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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Mac Pro or Mac Book Pro
Michael Brown, Photographer
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Roxburgh Park | Victoria | Australia | Posted: 8:06 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> Hi Guys,
After many years as a PC user with XP Pro, and reading that Microsoft are not going to support XP after the end of next year, I am finally looking at changing over to Mac (Vista YUCK). I have been using a laptop for a while now and find it adequate for PS, but it still is nowhere near as good as a desktop for speed and power.
Is this the case with the Macs? Really I need the convenience of the laptop but I want to make sure I have the power required for large photo editing tasks. I will use my current 19" Acer LCD with either. I will also spec up the Laptop as much as it will go(more ram etc).
Also how many of you just use the Powerbook? And how do you find them? |
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Kevin M. Cox, Photographer, Assistant
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Galveston / Houston | TX | US | Posted: 8:31 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> Michael, the first obvious difference between the Mac Pro and MacBook Pro is the number of processor cores. The Mac Pro has two dual-core Xeon processors for a total of 4 processor cores. The MacBook Pro has a single Core 2 Duo processor for a total of 2 processor cores. The Mac Pro will max out at 16 GB of RAM while the MacBook Pro can only handle 4 GB.
The other big difference is the ability for four internal hard drives in the Mac Pro. You could set two of them in a RAID 1 for redundancy against failure, use the third with Apple's new Time Machine backup system when it comes out with 10.5 in October and use the fourth drive as a Windows boot camp drive. Alternatively you could add the new hardware RAID card and have 3 Terabytes of internal storage in a RAID 5. There is some serious flexibility there.
My paper provides me with both. My Mac Pro at the office has 2 GB of RAM and really flies through Photo Mechanic. I don't do any heavy Photoshop work but it runs fast for what I do. My MacBook Pro has 3 GB of RAM and is also pretty fast with Photo Mechanic. In general though I'd say the Mac Pro is faster and is really nice on deadline. However the MacBook Pro is no slouch either.
I think the key is going to come down to the fact that it sounds like you really need a laptop. If you max out the RAM at 4 GB and use your external LCD and keyboard when at home it'll probably work just fine. |
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David Sokol, Photographer
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Reading | MA | USA | Posted: 8:34 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> I switched over from PC a few months ago and never have been happier. I bought the MacBook Pro with the 2.33 intel core 2 duo and 2 gigs of ram. This is the only computer I have ever used for this long of a time with absolutely no problems. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new computer.I never had any issues opening or working with large files or transferring video. My computer has always seemed fast enough for me. I have never used a MacBook or any other earlier versions, so I can not comment. Personally I don't think you can go wrong. Good Luck.
www.davidsokolphotography.com |
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Oscar Sosa, Photographer
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Jacksonville | FL | USA | Posted: 8:35 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> What are you planning to use it for?
I have the newest edition MacBook Pro and use it as my primary computer. I use it mostly for Photo editing Raw & Jpeg files on deadline. I Process sound files, do web design with Flash & Dreamweaver, and normal day-to-day business use. Sometimes all at the same time. I haven't used it for processing video, but don't anticipate any problems when I do. It has plenty of horsepower.
I love it. It has done everything I need it for and the mobility is priceless.
I would recommend getting the upgraded video card if you are going to use an external monitor. I did and have it hooked up to a 23 inch Apple Cinema Display. It's pretty nice having the extra screen space to work with.
Oh, and PS3 rocks! |
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Scott Morgan, Photographer
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Burlington | IA | United States | Posted: 8:56 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> I don't know how far you are from an apple store, but if there is one near you down there, you should go check out the Macbook Pro.
I just got the newest 2.2 ghz stock MBP and I love it. I went to the apple store near me and compared color editing controls in Aperture (a hardware intensive program) and found that the slower of the MBP's hesitated ever so slightly when I moved sliders dramatically. The faster one didn't hesitate at all. That being said, the difference didn't seem worth the extra $500, and I have been happy with the performance of Aperture on my machine. Photoshop CS3 runs great. It's very fast.
Whatever you do, DON"T upgrade the ram from Apple. They overcharge by a ton. In the States you can get ram from www.Crucial.com, which is an OEM supplier for Apple (crucial is the brand name for Micron ram), for about a third of the price.
