Do I need to buy a Mac G5?

[deeyach]

Please excuse me if there have been similar questions, I can't find them though. I want to get into video-editing; initially just transfer camcorder to DVD/CD, and once getting familiar with the software move on to more complex tasks. I am a mainframe programmer and on the job I use a PC running Windows, I hate Windows though. So my question is, should I buy a Mac G5 or stick with a familiar Windows PC? I know Mac's are more expensive but what are the other features to consider before buying either desktop? Thanks.

 

[jimoblak]

Beware that Macs are initially more expensive but the overall cost of ownership is less, especially when you consider that Apple offers whiz bang software like iMovie for free. Microsoft's own video editing software offering is a joke. Nothing in the Windows world seems to compare to the Mac along with Final Cut Express or Pro.

You can easily get into video editing with something as simple (and cheap) as an eMac or iMac (which are still at G4).

familiar Windows PC? Macs are designed to be familiar from the first time you use them. Since you are a mainframe programmer, you may also be intrigued with the BSD guts of OSX and all of the open source apps in the unix world.

- - picklefish - -
Why is everyone in this forum responding to me as picklefish?

 

[jimbopalmer]

I routinely use used macs, as I am familiar with the board level compnents and have fun keeping them going. If you want your mac to be an appliance by all means get a new one and it will have years of smooth sailing, (an easily replaceable clock battery runs out at about 5 years) if it is going to be a hobby computer, then the used market is better. although for your use you want at least a G4.

Either way, I think it will prove to be less stressful than Windows

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[lesgray]

We sell both Macs and PCs for this type of work and all I can say is that the Mac users seem far less stressed doing jobs.

An older G4, say a 500-733mhz with a bit of ram (768MB) would be probably be more than adequate for what you are planning.

You can pick them up on eBay for probably $600-700.



Les Gray

http://www.creartec.com

 

[deeyach]

Thanks for the responses so far. Your replies are providing me with the type of information I need to make my decision. Thanks again.