Community Newsletter: Q&A: Is the Mac right for me?
- 4/5/07 11:48 AM
About the crashes
by MzSabina - 4/11/07 6:32 AM In reply to: re: Don't listen to the fanboys (about crashes) by twyrickMaybe the issue is, us Mac users notice the crashes more because were not used to seeing them so often. Either that or we are so used to being able to do so many things at one time that when we expect a PC to do the same it just gives up and crashes. There has got to be a reason why SO MANY people on this forum seem to believe PCs crash more than Macs. And not all of them are Mac lemmings. A lot, like I, have just as much PC experience.
Yes, about the crashes...
by b8375629 - 4/11/07 7:38 AM In reply to: About the crashes by MzSabinaI've already sent my "13 MacBook back to Apple Care due to a power failure, and I've only had the machine two months. No need to worry about a "crash" Everything just goes dark.
Crashes
by PhotoMan - 4/11/07 8:20 AM In reply to: About the crashes by MzSabinaGiven the fact that PC sales account for almost 98% (ref: http://www.systemshootouts.org/mac_sales.html )/(as of Dec 2006) of computer sales, it is no wonder that you would hear more about PC probelms than Mac problems. Don't think for a second that a Mac is bulletproof, just check the Apple downloads / support pages.......over 2 GIG's worth of patches etc since Jan 07. The Windows / PC design receives "imput" (hardware / software) from several (maybe thousands ??) manufactures from all over the world. What are the odds that ALL of these suppliers keep the driver updates etc up to date...especially when a new OS is in the offering? Since all of Apples' offerings come from one address you would think everything would work all the time...but it doesn't.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but just how backwards compatibable are the Apple OS's compared to Windows? I've heard horror stories of Mac users that had to buy whole new computers because the OS was not compatible with their Mac's (something to do with hte "G" series, I think)
If I'm not mistaken...
by b8375629 - 4/11/07 8:33 AM In reply to: Crashes by PhotoManThere is a emulation program called Rosetta that allows one to use the older non-Intel based OS X programs on the new Intel-based OS X hardware. Apple is encouraging developers to make all future versions of their programs "universal binary" in order to eventually phase out Rosetta. It's a temporary workaround for the time being.
fingers' crossed
by PhotoMan - 4/13/07 9:03 AM In reply to: If I'm not mistaken... by b8375629Hopefully, now that Apple is using an Intel based processor, future OS's can benefit from a universal binary type code but anyway you put it, Apple and Micro$oft are going to have to sit at the table and talk. With Micro$oft "enjoying" the majority of the chairs at that table, Apple would have to make a lot of changes...not holding my breath on that happening. Perhaps, one day, the two of them (and the other OS manudactures) will develope a binary that will allow true accross platform compatability for software manufactures that won't bog down the computer's OS.
I've seen Rosetta and it works pretty well but not completly. When you "see" the code needed to create an OS, it makes you wonder about all the hair pulling and coffee drinking these code developers must go thru to make something "work" the way WE imagine it should (ie: perfect in every way). We, the users of the OS's, do a lot of complaining when something doesn't go the way we want, and (conveniently) forget about the developer who is trying to find that particular line of "bad" code amongst the hundreds of thousands of others.
A lot of the contributers here never had to deal with the Timex Sinclaire etc of the "early" days where the user had to enter the DOS programming code. There was a lot more sympathy and help from other users back then to get it right.....these days we just complain.
Huge gulf
by b8375629 - 4/13/07 11:11 AM In reply to: fingers' crossed by PhotoManyeah, it's a huge gulf, no question about it. Who'd ever think different cultures would spring up over what operating system you used.
When a couple of tech folks I know found out I bought an Apple, the first question they asked is; "Why'd you buy that?. I know a hot XP gaming workstation you should have bought." And these guys deal in Windows 2003 Server, SQL, ESX & Cisco enviornments. Some of them have C++, MCSEs, CCNAs etc.. They're not stupid. They know their s**t.
And then you have the UNIX guys off in their own little world on the other side of the server room and development labs, ignoring the Windows side of it all together. Talk about their own little tribes.
one thing common
by PhotoMan - 4/13/07 3:11 PM In reply to: Huge gulf by b8375629I just thought of something we (parents) all have in common....irregardless of the OS....we all complain that our "little darlings" are spending far too much time on the box for personal use instead of using it to help their studies.
