MAC or PC

[ShanF]

I am just about ready for a new laptop and I have been thinking about making the switch from a PC to a MAC.
Does anyone have any thoughts, pros vs cons, etc? How many of you use a MAC?
I did a search for previous threads on this topic, but did not find anything, so if you have a link to that, I would appreciate that.
I use microsoft outlook, word, surf the net, etc. I also have adobe photoshop for my photos and adobe premiere elements to edit videos, etc. I do spend most of time doing photos, videos, etc.
I am nervous b/c I am a lifelong PC user, so this would be all new to me.
Thanks in advance for any tips/advice --
Shannon :)

[saturndb]

I have been using a mac for years now and I love it. I would recommend one to anyone, BUT, one thing to keep in mind. If you do switch you will need to buy new versions of your programs, such as word, adobe photoshop and premiere. Now the mac will come with iphoto but that is no photoshop.

Just one more thing to consider before you decide to make the switch.

Dave pirate:

[WDWFigment]

People who use Macs are smug fart-wafers. I would avoid making the switch. You don't want to become a fart-wafer, do you?

[mainstreet1997]

People who use Macs are smug fart-wafers. I would avoid making the switch. You don't want to become a fart-wafer, do you?

Yeah, love you too Tom. And PC users are stubborn mules who are afraid of change. I made the switch to Mac about 2 years ago and LOVE it! Ive never had any kind of virus and have only had to reboot maybe twice in two years.

[Groucho]

The question is, what you do expect to gain by going to a Mac? There's really nothing you can do with a Mac that you can't do with a PC. Hardware-wise, they're very similar nowadays, but a comparable Mac will often run you 3-4x the price and they like to sell you a new OS every couple years rather than offer service packs like Windows.

Give Windows 7 a look, too - it is much improved over XP and is much, much less annoying to use than Vista. It's not perfect (nothing is) but is definitely a solid step forward. Any new PC will come preloaded with 7. Use Firefox with Adblock and don't open unknown attachments in email and you will likely never be infected with spyware or viruses. There are viruses in the Mac world, too.

There was some Windows/Mac discussion in this thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2294885), you may want to take a peek at that, too.

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have used both systems and unless, as Groucho mentioned, you have some specific reason to switch to a Mac I don't think it is worth purchasing new software and paying the higher price for the computer.

Wait a minute - I have some Apple stock now. Never mind....buy the Mac!!! :rotfl2:

[Michele]

You won't have to re-buy all of your programs. You can just buy one new program, Parallels (or I know there are others, can't think of their names right now) which allows windows to run on your Mac. Then you can just load all your regular programs onto the Windows portion of your Mac. Visit a Mac store they can answer all your questions.

I love mine. My frustration level with PC's just got too high, viruses, background processes, errors popping up that I had no idea what to do with...I don't have any of that now. And the learning curve...zero. Incredibly user friendly.

[Stephanie218]

I went Mac 2.5 years ago, and I love it. I've had a lot less problems with the computer crashing than I had with my Windows one.

[alan]

I'd agree with Groucho. Another point is that the MAC does not generally use Context-sensitive (right-click) menus. I hate using Mac software that has been ported to the PC because I always expect to be able to right-click and "do things" to what I've selected.

The MAC, AFAIK, doesn't work that way. Not that the MAC is wrong, as such... it's just different.

You are certainly no safer from Malware on the MAC than a PC, the more so if you use Windows 7 or Vista and configure it properly so that you normally run from a non-privileged account


PCs have something of a reputation for the operating system crashing, but that has historically been caused by badly-written device drivers. Microsoft's WHQL tests now guarantee that drivers are much better written, and if you buy a system from a well-known vendor I think it very unlikely that you would have any problems.

regards,
/alan

[Lizziejane]

I bought a PC 2 years ago (so it was "up to date"), but it had a hard time keeping up with me in terms of photo editing. I use mainly Lightroom and PHotoshop Elements, and both programs would constantly freeze on me - always when I was up to my neck in deadlines. In January, my hubby bought me a Mac. I have not experienced the problems I had on the PC.

But while the Mac is great for photos and videos, there is a learning curve when switching over from a PC. I hate iPhoto and Adobe Bridge - I much preferred the organizer that came with Photoshop Elements on a PC. You can get a Mac version of Outlook, Word, and Excel but they look very different and it took me a while to get used to them. If you run any kind of financial programs on a PC, you will find a very limited offering for the Mac.

I love my Mac for photo editing; for office work, including keeping a set of simple books for a small home business, I still prefer a PC. I hope this saves me from being a smug "fart wafer"!!

