| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Mac vs. PC - help please
Tim Snow, Photographer
 |
Montreal | Qc | Canada | Posted: 10:32 AM on 12.06.09 |
->> Hi all,
I`ve searched the threads, but want some up to the minute reviews...
I`m in the market for a laptop to replace my 6 year old dinosaur, it will be used in the field only as I have a powerful machine at home. I`m looking for a 13 or 14 inch machine, 4gb ram, minimum 250gb hd. I don`t want to spend a ton on it either if I don`t have to. As a lifelong PC user who has used many Mac`s, I don`t know if the switch is worth it.
I`m debating between the MacBook Pro 13 incher vs. a Toshiba M500 ( http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10132438&logon... )
I don`t need specs, just real word in the field advice. I use Photo Mechanic, Lightroom, Firefox, and a few other small softwares.
Thanks! |
|
Al Goldis, Photographer
|
East Lansing | MI | USA | Posted: 10:55 AM on 12.06.09 |
->> I can't tell you which you should buy but I can point out some of the reasons why the MacBook Pro costs more.
It has a faster CPU with a faster bus speed, a discrete / dedicated video card, FireWire, Bluetooth and a much higher capacity battery. |
|
Tom Knier, Photographer
|
Lancaster | PA | USA | Posted: 10:59 AM on 12.06.09 |
->> ^And a Mac lets you into the exclusive Apple cult. Unfortunately, you have to pay for it with magic beans. Do you have magic beans?
But seriously, I think down the road you'd be much happier with a Mac. If you need to do video editing, Final Cut is far easier than a lot of the PC options out there. And really, I've found that most of the Adobe products run better and more efficiently on a Mac as well. You'll pay more, but really, you get more... |
|
David Harpe, Photographer
|
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 11:39 AM on 12.06.09 |
->> If you've been using PCs for a long time and have a PC at home, your life is going to be a lot simpler having a PC laptop.
If you don't learn computers quickly and/or need to be immediately productive after the switch, you're better off with a PC. Macs are easy, but there is a learning curve - just getting used to the new keyboard shortcuts can take awhile, and if you've never used a Mac getting used to a one-button mouse is a pain. Might not be an issue since you've used macs before.
PCs are far less expensive. Just under $700 gets you a 15.6", 1366 x 768, glare-free screen, 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo, Windows 7 Professional 3GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 320GB hard drive (Dell Vostro 1015). The cheapest MacBook STARTS at $1,000, and you only get a 13" 1280 x 800 gloss screen with 2Gb of memory. To get a decent, usable pro machine you're into the MacBook Pro models that start at $1,299...and go up quickly.
Software will not be (easily) compatible between the two. You can run the emulator software on the Mac, but it's not going to be the same as native-mode on the PC. If you want to switch your apps over, it'll usually cost you...albeit not as much as buying new.
Cost should not be your only factor, of course. If you keep machines for six years, shelling out a little more on the front end to get a machine that you really want isn't a bad thing. But if you've been comfortable with PCs forever and have PC hardware at home, there's really no reason to switch. Save your money. |
|
Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
|
McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 6:26 PM on 12.06.09 |
->> Oh Jesus...
Just stop screwing around and buy a Mac.
It might cost a little more up front but it'll cost less in the long run. Macs work very well and you don't have to depend on the a**holes at Microsoft for your operating software. You won't have to run around the room holding your hands to your head and screaming every time someone mentions the word "virus". |
|
Kent Miller, Photographer
|
New York | NY | USA | Posted: 6:31 PM on 12.06.09 |
->> No worries about getting a virus.
Buy the MAC. Unless you like a challenge. Every person I know who bought a mac will never go back to a PC. Join the Apple Cult!
k |
|
Andrew Nelles, Photographer
 |
Chicago | Ill. | usa | Posted: 6:36 PM on 12.06.09 |
->> Switching to Mac from PC for my work computer is the best thing I ever did, well maybe not the best, but it's up there. Really made my workflow faster/easier. My MacBook Pro runs better than any PC I've ever owned.
