I know this has been discussed many times, which is the best computer for graphics art and photography. I still don't know whether I must chose a mac or pc. Also how many monitors and the size. Can a mac be networked to a pc network? Any comments will be most welcome.
Agree with crayon, they will both be able to do the stuff you want. The choice would be which OS you prefer to do it on.
Try them both out, see which suits you best.
BTW, the Macs aren't actually that much more expensive than PC's, look at them spec for spec and you'll find they're only slightly more, just depends if you want to pay that bit extra for the design / OS.
I would probably agree with crayon - there are advantages with both. I recently went over to a MacBook pro (laptop). I run a windows desktop (with my modem/router). Easy for my mac to link in with the network & printer. Just one click and a password - up and running. No difficulties. Definitely easier than windows.
A few of the things I like about the mac.
*Illuminated keyboard. Don't know whether other laptops have them - but great for typing in difficult light.
*Battery life. Mine will last up to 5 hrs. I now use it more as a portable unit then I did before. The new model just released I think will last even longer.
*Screen is great. I'm yet to test whether my prints come out as nicely as they look on the screen (and maybe the newer windows laptops have as good a screen - I'm not sure)
*Power up and shut down. It is quick to boot up (but still takes about a minute) but it shuts down in about 5 seconds.
* The pad I hated at first (until I got use to it) but now I like it. You can zoom, scroll etc all without lifting your fingers off the pad.
The difference in the OS system I think is debatable. Being so used to the windows filing system - I prefer it (windows) to the mac way.
If you are talking about desktops - the mac is all built into the screen - no box or wires running all over the place. And the screens are fairly impressive. If you like to change things, add bits etc - then windows is the better option.
Whether they are better for graphics etc - I don't really know (haven't had mine long enough to really comment) but I visited the Visual Arts department at my local University last week - interested to note that they used only Macs (although the Uni network is a windows domain).
Just a few of my own observations for what they are worth.
Macs seem to be the weapon of choice for creative pros. I have worked with some printshops and those that have experience on both platforms say the Mac is superior for this work.
That being said, you can do everything you need with either platform. I prefer to build my own system, so I have stayed with Windows on my primary computer for now. I have a couple of older Macs, however. I like the greater openness of the hardware choices in the PC world. (Despite Apple's effective positioning of the Mac as the computing platform of free thinkers, it really is far more of a closed, big-brother system than the PC is.)
Until you start adding stuff. Then the cable snarl is as bad as any other computer. I need to take a pic of the mess her present Mac Mini has running to it.
One thing I like about the mid-tower case on my windows machine is lots of drive bays to mount things in.
I am a computer tech/geek by trade and I have to say that if you are willing to spend alot of money on a MAC, you might as well build your own custom PC with a 64 bit OS and lots of RAM, along with extra screens. My example:
I just built a Core system with 12 gigs of RAM, two 1 gig Video Cards that has SLI. (I enable the SLI for gaming)
DVD,Blu Ray burner. 2 500 gig hard drives. The OS of choice is Vista 64 bit. (And for those Vista bashers, it runs very smooth and fast)
I also bought 3 24inch monitors, luminated keyboard that has 3 colors (red, blue, and purple for night use) and extras....
It costed me totally 1,900.00
My brother in laws I-Mac costed him 1,700 I believe.
I've been debating the same problem. My current computer has only an 80GB hardrive and 1.25GB ram. Aside from that it has never behaved very well and I can't wait to see the back of it.
The chances are I will stick to Windows and rather get as big a hardrive and as much ram as I can manage. What has complicated my decision further was a visit to a computer shop yesterday, where the guy serving me said that the new Windows will be out shortly and that it is going to combine the best of XP and Vista in one system. I have always understood one shouldn't buy a new system until the first service pack comes out and I really can't wait that long. Am I going to be better off waiting for the new Windows or should I just buy now and live with Vista?
the guy serving me said that the new Windows will be out shortly and that it is going to combine the best of XP and Vista in one system. I have always understood one shouldn't buy a new system until the first service pack comes out and I really can't wait that long. Am I going to be better off waiting for the new Windows or should I just buy now and live with Vista?