[Chikabowa]

I moved to a Mac last year and I've been so happy with the switch. I was a life-long PC user, but I made the switch so that I was more compatible with my graphic designer. I agree... there isn't much you can't do on either platform, it's really personal preference. If you don't have an absolute compelling reason to switch, then it may not be worth it. But I do love my Mac (I'm on a macbook pro and love love love it)!! :)

[saturndb]

I would go to a Apple store or bestbuy and give both a test drive. keep in mind Apples PC vs Mac comericals are very funny and the I'm a PC are just uncreative and the "real people" they have in the comericals are actors!

Dave pirate:

[MarkBarbieri]

Everyone that I know that has switched to a Mac has been happy with the switch.

On the other hand, my main experience with Apple software is with iTunes and my iPhone. iTunes is one of the worst pieces of software that I use. It's not user friendly, it's buggy, and it's very controlling. I much preferred my Blackberry as a phone, calendar, and e-mail tool. The abundance of apps for the iPhone is cool, but the device itself is slow, buggy, and controlling.

Just about everyone I know loves their iPhone. I'm not thrilled with mine. From that, I extrapolate that I would probably not like a Mac.

As for my PC experience, I've used them for 26 years. I've owned my one for 22 years. I've never had a virus problem. Other than ME or Vista, I've never had serious OS problems. I've got 5 PC's running Windows 7 and 7 more running XP and every one of them is stable and does what it needs to do fairly well. Then again, I'm a professional techy, so I can bend computers to my will quite a bit easier than the typical person.

I'm glad that the Mac people are happy. I like having the competition. I'm not switching to an OS from a company that has had three versions of their smartphone and hasn't figured out how to implement "Mark All as Read" yet.

[Coach K]

I have used both a PC and a MAC in my previous job. We had to have tech support come in every so often for the PC and never for the MAC. I have both at home but primarily use the MAC. They both have their good points and drawbacks. I felt the PC was more for the business applications and the MAC was more for graphics. As for the viruses; has anyone ever had one on a MAC??

[YesDear]

I use both currently. I have a pc desktop at home and an IMac. My laptop is a mac. I prefer the mac for most things.

[boBQuincy]

There was a time when a Mac was better for graphics applications and less prone to viruses and crashes. There was also a time when photo film, carburetors, and vinyl records were state of the art. Both of those times have passed. ;)

Mac or PC is really up to personal preference now, that and how cool do we need to feel by using the "right" computer. I build my own computers and you can't build a Mac so the choice is easy from that standpoint.

[Groucho]

It's worth noting, too, that most Windows PCs are still running XP, which was released over eight years ago, and required a 233 mHz processor (you could actually run it on ones even slower), 64 megs of memory, and 1.5 gigs of hard drive space. That was back when Macs ran on PowerPC processors, too! ;)

XP has a myriad of security issues in its basic design so that it now is like a lifeboat with sewed-on patches all over it. It can't even handle over 3 gigs of memory (unless you run the 64-bit version, which is not a good idea.) It was a big step forward from Windows 98 which most people were running until that point, and was dramatically more pleasant to use than Windows 2000, which was slow and clunky but itself a huge step forward in security.

Vista was like the 2000 of the new OSs and 7 is like the new XP. Vista made serious improvements in security but such improvements cannot be made painlessly. 7 incorporates those changes but also tweaks the system for speed and for being much less intrusive into the day-to-day tasks; it is finally possible for the average use to not run as an administrator and not be severely handicapped in what they can do.

I guess the point is, 7 is here today and if you're comparing Mac vs PC, you should compare the usability and security of 7, not the ancient and dilapidated XP. If you still think it's worth spending 3x the money and not having nearly the software options, then good luck. :)

[ssanders79]

If you do switch you will need to buy new versions of your programs, such as word, adobe photoshop and premiere.

You can contact Adobe and go through some steps to get your Photoshop licence switched from your PC to MAC. I do not think it is free, but if you talk to the right people you might be able to get a cross-grade (PC2Mac) price.

[ShanF]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and advice.
I need a new laptop and have been thinking about "going MAC" since I bought this one a little under 2 years ago. I feel like I am constantly replacing computers and the one i have now is soooo slow - it drives me crazy.
With my love and interest in photography and videos, etc (as novice as I am) -- I thought now may be a good time to make the switch.
I am definitely nervous b/c i have always used pc's and so has my husband (who is great with computers - pc's, so if i go mac i lose my personal computer guru here at home - he is fine with whatever i chose, he just has NO knowledge about mac's)
I am looking at the 15 or 17 inch macbook pro or the imacs with the 21 or 27 screen -- they look awesome, it's just not a laptop - so i need to decide!

