Macbook Pro

[tybo78]

I have had it with Windows! The instability, the security issues. I spend a quarter of my time fixing problems with Windows. So I'm thinking about a Macbook pro. I have a few questions though.

-How many of you use Macs?

-Is it worth the extra coin?

-Did you switch from PC?

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch?

-What software should i get?

Any suggestions are welcome. I plan on using it for photo editing and some mid level video editing/creating.

Thanks!

[tasmo2]

Originally Posted by tybo78

I have had it with Windows! The instability, the security issues. I spend a quarter of my time fixing problems with Windows. So I'm thinking about a Macbook pro. I have a few questions though.

-How many of you use Macs?

-Is it worth the extra coin?

-Did you switch from PC?

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch?

-What software should i get?

Any suggestions are welcome. I plan on using it for photo editing and some mid level video editing/creating.

Thanks!

-Is it worth the extra coin? YES YES YES! (IMHO.. LOL)

-Did you switch from PC? Yes, I had only used PC up until this last purchase

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch? It took me about a week to really get the hang of it, and the first day I hated it. But a week later I loved it!

-What software should i get? There are TONS of software you can get, you just have to google what you want + mac and you will know if there is a mac version. Also, you can partition your hard drive in order to have a window side and keep your current software until you can get all you want. Then remove that side and all is new.

All of that being said, most everyone I know has a mac now and the few people I know that have windows hate it. I know it can be "faddish" but who cares if its a better product! I have had my mac for a year and a half and have not had any problems with it, in fact it has only frozen on me one time, and that was on the windows side! LOL!

[teaking]

Alot of people in photography use mac's and adobe software it just seems to be the trend.

Macs are different, they do work different there was only one button on the mouse when I used a Mac last and no Ctrl key this always confuses me lol I couldnt copy and paste how I used to and perform the simplist operations I used to to with ease I was a quivering wreck haha. I must stress its not a fault of the product, its just that my working environment is a PC

I would say choose the environment you like to work in best as the hardware these days is all similar and software developers know its all about multiplatform these days so most things will be available on both. I honestly believe both machines would do the same job.

[Jim Poor]

How many of you use Macs? Me Me Me. I have 11 Mac machines of various sorts in the office.

-Is it worth the extra coin? You bet, but you can build an almost equal PC for the same amount of money. I say almost, because of the operating system. People that say they can build a PC to meet or beat Mac specs for "a lot" cheaper are either mistaken or just hate Macs enough to spout off crap.

-Did you switch from PC? Yes, and also built and maintained my own PCs for a long time.

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch? Took me about a day. Not hard at all and there are a couple good switching to Mac books as well as some info on apple.com

-What software should i get? Basically, all the same stuff you would have on PC. Be aware that Adobe will give you Mac liscenses for your PC software for a tiny fee, phone call and letter stating that you have destroyed the PC version.

[Lorax]

Originally Posted by teaking

Macs are different, they do work different there was only one button on the mouse when I used a Mac last and no Ctrl key this always confuses me lol I couldnt copy and paste how I used to and perform the simplist operations.

With macs you can use any usb mouse. Take the one off your old pc and you can have the two button mouse.
That being said I have used macs since the Apple IIE and have been extremely satisfied. I absolutely love my mac book pro and my mac pro!

[Jim Poor]

It surprises me that mac still gives out the one button model

The don't. The Mighty Mouse and Magic Mouse both have two buttons. They are just underneath. You program right click in system settings just like any other.

[Raoul Isidro]

I have always used both.
Each has it's own "characteristic" and unique flavor.
The smell of a new Mac is like that of a 3M tape... like a nice candy.

[Jim Bryant]

-How many of you use Macs? -- I do, but there are many. Graphics in the MAc is far superior.

-Is it worth the extra coin? -- Not only yes, but hell yes

-Did you switch from PC? -- In 1996 and never looked back.

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch? -- One day

-What software should i get? -- CS5, Aperture or lightroom or Photomechanics

[Desert Rose]

-How many of you use Macs? -- I LOVE MY MAC

-Is it worth the extra coin? -- as Jim said "Not only yes, but hell yes"

-Did you switch from PC? -- Unfortunately the company I work for only purchases PCs and PC workstations for engineering software, so I use both on a daily basis

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch? -- about a day

-What software should i get? -- there are MAC versions of just about anything you currently use now

[statichash]

Originally Posted by tybo78

I have had it with Windows! The instability, the security issues. I spend a quarter of my time fixing problems with Windows. So I'm thinking about a Macbook pro. I have a few questions though.

Macs are computers built by a company that almost failed. Until the iPod came out, Apple was a sinking ship, the iPod sales shot through the roof and boosted the company's revenue so much that it gave the company a second wind and a chance for them to improve their computer product. Apple is lacking in market share for computers. Which is why you see them desperately attacking Microsoft/PC's in their ad campaigns. When does Microsoft do that to them? All of their ad campaigns target the user and use the "I'm a PC" quote.

As of July 2009 (Sorry I couldn't find a graphic for more recent times)


PC's have the problems that they have because malicious hackers aren't going to waste their time creating a virus that will only affect a small amount of computer users. They go for the motherload!

Originally Posted by tybo78

-How many of you use Macs?

I use them, I own a powerbook, but it slowly gathers dust.

Originally Posted by tybo78

-Is it worth the extra coin?

A colleague of mine is a total Apple fan boy, he gets everything Apple. iPhone, iPad, iMac, Powerbook, he's got 'em all. His motivation is that he is driven by the quality of the design and aesthetics of their hardware. Usability comes next, he claims that they're easy for him to use. Which is true, but he said he also likes carrying it around and showing it off to others, it's like a status thing (look at me I can afford a Mac) You get what you pay for. They are good products.

That "extra coin" you speak of is often referred to as the Apple tax. Click the link to read an article on Gizmodo that compares Apples to Oranges (Macs to PCs).

Originally Posted by tybo78

-Did you switch from PC?

Nope, I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate on my PC. I rarely (once or twice a year) power on the Mac, got the Mac for my wife but she found that she preferred PC - she now has an HP Pavillion laptop.

Originally Posted by tybo78

-How easy was it to get used to if you did make the switch?

Macs are easy to use, Apple prides itself on their Operating System among other software, boasting that anyone can use it; this is true - they are very easy to use.

Originally Posted by tybo78

-What software should i get?

Depends on what you want to do with your images. Adobe Photoshop is probably the most popular, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Elements; these all cost money and depending on your needs one package may be better than another. There are also many free software packages out on the net, it's just a matter of finding them and reading up on reviews about them.

Originally Posted by tybo78

Any suggestions are welcome. I plan on using it for photo editing and some mid level video editing/creating.
Thanks!

MAC | PC
So?...Which do you get? Each particular hardware has their pros and cons. Create a pros and cons list for yourself and determine which is a better solution for you. Do some research based on your needs to determine which will provide you with the most tools. It all comes down to what you prefer. If you have one near you, go to the Apple store, you can play around with the computers there and see if you like it. It's just another case of this or that, only it's computers.

Heck we have a similar issue here with cameras: Nikon vs Canon.

Just my .02¢