It's all personal taste, both systems work fine I'm sure, just my take on it. |
|
Renay Johnson, Photographer
 |
San Diego | CA | | Posted: 6:55 PM on 12.06.09 |
| ->> My first computer experience was on the PC platform and I really never got into the Mac vs PC argument until I started really working in photography past the hobby stage. I've grown tired of the constant updates, virus alerts and poor planning with PCs. Cost has always been a factor and I've always just wanted a computer so I've always had PCs because I knew I could get more for my money. I refuse to buy another PC and this laptop I have will need to last me until I am able to purchase my first Mac because I am fed up with Microsoft. They've captured the marketplace with PCs now they need to make a product that works and without all the security flaws and crap browser. |
|
Chris Large, Photographer
|
Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 12:05 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> In my years in the game I've never heard the conversation - "my mac is ticking me off, I think I'll buy a pc"
David - "PCs are far less expensive"..... until you loose data because of the blue screen of death, until a virus eats your hard drive, and you spend 3 days on hold for customer support trying to figure out why your printer won't work.
There is no windows only software a working photographer would need or want
The conversion is simple, an hour of playing with your new mac and you will be wondering why you waited.
Plus you can put one of those cute white apple logos in the back window of your car.....how many pc owners advertise their preference??????? grin...(as Walter used to say)
C |
|
Michael Ciu, Photographer, Assistant
|
Lorain | OH | USA | Posted: 12:20 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Just remember two things and you will be fine:
1. You get what you pay for. Apple also has 12 months same as cash to ease the pain.
2. Windows operating systems are based on 3-year old MAC operating systems. Snow Leopard is Windows 9. |
|
Chris Large, Photographer
|
Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 12:30 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Jim, This is no time to hold back....tell us how you really feel.....
C |
|
Corey Perrine, Photographer
|
Hudson | NH | USA | Posted: 12:47 AM on 12.07.09 |
| ->> Once you go Mac, you'll never go back. |
|
Andrew Villa, Student/Intern, Assistant
|
San Jose | CA | United States | Posted: 12:56 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> As I type this on my Dell Mini 9, now running Windows 7 on it, I'm torn. On one hand, my iMac and previous powerbook G4 served me well. I had a hard drive go down on me on the iMac and a few problems with the optical drive but nothing I didn't get worked out. My dell is running 7 on it, and I have to say, I absolutely love 7, it is a stellar OS compared to vista or xp. And I will say, things for the most part do, just work.
A lot of people will tell you that you are over paying for a computer by buying a mac, but if you really start to dive into what you're getting, component by component, you will find you aren't saving too much money, by buying the PC. What you will find is a fantastically built machine, designed to work with the OS that it comes with. That's right, no worrying about driver support for your trackpad, drives etc. The macbook pro, is designed with 10.6 in mind and runs like a dream.
If I were you, I'd buy the macbook pro, go to crucial and buy some ram and be done with it.
I don't do anything heavy with windows 7, it mostly serves as a web browsing OS on my mini, and I do use it for CAD work and gaming on my iMac.
Hope that gives some sort of insight with my babble.
Andrew |
|
Tim Snow, Photographer
|
Montreal | Qc | Canada | Posted: 9:27 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Thanks to all for the info, please keep it coming! I'm still torn...the one button mouse sucks (I'd use a 2 button one...) and as for joining a cult, I had bad experiences with Heaven's Gate. I have also heard the latest version of Leopard can be spotty and Win 7 runs fine (finally!). I just want something that will last, runs smoothly and will not give me any headaches. The cost is a factor, but I am getting it through a friend who works in a computer store at store cost so it's not too bad (it's crazy how little a markup there is on this kind of thing, like $50-$60!)
Keep the info coming! |
|
Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
|
McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 9:33 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> "the one button mouse sucks"
Must be a Windoz thing since the Apple mouse has two buttons, a scroll wheel and other stuff.
"I have also heard the latest version of Leopard can be spotty"
You must be hanging out in the wrong bars because the latest version of Leopard (10.5.8) is as solid as a rock.
"and Win 7 runs fine"
Except for the crashes that result in the new "black screen of death" as opposed to the old "blue screen of death".
"I just want something that will last, runs smoothly and will not give me any headaches."