Anyone have the new imac?

Thanks!!!

[Phil'sFrontier]

When I got a compuer(PC) I was also looking at Macs. For me it was simple, if I wanted a compareable Mac at the time, I would have cost me $4k, not the $2k my windows xp machine.

On the other hand I would say the majority of podcasts I have seen teaching photo editing in a program like cs4, or Lightroom; have been done on an Apple computer.

IMO if money isn't a big deal, get the Mac, if you want a great machine at half the price, get a PC.

[gacompguy]

If you do end up buying a Mac, definitely buy the AppleCare warranty extension. All Apple products have a 1 year warranty on hardware and a 90 warranty on software. If you purchase AppleCare, both get extended to 3 years. I've had to use AppleCare several times after the first year of ownership on Macs I support at work. Every time, Apple sent a technician to my office building to repair the problem.

If you do need to run Parallels or VMware Fusion to run programs in Windows XP/Vista/7, be aware that you'll have to purchase a copy of that operating system in addition to the virtualization software. I don't know of many programs that don't have a Mac counterpart. If you can completely jump ship, you'll be much better off.

[shawn68]

Mac all the way. I own one, about to be number two, and I will never go back to a pc.

[ShellsShirts]

I've owned Macs since 1992. I currently have a MacBook that's almost 2 years old. I LOVE it but I'm used to MAC. We have PCs in the office and I hate them. Always getting adware, malware etc even with the virus software running. Never had a virus with my macs.

Also, I agree, if you get a mac get the extended Apple Care warranty--free phone tech support. I also think they have great customer service. My previous Mac (a 4 year old G4) was acting up. I took it into the Apple Store near my home and the tech spent an hour with me re-installing/trouble shooting it and didn't charge me a dime.

[GrillMouster]

Apple produces their own machines, so they pick and choose the hardware/software that comes from the factory. This enables them to ensure that all the components "play" well with each other, and because they only have to ensure compatibility with those components they select, their OS can load faster and run more efficiently. Windows-based PCs, on the other hand, are built by everyone under the son. Therefore, Windows has to try to make their OS operate under an infinite number of configurations. That means the OS takes longer to load and it generally has to do more processing than a Mac would to accomplish a comparable task. But, along with that comes greater flexibility. Windows is infinitely customizable, while Macs are generally limited by what Apple things you can/should be able to do. Apple designs Mac's features based on what the majority of average users want, and they make it as simple as possible to do those things. So, Macs are seen as more user-friendly and as the option for people who want their machines to "just work". They've also done a remarkable job of creating a cult-like following through tribe branding. They've created a Mac culture that makes people want to be a part of the brand, regardless of the merits of the product itself. It's just "cool" to use a Mac or an iPhone. There's nothing dramatically inherant to the Mac OS that makes them any immune to viruses. Most of the people who design viruses simply want to wreak maximum havoc, and so they target the OS that has the most users worldwide...Windows. I'm a tinkerer by nature, and, so, I'm not at all intimated by Windows and the possibility of having to "fix" problems. However, I haven't ever had a virus or any real problem with any of my Windows machines (knock on wood). Windows 95 and 98 had their share of annoyances, but since XP I've been problem-free, and I'm currently using a Vista 64-bit system. I've used both Windows and Mac, and performance-wise or UI-wise, I don't have a preference. I guess it comes down to cost for me, and I can get a souped-up Windows machine for a fraction of a comparable Mac. When I say "comparable Mac", I don't mean that it must have the exact specs, because Macs operate more efficiently, meaning that it can have less RAM or a slower processor, yet still perform as well as a PC with more RAM and a faster processor. Yet, that comparable Mac with "inferior" components still cost more than the souped-up PC. As for software, a lot of software now comes with both PC and Mac installations on the same disc. For a very small fee (I don't know why $10 is coming to mind) Adobe will replace your Windows software with Mac software. So, that shouldn't be a huge hurdle if you switch over to a Mac. However, there are programs I use that are available only for Windows, not Mac. While it's true that you can run Windows on a Mac and software can help you run Windows programs on a Mac, why bother with the trouble/expense, when Windows will just natively do what I need for cheaper?

In the end, I see this like the Canon vs Nikon debate; whatever you choose, you can't go wrong.

[bostran1]

Mac or PC? Canon or Nikon? Funny how all of us shy away from the camera wars here but will jump right in to the OS wars. Just joking of course. I suggest going to an Apple Store to investigate the Macs rather than anywhere else. Like them or not, Apple does retail right.

Good luck.

[aamuboi10]

I see a mac as more of a leisure type of machine, meaning if I were doing more fun stuff, such as video editing or games or even something dealing with audio or picture editing, I would use a Mac.

