Community Newsletter: Q&A: Is the Mac right for me?
- 4/5/07 11:48 AM
Wintel PC beats Macintel PC.
by Aaronatblue - 4/2/07 7:09 AM In reply to: Mac - Media; Windows - Gaming, System Administration by cameroncoleWaaayyy back in the day, Macs used to have a distinct advantage in the graphic design department. They used to use SCSI harddrives when PCs were IDE. They used to use hig end video cards with decent amounts of memory and PCs had low end cards running at 320x240 resolution. This is why Macs were entrenched in the graphic design industry. They were basically a workstation class machine when there wasn't such a thing in the PC industry.
That's not the case anymore, the fastest greatest hardware is basically available for both platforms, although there is a much wider selection available for the PC.
Windows doesn't crash anywhere close to the amount that the Mac fanatics would have you believe. In XP it's rare, unless you are an avid yahoo online gamer or aol chatter who frequents popup heavy websites. Vista has a few incompatibilities to work out still, but if you've got up to date drivers, it's very stable and it's a slick os.
The only reason Macs have few if any viruses is their extremely low market share. Why write for <5% when you can target the other 95%. It's simple economics of scale....Designed with security in mind is a joke, they don't patch known exploitable bugs nearly as quick as microsoft. See: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Mac-OS-X-Security-Is-a-Joke-Switch-to-Vista-While-There-039-s-Still-Time-50056.shtml
MS has to and they have become very competent at it. Apple hasn't had to yet, but when they get slammed by something substantle, you'll wish you had to deal with WGA.
For software support, there is a clear advantage to the windows user. Far more available, and last I checked, the big killer Mac app Photoshop, wasn't optimized for the intel based macs. Alot of people won't even recommend buying a macintel if you want a supported stable experience. Photoshop runs nice and quick on a new pc though. The argument that Macs perform graphic calcs at the os level is a who cares argument. Which performs better? faster? OS level or not, windows wins.
If you are used to using windows, like others have said, you will find Macs feel clunky. To me, the gui feels very childish, with alot of bouncy icons and file management is horrible.
My initial out of the box experience was that I was getting extra apple marketing rammed down my throat at every turn. Open safari and you get to apples heavily market laden website. Open quicktime, and first they ask you pay $29.99 for the full version, then they pop open more options to spend money on itunes tv shows. Sure you can customize these apps, but that's your first experience.
Apple is a closed proprietary OS with very few clear pluses relative to the PC. Particularly now that, they both run on the same hardware. Most Mac fanatics toute the intangibles, which are meaningless and subjective while windows fans tend to focus on the facts.
I Strongly disagree
by cameroncole - 4/2/07 8:19 AM In reply to: Wintel PC beats Macintel PC. by AaronatblueLike I've said before, the graphics engine DOES matter on the OS level; hence Microsoft's move in the same direction. In-fact, if you've ever written a web application, and relied on the browser/or viewer on a windows box to do the scaling, you'll notice that the picture looks distorted. Anyone who's thinking about using a Mac needs to take this into consideration.
I agree that Windows' files system, and other networking utilities are far better than a Mac (i.e. Active Directory, Mail Services, etc.). But this user is wanting to know the BEST solution for photography.
Relax dude, I wasn't insulting your mother, or anything like that. I still work with both operating systems. The issues you bring up are USEABILITY issues, and most users that work with Apple computers, would strongly rebut your answers.
Mac's don't crash nearly as often when working with media, it's a statistic that holds true today.
P.S. Photoshop is being released as a Universal Binary, and the performance will KILL the PC's performance in processing now they they're using all of the graphic features. Also, photoshop isn't the only great photo app. out there!
Apple fanboys at it again
by b8375629 - 4/3/07 6:07 AM In reply to: Wintel PC beats Macintel PC. by AaronatblueYou guys never cease to amaze me. It’s as if Steve Jobs and OS X can do no wrong.
Of course if you’re not a photographer or a graphics designer or some Hollywood bigshot, then what good’s an Apple, right? That’s never answered.
And what Aronatblue said about graphics is true. The video graphics cards they put in PCs nowadays, along with software like Adobe Premier, doesn’t mean you have to own an Apple in order to get good designs on the board. Anybody who says otherwise is talking hype combined with a lot of FUD and bull, sandwiched in-between.
A better BIOS design in Apple? Sure, it’s better for Steve Jobs who adds in DRM and TPM in order for you not to be able to run OS X on a PC. That you still have to buy the Apple hardware to go along with it. Of course it’s good for Apple.