Then you want a Mac. |
|
Dave Breen, Photographer
|
Somerset | PA | USA | Posted: 9:39 AM on 12.07.09 |
| ->> A spotty leopard ?? (get it?) |
|
Bill Vaughn, Photographer
|
Huntsville | Al | United States | Posted: 9:56 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> As a reformed Windows user, I can tell you, I'll never go back to Win after about 6 years on Macs. My wife is required to use a PC for her job but dreams of being able to use a Mac. Most of the reasons to switch have been mentioned. To me the learning curve was not so steep, but there are differences, so the immediate productivity improvement will be a little slow but believe it will rapidly increase. Having just bought the in-laws a PC laptop for an early Christmas present, I reinforced my commitment to Mac while helping get theirs setup and configured. The frustration with the obnoxious antivirus messages alone had me cursing their machine within 5 minutes of starting it up. Of course I could turn them off, but that would make them vulnerable.
Given your specs, I think you will not regret getting a MacBook Pro. If you're a student, some of the necessary software will be very reasonably priced too. Office, PS, LR, etc. Try academicsuperstore.com.
One additional thought, check around with your Mac area resellers(not Apple company stores) and see if they have any machines that were out on lease that they are selling. I picked up a MacBook 13in white case for road use. It was $599 and came with a 1 year warranty. Wanted it in case I dropped or had my laptop stolen. Preferred losing it than my MacBook Pro. Has plenty of power and allows you to "Be a Mac" a little cheaper. Good luck! |
|
Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
|
Boise | ID | US | Posted: 9:57 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> I'm running a MBP 15"... couldn't be happier. The matte screen is great. Even if it's just for the hardware and you're going to run Windows on it, it's worth it. Personally, I use VMWare and run both at the same time (and they're both pretty quick)
And 6-7 hours battery life? It'll change your life!
The bus speeds are also much faster on the MBP (by about 25%) - you'll notice this pretty dramatically in Photoshop and Photo Mechanic. Most people faint, swoon, or otherwise collapse the first time ;) |
|
Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
|
San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 10:27 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Tim,
I've never liked Mac mouses either. That's why I use Logitech two-button mouses with my Macs. You just plug 'em in.
--Mark |
|
David Harpe, Photographer
|
Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 10:49 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Hah! The Cult of the Mac speaks...
You have to understand - I LOVE Macs...I really do! But I'm also VERY good at computer stuff. I know how to take a windows box and make it safe. I live in the applications, not the operating system, so the "experience" really doesn't matter. Both run Photoshop/photomechanic/etc. just fine. Both can copy files and make DVDs and everything else I need.
I like having more than three or four options for hardware. For me, I can work on anything equally well, and I can make any computer - PC or Mac - reliable enough for me to use in deadline-driven work. That said, I chose the option most cost effective for the job. I *like* not having to spend $1,600 to get a decent laptop. I really like having many more options on screen type (gloss/matte/resolution). But I'm leveraging my knowledge and abilities to get these options.
""PCs are far less expensive"..... until you loose data because of the blue screen of death, until a virus eats your hard drive, and you spend 3 days on hold for customer support trying to figure out why your printer won't work."
If you think you can't lose information, have trouble hooking things up, or catch a virus on a mac, you're just not living in the real world. All of these things can happen to any platform, guaranteed. Your backup strategy should be the same no matter WHICH computer you choose. And in terms of the 3-days-on-hold thing...it all depends on whether you know how to use Google versus when the Genius Bar is open. I can't remember a time in the past ten years where I've had to call a computer company tech support line to solve a problem...but again, that's just me.
It's a Canon/Nikon argument...it really is. If you are timid on computers or are predisposed to click on every Viagra link you get in an email, Macs have always been the better choice. :-) |
|
Preston Mack, Photographer
|
Orlando | FL | USA | Posted: 10:52 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> "But I'm also VERY good at computer stuff. I know how to take a windows box and make it safe."
David, I am sure you are very good with computers, however, most people are not! :) |
|
Kevin Novak, Photographer, Assistant
|
Bel Air (Baltimore) | MD | USA | Posted: 10:56 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> Just my personal experience, take it for what it's worth:
I previously was a PC user, having burned through many laptops and desktops, and I'm not hard on a system. I bought a MacBook Pro over 2.5 years ago. It has given me NO, and I mean NO problems. Not a single hiccup or crash. If I had remained on PC, my history would have told me that I would have had to rebuild the machine from scratch at least once per year due to unrecoverable crashes/malfunctions, and I'm sure I'd have had to replace it at least once.
