PC or MAC ? Help needed please

[RussHeath]

Nicole - Yes, I see your point. I was looking at a very specific comparison, because I knew exactly what PC setup I wanted. For that specific comparison, the Mac cost a lot more (even before I considered my software investment). Any other cost analysis was not useful for me, because other PC setups (and therefore their equivalent mac setups) did not meet my needs. I did not mean to generalize.

[NaturesPixel]

you also have to take in the added cost of upgrading your windows PC hardware every time they bring out a new Op Sys. or atleast some of the hardware,
with a MAC their OS will work on older machines.. just ask Nicole she is running a dinosaur (ok well maybe not that old) with the lastest OS Leopard

[RussHeath]

I guess some windows machines might be "outgrown" by MS operating systems (certainly a consideration if you buy in the middle or low end of the range of available computers), but I would be shocked if Windows managed to release a new OS that was beyond the capabilities of my new computer before the computer died of natural causes anyway.

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by newbie

I could not find an exactly equivalent setup on Mac, but the closest I could find was over $1200 more. This was driven primarily by the monitors I chose, and in that respect I have never been happier with a piece of equipment. I use two ultrasharp dell 24 inch widescreens in a dual setup. Expensive as this was, it was nearly impossible to emulate with Mac for any comparable amount money. The closest I could get was a single 30" screen which after much personal comparison is far inferior for the way I work.

You can't count a monitor as part of the cost of the actual machine. You can use any monitor with any computer, provided the connections are all there. Just buy the stupid monitor(s) you want and use them.

[Bateryman1970]

Great!!

Loads of advice here, thank you very much

It appears to be a MAC that is by far coming out No.1

I went to my local Apple store yesterday and was very impressed with the units especially the all in one units where the computer bits are built into the screen

Now just need to figure out what type and configuration to get….

Any advice on this would be welcomed again

Cheers…..

[Kpclark1959]

I have been a Mac user for 10 years. I just bought the 2 ghz imac and it is wonderful! I have not had a problem with it or the operating system at all. Be forewarned though: there are reported problems with the new Leopard operating system but I have never had any issues since I got it 2 months ago.

[RussHeath]

Originally Posted by jdepould

You can't count a monitor as part of the cost of the actual machine. You can use any monitor with any computer, provided the connections are all there. Just buy the stupid monitor(s) you want and use them.

I actually called both Apple and Dell before deciding on this and they both gave me the same story, which was that the Apple computer and Dell monitors would not play nice together. It was long enough ago that I don't remember the details, but the dual setup was particularly problematic. I'm not sure why, but when I heard it from both companies I wasn't about spend all that money and take the chance. Stupid or not . . .

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by newbie

I actually called both Apple and Dell before deciding on this and they both gave me the same story, which was that the Apple computer and Dell monitors would not play nice together. It was long enough ago that I don't remember the details, but the dual setup was particularly problematic. I'm not sure why, but when I heard it from both companies I wasn't about spend all that money and take the chance. Stupid or not . . .

They just wanted you to buy their monitor.

[FrankenPengie]

Originally Posted by NaturesPixel

you also have to take in the added cost of upgrading your windows PC hardware every time they bring out a new Op Sys. or atleast some of the hardware,
with a MAC their OS will work on older machines.. just ask Nicole she is running a dinosaur (ok well maybe not that old) with the lastest OS Leopard

I disagree. Just because they come out with a new version of Windows, it doesn't mean you have to buy it. I can't see justifying the cost of a mere OS upgrade in many cases, even on a Mac. We have a machine here loving Win2k. It just doesn't like it's user.

[bbullerwell]

I just read an article about switching to a mac from USA Today, not a bad article, http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columni...2-05-mac_N.htm I think it is funny how mac and pc users like to rip on each other, yes I am a mac user, and no I will never buy another PC and if I can, I will get friends and family to switch, but I will not go around trying to cut other people down because of that choice, the comments at the bottom of the article are ruthless, I suggest you just go back to the apple store and use the computer, ask the questions that you have while the computer is in front of you, it is my experience that the people at the apple stores are very helpfull, and don't mind you standing there using the computer for a while, typically they have apeture and final cut pro suites installed on at least a couple of systems, with pictures that you can play with, so go try it, if you like it buy it, I think they are easier to deal with, more fun to use, and just plain cool, but if you don't think it fits in the store, then it probably won't at home, it is just like everyone here says when buying a camera, they both get you similar results, it is all in how it feels in your hands, and how you can work the controls.

sorry about the rant

Good Luck with your choice!