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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Laptop preference MAC or PC
Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 5:47 PM on 06.17.04 |
| ->> I am in a position to purchase a new laptop for use during remote assignments. What are your preferences hardware and software please???? |
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Nick Doan, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 5:53 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> I have a Sony VAIO Laptop, and as much as I like it, I wish I had a powerbook instead. Comparing my 12" VAIO Laptop with a 1.2Ghz Centrino processor to a 12" Powerbook, I find that the screen on the powerbook is much nicer, Photoshop runs more smoothly (and seemingly faster), the powerbook just seems zippier and has more native features that seem more geared towards a photographer.
The only reason that I didn't, was because at the time I was purchasing my laptop, I already owned PS CS, MS Office, Photo Mechanic, etc... And, I got my laptop at Best Buy on a no interest financing plan. With the wireless function, the 512MB RAM, CD/DVD Combo drive, and 60GB Hard drive, I would have come up with an extra $800 for the comparable powerbook.
Prices may have evened out a little though, I compared the two right after the latest set of Powerbooks were released. |
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Gil Batzri, Photographer
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Oakland | CA | USA | Posted: 6:10 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> It depends on pricing/features (doesn't everything?)
I got a PIII Dell Latitude c810 (PIII 1.1Ghz) for $600 recently. It has 512 RAM 32GB a (slow) 4x/8x CDRW/DVD combo drive, 15" 1600x1200. It runs WinXp/PS7 and related photo software just fine. The only drawback of it is it is fairly heavy. If you are jetting around, It is a bit much @ 8+Lbs but it will run 5 hours or so with double batteries. It is fine if you are throwing it in the car.
I fly with it, but it is too big (IMO)if you travel frequently.
The best thing is: when I sold my last one it ended up costing me $200.
I popped my wireless card in, and it has a PC-slot to spare. USB 1.1 (bummer) but I don't use that, and it has a mini FireWire port if I want to tether it to my 1D.
It is not a P4/Centrino, but for my budget it worked out very well. It can't do MAJOR math, but it handles GrainSurgery 2.0 and PhotoZoom reasonably well (and those are the "Mathiest" things I use.
I use it for remote filing, and prepping photos/galleries for sale (Photoreflect kind of thing)
If you are spending your money, this type of thing might be an option for you... |
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Conor O'Healy, Photographer
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Tualatin | OR | USA | Posted: 6:19 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> I prefer Mac, but I wouldn't be disappointed to use a properly set up PC. Just a tool to me, just like my cameras and lenses. I shoot Nikon, but if I ended up at a paper that shot Canon I would be just as happy.
That said, there are reasons why I prefer the Mac. First one is there is less of a chance of viruses. It seems like every week there is a new warning to Windows users regarding some new security issue or virus. I can't remember the last time that I saw a virus for Macs.
Another reason I like my laptop, a 12" ibook, is the size and weight. I carry enough equipment with me as it is, I don't want a laptop that weighs any more than this one.
I also really like the interface on the Mac products a little better.
Conor |
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Anthony Soufflé, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Collinsville | IL | USA | Posted: 6:32 PM on 06.17.04 |
| ->> I have an IMB ThinkPad and I love it. I think the 'red dot' mouse is much easier to use, especially when working on the fly. I gave a great deal of consideration to getting a PowerBook since that's been kind of the standard for photographers and as Conor mentioned they don't ever tend to get viruses. But I finally decided to go with the ThinkPad when I pulled my card out of the reader on a PowerBook without ejecting it and it wiped it clean. That and I'm MUCH more familiar with Windows. It's just really a matter of preference. |
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Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 8:18 PM on 06.17.04 |
| ->> I'm actually looking at the 17" Powerbook. I am and have been using PC with Windows XP. However, everyone I know in the graphics/photo business tell me that unless I'm playing alot of games, MAC is the way to go. I'm not to worried about the learning curve, but I can get what I want and with that I want the best. |
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Howard Curtis Smith, Photographer
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Rockville Centre | NY | USA | Posted: 8:21 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> Love my Mac. 15" Aluminum Powerbook. Works great. Also ...
there are Apple stores in many major cities incase you need help on the road. It will be at least six months before Apple can shoe horn the G5 chip into the portable line, so the computer will not be obsolete overnight. Apple is rated very high in customer service. http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/business/2004/0402260733.asp?A=HOME&O=FPIN There are several excellent unofficial Apple support web sites. http://www.macfixit.com/ , or http://www.macintouch.com/ among others.
In terms of software I use PhotoShop, PhotoMechanic, NoiseNinja, Transmit ftp, Toast, Carbon Copy Cloner, DiskWarrior, QuickLink Mobile, AppleWorks. Free software includes Safari, Mail, iCal, iTunes, iChat, iMovie, Canon DPP, and MacStumbler. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 8:52 PM on 06.17.04 |
| ->> I have worked with both machines and like both PC and Macs for different reasons. However, when it comes to laptops, I think the PC out performs the Mac. The reason is the latest Mac processors are never available in the laptop and therefore are IMHO much slower doing Photoshop than a top of the line PC laptop. |
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Jon Blacker, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 9:02 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> Mike,
You really should drop into a local Mac reseller (like Carbon Computing on Queen St ( www.carboncomputing.com ) or CPUsed at Dupont & Bathurst ( www.cpused.com ) and check out just how big the 17" really is, particularly if you're planning to carry it around. As you know, I have a Dell with a 15" wide screen display (Inspiron 8500), and while I do love the display, I really do wish it were lighter. |
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Eric Hagen, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 11:50 PM on 06.17.04 |
->> I actually am primarily a computer-guy. I have a degree in Computer Engineering and my 'day job' is that of an IT Tech at the local newspaper.
