Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: xrtoronto on November 20, 2006, 01:56:06 PM
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They have opened up a Mac superstore here and I have been in twice this past week. I am very tempted to buy a new Mac. (see link)
iMac 24" (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/6174005/wo/9A3SeY9t13o62CzY3CkFM9dte5j/2.?p=0)
With the upgrades I want it comes to $2619. plus tax.
Is there any caveat I should know about? Do you think it's smarter to stick with MS? What about software? How much s/w is available for Mac these days? I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
Any thoughts?
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For design, imaging, web-based interactive software and gaming I'd go with Mac.
if you're a desk jockey type who likes spreadsheets and word processing, stick with the PC.
Dealer's choice, but Mac provides greater utility and is less finiky. For example. the Mac hardware can read CDs burned by PC, but PC cannot read discs formatted by Mac.
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Originally posted by Red Tail 444
For design, imaging, web-based interactive software and gaming I'd go with Mac.
Gaming? On a Mac?
:rofl
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Mac is far superior to the MS systems. As far as software goes, you may have a tougher time finding as big of a variety of games but home software, no problem. Macs are a little more user friendly. I was a Mac tech for 4 years. Apple has it together, if you want to produce parts for a MAC, you make it to thier specs, not the other way around that you see in the PC world. This is what makes them perform so well and adds to making them a little more user friendly.
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Opinions vary. I used macs for about five years before I made the jump to PC. I'll never go back.
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Two things Id ask...
1) Whats your budget (Macs are pricer in some regards)
2) What do you want to do? Games? (PC) Video Editting (Mac better), etc?
They are nice systems but where they shine better than PCs is different based on what you want to do.
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Originally posted by Sandman
Gaming? On a Mac?
:rofl
Given the drama lately with PC's, yes.
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i thought a Mac is a PC now (a PC in drag?)
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Originally posted by LePaul
Two things Id ask...
1) Whats your budget (Macs are pricer in some regards)
2) What do you want to do? Games? (PC) Video Editting (Mac better), etc?
They are nice systems but where they shine better than PCs is different based on what you want to do.
I really liked what I saw in the Apple store regarding multimedia. With a 24" HD monitor the images look better on the Mac. I would only use the Mac for image editing and watching some movie clips, playing mp3 etc. I also liked the remote control idea.
I am a very 'visual' person. The graphics on the Mac is what really has got my attention. It is sooooo slick.
And yes, it appeared to me that they do seem a bit more expensive for comparible hardware with PC.
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Originally posted by MotorOil1
Mac is far superior to the MS systems. As far as software goes, you may have a tougher time finding as big of a variety of games but home software, no problem. Macs are a little more user friendly. I was a Mac tech for 4 years. Apple has it together, if you want to produce parts for a MAC, you make it to thier specs, not the other way around that you see in the PC world. This is what makes them perform so well and adds to making them a little more user friendly.
Mac's are now based on technology funded by PC sales. Mac notebooks are made by the very same people who make PC notebooks using the same parts (Asus).
Mac's run a bastardized version of BSD Unix with a pretty gui.
There is nothing a Mac can do that a PC cannot (usually the PC has 10 x as many choices in software).
There is no technology apple have ever invented or innovated. Every idea they have is a rip of someone elses.
Some parts of Mac OS X are immature, particularly on the networking side (VPN client anyone?). Safari sucks dog balls as it does things in ways that are non-standard. While some of the freebie software with OS X is nice, it is farily basic and the next step is farily expensive (take a look at Ulead video editing products $$$ versus what you have to pay for Mac equivilants).
If you want to be different and be part of a minority (<4% of desktop computers) buy a Mac.
If you want a system with broad software support, good value for money, lots of knowledge on how to get the best out of it, then a PC with Windows.
and don't get me started on Mac security...
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
They have opened up a Mac superstore here and I have been in twice this past week. I am very tempted to buy a new Mac. (see link)
iMac 24" (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/6174005/wo/9A3SeY9t13o62CzY3CkFM9dte5j/2.?p=0)
With the upgrades I want it comes to $2619. plus tax.
Is there any caveat I should know about? Do you think it's smarter to stick with MS? What about software? How much s/w is available for Mac these days? I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
Any thoughts?