For my money, the Mac Pro is overkill. But if you do decide to get the desktop, don't waste your money on upgrading the processor. According to all the reviews online, the 2.66 processors are very fast and the upgrades don't come close to making up for the price penalty. Macworld.com says you'll speed up more by installing a RAID array in the computer than upgrading the processors.
-sm |
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Gray Quetti, Photographer
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Jacksonville | Fl | USA | Posted: 9:09 PM on 08.12.07 |
| ->> I just made the switch just this weekend from Windows XP to the newest Mac Book Pro. There's definitely a learning curve but it's a nice machine. |
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Michael Brown, Photographer
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Roxburgh Park | Victoria | Australia | Posted: 9:49 PM on 08.12.07 |
->> Thanks guys, I will go down to the city on the weekend between shoots and check out the 2.2 (2.4 is $750 difference here)mac book pro.
I think it will do all I need (day to day stuff, and heaps of photoshop work)I will probably get Aperture. And they obviously work well with Photomechanic?
Mick |
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Dennis Wierzbicki, Photographer
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Plainfield | IL | USA | Posted: 10:17 PM on 08.12.07 |
| ->> Gray, congrats. Welcome to the "club", man! I guarantee in a couple days you'll forget how to even spell Windows! |
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Richard Cashin, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 12:48 AM on 08.13.07 |
| ->> I will probably go for a MacBook Pro with 256Mb Video Ram and the faster 7200rpm hard disk. I will get the extra RAM later but not from Apple as they charge way too much. |
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Michael Springfield, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Smyrna (Atlanta) | GA | USA | Posted: 6:44 AM on 08.13.07 |
->> Michael,
Actually Vista has been such a bust with businesses that only XP Home support will be discontinued next year. XP Pro support will continue through 2012.
That being said, I personally use a 17" MacBook Pro for 90% of everything that I do. Pair it with Parallels and you can run XP Pro on your Mac faster than most PCs.
Good Luck,
Michael |
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David G. McIntyre, Photographer
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Beijing | . | CHINA | Posted: 7:00 AM on 08.13.07 |
->> I use nothing but laptops, and the 15" MacBook Pro is what I use. Am going to buy the 23" monitor for when I am at my desk, but it is great cause I never have to worry about where my real office is. I travel with the laptop and use it on my desk.
Also, don't forget the 3 year apple care plan. It is the best add-on you MUST get!!! |
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Mark Sutton, Photographer
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Herndon | VA | USA | Posted: 9:45 AM on 08.13.07 |
->> I switched over from a PC to the MacBook Pro about 2 months ago and couldn’t be happier. The best investment I’ve made in years. Although I still use Photoshop CS2 (only for the Noise Ninja action I created) and Microsoft Office on the PC side via Parallels software. Once I finally breakdown and buy CS3 for MAC, I will have no need to ever go back to the “Dark Side” Luke….
I have the latest MBP version and with the 3 MB’s of RAM I have installed, this is clearly the fastest laptop I’ve ever used. I mainly use Photomechanic and Photoshop Lightroom during games and my work flow is extremely fast even with 700 to 1000 RAW images I have to go through to find the perfect image for a school’s website on the spot. I love it and will never go back. |
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Jack Kurtz, Photographer
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Phoenix | AZ | United States | Posted: 10:09 AM on 08.13.07 |
->> I have a company provided MacBook Pro and my own MacBook. The MBP is a little older, the MB brand new, so both are the same speed, same size HD and same amount of RAM. The only performance difference is the better video support in the MBP, and frankly, for my Photoshop work I haven't noticed that the video card has made much difference.
But, the glossy screen on the MacBook is much harder to edit photos on than the matte screen on the MBP. I really like the smaller size and better battery life of the MB, but the glossy screen is a bummer. If this is going to be your main computer get the MBP. If it's a backup or only going to be used occasionally to edit photos, the MacBook might be okay.
jack |
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Thomas Barker, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Carbondale | IL | US | Posted: 10:24 AM on 08.13.07 |
->> I bought a Mac Pro for my apartment with the apple 20" display. Its dual 2.66's with 3gb of ram and two harddrives, plenty of room for future expansion, but it runs Aperture, PSCS2, Final Cut, and Photo Mechanic extremely smoothly. I'm most impressed with how well it handles HDVideo, moving from an older dell desktop with xp that could hardly take it off the tape. Also I can load up 500 raw photos in aperture and breeze right through them. Aside from all that, I didn't even get a fancy video card and my bootcamp'd windows games look amazing (hl2).
