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Community Newsletter: Q&A: Is the Mac right for me?
- 4/5/07 11:48 AM
Either one will work but....
by Temasa1 - 3/30/07 8:37 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Since you're focus is photography I'd go with the Mac, I've been using Windows PC since Windows was available, and before that I used MSDOS extensively. I can surely say Im an above average Windows user, Im constantly tweaking and fixing all the problems Windows causes and all the other problems Windows machines are bound to have.
If you want to focus on photography and not worry about viruses or spyware or how much resources the antivirus software takes out of your system, then get a mac, I got one last month and I couldn't be happier, it has been incredebly easy to use even for a Windows oriented guy like me, I inserted and external hard drive where I had all my pics and with Iphoto was very easy to clasify, separate and make slight editing (size,crop,red eye, etc), you can make a Slide show like magic in seconds, there's more than enough software for photo editing for Mac and you can just forget about everything else.
I've been studying what the Mac can do, Im happy to know I can use it for similar multiuser applications as Linux which is impossible to do in a Windows machine, of course thats just me, MY POINT IS the Mac is very flexible, it can run Windows so you don't need to keep a PC. THE ONLY USERS I wouldn't recommend a Mac to is the gamers or the ones constantlly seeking upgradabillity, specially on the high end games since upgrading video cards on Mac's is either not possible or expensive.
My Advice to you Chaz
by RodsterinFL - 3/30/07 8:51 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Question:
I've got very interested in photography to the extent that I want to use it as a source of income on the side when I retire. I have all PCs but recently got a demonstration of an iMac. I was swayed, but need to really research the differences before I spend that kind of money. I looked at a 24-inch iMac, basically set up for photography, therefore any Microsoft Office needs would not be an issue for a computer with such 'big guns'. Should I continue down this road, or focus back to a PC. I don't want to be crashing often, and the Mac guys say it won't happen (wrong people to ask). Need feed back from users to be more confident. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Answer:
I have worked for 16 years in a school supporting computers and their users on both Mac and PC platforms. I own both platforms at home and can testify to the issues of both systems.
To cut to the chase, I would recommend the imac. The reasons are simplicity, major software compatiblity, ilife free options for quick jobs, stable OS, fewer virus issues and better support when needed.
So often people who own PC's only know PC's and consider the PC issue as common to all computers. One of your responders made the point by stating the flexibility of the PC - hardware, 90% of the market, etc but that same flexibility causes major issues when PC updates or OS's are applied. The macs are built by one company but you are not limited to their applications only that things have been pretested with a very similar machine to yours and you do not have to spend your time downloading 6-7 or more updates from various companies. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen Windows crash because of updates. When someting happens, the various hardware companies as well as software companies play the "it's their fault" game. At least with the mac you only really have Apple and a software company to deal with. This year our entire school system was crippled using Office due to an update that blocked all graphics from the applications - even previously saved files appeared with blank spots where graphics once showed. It was fixed but about 2 months later. The problem is that windows is riddled with issues and it has been throughout the versions-2000 was the best. My PC crashes about 2X a year at home and my work computer about each year but I also revive it with ghost imaging. We ghost all the computers in the school each year; however, this year there were a few untouched and their performance has slowed to a crawl. My thoughts on this are "ragged registry syndrome" My mac? Same OS load since purchased over 2 years ago and it is my internet machine -never crashed but frozen just a few times though.
If you have never used a mac then there may be some bit of a learning curve but there are excellent books like "Switching to the Mac" that help a user connect familiar PC system items with the mac equivalents.
I am sure you will make the best decision. Happy shooting!