I use a Mac for work and a PC I built up for home (AH2). I think both are perfectly suited to their respective tasks, and I would not switch either of them (although an upgrade to each would be nice :) ).
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
I really liked what I saw in the Apple store regarding multimedia. With a 24" HD monitor the images look better on the Mac. I would only use the Mac for image editing and watching some movie clips, playing mp3 etc. I also liked the remote control idea.
I am a very 'visual' person. The graphics on the Mac is what really has got my attention. It is sooooo slick.
If that's what you want to use if for then buy it. You won't find anything better guaranteed.
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Originally posted by MotorOil1
If that's what you want to use if for then buy it. You won't find anything better guaranteed.
I've built all of my PC boxes. I have no use for warranties other than those provided for each component.
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Originally posted by Sandman
I've built all of my PC boxes. I have no use for warranties other than those provided for each component.
Yup, same here. A home built PC is much like a NASCAR race car is. Top of the line components mixed together for whatever result you are aiming for (games, video work, surfing, music editting, etc)
I know they make cheaper macs now but I still think a $1500 PC offers a lot of "oomph"...that you'd have to pay $2500-$3000 for in a Mac. And what kind of upgrades can you do to a Mac? You get get a lot of life out of a PC via upgrading.
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I've built 5-6 systems last few years. when it becomes possible (probably never) to build your own Mac and you can build a Mac for under $500 then i might consider it
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
Any thoughts?
That's what I'm doing right now... I use my PC for dicking around on the internet, and my mac for just about everything else. I had windows running in parallels on my mac as well until I brought my PC out here.
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Originally posted by LePaul
I know they make cheaper macs now but I still think a $1500 PC offers a lot of "oomph"...that you'd have to pay $2500-$3000 for in a Mac. And what kind of upgrades can you do to a Mac? You get get a lot of life out of a PC via upgrading.
You touched on the one thing I had concerns about...upgrades.
Even when I asked at the store about how much flexibility there was in choosing vid card etc...your choice is nVidia 128m card or 256m card...wireless (or not) keyboard and mouse...and amount of ram 1g, 2g or 3g and that's about it. This may be the only stumbling block I encounter that will sway me away from going Mac.
This expensive system from Mac appeared to be almost outdated...I mean the PCIE vid cards are pretty much now being offerred with 512m of onboard ram up to 1g and Mac is offerring this system with a vid card with only 128m or an upgrade to 256m and I can not order an ATI card (which is what I wanted)
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256 for vid-card is the norm, 512 is useless right now, unless u use Vista
If you don't like to upgrade or work inside a computer go for MAC, personnelly I will never touch MAC's
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Thing about the Mac's, they only offer 1 or 2 vid cards period. Everyone makes their software to support those components, if you don't you don't make software for Apple. That's the deal. This does two things, one, you never have to worry about getting video drivers current or the right ones. You don't have to worry about the latest version of ditX and if it's compatible with the software you're running or the hardware you're running. Two, there are long cycles between upgrades because everything being produced must meet the hardware specifics.
It sounds limiting but it's very advantageous to developers to have a system this way. For what you described the purpose of the machine for, it will out perform or be side by side the best PC out there right now. MACs will have a longevity just as long as a PC. You'll by more memory maybe another vid card in a few years. By the time you want to touch the processor, you PC equivalent MB wouldn't support the upgrade now anyway.
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I just upgraded my PC recently. Moved onto an Athlon 64 3200+, new board, 7600GT silent video card. The upgrade was cheap, I retained my case, RAM, and hard drive (as well as monitor, keyboard, mouse, creative sound card etc). Sold my old Athlon 2800XP, 6600, and mainboard for good $$$$ on a local auction site, such that the upgrade cost me very little.
I left my options open as well, so I can go to a socket 939 X2 anytime.
Try doing that on a mac. Oh wait... you can't :)
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I'd use a Mac..... as a paper weight.
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xrtoronto, you might go check out price comparsion on Mac parts vs PC parts that you might want to upgrade in the future. Memory, vid cards, monitors, drives (HD and DVD)
Mac memory
1Gb DDR SDRAM for iMac G5 1Gb-3200-IG5 $ 169.00
2GB DDR2 PC2 PC4200/533 $ 415.00
PC memory
Kingston KVR400/1GR DDR Memory Upgrade For Desktop Computers 1.0GB 400MHZ/PC3200 about $106 at newegg
Corsair Micro 2GB Pair PC4200 DDR2 533 MHz $212 to $301 depending where you shop
Kingston Valueram Memory - DIMM2GB Kit 533MHz DDR2 PC2-4200 DIMM runs about $250
that above is just one reason I probably never own a mac
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We work daily with different print companys, if your work is mainly
for profesional printing stuff, stick with a Mac.