About a month ago I bought a new 21.5" iMac. I did the Migration Assistant thing to set it up and within 45 minutes I had a desktop clone of my MBP with all files and applications up and running with NO problem. I didn't have to re-install anything. It was seamless. It would have been hours upon hours of work if I had done it on PC.
True, you get what you pay for....and my conversion to Mac was worth every penny by having no frustrations over my computer.
Kevin |
|
Scott Morgan, Photographer
|
Rockford | IL | United States | Posted: 11:34 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> "the one button mouse sucks (I'd use a 2 button one...)"
It has already been pointed out that Apple hasn't sold a one-button mouse in a very long time. I'd like to mention the seriously huge advantage Apple has on trackpad designs. I'm a laptop user and I almost never plug in a mouse. Mac trackpads have multitouch features built into the trackpad. You scroll in windows with two fingers (try it at an Apple store or Best Buy) and to right click you hold down two fingers and click. The newest laptops let you use more gestures to control things.
Honestly, this may sound stupid, but the lack of these features on a PC is reason enough to never buy a pc again. |
|
Neil Wade, Photographer
|
Taipei | TW | Taiwan | Posted: 11:44 AM on 12.07.09 |
| ->> I agree with Scott. I'm a MBP guy and the trackpad is awesome. I haven't used a mouse in years. Reason enough to buy a Mac. Reason #2: When is the last time you heard of someone thinking of switching from a Mac to a PC? I don't think I ever have. I could give you more reasons, but they're all listed above. Mac. |
|
Daniel Putz, Photographer
|
Owings Mills | MD | USA | Posted: 11:54 AM on 12.07.09 |
->> My next laptop will be a PC. This macbook pro runs way too hot.
Myth dispelled. |
|
Bryan Hulse, Photographer
|
Nashville | Tn | USA | Posted: 12:11 PM on 12.07.09 |
->> I used to defend PCs too, until I bought a Macbook Pro.
With the MBP, I open the lid, work, close the lid. I only reboot when it downloads a software update that requires a reboot (maybe every 2 to 3 weeks).
No more antivirus software hassles: subscriptions, machine slowing down, on and on. No more add-ware, spy-ware, bla bla bla.
Applications can still give you problems, but that's not a Mac or PC problem. But most of the time, I can just kill an app without having to reboot.
It's not like the MBP is magic. It just works like it's supposed to, and I spend time doing the other things I want, and need to do.
I used to be a Windows software developer and still use PCs when necessary (or on Parallels on my Mac). But they ain't no Mac!
When I bought my MBP, I found if you really compare hardware between the PC and the Mac apples to apples, the price isn't that far off.
Some of the things the PC salesperson will tell you:
1) Macs don't have virus problems because there aren't as many Macs, and the hackers just haven't bothered writing code for a virus.
AHHHHHH! What a joke! I've heard this many times.
2) The learning curve is very steep on a Mac.
Ok, I was able to be productive in like 30 minutes after someone showed me how to get around.
3) I can't right click my mouse on the Mac.
AHHHHHHHH! Yes, you can! Just program it for a right click in the mouse options! Just because it doesn't have a visible right and left button doesn't mean it doesn't know. |
|
Daniel Putz, Photographer
|
Owings Mills | MD | USA | Posted: 12:39 PM on 12.07.09 |
| ->> Goodness this maclove makes me want to gouge by eyes out. |
|
Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
|
Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 12.07.09 |
->> Daniel, Macs are built to "run hot" because they expel a bunch of the heat thru the metal. You say it runs hot, but have you ever had an issue?
Having once been a PC user and no a Macbook Pro owner - Mac, 100%. No question. At the last two Breeders Cup I was downloading from one card reader, uploading and editing all at the same time. If I had tried that with a PC it would have exploded. Thet Mac does it all and it does it well.
Macs are easy. And, the Time Machine fuction is AWESOME. If you do have an issue, Time Machine lets you restore EVERYTHING as it was on your computer. I haven't had that come up, but I did upgrade my HDD. I made sure I had a current Time Machine, yanked the one HDD and put the other in. Told it to restore from Time Machine. Voila...same "desktop" as before with a bigger HDD. Good stuff. With a PC, unless there has been a change, plan on reinstalling EVERYTHING!
I have owners PCs and MACs. Unless you have a ton of business programs and need to live in a PC environment, a Mac is THE WAY TO GO. |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|