Windows 7 is scheduled for an October release. The underlying operating system is the Vista code, but they have made a lot of improvements to the user interface. A lot of little changes that add up. Reviews of the release candidate (I have it installed on one machine at work) have been positive. If you buy a computer with Vista now, you will want to insist on a coupon for a free upgrade.
Ive been debating a system upgrade soon...new video card, doubling the ram, and adding a tb drive or 2. I also want to get at least 2 monitors and a wacom tablet too.
The Dell PC I have won't work reliably for very long. I've spent more than 2 months (this time around, 18 months, 3 system exchanges, and multiple component replacements in total) trying to make it work. I've had the help of many dedicated tier 2 and tier 3 support pros at Dell. And even they are stymied. I am beginning to conclude that with the PC, there are simply too many combinations of hardware and software that all have to work together. The number of permutations is so unbelievably huge, it is beyond human ability to test and certify them.
With Apple, because of their draconian control over hardware, OS and some software, there are many fewer combinations, and generally a simpler hardware/software environment. Simpler means fewer things to go wrong. Fewer permutations mean less to test and certify.
So do I stay with an architecture I know and have but am exasperated with, or switch to an architecture I'd have to learn from scratch, that is more expensive, buy a bunch of software adding additional cost, chasing a simpler but potentially a more reliable computing platform?
BTW, the Macs aren't actually that much more expensive than PC's, look at them spec for spec and you'll find they're only slightly more, just depends if you want to pay that bit extra for the design / OS.
Also remember Macs come preloaded with actually useful software: iPhoto (use for slideshows if not editing), iMovie, iDVD, GarageBand (multi-track recording studio), etc.
I am a computer tech/geek by trade and I have to say that if you are willing to spend alot of money on a MAC, you might as well build your own custom PC with a 64 bit OS and lots of RAM, along with extra screens. My example:
I just built a Core system with 12 gigs of RAM, two 1 gig Video Cards that has SLI. (I enable the SLI for gaming)
DVD,Blu Ray burner. 2 500 gig hard drives. The OS of choice is Vista 64 bit. (And for those Vista bashers, it runs very smooth and fast)
I also bought 3 24inch monitors, luminated keyboard that has 3 colors (red, blue, and purple for night use) and extras....
It costed me totally 1,900.00
My brother in laws I-Mac costed him 1,700 I believe.
To Manic: Thanks for adjusting the pictures I posted. I apologize for that. I was at work when I posted those pictures, and didn't realize how big they were.
Crayon: The keyboard is the Saitek Eclipse II. Its the best illuminated keyboard in my opinion. There are others but they are very pricey. This one lets you cycle through the colors. Its great when working on photos in the dark with the RED light on. Like a darkroom. ;) It feels great and sounds great when typing.
Im a PC guy but I know what you get for the extra money with Macs; integration.
I have 64 bit vista, but of course I cant see RAW files in my vista browser, cause they havent written one yet. I can't burn CDs in Lightroom 2 because Adobe's contractor who writes their CD burning software hasnt delt with 64 bit yet, even though they sold me a 64 bit version of Lightroom. When you move from one program to the next you have to be very sure that the color space is the same.... ect.
Mac only lets you use their approved software, so it works more seamlessly.
The monitor is easy though, get a LaCie 730, sure its four grand, but its real pretty
huh? I have never had a virus. Been using PCs for years.
And MAC is not immune. I just had to fix my brother in laws over the weekend. The more and more MAC becomes popular, more and more virues will be written for it. ;)
Truth is also that most large corporations utilize PC's which is why they are targeted by viruses.
There's even Bluetooth viruses out there. Just because they haven't been talked about doesn't mean it isn't possible.