We run both at work, Mac & PC, both run the same software like
Photoshop and Indesign, but if it comes to real Color-Management,
or Color-Calibration, Mac still beats the PC in Lightyears.
If you need the Puter just for Web Graphics and surfing or
Games, go with a PC.
Just my 2cent
Gh0stFT
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Originally posted by Vulcan
Try doing that on a mac. Oh wait... you can't :)
We had a huge market for used macs @ top dollar at my old shop. Typically sold for more money than equivalent used PC equipment. It works out the same when you take into account the expensiveness of a mac.
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Originally posted by NATEDOG
I'd use a Mac..... as a paper weight.
That's cause you're a gamer. I own a PC for that reason as well.:cool: It's all what you want if for.
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Macs used to be better for graphics and 3D rendering... that is no longer true. Macs are now being setup to run MS so more folks will buy them. Now if they were not so overpriced.
I'll never go back to Mac
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Originally posted by Vulcan
There is nothing a Mac can do that a PC cannot (usually the PC has 10 x as many choices in software).
Actually, there are quite a few things a Mac can do that a PC can't. My next camera upgrade may force me to buy a Mac because you have to attach the camera to one, and they don't make the software that drives it for PC.
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
They have opened up a Mac superstore here and I have been in twice this past week. I am very tempted to buy a new Mac. (see link)
iMac 24" (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/6174005/wo/9A3SeY9t13o62CzY3CkFM9dte5j/2.?p=0)
With the upgrades I want it comes to $2619. plus tax.
Is there any caveat I should know about? Do you think it's smarter to stick with MS? What about software? How much s/w is available for Mac these days? I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
Any thoughts?
FYI an Apple Mac computer is manufactured by Asus using parts from: Intel, ATI, Western Digital, Asus motherboard... etc. The days of G4 PPC velocity engine optimized for graphics are over, for years now... theres no clear advantage to either platform, check out some of the "professional" video websites... benchmarks go either way, and now that Apple is using Intel parts, its all about optimizations & drivers, not hardware. The 90s are over.
So whats the difference?, there is none really except the operating system.. and for all its hoopla OSX doesn't accomplish anything special relative to windows other than it looks nicer and does thing differently. If you like Photoshop in Windows, great, buy a new copy to run on OSX.. its a several hundred dollar "which one is faster" experiment. Also be ready to maybe re-purchase OSX specific versions of apps.
That said, the ability to boot Win / OSX / Linux cant be beaten by anything on the PC market, the high end Apple notebooks are the best buy on the market, imo, for versatility... if you can afford one.
The towers, IMO, are far from worth it $$ wise.. you can piece together a better machine with more years of upgrade options, many many more options (like an AMD CPU / chipset) and dont have to relay on "Apple care".. which btw is almost mandatory, if only to protect your investment and isn't cheap.
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Originally posted by x0847Marine
That said, the ability to boot Win / OSX / Linux cant be beaten by anything on the PC market, the high end Apple notebooks are the best buy on the market, imo, for versatility... if you can afford one.
Actually all is not sweet and rosy with dual boot. Dual boot is having issues with games, first on the restricted types of video cards, and secondly the sound chipset is causing some issues with some games and applications.
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OSX IS NOT LUNIX
I H8 LUNIX
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Can someone explain what a Mac can do that a PC can't do better/cheaper?
A PC can dual boot ( been that way for many, many years)
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like a PC can do anything that a Mac can do, it's less expensive, has more options for software and hardware, can be customized to an extreme degree by any fool with half a brain,
There really is not one good reason to get a Mac over a PC. There are reasons, but they are not good reasons.
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But but....the snotty commercials HAVE to be true!! If its on TV, its true, right?? :)
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I know people who tried mac and fell in love with it. Any windows stuff that you need can be done through reasonable quick emulation.
I wouldn't buy one as I don't need professional graphics editing etc. but if you're serious about photography, Mac has real nice programs for raw image editing etc.