Mac is right for everyone
by MzSabina - 3/30/07 8:55 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been on a Mac since sometime in the 80's when the Graphics industry switched over to desktop from traditional dedicated computers. Last year I finally decided to make the switch to a PC when I needed to replace my laptop. That did not last long. After 5 days of nothing but problems and about 20 phone calls to Dell, I sent it back and replaced it with a MacBook. I currently own a G4 an iMac and a MacBook. For those rare occasions when I HAVE to run WIndows because there is no Mac version of a program, Mac offers Boot Camp which allows you to boot up in Windows natively (previously you could use Virtual PC and emulate Windows, but that was slow). So now there is no good reason to give up the ease of use and intuitiveness of a Mac because of the few programs not available (even though there are excellent alternatives). Those PC people who seem to think the Mac is more complicated are just not getting the simplicity. I have more than 20 years experience on both operating systems and I can tell you that for every 10 keystrokes or mouse clicks on a PC it takes about 8 or less to accomplish the same thing on a Mac. And yes, there may be a lot of security updates, but did you ever stop to think that maybe because the people at Apple are staying on top of things a bit better than the people at Microsoft? ?As for the price difference, I have done my research there also, and if you believe that the Mac is significantly more expensive, than you have been seriously mislead. First of all, over the past few years the difference in prices has narrowed considerably. Secondly, when you compare what comes installed on a bare bones Mac to a bare bones PC, you will realize that to bring the PC up to the Mac, the PC will already be equal in price, if not more.?And one more thing about a Mac, you do not need to be a computer expert in order to maintain your own system. I have known so many PC people who have replaced their computers due to crashes and viruses. Where as on a Mac, most users I know rarely make service calls. Running basic diagnostics, backups and system restores does not take a genius. Almost any intermediate user can keep their computer up and running and even build their own network. Which is another place that costs major money for PC users.?So in the long run, you do get what you pay for. In ease of use, down time, and most of all, aggravation.?So, hope this helps, and one more piece of advice, if your serious about the photography thing, don't skimp on the monitor no matter what operating system you end up with in the end. Calibration is going to be important because a cheap monitor will not show you what your end product really looks like. Color must be true, especially when it comes to the flesh tones. So do your research!!!!!!
Just buy a PC.
by dprovod - 3/30/07 9:14 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Macs used to be for imaging years ago and at this point it is just a myth. Mac users brag about security of Mac OS and it is simply not true anymore. It was more secured just because hackers were not interested in hacking the OS. Now the OS is a vulnerable as anything else. Moreover, Vista had only 5 vulnerabilities since it was released 90 days ago. The number is a lot lower than Mac OS. Performance wise Macs use the same hardware now as PCs. That is why they cannot be any faster. However, for $1300 I can get a PC that will blow away any $3000+ Mac. That is where the difference comes in. Please realize that Mac has become just another Intel based PC supplier when they moved to Core 2 Duo processors. That is why everyone should choose wisely when buying a PC.
PC for Photography
by lovehatepc - 3/30/07 9:22 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have both a Mac and a few PC's. I prefer the PC for my digital photography needs. The interface through windows is much easier for me, especially since I've dealt with the PC much longer. If you can handle learning a new interface. The toolars are their own seperate "windows" and the main toolbar is stationary at the top. You can see your desktop's wallpaper within the program if that explains it better. There is no standard background to your program. You can minimize each control panel, such as your layers, to the main "taskbar" at the bottom.
I would stick to the PC if your just wanting photography, but that's my opinion. I like the Mac for making videos.
The diffrence between Mac and PC is about 3 months and $2500
by nitusoxide - 3/30/07 9:57 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The debate has been on going for years, the differences between Macs and "PC's" are becoming fewer and fewer, Mac now uses Intel chips. Macs have a reputation for being more stable, this is not because of the operating system but the components inside. PC's have a lot more parts for available (you can tinker with them) for them some of the drivers for these parts conflict with other drivers. Other than that these computers are very similar, most run the exact same programs like adobe. the biggest difference is cost and when the technologies are introduced. Macs are dramatically more expensive but are usually more technological advanced. However, they are only a couple of months ahead of PC's (Macs whole marketing is to try and stay ahead of the general pc market). My conclusion would be if you have all the money in the world or want to be "cool" by a Mac, if you want to save $2500.00 buy a PC.
Mac/PC
by isk9 - 3/30/07 10:05 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hi. I started on a MAC computer, very long time ago, and I loved it. However, when I was taking courses at Virtual University I fast found out that everything they were teaching and asking us to download for FREE was for PC. I finally switched to a PC, and I am very happy for it. I do not have the money to buy Mac , I do think it is great for business and photografi, but for the average person like me with limited amount of money I think PC works just great. I will never swith back to the Mac again. I am not able to get the software Free of charge for the Mac as I can get for the PC and the courses is usually for the PC on Virtual University. The Mac is great if you need it for profession, but for the average person with limited amount of money for Software I will stay with my PC. I have no problems talking on SKYPE with Europe every night and taking courses on VU. Thank you
Think of it as a Ford versus a Toyota ...
by treerod1 - 3/30/07 10:16 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
... both are cars, both can get me from point A to point B, and each have strengths and weakness. It really boils down to a whole lot of personal preference. I happen to like Toyota's because of its quality, reliability, comfort and gas mileage. My 1995 Toyota Camry is a lot like my Mac, I change the oil once a year, haven't had it tuned-up since 2004 and the ole Camry has about 263,000 flawless miles on it (I commute 100+ miles a day). My maintenance cost for the Camry has been less than $3,000 for 15 years of service (yes I keep records for tax purposes).