I mean, Linux is also based on a UNIX platform as well, yet you can load it on to a Intel Windows machine. There are no ‘technical’ restrictions in that regard, right? (Rhetorical question)
Btw, I’m a dual user of Macs and Windows. I know both have their advantages and disadvantages and I’m a fanboy of neither. I can’t stand cults. In fact, if someone claims to be a Windows fanboy, then they are a complete idiot. Why be defensive about the largest OS in the world?
I give up
by death2spam - 4/3/07 6:09 AM In reply to: Wintel PC beats Macintel PC. by AaronatblueI should know better than to try and explain to die hard mac folks that windows has come a long way. And no it doesn't crash and become infested with the constant assault of deadly viruses (ever heard of security suites? free AVG etc?) I have not had a single problem with crashing or the other host of "horrors" of being nieve and ignorant PC user. I do get it, and I can afford the biggest meanest Mac...but sorry for that kind of money I will build my own windows based machine from scratch. I have no alliance with any manufacturer of any product or service. I currently and have owned applep roducts which I'm quite content with. The point is to stop with the resizing in the OS garbage. The days of "superior trapping capabilities" are gone. Get over it. I will not make any more money with a mac, my workflow and colour management will not improve or become more sreamlined. I know this because photography and graphics is my world. Just giggles one should go the Mac forums and see some of the "wisdom" being dispensed. If you want good entertainment google Macbook pro VS Alienware.
Yeah, they are funny...
by b8375629 - 4/3/07 6:56 AM In reply to: I give up by death2spamYeah, I've heard the 'wisdom' over there before. (laughs)
I haven't had an XP machine crash on me, yet. It’s never happened to me in the four years I've been using XP. I've had some of them lock up on me from time to time, but that was usually due to some 3rd party software (written with bad code) freezing the system up with memory leaks or whatever.
In fact, I haven't seen the blue screen of death since Windows ME days. If the Apple fanboys claim otherwise, then I wouldn’t be surprised they’re exposed to machines full of spyware and never bothered to clean it off, in effect treating the PC as if it were an Apple. :^)
You guys are REALLY mis-informed
by cameroncole - 4/3/07 7:29 AM In reply to: Yeah, they are funny... by b8375629I think you're all missing the point of this forum. Ah, well; the funny thing is, you're so involved in anti-conformity, that you're actually conforming to something... I used to be the same way.
You're all missing the point of my posting. The fact is, the operating system does perform better (THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HARDWARE, and everything to do with it's core). I know it's hard to believe, but I'm actually of the same opinion on results from Adobe applications.
Again, to be redundant, (because nobody has come up with a good argument to my statement) this is a SIGNIFICANT feature, hence Microsoft's move to it. I've been a designer for years, and it's VERY frustrating to design for such limitations. Of course, when Vista reaches full maturity, it will be a much better operating system that OS X CURRENTLY is.
No FUD here...
by b8375629 - 4/3/07 7:52 AM In reply to: You guys are REALLY mis-informed by cameroncoleNow that IS funny, being accused of “anti-conformity”. If anything, Windows users have always been accused by the Apple fanboys of being the complete opposite.
And no, I don’t believe one system is more stable than the other. Apples have crashed before. If they didn’t, you wouldn’t have a need for backup software like Disc Warrior or maintenance programs like MacJanitor or Anacron.
In fact, this site puts to rest all the FUD about Apples not needing periodic maintenance.
http://www.macattorney.com/ts.html#Anchor-Software-6670
All machines need to be maintained to some degree, even servers that run 24/7 need to be updated and re-booted from time to time.
Agreed
by cameroncole - 4/3/07 10:55 AM In reply to: No FUD here... by b8375629I agree completely with you on the maintence issues. In-fact, I bought into (so deeply) that fact that Mac's never crashed, I became very distraught when mine did (the very day I bought it). Of course, like everything else, after using it, I began to appreciate it better.
I agree with you guys on almost all points, with the exception of the OS's ability to render graphics.
I'm simply pointing out that for photography (the issue at hand), Macs perform better (although, Vista will change the scale balance for graphics), and why they do.
I also can really appreciate Vista's new memory management. It's a great OS. Don't think that I belong to the "Steve Jobs" cult for giving them props on some intuitive features. I'm merely pointing out my observations.
Mac is
by Masyanlah - 4/1/07 10:46 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you have not purchased your computer yet, then Mac is what you should buy. The reason being that:-
1) You already own a few PCs and would have tried out or no problem testing PC based softwares for photography and graphics.
2) Spend some money now on a low end Mac, as your learning machine, you could try out all those Mac softwares and learn first hand what best for you.
3) Make sure any peripherals and software are Mac/PC compatible.
4) If Mac is right, it'll pay for itself and probably finance your future high end Mac. Otherwise it'll still serve as a workstation for any Mac project.
