer

[Mike T.M.]

Thanks shortie. I just hate to make the weong decision. Most likely I get the HP

[rnyholm]

If you already have all the programs for a PC, then I suppose the decision is easy to make. Same kind of decision if you have several lenses of a certain camera model.

I have Photoshop CS2 for the Mac and I am not so interested to run that under Rosetta in the intel version. I have payed so much already and am not interested to put more money just to get the intel versions. Probably I will buy me a new powerpc prosessor mac because of the programs from before.

[Mike T.M.]

WOW, can I type?

[Shortie]

No Problem

If I could type I would be dangerous

[Blinky]

Originally Posted by Mike T.M.

I'm going to use it more for photo editing and beginning web building. I've heard all about how good apple is against virus and things of that nature, and how slow PC's are. I guy a work with has an apple and loves it. Loves it so much he uses it a work instead of our PC's. He knows I'm looking to get one and going to take my"at home photography" more serious, instead of at the studio where I just shoot memory mates and sports and hopefully learn more on the Sr portrait work, but I digrest. The thing is, is I'm not going to bring my mac or PC into the studio to help out my bosses work-flow. I'll be using it here at home and right now I only have two weddings booked. So, I guess it'll just have ps2 on it and some other free application on it. But mostly I'll just be doing some editing. I need help, thats all I know.

Don't listen to anybody who rabidly evangelizes one over the other. People like that are incapable of objectivity. You won't get a well informed opinion.

Speed depends as much on the applications software as the hardware configuration and OS... you're mileage will vary. Viruses change continuously and one computer isn't more resistant than the other. It's like cameras, as long as you buy the one that suits you and your purposes... you will do well.

I've used and supported both quite a bit, I can tell you this much...
- The Mac is a cooler computer in terms of styling and interface, it's a pleasure to use a Mac if you like good design; the PC is a more flexible computer in terms of hardware and support and if you like to tweak, you'll like the access to lower-level configuration a PC gives you.
- Macs used to be the 'ease of use' champions but that's not really true anymore. Now, the the application software determines ease of use more than the OS. It's easier to twist up a Mac's OS so that it it slows down or won't function normally and it can be a royal pain to straighten out. PC's running windows have always had some serious, similar vulnerabilities but are becoming more stable as a result... they remain the #1 target for malware though... you absolutely must protect an internet connected PC.
- There are a lot more PC's out there than Macs. In terms of support and software availability, PC's are much stronger. Some brands of software however, specifically some graphic design and photography apps, are only available on the Mac. I'm pretty sure similar functioning software is available to the PC, just not certain specific programs.
- PC's and Macs have a love hate relationship when it comes to running on the same network and exchanging files. It will apparently never change because Both Apple and Microsoft have had waaay more than enough time to solve these simple problems... the incompatibilities are deliberate... or at least deliberately ignored.

Either one will do what you want. Just remember, when you buy in, your software will not go with you should you decide later to change. The full investment in hardware, software and learning curve is big and long term... choose carefully.

Chip

[Shortie]

spot on Chip

As I said it is six of one half a dozen of the other my view is try them both and which one you prefer to drive buy

[JDArt]

Apple's Aperture program, from what I've read, seems to be a good reason to consider a Mac, assuming you're starting from scratch.

[rnyholm]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Apple's Aperture program, from what I've read, seems to be a good reason to consider a Mac, assuming you're starting from scratch.

If you're considering buying Aperture http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/24013.html

[Mike T.M.]

See, it's kinda of hard to explain, but I'll try. I work at a studio where every computer is PC and the guy that has been here the longest 7yrs recently got the g4 and so he is the only one with mac, now I'm getting a new computer/mac, but here is the kicker I get free software here, because what the studio gets so do I

[Jon]

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy the first generation Intel Macs. That's actually kind of an across the board rule for any purchase, but it's especially true for Apple products. I'm an Apple believer to be sure, but there are a lot of things that they do that really make a lot of us mad in terms of rushing products to market.

That being said, a buddy of mine just bought two of the Intel iMacs, and with a gig of ram, they flat out rip. They're perfectly fine with Photoshop CS via Rosetta, but nothing head spinning at this point.

I'm waiting for the hiccups to start happening...

As for myself, my main machine is a now 5 year old G4 tower, and I have absolutely no reason to upgrade (after I Sonnetized the processor and made the normal ram and hard drive upgrades/updates); it performs perfectly fine (though I do have a newly odd issue, but that's for another post in a moment).

[Paul Shields]

Originally Posted by Jon

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy the first generation Intel Macs. That's actually kind of an across the board rule for any purchase, but it's especially true for Apple products. I'm an Apple believer to be sure, but there are a lot of things that they do that really make a lot of us mad in terms of rushing products to market.

<snip>

Amen to that. Tempted though I am to get a new Mac, I've seen it so many times in the past where they've needed a few revisions before they get it right.

[rnyholm]

Originally Posted by Jon

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT buy the first generation Intel Macs. That's actually kind of an across the board rule

Grouco Marx: These are my principles and if you don't like them I have others.

I am laughing to myself. Today I ordered 20" intel iMac. If the problem is between one's ears... it doesn't have to be a big fault...

[metalstorm]

Originally Posted by Mike T.M.

I'm going to use it more for photo editing and beginning web building. I've heard all about how good apple is against virus and things of that nature, and how slow PC's are. I guy a work with has an apple and loves it. Loves it so much he uses it a work instead of our PC's. He knows I'm looking to get one and going to take my"at home photography" more serious, instead of at the studio where I just shoot memory mates and sports and hopefully learn more on the Sr portrait work, but I digrest. The thing is, is I'm not going to bring my mac or pc into the studio to help out my bosses work-flow. I'll be using it here at home and right now I only have two weddings booked. So, I guess it'll just have ps2 on it and some other free application on it. But mostly I'll just be doing some editing. I need help, thats all I know.

Go with whatever interface you like better. But PCs are not slower than Macs.

[JPx]

Hi folks, my first post here, so take it easy and don't shoot the messenger! I'm running XP Pro - Intel dual core for my main image proc ( PS CS2 - minus Bridge which is painfully slow- i use Breeze Browzer Pro instead, it's fully integrated with PS and a pleasure to use) and an Acer Travelmate "17" for location work. Just bought a Powerbook G4 "12" (simply a gorgeous machine - Blinky's right on the money!), BUT the damn OS does not work with Canon software. Apple and Canon both acknowledged the problem months ago, still no joy!!! Damn frustrating. Post the problem on a windows forum and a couple of bright sparks have got it licked before you can make a cuppa coffee!
I'd like to use Breeze systems DSLR Remote Pro, but its Windows only - more's the pity, it's really good in studio, art directors simply love being able to direct off a studio monitor or laptop. I even use a Sony PSP on location shoots - clients and models love to see what's being captured, the detail is simply stunning on the PSP.

Good aftermarket imaging applications for Windows boxes are abundant - Mac users have very little choice and it's a heck of a lot more expensive. Just love the solid build quality of the G4 tho - Windows on a Mac box is the answer!