Another PC vs. Apple Question! ;)

Hello,

I am considering two computer systems for both fun and business. The first is a Dell Vostro C2Q/4GB/500GB with either the 2007wfp monitor (if I can find one) or the 2407wfp. The second system option is the Imac 24" (I like the price tag of the 20" but ruled it out after finding in this forum the panel is a TN).

Required Computer Tasks: Photo editing, video editing, graphic design, movie viewing, web publishing (Dreamweaver), business applications including simply Accounting/Quicken, Office, Blackberry etc..

It is my understanding after reading various posts, the differences between PC & Mac has more to do with the OS software than the hardware or other software packages such PhotoShop (as PS for PC, for example, is going to do the same job as PS for Mac).

I have always used PC and have not used Mac yet however, regardless I plan to buy new software.

One issue is I currently have a web site for which I use an Access database. While Access is included with Office for PC; Access is not include with Office for Mac nor will it even run on a Mac. To resolve this issue, I have considered also running XP on the Mac to gain access to the Access software or converting my database to mySQL so that it will run on the Mac.

I am seeking feedback as to whether the inconvenience of toggling between Leopard & XP on the Mac is worth whatever possible gain in performance is available when switching to a Mac and what additional costs I may incur as a result of the switch.

I am also interested in anyone's experience (negative or positive) with using a Mac to run a business.

Thanks!!

PS - I plan to post this in the PC forum as well.

cmds said:

I am seeking feedback as to whether the inconvenience of toggling
between Leopard & XP on the Mac is worth whatever possible gain in
performance is available when switching to a Mac and what additional
costs I may incur as a result of the switch.

Click to expand...

There's no need to toggle between XP & Leopard (although you can if you prefer it). Instead, run WinXP via VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop concurrently with OS X, and you can even copy/paste data between the two as well as share common files.

I have been doing photo-video business using a Mac since 1984. No problems.

cmds said:

Hello,

I am considering two computer systems for both fun and business. The
first is a Dell Vostro C2Q/4GB/500GB with either the 2007wfp monitor
(if I can find one) or the 2407wfp. The second system option is the
Imac 24" (I like the price tag of the 20" but ruled it out after
finding in this forum the panel is a TN).

Click to expand...

The 24" iMac white "classic" with the matte screen or the aluminum iMac with the glossy screen are both very nice. The 24" screen will work well for photo editing, etc.

cmds said:

Required Computer Tasks: Photo editing, video editing, graphic
design, movie viewing, web publishing (Dreamweaver), business
applications including simply Accounting/Quicken, Office, Blackberry
etc..

It is my understanding after reading various posts, the differences
between PC & Mac has more to do with the OS software than the
hardware or other software packages such PhotoShop (as PS for PC, for
example, is going to do the same job as PS for Mac).

I have always used PC and have not used Mac yet however, regardless I
plan to buy new software.

One issue is I currently have a web site for which I use an Access
database. While Access is included with Office for PC; Access is not
include with Office for Mac nor will it even run on a Mac. To
resolve this issue, I have considered also running XP on the Mac to
gain access to the Access software or converting my database to mySQL
so that it will run on the Mac.

Click to expand...

Would Apple's Bento personal database be useful?

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/productivity_tools/bentobyfilemaker.html

cmds said:

I am seeking feedback as to whether the inconvenience of toggling
between Leopard & XP on the Mac is worth whatever possible gain in
performance is available when switching to a Mac and what additional
costs I may incur as a result of the switch.

Click to expand...

As previously suggested, look into VMWare Fusion or Parallels if you do need to run WinXP and Windows apps.

cmds said:

I am also interested in anyone's experience (negative or positive)
with using a Mac to run a business.

Thanks!!

PS - I plan to post this in the PC forum as well.

Click to expand...

--
John P. Sabo

'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'

• Arthur C. Clarke -

Interesting! I didn't know you could have/share common files.

So...If you are working in a Mac based program you can access files created in the XP side and saved to a common folder?

Does the connection between the two (Mac/XP on the imac) allow for the following?

If I have DreamWeaver (for mac) and Access (XP/PC) both loaded on the iMac and I click on the Access database file in DreamWeaver, will the system automatically access and open the Access database held on the XP side? (I suspect not).

Thanks again...

Just listening in hoping to learn something.

cmds said:

Interesting! I didn't know you could have/share common files.

So...If you are working in a Mac based program you can access files
created in the XP side and saved to a common folder?

