PC or MAC

Guy 2 · Mar 22, 2010

Could I beg a few minutes of your time..?

What is the commonest system in use by professional photographers PC or Mac and why do you think your system is the best suited..?

I am on PC and an Ezio cg24w but am fed up of crashes, and raid crashes.

I am looking to renew my system so I thought I would see what works best for you.

I would also like to know how you store your images, I currently use raid 0 (mirror) on 1 tb drives, I also keep 2 separate 1 tb drives with copies, I like to keep 4 copies of everything.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanking you for your time in advance.

Guy

ps. forget the cost implications, I want to get a system that will function as it should.

dik · Mar 22, 2010

Go Mac, you won't look back.
You know it. Why do you care what's commonest?
The masses are asses.

jforkner · Mar 22, 2010

I recently went thru a similar dilemma. I was an a PC running XP. I looked at an iMac, but didn't like the glossy monitor surface or the need to convert all my software to Mac-versions. Yes, I know the Mac can run Windows, but what's the point?

I compared specs of a new iMac and a new PC running Win7. For similar specs (memory, video card, disk, etc.), the PC was less expensive.

I ended up upgrading my existing machine to Win7 (64-bit), and am very pleased with my decision. The platform is extremely stable and a bit faster. Plus it can use all the RAM, now. When I converted, I added a second 10,000rpm drive for the new OS, using the original as a scratch drive. I store all my data on a Drobo unit. I also have two external drives for backup.

Jack

dik · Mar 22, 2010

I have to agree about the glossy monitor issue, but a Mac (not MAC), even an iMac, or laptop will run your favorite monitor just fine. Get a big IPS monitor and run it with a laptop. Use external hard drives for easy unlimited storage.

Don't fall into the price comparison trap. That's almost always done using Apple's overpriced RAM. Do your comparison, if you must, using DealRam (or other online RAM suppliers) for memory.

But whatever the purchase cost comparison results, the ongoing costs for tech support, virus protection, and psychiatry, far outweigh them.

Opinions from people who do not own and use current Macs, don't count.
They don't know.
How can they?
Opinions from users of both, that's different.

To get competent with a PC is a huge investment in time, effort, and money.

Many people think switching to Mac would be throwing all that investment out the window.

After they switch, they find that it's a breeze to just keep doing Photoshop and Office and whatever they used to do.
The operating system just operates.

You're going to do it sooner or later, why not start reaping the benefits now?

JulesJ · Mar 22, 2010

You can get a MacBook Pro with matt screen. I have Macs and Pcs and use both in our professional photography business. They both do what it says on the box but I prefer the Mac operating System and design. The macs are designed to be easy and pleasurable to use. PCs are just designed to be used. Windows is overly complicated.
just an opinion from someone using both daily.
jules

--
Charlie Gillett. A sad day for music.

dloudmountain · Mar 22, 2010

For what it's worth, my long-term personal experience has been with BOTH Macs and Windows machines. Overtime I have spent enrmous amounts of money on power and high end calibratable monitors.

I bought an iMac two years ago. It blew me away. Smooth sailing ever since, with excellent software and interface, So very noticably different and efficient. It still works perfectly with two 2TB external drives --one for Lightroom/Photoshop back-ups. No complaints.

I'll be getting a new iMac soon, slightly faster, with a 24" monitor. The first iMac will make a wonderful greeter monitor that can easily be carried to shows, conventions, wedding foyers and etc.

I've not met anyone who's been disappointed with their iMac. And in truth, the interface is exteremely friedly. Microsoft may have won their "look and feel" extended battle with Macintosh, but, in trith, it really still is a copy. The nitpickers talk details unnoticed and incidental to most of us. For business reasons I use two Windows machines through the day, but when I REALLY want to serious work (with relaxed and efficient pleasure) I continually return with a sigh and a smile to my iMac. Wouldn't have any other.

Paul Grupp · Mar 22, 2010

. . . . the Macs are pretty amazing.

I would say -- if you're the kind of person who buys a car for transportation, and could care less about the features, brand, etc. -- get a PC.

If you appreciate the amenities and capabilities of a really nice car, get a Mac.

Yes, I know it's simplistic. But fairly true for a lot of us.

owenleve · Mar 22, 2010

I was a a PC only guy a number of years ago until one day I got sick and tired of the crashing, the speed and clunkiness of the pc's. I ventured out to the mac world buying a 12" g4 laptop that, on paper, was 1/2 the speed of my $2,000+ HP setup.

The HP made a one-way trip to the firing range a few months after that and I have never used a PC since.