As much as I love this machine, I can't say I don't plan to get a macbook in the future, but if I had to pick one or the other, I'd be all desktop!
tB |
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Garrett Hubbard, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 12:09 PM on 08.14.07 |
->> I just use a MacBook Pro. I don't own a desktop, so I cannot comment on that, though I miss having one. But portability is key for me.
I have a 2.2ghz macbook pro with the 7200rpm hd. This computer is so fast. Photomechanic flies, photshop flies, and it edits HDV in Final Cut with no problems whatsoever. I'd reccomend spending your money on the faster hard disk over .2ghz faster processer. You will get much more bang for your buck. About the only time I seem to max out my processors is compressing video.
The new LCD displays are soo bright and battery life is great. I highly reccomend this computer.
feel free to drop me a line if you have any other q's |
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Richard Cashin, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 2:40 PM on 08.14.07 |
| ->> Thanks Garrett, that's good because I just got the 2.2GHz with slower drive for now. I will upgrade later to a 7200rpm drive but I needed the notebook now (traveling in two days!) and could not wait for the two week delivery. I will now put the $499 to the fast 200mm f1.8 i have been wanting! I reckon i'll earn more off that than the extra video RAM! |
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Michael Brown, Photographer
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Roxburgh Park | Victoria | Australia | Posted: 8:03 PM on 08.14.07 |
| ->> Arghhhh 4 to 6 weeks delay in delivery here in Australia |
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Andrew Wheeler, Photographer
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Capitola | CA | USA | Posted: 8:49 PM on 08.14.07 |
->> Garrett,
I have the 2.4GHZ with 4GB of Ram and 7200 drive and you're right it flies.
As for the display, it is bright (I have the matte - which is glossier than my old G4PB) so I back the brightness down 3/4 notches when editing images but CS3 and even Bridge fly now.
(I also have a G5 Dual with cinema display to work on at home as well but with covering races pretty much back to back each weekend for the last month I've lived off this laptop...)
Plus the 160GB HD means lots of space too.
All I need now is to find some sort of *reasonable* plan for worldwide use of the following express card that will work in the slot on the side...
http://www.option.be/products/globetrotter_express_hsupa.shtml
Andrew
http://www.automotophoto.com |
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Ron Hawkes, Photographer
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Rockport | ME | USA | Posted: 8:00 AM on 08.15.07 |
->> Michael, I just switched completely over to MAC and could not be happier. I went with the
Model Identifier: MacBook2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
I run Photo Mechanic and PS3 with no problems, both much faster than any PC I had. I use it with my Dell 20" monitor
I also bought the 17" I-Mac and have been extremely happy with it.
The MacBook Pro was very impressive and if I was going to use Appature I would have gone with it, but am happy with PS and Photo Mechanic.
I think either laptop will make you happy. If I was going to use a laptop as my only computer I would of gone with the Pro as well.
I will also echo the statement about going to an Apple store and trying out the different models. You won't be sorry you took the time to do so.
Good luck
Ron |
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Al Goldis, Photographer
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East Lansing | MI | USA | Posted: 12:00 PM on 08.15.07 |
->> "Arghhhh 4 to 6 weeks delay in delivery here in Australia"
Ouch. It's even 7-10 days in the U.S. for a stock configuration. Apple is having a hard time getting sufficient supply of the LED backlight assemblies for their 15" MacBook Pros. The 17", which doesn't use the LED backlight, is available immediately. |
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Richard Cashin, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 3:50 PM on 08.15.07 |
->> Yep, 7-10 days minimum, more like 2 weeks or so. That's why i went with the base 2.2GHz and I will update the memory from Crucial or another supplier like www.transintl.com. I will also get a faster hard drive. I am also considering the 200Gb, 7200rpm Hitachi with the minixpress portable FireWire Hard Disk Drive.
The $425 difference in price of the 2.2 over the 2.4 MBP can go towards these upgrades. 256Vram would be nice but i will be using Lightroom rather than Aperture. Also I dont intend to play games! |
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Andrew Wheeler, Photographer
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Richard Cashin, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 6:47 PM on 08.15.07 |
| ->> Cheers Andrew, looking at their site now. I will consider the rebate, just want to check into the Apple warranty in that will they honor it with the 3rd party memory! If something went wrong I would bring it to Apple with the original shipped memory. I'll check though. |
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