I would use a PC for more business-oriented stuff. Thats just my opinion. I have a PC and like it, but I really like my dad's apple laptop also. I really want one.

[Golf4food]

I guess the point is, 7 is here today and if you're comparing Mac vs PC, you should compare the usability and security of 7, not the ancient and dilapidated XP. If you still think it's worth spending 3x the money and not having nearly the software options, then good luck. :)

3x the money? For what? I looked at building my own PC last year and by the time everything added up - including a new flat screen monitor, which is part of the cost of an iMac - the price was only a few hundred more to just get an iMac, not 3 times the price!

Aside from everything else mentioned you know what I have with our iMac that I didn't have very often with our PC machines? Silence. No noise. No fan blaring all the time. You cannot tell if the Mac is on or off just by listening. Awesome. Love it.

Win 7 may be vastly improved and maybe even now on par with Snow Leopard, but I'll keep my Mac now. I used PCs at home for years and still do at work, but now that we've switched I won't be going back.


PC people are just upset that the Microsoft marketing people suck and are getting their arses handed to them on a platter by Apple's marketing people. ;)

[Groucho]

3x the money? For what? I looked at building my own PC last year and by the time everything added up - including a new flat screen monitor, which is part of the cost of an iMac - the price was only a few hundred more to just get an iMac, not 3 times the price!
Check the link I provided earlier in this thread to the older thread. I'm not going to spend time re-doing the searches. I will say that you can get a quite competent PC, laptop or desktop, for under $500 easily nowadays, including LCD for a desktop; good luck finding anything from Apple for under $1k. Once you get into PCs that are similarly priced, you're getting into specs that you can't even get with Macs, with high-end gaming video cards and such. No need for those on the Mac since there's barely any games to play. :teeth:

Aside from everything else mentioned you know what I have with our iMac that I didn't have very often with our PC machines? Silence. No noise. No fan blaring all the time. You cannot tell if the Mac is on or off just by listening. Awesome. Love it.
Guess you haven't used PCs lately; most are extremely quiet also. And again, this is a function of performance - if you get a higher-performance PC, such speed requires more cooling and hence more fans. Macs don't have the flexibility of going to such components.

PC people are just upset that the Microsoft marketing people suck and are getting their arses handed to them on a platter by Apple's marketing people. ;)
Oh yes, the single-digit market share is just terrifying. :lmao: Historically speaking, Apple would be in a grave if Microsoft didn't port Office to the Mac when they did... don't get me wrong, I'm no Microsoft fan but I've been paying close attention to the computer world for 30 years now... Apple is very, very lucky to be alive now, and they owe their current existence to the ipod, not the Mac.

[GrillMouster]

...they owe their current existence to the ipod...

Veeeeery true. The iPod and its offspring, the iPhone, has proven to be Apple's salvation. Sleek styling, simple controls, and designer packaging helped make the iPod a huge success. The iPod is a device that does what it does really well, but there have "superior" devices with more features (FM receiver, voice recording, user-replaceable battery, etc.) that couldn't make a dent in the iPod's market share. I think the success of the iPhone is what has driven so many people to try Mac computers in recent years. I don't think my local Best Buy would have a section dedicated to Macs if it weren't for the success of the iPod.

[squee!! disney!!]

I feel like I am constantly replacing computers and the one i have now is soooo slow - it drives me crazy.
With my love and interest in photography and videos, etc (as novice as I am)

Anyone have the new imac?

Thanks!!!

I am a mac girl all the way. But i also am pretty proficient with PCs. If you are looking for something that works well with photography and videos i would consider switching to a MAC. Windows users will tell you that you can do the same things on a PC but the industry standard is macs for a reason. just like if i wanted to do programming, i'd use visualbasic on a pc, or whatever they use.

And if you are a novice, their programs iphoto/imovie/idvd are phenomenal and easy to use. last year i needed to make a video and my old mac wouldn't work with my new HD handycam so i had to use a PC. The program was hard to use and the final product was mediocre at best. this year i had to make another video but this time i had a brand new imac so i could use imovie. it was easy to use and simple to export and making the DVD menu was simple and looked nice.

I currently have an old powerbook which i've never had to actually do much work on. its DVD rom needed replacing about 2 years ago but as a photographer in college i was burning LOTS and LOTS of dvds. it just gave out. aside from that i've had no issues with it. at times the hard drive has been completely full and it still ran like a pro. i imagine i'll have it for quite awhile.

the new imacs are fantastic, i purchased mine last summer and have had no issues with it. its fast and comes with great programs.

mac users will always tell you to switch and pc users will always give you reasons to stay...its really up to you though. it sounds like you could get a lot of use out of an apple though. :D good luck!