5)Since Windows is switching over to Vista. Currently, some problems exist with hardwares and 3rd party softwares. When will all these issues get sorted out?
6)The PC hardwares too, are at a crossroad, solo core would go the way of Pentiums, the current batch of chipsets were developed for extreme performance of solo core. Now the quart core is already in the horizon. How soon will all these investment be obsolete? How much the reinvestment for up grades?
7)I am no Mac die-hard, in fact I play a part in selling and supporting PCs, and sold PCs to professionals with Mac only shops, for graphic applications. But that is a different story.
8) Yes the gap between Mac & PC are very close, not only in terms of
functions, hardwares and performance but also in price.
9) I hope this will be helpful to you. Whatever you buy there'll be a
big bunch of people cheering for you.
happily on the fence
by Architorture77 - 4/2/07 5:41 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am not by any means like one of these incredilbly higly computer savy persons. I have never put together my own computer. The extent of my computer abilties have been limited to small hardware and software upgrades (i.e.: memory, storage, video card, usb ports...etc.).
Since I've had my Pentium 1 from the early 90's to today I have been using PCs for either work or school. This all changed 5 years ago when I first got my hands on my first MAC durring university. I needed a reliable and ultra portable laptop to write my thesis on. It was an affordable and elegantly designed 12" iBook G4. Perfect for most of my computing needs for school (I was an Architecture student). It wasn't easy since AutoDesk did not make a MAC version of AutoCAD, regardless I fell in love with my little iBook. I have since purchased an iMac with an Intel engine and have continued to appreciate and love MACs not only for its design and eligance but for its power, flexiblity and all its capabilities. Though I primarily run with OSX, I love having the option of running Windows XP when I need to.
There are advantages to both platforms but feel that MACs have the edge for being able to operate both Windows and MAC OS'. I believe that is quite simply the answer to your question. Why choose one when you can have the advantages of both. Why feel like you have to pick one over the other?
Before the new Intel powered MACs I felt as though my PCs constantly needed upgrades to keep up with my computing demands. I still use my G4 iBook (after a battery replacement, memory and storage update a year ago) more than any computer I own. Todate it has never crashed on me (even when I was using almost all the Adobe CS1 suite programs plus MS Office to put together my graphics heavy 200 page thesis <not including appendicies, source materials, research, etc.>).
I hope this helps. The decision isn't that critical or life or death...just choose the platform you think you would like to become more familiar with.
Problems with MAC
by Timmay35 - 4/2/07 5:58 AM In reply to: happily on the fence by Architorture77I like Macs but they have a major problem. They are not compatible with internet explorer, so if you want to access the MLS which requires explorer you simply can not. If you want to listen to yahoo music you can not as well. I wanted to play streaming music over the internet into my stereo but I was surprise to see a mac could not do it. I still can't believe that Mac users can not access the MLS. In short it seems some programs were built to only run on internet explorer and since Mac is no longer compatible with that all the programs written only for that will not work. I guess you would have to use bootcamp and run windows on your mac which is a pain.
Best of both worlds
by aragorn851 - 4/2/07 8:18 AM In reply to: Problems with MAC by Timmay35I have the best of both worlds because I use a Mac at my work site and have a PC at home. I do enjoy both and appreciate their strengths.
All things being equal, if money were not an issue, I believe Mac is the better computer. It is much more stable (i.e., does not crash much) and as many people like to say, it is much more "intuitive." (I liken this argument to car enthusiasts--PCs are good for people who like to fiddle and customize under the hood, Macs are for people who just want to get out and get on the road asap.)
The downsides: Since Mac is indeed a "proprietary" company that does not have the kind of competition you see on the licensed Windows/PC side which keeps prices low, Mac is generally pricier and have somewhat more limited software choices. But Mac is generally favored by professional artists, publishers, etc.
Having said that though, for years now, I have experienced few if any problems going back and forth from a PC to a Mac--I work a lot with graphics and am able to go seamlessly back and forth between both platforms without any problem.
Just remember that if you go to a Mac, you'll have to re-purchase a lot of the software you may already have on your PC, which may add to your transition cost. BTW, the new Intel-Macs are supposed to be able to run PC applications, but I'd test that claim comprehensively first before making a commitment. Obviously, you want to be able to run software native to the Mac whenever possible to make sure you get the most out of your system.
Northstar
by joemama12344321 - 4/2/07 2:47 PM In reply to: Problems with MAC by Timmay35If you want to run the MLS database use Firefox browser... that will give you access, but to post your listings, you will need to use a service/program like Northstar which is an internet based software emulator that will run Explorer and other windows apps without running windows, or opening you up to the pitfalls of malicious software while running windows.