So first thing first, a Mac is a PC (Personal Computer). It can do pretty much anything a Windows based PC can do. What you're really asking is whether you should move over to a Mac operating system (Mac-OS) from a Windows operating system. So, the real issue is the operating system.
Anyway, the myth that Mac's cost more is just that, a myth. Study after study has shown that "in the long run" Mac's are actually cheaper. The factor not taken into account by many Window's fans is the value of their personal time. When I spend more time working for Windows rather than Windows working for me, then there is a serious problem.
Additionally, most Mac fans tend to keep their Mac on average 7 years while our Window counterparts tend to get new hardware on average every 4 years. Many times new Windows OS is not wholly backward compatible with older software, which can mean having to purchase new software program or at the very least you're running around looking for patches from the software vendor. A good example, look at all the complaints about the new MS Vista. A nice OS, but many users soon discovered their 2 year old PC doesn't have enough juice to run Vista, or their old software programs are not totally compatible.
Mac OS's, on the other hand, generally advance without losing the ability to continue to run older software (backward compatible). For instance I bought this Mac in January 2000 and I'm running the latest Mac OS (X) and I run, and totally love, the latest Apple photography software program "Aperture." On the flip side, I'm also running MS Office Suite I purchased in 2003, Adobe Go-Live I purchased in 1998 (re-boot in Mac classic mode - Mac-OS ver 9.0).
My 7 year old Mac has never "crashed." Yes, I've had programs freezes, but I've never lost control of my Mac and I have never lost a file or had the urge to get mad at my Mac. The best testimonial is my Mac at the moment has been running non-stop for the last 3,684 hours - 24 / 7 / 365 without any mishaps, freezes and serious problems.
Bottom line, these are only a few reasons why I prefer a Mac over Windows. I have never felt I lost anything because I don't have MS Windows - I use Windows XP at my job, and have been using various computer systems since 1979.
I have both and <3 my PC, but I think you should get a mac.
by wingedbunny - 3/30/07 11:23 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
first of all, I'd like to "HA!" at those ppl who suggests that macs crash less.... especially those damn emacs, I couldn't even recall how many times they crashed on me in the middle of a major project. Teh trauma. =____=
Now I use a PC to do most of my school work (currently studying in graphic design) because it's a lot cheaper, and I play games. But, I own an ibook, and I have to say it's a lil easier to collaborate the color profiles to the printer on a mac, and that would make things easier for you as a digital photographer, unless you are going to a professional printer to do the output. The later is more reliable but more expensive, and if you have to consider the medium you are printing on, sometimes they dont take custom paper.
Also, my friend who's into digital photography got a mac (for like almost ~10,000, dual-moni and all) because supposedly Aperture is the ONLY program that can edit RAW (I'm supposing that you know what they are) files efficiently. HOWEVER, its before adobe released CS2 and lightroom. Now I cant really compare if Aperture or CS2(or 3, on the edge of my seat now) is better, since I never got that much into digital photography, but you cant really run Aperture on windows, so better be safe than sorry.
thats teh all.
From PC to Mac and loving it
by Michael Levitt - 3/30/07 11:47 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been a PC power-user (Windows XP and Linux, dual boot and VMWare) since my 1995 Linux Slackware 3 laptop. On an impulse, I bought a top level MacBook PRO fully loaded (Intel Core 3 Duo at 2.33 GHz, 2 GM memory, 120 GM drive) for $2,000 and is has been a life-changing experience. I run my old XP system as a virtual machine using VMWare Fusion (much better than Parallels) with all non-system data (including my 9 Gb of Outlook email files indexed with X1) on the Mac file system. I also set up a VM for Linux but quickly discovered that BSD Unix can be made just like Linux by getting the appropriate commands from Fink. Now I run fvwm2 in a rootless X11 side-by-side with Mac OS X and my Windows and Linux virtual machines (still used for compiling for our huge cluster of Centos Linux boxes). My biggest issue has been keyboard and mouse button differences but I solved them by using a Logitech LX7 wireless mouse (really great) and remapping keys in both X11 and Mac OS X to get Forward delete, Page up & down (mapped to F11 and F12), mouse scrolling in Emacs and right button pasting in X11. It would have been nice to have a two button keypad mouse especially as SideTrack still does not work on Intel Core 2 Duo Macs.
