Are pro's using PC or Mac?

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them, also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

I've been a life-long Mac user and would never dream of using Windows. If your software needs are photo-related, then you'll have no problem finding what you need for Apple.

I've got a G4 dual 1.25 Ghz and a 20" Cinema Display and it's unreal.

John

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

You'll find adherents of both platforms among professionals. I used to use Mac, but now use Windows for the greater software availablity for post processing utilities.

Lin
--
http://208.56.82.71

The old Myth that there is not as much software is not exactly true. For just about any endeaver you are involved in there is Mac software to handle it. There just isn't as many choices in many cases. The software that is available for the Mac is usually outstanding. Mac has aways been strong in the graphics field but is not strong in the gaming field.

I have had Macs since 1990 and have been able to get any software I needed. And althought I havent' upgraded to Mac's recent upgrad OS 10.3, the Mac version OS 10.2.8 is an outstanding OS, Smooth and elegant.

dave

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

Lin Evans said:

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

You'll find adherents of both platforms among professionals. I used
to use Mac, but now use Windows for the greater software
availablity for post processing utilities.

Lin
--
http://208.56.82.71

Click to expand...

--

rof My name is Ralph and i am a Mac Addict. That said today i would not recommend Mac to someone starting out who needs computer for business as well as photo/graphic arts. A few years ago Windows was well behind Mac for the latter use, but that is true no longer. Even buying printers and scanners the manufacturers do Windows first, often a year or so before they get around to Mac if they ever do. Why: there are 15x W to every mac possible customer. Still my name is still Ralph and i am still a Mac addict: so who needs business facility? Ralph http://homepage.mac.com/rof

Why not just get a better display for you Windows machine?

In terms of functionality, there is not much to chose between the platforms. It so happens that at least some of the software I want to use is Windows only, or works best on Windows. I have a Mac Laptop to run an old-ish drum scanner, but that's all it does.

RIL

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

I bought a 17-inch Powerbook last Spring and haven't looked back. This after more than 20 years of PCs. In terms of graphics capabilities I can only say things I dreamed about doing with a PC have been accomplished easily with the Mac.

The Powerbook has now replaced the desktop PC. I take it everywhere, including the field. Want to freak somebody out after an out of town assignment? Start editing your images at the airport and finish up during the flight!

The transition isn't as difficult as some might surmise. The OS is very intuitive.
--
Ron Baskin

try running Neatimage...

Dave Beaman said:

I have had Macs since 1990 and have been able to get any software I
needed. And althought I havent' upgraded to Mac's recent upgrad OS
10.3, the Mac version OS 10.2.8 is an outstanding OS, Smooth and
elegant.

dave

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

I have swithced to Mac in June and I could not be happier. I am able to do what ever I need to do. What is really nice is that people are impressed when you show them their proofs on one of Apple's flat panel displays. (we use a 17in iMac).

As far as software goes... Photoshop is still Photoshop on the Mac (but faster). Plus OS X blows XP away...

--
Learn to share and we all learn!

rocco155757 said:

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

I am on a 3 year old Mac G4 and I STILL love my computer. I have worked on PC and Mac over the years and the Mac is hands down my favorite platform and I have yet to run into a piece of software that I want to use that is not available on a Mac. There are thousands of software titles for PC only but how many of those do you need?

I run the entire Adobe suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excell, PowerPoint, etc), File Maker, Macromedia, IE, etc, etc, etc. Then there are programs I use a lot like Final Cut Pro and iMovie that are the best solutions, or, best AFFORDABLE solutions for video editing and creating DVDs and the like. iTunes, iPhoto, and the like are also great programs that are always running in the background.

I can honestly say that if you went out right now and bought a new G5 you would be happy with that purchase for the next SEVERAL years and not once say "Gee, I should have bought a PC."

Cheers,
Zack Arias
Atlanta, GA

http://www.usedfilm.com

Dave Beaman said:

The old Myth that there is not as much software is not exactly
true. For just about any endeaver you are involved in there is Mac
software to handle it. There just isn't as many choices in many
cases.