Bottom Line: Check The Help Forums
by WarHippy1% - 4/5/07 10:04 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The best way to decide which computer is the best choice for you is to go to both OS help forums and look at the problems that the users are having with their respective machines. More importantly, look at the amount of problem resolutions on each site. Long, drawn out threads, coupled with many pages of unresolved problems usually means little or no answers to the problems the users are facing, and don't let anyone fool ya, both are rich in problems. My proof of that statement, go to either site and look, Microsoft is notorious for not resolving problems, unless you use their $75 per 15 minute help line. Guess what? Apple users, all through the help forums, are asking, "Doesn't Apple support their own computers?". I bought a Macbook Pro 17" 9 months ago. I did a firmware update advised by Apple. The computer hasn't started up since. The website had a very long thread about that problem. Their only answer: "Bring your computer in and we'll replace the logic board". After the logic board is replaced, you'll see threads complaining that the computer runs much slower now. The amazing part of my story is this. Apple is STILL advising the firmware update!! And people are still doing it like lemmings, and then getting their logic boards replaced. It's almost as if Apple doesn't care about the cost of replacing their own logic boards, OR, they have some hidden reason for replacing the logic boards. Sorta sounds like a Microsoft gimmick, doesn't it? But, Apple does have a Professional Photo Editor called Aperture 2.0 and an even more advanced photo program that Aperture is required to be installed to make it work. Check out Aperture and Photoshop side by side, because that IS the bottom line for you
Got that right!
by PhotoMan - 4/9/07 9:39 PM In reply to: Bottom Line: Check The Help Forums by WarHippy1%Hitting the user forums / newsgroups for the OS's AND applications is, without a doubt, one of the best indicators. As you have said, none are perfect and all fall short in answering inquiries. I was quite surprised at eMachines though...their support is both voice and email (no cost) for a year.
MAC VS PC, My experience / suggestion
by 22522252 - 4/6/07 4:55 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
MAC vs PC
I am a PC user. I have been a PC user for years ever since the Atari days. I gradually went into the PC user status after many years as an Atari user. I guess I went into the PC rather than the Mac because most of my friends were doing it. That leads me into the question of what should be considered prior to getting a PC.
Although the article by Barry W. (CNET member Watzman) is very good and eye opening for me and made me feel even better about my PC I have still another piece of information someone should consider. But first let me say this.
When I started out into computers I started with the Atari. First it was a Pong game machine then went for the Atari 400 computer, to the Atari 800, Atari XL, XE and ST series. Then I went into the PC. (Buy the way I still have the Atari for gaming) I am a baby boomer and still love many of the older Atari games. I have a couple hundred disks of games. The software for the PC provided better software for what ever I was doing. At that time I needed something that I could write APRs (Airman Performance Reports) while I was on duty in the Air Force. At that time I was using a typewriter and or the Atari, which at that time was only printing in a 40-column format. I had a friend that converted me to an IBM clone just because I could print in 80 columns and that made my day as for writing my APRs. I was so happy you just could not know. I was not a typist and if a mistake was made anywhere in the typing, it had to be retyped. Oops, I hated that. I guess I killed a lot of trees during those days. So a PC with an 80-column word processor and a spellchecker was a no brainier.
Fast forward to the 1990s. I have build many PCs based on the latest technologies that were out and I also built PCs for friend and money. In the end I finally went with the Gateway computers. Still a PC. I quit building my PC because it was cheaper to get one already built to do what I needed. Besides my personally built PC still had some compatibility issues that gave me some errors from time to time. I could always fix it but is was bothering me so much to have to go back and figure the problem(s) out. Some times it meant some down time and me with no computers is a feeling I cannot do with. That is why I have two computers and always will have two computers. One computer is on line and the other is mainly kept off line (the virus thing). I will go online from time to time for some quick updates that I may need with computer two but that is it.
I picked Gateway because of their support and for the restore software that comes with their computers. Their restore software is GREAT! Unlike with a non-Gateway computer if you had to reinstall windows and all the drivers it was a one to three day job if all went well. Format your hard drive; install windows, all your drivers, the standard software needed for everyday use and then your favorite software. Then as I always do I made a few tweaks that made my computer me. A Gateway computer hard drive can be ready to use as if it were when you first purchased it within the hour or less at any time. You say sooo. Well if you have had computers as long as I have you will know that no computer is flawless. I don’t care if you, Gateway, Mac or who ever built it. So then it come down to this.
You should have a few friends (one good one for sure) that has a computer that you have that you can talk with and share ideas with and cry together with concerning your type of computer. Or it will always get costly one day and that you can take to the bank. I do have a long time and dear friend (George) that we do communicate with about many things and computer problems is a topic we do know very well.