Click to expand...

Absolutely, and vice versa. You can choose disks or folders to be shared, and optionally make them read-only.

cmds said:

Does the connection between the two (Mac/XP on the imac) allow for
the following?

If I have DreamWeaver (for mac) and Access (XP/PC) both loaded on the
iMac and I click on the Access database file in DreamWeaver, will the
system automatically access and open the Access database held on the
XP side? (I suspect not).

Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with either application, but I don't think it can do that without a little effort. It might be possible to script something, for instance.

How about a free, open source application to manage mySQL databases on the Mac?

http://cocoamysql.sourceforge.net/

--
Only my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Your mileage may vary! ;-}
http://www.dougwigton.com/

With your interest in Video and Photo editing, Mac is a great platform. Final Cut Pro is a nice high end edit program and Adobe Premier has a big following also. Of course just with the basic software with your Mac you will be able to tackle just about anything you stated in your OP. Software aside, spend the money and get the best Video card you can buy. Especially in Photo editing software it will save the day and increase your speed. 2.5 or 3 gigs of Ram would be a minimum. iMacs are nice but somewhat limiting in selection of Video Cards, and of course all of your extra drives will be external ones. Mac is a great platform. I use PC to edit video at work, I have Mac at home and don't regret it.
--
Canon 40D
Canon 17-55 2.8 IS
Canon 580EXII flash

In Parallels you can launch applications on either OS by clicking on a file in either OS. I haven't tried that with Fusion as I have pretty much settled on Parallels for now.

Assuming that Dreamweaver is using the normal application launch and file associations I suspect what you require will be possible. Obviously I haven't tried it as I don't have dreamweaver but from my experience with other apps it's certainly feasible.

I don't think there's a reason to switch for you. Unless you are curious about the other side and want to try something new. In that case you'd be fine, as long as you convert your MS Access solution into something different as it's obvious no go on OS X platform.

Since you want it not only for fun, but business as well, make sure you give yourself enough time to grasp Mac (because in your case it can cost you time and money...). this forum is a live evidence that people repeatedly get frustrated with things they should know, but they simple don't. They expect that everything will happen overnight and that what they have learned in 20 years on Windows should happen in 3 weeks on Mac. Which is dumb and unrealistic.

I personally would have to have a reason, perhaps you have one as well, I just don't see it in your post?

Regards,

Marek

mxs said:

people repeatedly get frustrated with things they should know, but they simple don't. They expect that everything will happen overnight and that what they have learned in 20 years on Windows should happen in 3 weeks on Mac. Which is dumb and unrealistic.

Click to expand...

Gee. Maybe we really should stick to Windows.

The Macintosh is not for everyone, neither is Windows or Linux. Here's a little suggestion. If you are truly serious about thinking you might like a Macintosh, go to a n Apple store and get someone to help you play with a system for a while. Find a friend locally who has a Mac and ask if you can work with it a little. Check out the various third party software available for the Mac. Read up on it online. Check out the switcher tutorials on the Apple web site. Then, when you have a better idea of whether you would truly like to have a Mac, but have some more fully formed questions, come back and ask. We actually are a friendly bunch on this board, and we have helped many newbies who really need help.

--
Only my opinion. It's worth what you paid for it. Your mileage may vary! ;-}
http://www.dougwigton.com/

i agree about having a reason to switch to mac- i just bought a macbook about a month ago, primarily for my g/f's use, but i also use it about half time. the other half is split with my super el-cheapo 1 year old gateway laptop.

both are plenty stable and plenty fast. the gateway was waaaay cheaper (even a year ago, and the macbook's a refurb)- almost 50% price difference, for not much performance penalty (even w/ a one year difference). i like both quite a bit. but the macbook has had some serious issues talking to my linux-smb based nas, and my networked printer.

if you NEED it for work, i'd be sure to consider downtime potential getting things up and running. if it's PRIMARILY just for kicks and something different, go for it.

Most people who don't have deep pockets don't make costly changes unless they have to or need to. So, if he doesn't care about money and is curious about Mac, he should just buy one and not waste time posting this type of question here. At least that is what I'd do. If he's in a pinch, I'd like to hear why is he thinking of switching, so potentially we can adequately prepare him what's coming and whether he's expectations are realistic or not.

Simple, or not?

Marek

mxs said:

not waste time posting this type of question here.

Click to expand...

Your worries are over. I won't post this type of question here again.