Click to expand...

Hi Dave,

Don't you see a bit of a paradox in the above statement? What's the difference in "not as much software" and "not as many choices in many cases"??

The problem is that there isn't as much software available for the Mac - it's not a "myth" it's a fact.

The software that is available for the Mac is usually

Dave Beaman said:

outstanding. Mac has aways been strong in the graphics field but
is not strong in the gaming field.

Click to expand...

Yes, there are numerous great packages available for the Mac, but there are also numerous great packages available for Photo manipulation which are "not" available for the Mac while the reverse is not true in general.

Dave Beaman said:

I have had Macs since 1990 and have been able to get any software I
needed. And althought I havent' upgraded to Mac's recent upgrad OS
10.3, the Mac version OS 10.2.8 is an outstanding OS, Smooth and
elegant.

dave

Click to expand...

Me too, but I've not been able to get much of the software I use daily in Mac format, so must make the best of WinDoze....

Lin
--
http://208.56.82.71

My question is to those who run on macs...

do you have access to a PC too for your work?

Harley

d olson said:

Yesterday I stopped in to a new Apple store and was blown away by
the 23" Cinema display they were showing with the new G5 Mac.

I have always used PC's and, in fact, had never taken a close look
at Apple but seeing this display really got my attention.

I am wondering how many of you use Mac's and how you like them,
also any comparisons to PC's would be appreciated.

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/harley_m

I can count on less than two hands the number PCs I have seen in any of the studios I have visited in the last 10 years.

PCs are strongest in the corporate world, where ithe IT folk buy a boatload of computers and give the accounting department the same set up as the art department, and a lot of wedding studios use them, I think because the client tracking software for weddings and portraits is written for a PC.

Everybody else I know, from designers, ad agencies to most photographers are on Macs. Maybe it's the belief that they are more creative with a Mac ,sort of like people think they are safer driving a Volvo.

There is a valid point that a lot of the new programs for post processing is PC only, and the Mac version is left behind, wasn't Capture One like this?
I might be looking into a PC laptop to help with that. But maybe not.

Kel

Just because a convicted monopolist company tries to equate "PC" with "Windows" doesn't mean it's the only operating system that runs on the non-Apple computers.

I use Linux. I haven't given Microsoft or Adobe any money for years, because I have all the tools I need (and the source code for them too). No product activations. No chance of the vendor disappearing or taking away features I need. Real contact with the authors and collaboration to improve the products in meaningful ways.

It's not for everyone, but it's the right package for me.

--
[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/

Mac user.

Positive:

Infinitely better interface
More "intuitive" less "technical"
Easier upgrade, installs, adding peripherals, color mamagement
New UNIX core is very stable and new/programs are now added all the time
Much better design (from a design perspective - if you care)

Negative:

Macs are pricey (but not much more than top end Windows machine and less used)
Far fewer programs and fewer inexpensive software options to mainstream apps
Apple is sometimes arrogant to deal with
Windows has better selection of printers and drivers

Last, if you buy Windows you support one of the most difficult, abusive and least innovative of companies, Microsoft, who haven't had an original idea or an ethical aproach to the market in tenty-five years.

My 2-cents and that's probably what it's worth.

Rick

I use both machines although not a mac for photoshop or video editing. The MAC is built better using the SCSI interface for many, if not all of it's internal devices and USB for many of it's external devices.

MAC would be great for me if I wasn't used to the many many Windows short cut features, not to mention 2, 3, or sometimes 4 extra mouse buttons.

Marketing is what put MAC at the rear of the bus in my opinion because it is a far superior machine.

Although I have the ability to use a MAC, my main machine is IBM clone, running WinXP Pro, 2.4Ghz Processor Pentium 4, with 1GB of memory, and I can't say there's much I'm not able to do on it, that's not just a fraction slower than on a MAC G4. Oh.. the display you ask??? I have (4) 15inch flat panels that act as one, using a matrox graphic card, it's sweet. Tomorrow I'll post pictures! But 23 inches to me is a joke as I literally have a horizotal view which spans well over 30 inches.