It’s like this. If you and I have a dollar and swap dollars we still have a dollar. If you and I have an idea and swap ideas we now have two ideas. George and I have swapped many ideas concerning our PCs and it has always helped us. We both live our own lives and do our own things but we are like Marine buddies when it comes to out PCs.
Go Gateway!
PC VS MAC
by James Parrish - 4/6/07 6:41 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I am also interested in photography and the creation of Digital Art Called Gicle'es. My AMD Dual Core 4800+ has been great for both applications. HOWEVER! For some strange reason the Microsoft and Adobe Software programs Crash after so many layers have been added ... NOT the computer the Software!
I now own both... I have a MAC Pro Dual Processor with 4 G's of Ram and do the same work and "MAGIC" so far no software lock ups or computer crashes. Now Mac has released the Quad Mac Pro .... I suspect that it is really gaged for greater video and animation work.
The fact is that all PC's respond differently to different applications! I will continue to use my AMD for some of my Microsoft and other PC program applications. But I am Migrating completley to my Mac Pro for my Photo and Gicle'es work. Do what feels right for you and be happy with your choices.
Mac or PC?
by andrewnc21 - 4/7/07 9:09 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Good read but don't forget about the more serious issue of security. Especially if you are making a living on photography I wouldn't be so quick to purchase a product that is targeted significantly more than Mac by vicious spyware and virus producers. I know several people who have had Macs for years and never had an issue with security, where as pretty much every PC owner has to constantly baby sit Microsoft's vulnerable build on a daily basis (that is, if they know whats best). Just like Lee, computers are becoming vital parts our lives. Security alone is much more important if you want to maximize protection of your photographic creations, not to mention everything else we save on our computer that we hold so dear. Mac offers much less threat.
-Andrew-
Is the MAC right for me?
by eurocid - 4/8/07 5:28 AM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A question I have first hand experience with! I made the crossover from the PC world to MAC a couple of months ago and haven't looked back. I have been so happy with my new systems and I haven't had to hit control/alt/delete yet! First let me say why I made the move:
Windows is just unstabile! As a reasonably competent user, I was spending too much precious time fixing incompatibility issues with Windows updates, antivirus, and spyware. I want a computer to work smoothly and don't want to be on a first name basis with the tech support half a world away.
While I will be the first to say that I didn't find the transition to be as smooth as I was led to believe, after a couple of months, I feel like I've got it down. The Apple support package, ProCare (best value in town) allows for data transfer and one-on-one in-person tech support for a year is an outstanding offering.
Downside - not many apps are available for the MACs. For example, an app from my bank for virtual account numbers and on-line mgt of your TiVo (without buying TOAST).
I use it for photos too and use PhotoShop Elements (less than $10 to transfer your license from Windows to OS X). iPhoto is not feature rich for editing, but fine for organizing for my needs. iMac allows you to easily upload your photos to your website for others to view - make sure you check into that.
All-in-all, I'm pleased with the new systems and love USING the computer and not fixing the problems that arise from viruses (Apples don't get viruses) and Microsoft releasing updates before they're really ready!
Watzman must be employed by microsoft
by h01dout - 4/9/07 5:01 PM In reply to: Is the Mac right for me? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
What a load of hogwash from Watzman!
If they are running windoze, they will crash much more often than once a year, as he stated (provided, of course, that they are turned on, and that they are in active use). At work I have to use the latest and greatest dells or HPs, with WinXT, and I have had at least one crash each week on my personal workstation. It happens in all sorts of MS applications, ranging from Internet Explorer, Word, Excel, MSAccess, Outlook. The crashes does not seem to be hardware related, otherwise one would think that there would be a reliable pattern, enabling you to just replace a faulty unit.
Especially printing seems to be a problem, and creation of PDF files, so I would be extremely reluctant to rely on Windows for any application that has to do with (quality) publishing. There are many packages available, that all claim to be of value in photo editing and publishing, but all the ones I have come across delivers very substandard output.
I would definitely go MAC, if cost is not a serious issue, otherwise some Linux variety could offer much superior reliability, but likely with photo quality in line with what you could expect from a windoze sustem.
Ole
Printing?
by PhotoMan - 4/9/07 9:29 PM In reply to: Watzman must be employed by microsoft by h01doutWhat is your experience in graphics and printing?
Do you have any knowledge of "Quality" printing?
Are you a pro photographer, or at least an experienced one?
Which photo graphics packages have you come accross, used for publishing, that are "very substandard"?
If your PC at work is crashing all the time then I suggest you learn how to use it ...or at least stay away from downloading anything from "those" sites, while on the companies' dime. Most companies use software geared / written towards its' own needs and ends. Software / downloads causing problems usually comes from the user of the computer.
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