PC Versus Mac 2

[guava65]

I am ready to purchase a new computer. I have always used PC's. I do a lot of Photoshop, Premier, InDesign, and Acrobat work (mostly).

Since I do a lot of graphics, I'm considering purchasing a Mac instead of a PC this time.

My skill level is a bit below what I consider to be a full professional but much higher than an average technical user.

Any advanced users out there that can give me some opinions on which direction to take?

Aloha,
cg

 

[jmgalvin]

We use macs for all graphics and have for a very long time. We abandoned Windows with 98. As those machine died they were replaced by macs.

One thing you'll have to keep in mind if switching platforms is the cost of all new apps. I don't know if Adobe offers cross platform upgrades. If not, costs could get nasty. I don't know if Adobe has premier for Intel macs out. I beleive they were going to reintroduce the mac version, but it would be best to check.

If you buy a new PC, with Vista, be careful that all your apps work properly on it. Adobe has not updated their apps for Vista and I don;t think they plan to until the next cycle. That doesn't mean that they won't work right though. You might check the Adobe boards for more info/problems.

I'm not going to get into a Win/Mac debate. Obviously my selection of machines for our company shows which I think are better and more productive.

One complaint I have with Mac is that the MacPros are very expensive. The last PowerMacs we bought (G4s single processor) cost about $1100 and work magnificently with Creative Suite. To get a new MacPro, we'd have to lay out north of $2500 per machine.

We do mostly print graphics and have tried 20 inch iMacs, with a bunch of ram added, quite successfully (I'm writing this on one). I don't know how those machines would perform with video editing. If possible, you might wnat to visit an Apple store and see if they have Final Cut pro on any of the display imacs. If so, play with it and see how it works. Your Premier should work about the same

Using OSX 10.3.9 on a G4

 

[Pixelchik]

Hi Guava65,

I'm on the other end of the spectrum than jmgalvin. I've been in the creative industry for a long time and I am currently a Senior Designer for a company in California. I have used both Mac and PC and while both are equally good to use (in my opinion) I personally prefer PCs. Basically because I work in the corporate environment and need to share busines documents and files with users who are PC based. Cost is a BIG issue when setting up a graphics system, and with PCs you get more bang for your buck. I'm very technical, so using and trouble-shooting my WinXP system is easy. I send my files to several printers who are MAC-based and they all tell me my files are "no problem" because I give them technically clean files (InDesign, Quark, Illustrator, whatever). I also create video and web production projects using my PC with no problems. But jmgalvin is correct about Vista systems. As a PC lover, I would NOT purchase a system with Vista right now. You can still buy a new PC with WinXP if you request it. The only thing I can say is be comfortable with BOTH platforms, but buy what you prefer and what fits in your budget.

 

[jimoblak]

Since I do a lot of graphics, I'm considering purchasing a Mac instead of a PC this time.

Why do you make this statement?

Adobe has not updated their apps for Vista and I don;t think they plan to until the next cycle.

CS3 is designed for Vista. You just cannot use the light home editions of Vista.

 

[guava65]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the insight.



Aloha,
cg