My transfer to a Mac could not have been more rewarding. I am rather outspoken and had to apologize to dozens of people for bad-mouthing the Mac over the years. I always said that the Mac was good for beginners but that power users would do better on Windows PC. Well I could not have been more wrong. It is now clear to me that the only people who should be listened to in the Mac vs. PC debate are those that use the two systems equally well at their particular level. I also feel sad for my beloved Lenovo T43p.
All the usual things they say about Macs are true (great hardware engineering, high systems stability - I had one crash in a month of serious hacking, great built-in software) but nothing prepared me for the great user community and the shear power of a machine that has a solid Unix base. I am now convinced that the Mac is the perfect choice for beginners and Power-user's alike.
Why Choose? Do Both!!!
by scottls2 - 3/30/07 11:48 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am by no means a wealthy guy but I got myself an Apple Mac Mini to add to my network of Windows based PCs and I love it! For right around $700 you can have the best of both worlds! You have a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, and all you need will be a KVM switch between your existing PC and a Mac!
You will find a ton of people that will tell you to go one way or the other, but I'm telling you, you really don't have to choose between the two. Mac and PC will network together just fine, and share your existing internet connection with just a cheap wired router. With the KVM switch, you could toggle between the two and enjoy the benefits of both!
Lets face it. In different ways, they're both better than each other, so the best is to have both!!!
Mac right for me
by geoffinak - 3/31/07 2:16 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The big difference is the hardware is made for the Software. The Operating System, it fits like a glove. Vista has to work on machines built using the same basic components but those parts can come from whom ever has the cheapest price for the company making the Wintel that week. The parts Apple uses, must meet Apple specs.
Price, advertised price for a Wintel is a stripped down model with a bunch of crummy software and a couple of games. The Mac comes out of the box, plug it in and it's ready to go for most of the average and above average users. Photography, ask any magazine where the photo work is done and Mac will be your answer. Movies, the graphics, mostly Mac. So it does Photos and organization and slide shows and movies, music, and a lot of other things, right out of the box and very intuitively. The software is included. To get this in a Wintel add $800.00 to $1000.00. to the price. That is where the difference in price comes in.
Again, this software is built for the Mac, so it integrates with the OS and hardware perfectly. You don't have to stare at a catalog full of multiple programs for the PC all offering limited capability. Only the best software gets to the Mac. It was also Mac that started most of the popular programs for sale today both on the Mac for the PC . Resale value is also very high on a Mac, so if you want to sell yours in a couple of years, and get the latest greatest, it will be worth a higher value then any PC out there.
I have manuals for some of the more complex programs but I read a page here and a page there as the software just flows and works the way you think it should go. Built in help system does most of the question answering and is linked to the Apple web site so the info is up to date.
I had 3 people staying with me all had wintel lap tops. I let them use my Pismo a 1999 model that still runs the latest operating system and fairly well for a 8 year old machine. They asked where are the pop ups, where is the virus checker, where is the spy ware checker. I do not need it, the security is built in. In 2 weeks they all had new MacBooks and have been happy as can be. Get a Mac. It just works, it's not just a cliche.
Vista is buried so deep in it's own code, it's like walking in a swamp. Also to get the real powerhouse Vista Man you need some real serious power. Like a new computer. Remember my 8 year old Mac Pismo is still working on the latest OS. That is getting your moneys worth. Do not like the program you have, Mac gives you the code to write your own program to work with it's OS, it's included in the OS DVD, it's open source, so anyone can take the OS and make what they want. It's not as hard as it may sound as Mac is Based on UNIX one of the oldest and most stable computer Operating Systems there is. Very powerful. Yet people have it running on machines that are 10 years old.
I replaced the Hard Drive to a bigger faster one. About 10 minutes because I am not a super repair guy. Upgraded the RAM to 2 times the original amount, as they did not make chips this fast and big when it first came out, but the architecture is built to accept this expansion, it works. Oh yes a power inverter cable was replaced. $5.00 off eBay and 10 minutes. My daughter dropped tea into the computer wiped it off with a towel and then yes, plugged it in, turned it on. Girls..$5.00 part Plus it has 250,000 air miles a real road warrior.
Buy the Mac, You won't go back and wonder why you did not do this a long time ago.
People will go back and forth, and claims will be made, I have used PCs since they first came out.
Macs work, PCs are for people who like to work on their PC, fiddle with this , fix the drive every week. Plus the big one. With Macs. The need foe IT techs would go way down and those guys need to make a living. Their usually the ones who will say that both are the same , macs crash as much as PCs do and you have few fanatics on both sides.