Mac are more expensive in general. But you DO get what you pay for in stability and longevity. I now have a g5 that has been great but the new imac 27" that replaced it is just so much faster. I also have a 17" MBP for traveling.

Speed, reliability, ease of use (once you learn them you will struggle with the 'logic' of pc's.).

Buy a mac and you will soon forget your PC issues and get work done. It's truly just that simple.
--

http://www.courtlevephoto.com
http://www.courtlevephotography.com

Jeff Seltzer · Mar 22, 2010

Guy 2 said:
Could I beg a few minutes of your time..?

What is the commonest system in use by professional photographers PC or Mac and why do you think your system is the best suited..?

I am on PC and an Ezio cg24w but am fed up of crashes, and raid crashes.

I am looking to renew my system so I thought I would see what works best for you.

I would also like to know how you store your images, I currently use raid 0 (mirror) on 1 tb drives, I also keep 2 separate 1 tb drives with copies, I like to keep 4 copies of everything.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanking you for your time in advance.

Guy

ps. forget the cost implications, I want to get a system that will function as it should.

--
http://www.jeffseltzerphotography.com (fine art)
http://www.jseltzphotography.com (wedding/portrait)

The Davinator · Mar 22, 2010

Boot up a PC and a Mac....open up Photoshop or Lightroom. See if you can find a difference in how they run.

Once you see that there is no difference....buy what you want.

tyoung · Mar 22, 2010

Guy 2 said:
Could I beg a few minutes of your time..?

Guy 2 said:
I am on PC and an Ezio cg24w but am fed up of crashes, and raid crashes.

Guy 2 said:
I would also like to know how you store your images, I currently use raid 0 (mirror) on 1 tb drives, I also keep 2 separate 1 tb drives with copies, I like to keep 4 copies of everything.

Either Mac and PC can be just as reliable as each other, especiallly these days where Macs are essentially PC's running an Apple OS.

As far as RAID crashes go, that's pretty much independent of the platform or operating system. If you're running RAID 0, that's striping, not mirroring. It's good for performance but the chances of a volume crash is multiplied by the number of drives in the array. There is no redundancy.

RAID 1 mirroring is redundant. Higher RAID levels provide varying degrees of redundancy vs performance vs overall cost. You'll want to choose the RAID level carefully based on your own needs. None is better or worse than the other in all cases, it's just a matter of which is best for you. In no case should you consider RAID redundancy any sort of a backup measure. A controller failure can ruin your day regardless of the level of redundancy in place. Also, when selecting drives for an array, it's best to choose drives that have been certified for use in RAID arrays. Those that have not been have a strong potential of bringing the entire array down without warning.

--
'Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!'

Tom Young
http://www.pbase.com/tyoung/

Paul Grupp · Mar 22, 2010

Type a couple keywords into Spotlight from your keyworded library of a couple hundred thousand files on your Mac -- notice how quick all the image files come up.

Now try the same thing on your Windows PC -- now look at your Mac -- now look at your PC. . .

It's been a while since I've used a PC -- does it have anything comparable to Spotlight?

I've found with the Mac and Spotlight, I really don't need a program like Lightroom -- with a data base integrated into the OS, it does everything I need with absolutely no maintenance and babysitting required.

IMHO, hard to beat a Mac.

Also, AppleCare and the ability to just take the machine into an Apple store, plop it on the Genius bar and say, "Fix it" is pretty nice.

On my 24" iMac -- the hard drive died after 2.5 years. Apple installed a new, bigger drive for free while I waited.

Hard to beat. The PC will get you there -- but the Mac will get you there feeling refreshed and happy.

JulesJ · Mar 22, 2010

If that was all you did with your computer it might be a relevent point. as it is there are many other things you do such as file handling, file loading, transferring, backing up. etc etc. If only computing were as simple as you make out. And of course if you've decided to go with one system or the other then presumably you'll be doing your word processing, emailing, spreadsheets etc etc. If only!!!
Jules

Jules

Dave Luttmann said:
Boot up a PC and a Mac....open up Photoshop or Lightroom. See if you can find a difference in how they run.

Once you see that there is no difference....buy what you want.

--
Charlie Gillett. A sad day for music.

Ashley Morrison Photography · Mar 22, 2010

Guy 2 said:
ps. forget the cost implications, I want to get a system that will function as it should.

You already know the answer then ... you just need to Select which one:
http://store.apple.com/uk-business/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_pro
--
Cheers,
Ashley.
http://www.ampimage.com
http://www.ashleymorrison.com

Jeff Seltzer · Mar 22, 2010

Windows 7 handles search pretty well. I've used both, and I like both. PCs give you more bang for the buck, IMO. Apple has less than 10% market share for a reason.