Running all the Microsofts suits, photoshop 7, neat image, Flash and anything else has not been a problem. When I do need to reboot, my machine usually goes for being off to ready to work in about 12 seconds, ask any Windows user and they'll tell you... that's pretty quick!

Zack Arias said:

Zack Arias said:

Yes, I know that a lot of software does not run on the Mac, I am
really only interested in comparisons having to do with photos.

Click to expand...

I am on a 3 year old Mac G4 and I STILL love my computer. I have
worked on PC and Mac over the years and the Mac is hands down my
favorite platform and I have yet to run into a piece of software
that I want to use that is not available on a Mac. There are
thousands of software titles for PC only but how many of those do
you need?

I run the entire Adobe suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excell,
PowerPoint, etc), File Maker, Macromedia, IE, etc, etc, etc. Then
there are programs I use a lot like Final Cut Pro and iMovie that
are the best solutions, or, best AFFORDABLE solutions for video
editing and creating DVDs and the like. iTunes, iPhoto, and the
like are also great programs that are always running in the
background.

I can honestly say that if you went out right now and bought a new
G5 you would be happy with that purchase for the next SEVERAL years
and not once say "Gee, I should have bought a PC."

Cheers,
Zack Arias
Atlanta, GA

http://www.usedfilm.com

Click to expand...

--
Darrick
http://www.EMGStudios.cjb.net

In this situation it really comes down to preference. Many studios whether they be art, photography, blah blah blah, or blah blah blah use MAC's because the operating system is more stable, it doesn't crash as easily as Windows will and the machine can handle a boat load more work than the average PC. But that's not to say that for the price of a G5, you could build a PC that will perform just as well.

You have to look at it like this, you can't buy a MAC for $500 from Dell and have a huge assortment of software to choose from and every now and again run photoshop or premeire from a pirated disk and then be just a little upset because it takes just a little longer for the program to do what it's supposed to do.

The PC in design is built so that it needs to be replaced. I don't know many people who have 3 year old PC's and don't want a new one.

Ed Halley said:

Just because a convicted monopolist company tries to equate "PC"
with "Windows" doesn't mean it's the only operating system that
runs on the non-Apple computers.

I use Linux. I haven't given Microsoft or Adobe any money for
years, because I have all the tools I need (and the source code for
them too). No product activations. No chance of the vendor
disappearing or taking away features I need. Real contact with the
authors and collaboration to improve the products in meaningful
ways.

It's not for everyone, but it's the right package for me.

--
[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/

Click to expand...

--
Darrick
http://www.EMGStudios.cjb.net

Mac and WinPC today are both relatively stable and easy to use, there are alot of the same software released for both Mac and Win. Modern Mac uses UNIX base so it is little more stable than Win and have some NIX features.

A couple of people mentioned that there are printers, scanners, etc that don't run on Macs. Just curious as to what printers there are which will not run on Macs, and if they are ones that a photo pro would seriously be interested in using. Do they just not have mac drivers, or will they not work when using GIMP Print either.

Someone also said that there is no software that comes out only for mac or comes out for mac first. I recently got a flyer from some company about p-shop plugins....they were currently only available for the Mac. PC version was due out later.

Brett

no real color management, no sophisticated image editing program, etc.

Ed Halley said:

Just because a convicted monopolist company tries to equate "PC"
with "Windows" doesn't mean it's the only operating system that
runs on the non-Apple computers.

I use Linux. I haven't given Microsoft or Adobe any money for
years, because I have all the tools I need (and the source code for
them too). No product activations. No chance of the vendor
disappearing or taking away features I need. Real contact with the
authors and collaboration to improve the products in meaningful
ways.

It's not for everyone, but it's the right package for me.

--
[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ] http://www.halley.cc/pix/

Click to expand...

--
http://www.joesimages.com