Not sure why it does not work for you
by 163man - 4/3/07 5:48 AM In reply to: Problems with MAC by Timmay35I just used MLS with Safari this morning, had no problems at all. and streaming audio, it was invented on the Mac I use my Mac connected to my stereo for years, now I stream to my stereo via wifi from the other end of my house, again it was available years before the PC had it. As for yahoo music again I just now tried it, had no problems, could it be user error?
I switched to Mac and love it
by turnerman - 4/2/07 8:41 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Chaz:
This is in no way a ploy to get you to switch, just to inform and allow you to make an educated decision based on your needs.
For approximately 12 years, I've been using PCs - every version of Windows since Windows for Workgroups 3.11. I used a Mac once in art class back in the late 80s and thought it sucked. No software I'm interested in was offered for a Mac and it wasn't long until I lost sight of them until this century when I saw the Mac desktops the Audio/Visual section of my company. They were purchased with the beautiful 22" LCD screens.
I still didn't buyone at that time due to the price being so rediculously high, Macs were considered for the professionals and "wealthy".
Enter today's offerings of cost-comparative Macs available from Apple. I've seen the "comparisons" on price of Mac and PC, mostly between Dell and an Apple. Just today I priced a Dell Dimension E520 with the same options (including the 20" display) and comparable web cam that came with my iMac. Surprisingly, the Dell was $300 more than I paid for my 20" iMac. Both had the exact same processor, RAM, DVD drives, etc...
I'm a certified expert user of the Windows OS because my job is to support systems that are strictly Microsoft. Switching over to Mac OS X Tiger was a breeze. There are MANY shortcut combinations, but learning them is easy and they are relatively logical in their design. It was actually fun learning things by accident, because I don't like to read the manual when testing the ease of learning. I still have yet to seek instructions on how to do something, but I haven't used the command-line interface.
The #1 aspect of my iMac that seperates it from my PC is the display. I have never experienced a display so bright. I'm also an amatuer photographer and it is so easy to see which adjustments I need to make. Being an amatuer, I cannot comment on the accuracy of the color schema - but from what I've read in tech reviews you cannot beat a Mac when it comes to display quality. The only comparison I can give is that when my iMac display dims to conserve energy, the result is almost exactly what my $600 19" Dell LCD display looks like. I was a little dissapointed in the Dell display once I started using it as an extended desktop monitor.
As a quick breakdown, these are my primary reasons to switch to a Mac:
1. The display - it's the number one reason to switch. Go to a computer store that sells Mac systems and you will realize the difference immediatley. There will be no question about the quality and brightness of the display.
2. Ease of learning OS X - some people say it's difficult, I say they're lazy. If you've never used a Windows system it would take you just as long to learn the commands. If you're tech savvy, it won't take you long to learn the system. I find it easier and faster in operation.
3. Software integration - even 3rd party developers design software for the Mac OS to integrate into all programs. I like to think that it's "what Microsoft intended the MS Office System to do". True integrations is very cool once you've experienced it. Also, how easy would you say it is to install software by dragging it into the Applications directory? I think it's pretty damn easy. Uninstall? Yeah, just the opposite and just as easy.
4. Reliability - I haven't had a program crash YET. After 3 months of abuse by me and using over 80% of the disk space, nothing has crashed. I did experience one problem with the sound card after the version update, but it was easily resolved after running the Disk Utility and doing a basic check on the system. The Apple support team is extremely nice and good. I waited for a rep for all of 2 minutes.
5. Updates - yes, Apple sends updates out for OS X, but they're NOTHING like Microsoft. In past 3 months, I've had approximately 5 updates on the iMac versus the 15+ I've had for Windows. One of the Mac updates included a new version release.
6. Software offerings - Mac software developers are coming along strong. Now that Mac is back in the "game", new software suites are popping up like crazy. I use Aperture and Adobe Photoshop CS2 to edit my photos, then use iWeb (included) to develop my drag-and-drop website. It's very easy and I didn't need to purchase additional software to do it.
7. iLife - it's basically like having all the software you need installed without having to buy anything else. The only reason I purchase Aperture and Photoshop CS2 is that they offer professional capabilities the included suite didn't. If I were a regular home user, I wouldn't have needed to purchase addiitonal software.
8. Windows OS "integration" - Mac OS X will run Windows in one of two ways: 1. Dual-boot it with Boot Camp or 2. Use Paralles and run Windows as an application inside of the Mac OS. I use Paralles and am able to edit my MS Word and Powerpoint document with software I had loaded on my PC before I purchased the Mac. Very easy to use and suits the majority of my needs. There are very minor limitations to these methods and don't stop me from using the software to get business done.
I think that's about it, so I hope that you understand my thoughts and learn a little more about what makes the Mac a very good system.
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