Mac recomendations

[Chance1234]

I've had enough of my PC laptop, so now currently saving up for a (second hand) mac.

Been a long time since i owned a Mac (1997) so not to sure what to get,

My requirements our the following,

1. Must be able to handle images well and run at least photoshop 5.5
2. Have USB ports
3. Have firewire ports
4. be able to run the latest version of quicktime (mpeg4)
5. Generally be good for handling large video files and images

don't want to spend too much money, as long as it can do the above I'm, happy. Before the curses of microsoft got to much my current PC laptop is the following spec

600 MHZ, 324 MB Ram, which when it worked and was not in need of a priest was ok for my needs





Chance,

Filmmaker, gentleman and soon to be a mac user

http://WWW.5YLAC.S5.COM

,

http://WWW.HOWTOBESPOOKY.CO.UK

 

[drlex]

Chance,
An advance welcome to the light side.
Seriously, you've two Qs to ask yourself. How much processor-intensive video work do you want to do on the machine (knowing of your film interest) and do you want portability, expandability or reasonable pricing?

If it's a lot of video work, you'd be better off saving up for a dual processor G4 or even G5 desktop and suitable monitor. If it's occasional, then a powerbook would be OK, as ibook or imac or even emac.
Choosing between an ibook and powerbook - screen size, optical disk and external monitor considerations come into play. The powerbook is the professional choice, the ibook the standard, as the powerbook can have a 17" screen, write DVDs and drive another screen. The ibook maximum screen is 14", can read DVDs and write CD-R/RWs and only mirror the screen on an external monitor.
Don't overlook the imac or emac if portability is not an issue - given the apple announcement of an upgrade to the imac, there seem to be plenty of stock on the refurbishment link on the applestore page.(

http://www.apple.com

and select UK).

And, if this is not taken as a RF'able comment, you might also want to pose your question on a larger, more frequently accessed Mac forum. Knowing you're in the UK, I'd suggest macuser.co.uk, where a lot of professional people are busy answering similiar 'switcher' Qs.

see you back in TTUK,
lex

soi la, soi carre

 

[Chance1234]

Tis is a stop gap solution, once i stop staying in hotels i will spend the money out on a system, but at the moment i just want something portable which is not going to fall down with every virus going when i log in (like my current laptop)

The important thing for me is reviewing video files, im not planning to do any editing , though i am planning to do a lot of photoshop stuff.

i was looking at this one below,

http://www.2ndchancepc.co.uk/powerbook-firewire.html

Chance,

Filmmaker, gentleman and soon to be a mac user

http://WWW.5YLAC.S5.COM

,

http://WWW.HOWTOBESPOOKY.CO.UK

 

[drlex]

hmmm,
looks similar to what you might find on ebay, but a bit more expensive. Check the refurbished store on the apple page - it's usually open every Wednesday at 10 a.m., but has been open more frequently as of late - and see if there's an ibook at an affordable price. You'll get a full year warranty, a much better 'mac experience' and being newer, it'll be easier to sell on afterwards.
I've got firewall and company internet access issues, otherwise I'd pull up some alternatives. There's a few macheads in the TTUK forum, so you might get some tips there, too.
lex

soi la, soi carre