PC or MAC ? Help needed please

[Bateryman1970]

Hi

I need to get a new computer and am thinking about a MAC

I have always used a windows based PC and I’m nervous on using a Mac and getting software for it.

Can someone give me confidence on making the change

Does anyone use a MAC, stupid question probably but need some advice?

Has anyone used Mac Aperture processing software?

What is CS3 like for the MAC

Are basic functions like e-mail and internet surfing the same?

Any advice, ok all advice is welcomed

Many thanks

[xxpinballxx]

I love my mac. Always used PC until my wife got me a macbook pro and CS3 suite for our anniversary in july. I took a couple days and played around getting use to it but now I wouldn't go back to a PC for my photography stuff and editing apps. Aperture is nice application and has some decent post processing tools. I am just now exploring and trying to see what its potential is. I upload all my images into Aperture and process in CS3 for the most part but for shots I am just putting on my system for record its a great app.
CS3 is made for macs in my eyes...
Safari is the browser you'll get with it but firefox works opera works its all the same pretty much. There are a few differences but not a whole lot as far as basic computing goes.
email works the same also. The new leopard OS system lets you crete virtual desktops with certain apps on each virtual desktop. So for instance you can have one with CS3 aperture all by themselves and another with your business apps and another with your games and music or whatever. Nice feature but also have heard there are problems with the OS. I have yet to upgrade but Nicole one of the other mods has it and loves it.
one thing to know though some apps for post processing will not work on a mac yet some of the less popular ones....I've encountered a couple programs that I would love to have but they've yet to make a Mac version but are in the works...so things like virtual photographer will not be compatible until later next year hopefully.
Once you get use to the macs os theres really no difference in the actual functions of the computer.

[Murtasma]

I say get whatever fits your budget macs cost a decent amount more then PCs of comparable specs. If you have the software for the PC already your going to have to buy it again for mac and photoshop is not a cheep application.

[miles]

I have a Macbook, just got it in July, I absolutely love it. I miss playing games on my PC machines, but I am also more productive because I don't game anymore (except my Wii)

I totally 100% recommend a mac, I was nervous too

[Nai no Kami]

I have been using Macs (or Apple computers) since I was 11, and I'm 32. You will never regret your purchase.

Also, as I did with many friends of mine who were die-hard PC users and now are devoted to the Mac, I can offer you my help in everything you may need. My MSN Messenger is available in my profile. You can also find me via iChat (I think AIM for PC also supports it) at agustin.ocampo@mac.com <– this is not a mail address but an iChat screen name; I will not be able to retrieve any mail written to that address.

[rediguana]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

I say get whatever fits your budget macs cost a decent amount more then PCs of comparable specs.

Actually no. There are plenty of comparisons on the net that spec up Macs next to PC's with equivalent software, and due to the bundled software that comes on a Mac - they often end up being more economical than PC's. Sure PC's have a cheaper entry price, but you end up having to purchase more software for them. There was also a comparison a few months ago to find (at the time) the fastest PC laptop and it turned out to be a MacBook Pro with Windows installed on it...

I say this as a user that has machines on Windows, Mac and Linux, and manages all three types at my business so I am probably a bit more impartial than most and regularly use all three. My primary work laptop and home desktop are now Macs by choice.

So, Macs might have been more expensive in the past, but that is generally not the case now. The only point on which you might get stung is Apple's memory upgrades. You can often get these far cheaper from a local Apple retailer that has sourced quality RAM but is not the same as Apple's. I've had no problem with this approach and it has saved our business possibly over USD$500.

I do agree that switching apps can be expensive - but this can also be a good time to investigate new apps (either open source or commercial). Also, some vendors do provide apps for both Windows and Mac and often you can download the Mac version and use the same serial number (not all vendors of course). Make sure to check before you decide to move to a different platform. Many of the big-name software packages are available on both platforms.

And whilst you may pay more by the time you include a Windows licence, with the Intel Macs you can always install Windows on your mac and continue using your existing applications - even at the same time on the one machine. I haven't personally had to do this yet.

And other than some of the teething pains with Leopard - the reliability aspect of the Macs have far outshone Windows, and it is difficult to put a price on that.

[amy-rose]

i just got a mac a few months ago and i'm seriously having trouble switching. i'm getting there, but i don't see the great benefit just yet. my computer (which is kind of old) was just as fast. i am very good with computers too!
a problem that i am having is not viewing all of the colors (i guess that is how i will call it) on my mac. i will post process some of my photos and then post them to my website only to discover all sorts of missed spots! especially when i view them on my pc. i never had this trouble using my pc and i don't know what to do! i know the color is much more vivid on my mac, but i want to throw it out the window at times! augh! for example: if i want a pure black background and paint it blacker, then some spots get missed because they all look black but aren't. if i look at the monitor from slightly above i can KIND OF see them, but not really well.
anyone got any suggestions for this?

[starrylaurie]

I'm a PCer and am going to throw in another question for Mac users. I've been told that the biggest pain is getting acquainted with the mouse. Rumor has it that you can purchase a "clickable" mouse. Is this true? AND did you have a tough time with the mouse switch? (I can't imagine not right-clicking~!)

[Japaslavian]

Originally Posted by starrylaurie

I'm a PCer and am going to throw in another question for Mac users. I've been told that the biggest pain is getting acquainted with the mouse. Rumor has it that you can purchase a "clickable" mouse. Is this true? AND did you have a tough time with the mouse switch? (I can't imagine not right-clicking~!)

You can buy a normal USB mouse and right-click works just as it does on a PC.

As for my 2-cents into this thread, most programs nowadays are becoming cross-platform. Adobe software even started as a Macintosh only apps.
When I was working as an assistant in a commercial photo studio we strictly used Macs. My boss insisted they were the best for imaging. BUT, I use a PC at home and quite honestly, the only real difference I've found is the hot keys that require Alt and Ctrl as opposed to Option and Command (something I still to this day have to think about what platform I'm using to press the right keys...)
All in all, you will most likely get a better deal on a PC, especially if you buy the parts separately and build it yourself (I saved $500 doing so). Macs will come standard with a more user-friendly OS, nice appearance, and simplicity, but otherwise (from my experiences) e-mail, internet browsing (with Firefox), even some (very few) games have all run great on both.
It's really where your budget it.

[wulf]

When I got a new computer a few months ago, I chose a Mac Mini, my first foray into Apple ownership. It wasn't so much the operating system that swung it for me as the fact that the Mini comes in such a tiny, quiet box.

I've got a virtual copy of Linux running via VMWare Fusion so my inner penguin is satisfied. I have to say that I have been decidedly unimpressed with the few times I have played with Vista, although I think that is partly that the machines I have tried (friends with new PCs) have had desktops loaded down with an ugly rash of 3rd party software and offers.

If I had to pick just one OS, it would still be Linux though...

Wulf