Paul Grupp said:
Type a couple keywords into Spotlight from your keyworded library of a couple hundred thousand files on your Mac -- notice how quick all the image files come up.

Now try the same thing on your Windows PC -- now look at your Mac -- now look at your PC. . .

It's been a while since I've used a PC -- does it have anything comparable to Spotlight?

I've found with the Mac and Spotlight, I really don't need a program like Lightroom -- with a data base integrated into the OS, it does everything I need with absolutely no maintenance and babysitting required.

IMHO, hard to beat a Mac.

Also, AppleCare and the ability to just take the machine into an Apple store, plop it on the Genius bar and say, "Fix it" is pretty nice.

On my 24" iMac -- the hard drive died after 2.5 years. Apple installed a new, bigger drive for free while I waited.

Hard to beat. The PC will get you there -- but the Mac will get you there feeling refreshed and happy.

--
http://www.jeffseltzerphotography.com (fine art)
http://www.jseltzphotography.com (wedding/portrait)

tyoung · Mar 22, 2010

Paul Grupp said:
Type a couple keywords into Spotlight from your keyworded library of a couple hundred thousand files on your Mac -- notice how quick all the image files come up.

Now try the same thing on your Windows PC -- now look at your Mac -- now look at your PC. . .

It's been a while since I've used a PC -- does it have anything comparable to Spotlight?

Yes. Surprisingly enough, it's called "Search" . Every file is fully indexed. Indexes are updated continuously. Locating a file or keyword sequence is an instantaneous operation.

If there remains any kind of a "war" between Macs and any other platform, it's limited to marketing. They're all built from essentially the same parts. Even the operating systems share more in common then they ever have before.

Swap an old Mac for a new PC and one will be like omg, it's so smooth and simple! Same goes for swapping an old PC for a new Mac.

It's the 21st century. These things are just appliances at this point. Kenmore or Westinghouse. Take your pick.

--
'Here, look at the monkey. Look at the silly monkey!'

Tom Young
http://www.pbase.com/tyoung/

Michael Fryd · Mar 23, 2010

It's difficult to do a direct price comparison between Mac and PC, because they come bundled with different software sets.

The Mac includes:

Easy to use automatic backup software ("Time Machine")
Built in security eliminating the need for anti-virus software
Free lifetime tech support at the Apple store
Easy to use video editing software
Easy to use DVD authoring software
Easy to use Web authoring software
System wide color management
System wide search (understands IPTC keywords)

and many more.

For many people the backup software alone is the deal breaker. Buy an external disk, plug it in, and a window pops up asking if you want to use the disk for backups. Click on "OK", and you're done setting up backups.

With the Mac, they actually do backups. With a PC, they never got around to it (and paid thousands of dollars for data recovery when their drive died).

Everyone has different needs. The Mac bundled software may be of no use to you. For some people, the Mac bundled software makes the Mac a much better bargain.

Also, many people are not technical wizards. When something goes wrong with their computer, they have to hire someone to fix. Typically, Mac owners don't spen nearly as much on this sort of thing.

Pimpleportrait · Mar 23, 2010

I am a user of both systems, the Mac is a breeze. I have a MAC now, no issues with the glossy screen. It depends on where you place it anyway. Or if you are really particular, get Eizo, but that's a great additional expense.

Sarajean · Mar 23, 2010

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=c26efa36-98e0-4ee9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52&displaylang=en

or

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/backup-and-restore.aspx

not saying either is as good as time machine but its a piece of cake to backup files with Windows 7.

Cheers.

jforkner · Mar 23, 2010

dik said:
Don't fall into the price comparison trap. That's almost always done using Apple's overpriced RAM. Do your comparison, if you must, using DealRam (or other online RAM suppliers) for memory.

Comparing costs should include all the components; not just RAM.

dik said:
But whatever the purchase cost comparison results, the ongoing costs for tech support, virus protection, and psychiatry, far outweigh them.

In the past 30 years, I've spent $0.00 on tech support. With Win7, virus protection is $0.00 (Microsoft Security Essentials). I yield to your experience with psychiatry.

dik said:
To get competent with a PC is a huge investment in time, effort, and money.

You're kidding, right? I guess that's why the Mac runs Windows software.

dik said:
The operating system just operates.

So why is there a big investment in time, effort, and money?

dik said:
You're going to do it sooner or later, why not start reaping the benefits now?

And those benefits are?

PC or MAC

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