For me, I've owned a few Macs and a bunch of PCs and at this point, I'm sticking with the PCs. The selection and competition keeps the price down and there is ALWAYS a product that has the features you're looking for. Want USB2? Want Firewire? Under 4 pounds? No problem, I can name 5 or 6 different companies that make it. Try the Dell X300 or the Gateway X300 or the Fujitsu LifeBook or the IBM ThinkPad. THey all have slightly different configurations, but are somewhat similar.
Want something in the mid-range with integrated-everything that's around 6 pounds? You have about 25 models to choose from. Some have fast Pentium 4 chips, some have low-power Centrinos and extended batteries that will run for 5 hours. Maybe your most important aspect is the screen. Most manufactuers offer upgraded screens. In fact, I think Dell's top-end screen recently beat Apple's screen across the board, from peak-brightness to contrast ratio to resolution. I don't think they tested color consistency which is paramount for me with a laptop... I wish I could find that link again...
In any case, I build my own home PCs. I can make a top of the line computer for under $1000 with exactly the components I need and none of the components I don't. I can't build a laptop, but I feel like I have a much better selection to choose from. In addition, with no less than FOUR CPU manufactuers making x86 (WinTel) compatable chips, the competition keeps the performance moving foward and the price down. You can always opt for an AMD chip and an off-name computer and get yourself a VERY speedy laptop for under $700, though I wouldn't recommend it for a photo-workstation because of reliability and screen quality.
In any case, I'm a PC guy and although I have owned a few Macs and I do see them at work now and then, I wouldn't purchase one for myself... at least not with the wide selection of PCs available and the quality of the new systems like Windows 2000/XP.
As for folks talking about getting one of the 17" screen models like the PowerBook (Gateway also makes a 17" PC laptop) my recommendation is "skip it". It's barely portable. If you only pick it up to move it from one room to another, fine. If you only transport it once a week, great. But it's not something you'll want to throw over your shoulder and bring to a shoot or even try to use it on an airplane or in the front seat of a car. It does have uses, but portability isn't one of them. :-P
Eric |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 12:15 AM on 06.18.04 |
->> I just bought a 14 inch iBook G4 with a 1ghz processor and I love this machine. It does everything I want, is lightweight, and using Safari as my web browser, I have never, ever had a pop up window, never been directed to a porn site and never yet have had a freeze up of any kind.
I also own a Dell desktop. I've had to employ a lot of measures to stop the pop ups and sometimes even that doesn't help. And the virus alerts seem like a constant threat all the time. I just got sick of it and since I bought this iBook, I've only used the PC a couple of times. |
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Patrick Collins, Photographer
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Los Altos | CA | United States | Posted: 2:11 AM on 06.18.04 |
->> Mike,
I have the 17" PowerBook and I love it. Big? Yes. Heavy? Can be. I carry it in the specially designed Brenthaven backpack and it's not an issue. Throw in a wireless mouse and you have a mobile editing solution. The display is great.
I use both XP and Mac OS X and I don't think you'll have much of a learning curve. The latest Mac OS, 10.3, is really nice. The Expose feature alone is worth it. Just go to Amazon and get some sort of book like Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, Panther Edition, and you'll be set.
Patrick |
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Baron Sekiya, Photographer
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Kailua-Kona | HI | USA | Posted: 2:19 AM on 06.18.04 |
| ->> I use a PowerBook 15" for my sole computer and love it. One of the best features is the Location settings for network connection built-in. Just one click and menu and I can switch between: dial-up, cable modem, cellphone and work static IP addresses quickly without any hassles. |
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Jason Nix, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Bowling Green | KY | United States | Posted: 2:40 AM on 06.18.04 |
->> I've got a 15" Powerbook and will never use a PC again. Expose is amazing... it works really well if you have more than 1 photo open in PS, and all of your Apps open you can drag the mouse into a hotcorner and it spaces them all out to where you can see eveything that's open, and click on what you want. Saves a lot of time. The Dock and the new Finder are great too - Fast user switching all works flawlessly. In my opinion Mac all the way. I wouldn't use any other browser than Safari, it's built by Apple, so it's designed to work on the OS platform. Stickies another App that will pay for the mac.... little sticky notes, that change colors, and can be transparent. Preview opens PDF's faster than Adobe Reader 6. Sherlock - a search engine in an App, worth it. If you decide to get the Mac get the ".Mac" membership. Sure it's 100 bucks a year, but you get a user@mac.com e mail, and a lot of free downloads.
MAC |
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Mike Dunphy, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 3:54 AM on 06.18.04 |
->> Patrick
Thanks for the vote of confidence. If I was worried about weight I wouldn't be carrying all these big lenses. I am actually looking forward to playing with this bad boy.
Cheers All
Mike |
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