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Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
I know people who tried mac and fell in love with it. Any windows stuff that you need can be done through reasonable quick emulation.
I wouldn't buy one as I don't need professional graphics editing etc. but if you're serious about photography, Mac has real nice programs for raw image editing etc.
What is it that limits a PC from having professional graphics and editing?
A PC can run windows and also Unix type systems.
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*Homer Drool*
The thought of being able to build a $2600 PC.. That would be a monster machine.
I bet it would have frickin laser beams all over it.
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Originally posted by xNOVAx
*Homer Drool*
The thought of being able to build a $2600 PC.. That would be a monster machine.
I bet it would have frickin laser beams all over it.
The gay people on/in this/these forums might not be able to understand what you are saying.
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Originally posted by NATEDOG
The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."
Cracked a rib the other day and it hurts like hell to laugh. This sig caused an interesting and unpleasant sensation.
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Originally posted by ByeBye
The gay people on/in this/these forums might not be able to understand what you are saying.
Yeah well the cool people on this board will know what I'm talkin about when I say Quad Core.. Oh Snap! :D
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
Is there any caveat I should know about?
Yes, there is. Buying a Mac makes you a metrosexual.
And of course we all know that being a metrosexual is a gateway to other things.
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sun makes the bast desktop machines you can get off the shelf
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Toronto, I bought an iMac 24. Cost 3K. Yes, could build 2 very nice PC's for that. I'm so happy I didn't. iMac roars in Aces High. I love the interface because I use Windows only for AH. Can't say enough good about it. I got mine with the big nVidia card and 2gigs of memory. Also, no more tower. No more noise. No more bulk. I'm glad I bought it.
Regards,
hap
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Did it come with a razer and shaving cream to you can be all metro and shave your chest? ;)
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Originally posted by LePaul
Bangor ME, USA
lol, i just saw that rofl
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Originally posted by Debonair
Location: lmao
zOMFG!!!11!1!!! Pot meet kettle...
(http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g308/txflood77598/david_woodersonSMALL.jpg)
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Originally posted by Vulcan
Safari sucks dog balls as it does things in ways that are non-standard.
Whereas Microsoft's internet explorer is...? Safari has it's oddnesses but compared to internet exploder -- the bane of anyone seeking web standards compliance -- it's a paragon of virtue.
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Originally posted by -dead-
Whereas Microsoft's internet explorer is...? Safari has it's oddnesses but compared to internet exploder -- the bane of anyone seeking web standards compliance -- it's a paragon of virtue.
OK, lets give you an example. Safare uses a 1 packet TCP window, this mean its breaks easily when their are Layer7 devices upstream of it such as L7 firewalls, or Proxy servers doing content filtering.
Even M$ can ship a product that conforms to basic TCP standards, Apple can't.
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My 0.02$ about iBooks (Mac laptops):
nice looks BUT horrid design (inside) and manufacturing: it will take you 1.5 hours to get to the HDD (no kidding!). And you'd better take a lot of pics while disassembling the thing cause there are at least 10 different types of screws and the shielding is held in place with tape (again, no kidding). You'll also notice that some components have been bent/damaged during the original assembly.
Do the math, you'll need between 2 and 3.5 hours to change the HDD. And the risk to break something isn't small. And I defy you to do this without scratching the case...
check it out... (http://www.zathras.de/angelweb/blog-ibook-disassembly.htm)
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Originally posted by Airscrew
xrtoronto, you might go check out price comparsion on Mac parts vs PC parts that you might want to upgrade in the future. Memory, vid cards, monitors, drives (HD and DVD)
Mac memory
1Gb DDR SDRAM for iMac G5 1Gb-3200-IG5 $ 169.00
2GB DDR2 PC2 PC4200/533 $ 415.00
PC memory
Kingston KVR400/1GR DDR Memory Upgrade For Desktop Computers 1.0GB 400MHZ/PC3200 about $106 at newegg
Corsair Micro 2GB Pair PC4200 DDR2 533 MHz $212 to $301 depending where you shop
Kingston Valueram Memory - DIMM2GB Kit 533MHz DDR2 PC2-4200 DIMM runs about $250
that above is just one reason I probably never own a mac
You can use PC memory on macs. I do. Kingston make cheapo Mac spec RAM, or you can use Corsair if you know what specs you need (easy enough to find out).