[Shutterbug]

I switched to a MAC cause I wanted everything to work together.
On a pc it was this program didnt work with that burner, or that program that motherboard.
Trying to get a program to make photo slide shows that I could burn as DVD and play in ANY player was a nightmare on PC.

I made my first DVD using Imovie and Idvd(both programs came installed on the Imac) and it was so easy. It all worked together and burned with no problems and played in each player and looks professional :thumbsup2

I am still learning the MAC OS though. Nice thing about Macs is that Apple offers free learning courses at the stores. I might go and sign up for one.
Also on apple.com they have tutorials for those switching over from PC.

[GrillMouster]

Windows users will tell you that you can do the same things on a PC but the industry standard is macs for a reason... Mac was the industry standard in artistic/creative professions because the industry standard software from Adobe was only available in the Mac platform for years. When it finally became available on the PC platform, there wasn't a compelling reason to switch, and creative types continued to use the platform to which they had become accustomed, Mac. These people continued to influence and teach up-and-coming people in their industries, and they passed-on the Mac preference. And as more and more people enter these industries, and they see all the other professionals using Macs, they go that route because they think they're "supposed" to, or because they must in order to work in a creative business where everyone else is using Mac. Peer pressure is a powerful thing. Even artistic-types, who are supposed to be independent free-thinkers, want to "belong". Hippies. :lmao:
I'm not saying that Macs aren't great. In fact, from a creative business perspective (photography), I can totally understand why choosing a Mac over a PC is a wise decision. Time is money. Every minute I spend tinkering with my PC is a minute that I could be shooting another client, marketing, or anything else that would directly benefit my business. That's the way my other photographer friends who use Macs explain it to me, and it makes sense. "I'm just too busy juggling my life as a photographer and my personal family life; I need something that just works right out of the box with little to no technical knowledge required." That alone is reason enough to choose a Mac. We don't have to resort to false nonsense such as an image from Adobe Photoshop running on a Mac will somehow look better than an image from Adobe Photoshop running on a PC. That's bull. PCs and Macs can do the same thing. The main difference is in the experience you get doing the same thing on different machines/platforms.

If I were starting out right now, I'd pick a Mac. However, when I started getting into computer graphics and photography, I was already proficient in tinkering and building PCs. So, I'm not at all intimidated by the thought of having to troubleshoot a PC. It wouldn't take much much time or effort to do so. Like I said, if I weren't so technically inclined, or if I really minded the bother, then I would be using a Mac full-time.

...The program was hard to use and the final product was mediocre at best... That has less to do with the OS (operating system) and more to do with the designer of that particular piece of software.

[MarkBarbieri]

In an odd quirk of fate, Photoshop can actually run better on a PC than a Mac now. During the transition to 64-bit, Apple made a sudden change of direction with regards to their development platform. That left companies like Adobe in a lurch. For that reason, Photoshop CS4 is only available in a 32-bit version on the Mac but you can get a 64-bit version on a PC. There is no difference in functionality, but the 64-bit version can use lots more memory.

[Chikabowa]

Peer pressure is a powerful thing. Even artistic-types, who are supposed to be independent free-thinkers, want to "belong". Hippies. :lmao:

This totally cracked me up. Thank you for that laugh! :)
But ditto everything else you said. :)

[ShanF]

Thank you for all the advice/replies to my original post -- i am the proud new owner of a 15 in macbook pro! I got the extended 3 year warranty and the 1 year one on one training - where i can go to the store unlimited for 1 hour training sessions. i have my first appt set up for next week. they are going to transfer all my pc files to my mac. i was really nervous about getting it, but they were having a great black friday special and once we were in the store and talked with a sales assoc (they must have had at least 40 people working in the store - it's in a mall, so it's not super big) and asked questions, played around my husband was more on board and now he is loving mine too. he'll be next to have one.
i am excited to learn more and see all it can do.
Thanks again!!
Shannon :)

[saturndb]

Shannon, enjoy your new Macbook Pro!


Dave pirate:

[ShanF]

I am loving my new mac more and more every day!!!!
thanks to everyone for your advice!
:cool1:

[aalan]

...Shanf to the wolrd of mac, although you run the risk of being called a "hippie, artistic-type," or even a "smug fart-wafer (?)," you actually have made a great computer choice that simply just works. The zealots on either side are all pretty boring, so do not let any of that nonsense bother you. Both platforms work, but I find the Mac OS easier, and more pleasing to use, with fewer problems, and I have been using both Mac and Pc for many years. Have fun!