Just remember, If you like tinkering and fixing problems on computers, as this is a hobby as well as a job, get a PC. you can make that your hobby and even maybe a job.
If you want to have your computer work for you and create your job in Photography, Video, Music, i.e. Garage Band for a start, and anything you can think of to create get a Mac. You will not be disappointed. The minute it comes out of the box and you plug it in, you will know you made the right choice. Best of all have fun and good luck with your new hobby/job.
Geoff
Mac or PC
by Bid13 - 3/31/07 2:39 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hello,
I'd thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.
I've been an avid PC user for many years (I grew up using DOS running Windows 3.1 and building applications using Visual Basic on Windows 95). Yes I'm still a youngin' (19). I have really hated Macs most of my life... *Ahm*.. Anyways, up until January of this year, I never would have touched a Mac. Then I saw a Mac in action, and I fell in love. I still use PC, but if I want productivity, stability and flexibility I'll pull out my Mac.
I've seen previous posts here about the Mac hardware is using Intel now, so its pretty much a PC. This is true. What really sets a Mac apart from your average PC is simple: The Operating System.
Windows (XP and Vista) is focused on encompassing as many different hardware manufactures and specs, that all components generally suffer, to accommodate what you don't have or need. With Apple your getting a computer that has an OS that is specifically tuned to your Operating System. Granted this does mean that if you want an extra gig of RAM, you have to get it specifically from Apple (or authorized) for it to work. But you know it will, and it will work like it should... no looking for drivers, etc etc etc.
Having said that, it's a tough decision. 90% of the world uses Windows. This is not so much a question of hardware, but which OS do you prefer. If you get a PC now, you'll almost certainly get Vista, which is a big no-no (wait until at least SP1). Tiger seems to be a developers play-ground at the moment. I have seen so many people move to Mac, and loving the decision (myself included). If you go with the Mac, you can always get Parallels (or even VM Ware) and run Windows XP or Vista (if you feel you can contain it in its virtual world), and then you can run your apps.
Also try phoning up Microsoft and ask them for help on something (choose a topic.. any topic). They're reaction to you will probably be enough to send you running and screaming to Apple 
Cheers,
Ooooh.. I think I forgot to mention. Mac OS X is based on FreeBSD.. aka Unix. It's gotta be good!
Mac too restrictive
by kalofton - 4/1/07 8:03 PM In reply to: Mac or PC by Bid13I know most of this thread is about using a Mac for photography, but since we just bought a new Mac, I thought I'd put in my two cents.
At first, I thought the switch was the right decision, but after using the Mac for a week now, I have found that it is too restrictive, especially when it comes to the Internet and software we currently own.
Our 4-year old daughter loves to play games online and the regular computer games, but I have found that most of the things she used to play, she can no longer play. Almost all of the games we already own and say PC and Mac on the box won't load on the Mac. Also, with the online games (and with lots of other things on the Internet), I run into the "is not supported by Mac" message. That alone is extremely frustrating to me.
Also, with lots of the online email programs Mac takes away options, won't fill in the address when replying to an email... the list goes on. Also, no shortcuts on the desktop anymore, only pages that are being saved, which means no real-time data when you double-click on it.
These are just a few of the issues I have with the Mac. Every day there seems to be something else I don't like.
My husband really likes the Mac, but I do prefer a PC. We're getting our old one fixed (the movers broke it), and once it's all good and "new", I probably won't touch the Mac again.
Like I said, this is just a view from a non-photography person.
Hope all these posts will help you make a decision.
Re: Mac too restrictive
by Bid13 - 4/30/07 11:53 PM In reply to: Mac too restrictive by kaloftonkalofton,
Just a couple quick points about what you described. Games not loading on a Mac is not Apple's fault. Developers design and build the games, and generally do so to a specified platform. Windows and Mac both run off of different instruction sets (how applications interface with the Operating System). With Games, Windows uses DirectX and Mac uses OpenGL. Developers will generally design programs to one binary or another, whichever is the most profitable (not always is it profitable or possible to release on both OSs).
This can be looked as a downside of the OS. It can also be looked at as an opportunity to let your favorite developer of games or applications know that you use a Mac and want their software. If they know there is a market, they may change their mind.
I'm not sure what you mean about no shortcuts on the desktop. The Dock is designed for your shortcuts.. but you can write click on your favorite program (or control click) and select Make Alias then drag that to your desktop.
Personally I like my Mac and my PC. I use each for it's different tasks. I do find the Mac more productive than the PC. I reached the same level of productivity with my PC when I got my 2 x 22" monitors.
Cheers,
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