My current lumbering old G4 PPC mac has 1.5GB of PC RAM bought cheap, a cheap PC Radeon card that I flashed the ROM to make it the mac version, and an Asus DVD writer [actually an Pioneer DVR-105] (ROM flashed to an Apple Super Drive [ie Pioneer DVR-105]). And Maxtor Hard Drives. No Apple bits at all in fact.
[It still starts up faster than my much younger and faster PC, too.]
This is all on a pre-intel mac. Since the switch it just got even easier. You don't need to buy expensive Apple parts: it's a myth. One that Apple have no reason to dispel.
www.xlr8yourmac.com (http://www.xlr8yourmac.com) has all the details required, full of people who run all manner of non-standard bits in macs and how they did it.
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Originally posted by deSelys
My 0.02$ about iBooks (Mac laptops):
nice looks BUT horrid design (inside) and manufacturing: it will take you 1.5 hours to get to the HDD (no kidding!). And you'd better take a lot of pics while disassembling the thing cause there are at least 10 different types of screws and the shielding is held in place with tape (again, no kidding). You'll also notice that some components have been bent/damaged during the original assembly.
Do the math, you'll need between 2 and 3.5 hours to change the HDD. And the risk to break something isn't small. And I defy you to do this without scratching the case...
check it out... (http://www.zathras.de/angelweb/blog-ibook-disassembly.htm)
I call bollocks on this (and see above to understand how antiMac I am). Where I worked has an apple service centre, I see ibooks getting serviced all the time and its nothing like that.
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Originally posted by deSelys
My 0.02$ about iBooks (Mac laptops):
nice looks BUT horrid design (inside) and manufacturing: it will take you 1.5 hours to get to the HDD (no kidding!). And you'd better take a lot of pics while disassembling the thing cause there are at least 10 different types of screws and the shielding is held in place with tape (again, no kidding). You'll also notice that some components have been bent/damaged during the original assembly.
Do the math, you'll need between 2 and 3.5 hours to change the HDD. And the risk to break something isn't small. And I defy you to do this without scratching the case...
check it out... (http://www.zathras.de/angelweb/blog-ibook-disassembly.htm)
ibooks were an absolute nightmare! Not anymore though... the current Macbook series makes it a lot easier (http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook/Complete-Disassembly-Page-2-Battery). Mind they couldn't possibly have made it more difficult than the ibook series.
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Originally posted by Vulcan
I call bollocks on this (and see above to understand how antiMac I am). Where I worked has an apple service centre, I see ibooks getting serviced all the time and its nothing like that.
I hope for you that you're not betting your own 'bollocs' because you are going to sing at least two tones higher :D : I did MYSELF a HDD swap on a pearl white iBOOK G4 2 weeks ago and it was a nightmare. Fortunately I had this write-up to help me through.
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Originally posted by deSelys
I hope for you that you're not betting your own 'bollocs' because you are going to sing at least two tones higher :D : I did MYSELF a HDD swap on a pearl white iBOOK G4 2 weeks ago and it was a nightmare. Fortunately I had this write-up to help me through.
I'll be asking the certified apple tech tommorrow morning :)
But as I've said, I've seen him working ibooks, never seen him take more than a few minutes to get the drive out.
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-dead- has already given the explanation: the iBooks (previous generation) were as I described while the new MacBooks are easier to service. So we're both correct (or wrong).
But out of curiosity I'd like you to post here the expletives that the apple tech will use when you'll mention the iBooks ;)
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Originally posted by Vulcan
OK, lets give you an example. Safare uses a 1 packet TCP window, this mean its breaks easily when their are Layer7 devices upstream of it such as L7 firewalls, or Proxy servers doing content filtering.
Even M$ can ship a product that conforms to basic TCP standards, Apple can't.
Well I dunno about the under the hood stuff -- seems to work OK for me on the internet though. The only network problems I've experienced on the internet are paranoia-related IP blocking by US sites, easily fixed by using public proxies. Perhaps you can shake off my paranoid sense of being baffled with BS by giving me a concrete example of an URL that Safari can't get to but other browsers can?
As to the M$ TCP standards - possibly so, but I do notice on my own humble little TCP/IP network (1 router + 1 switch, 2 macs 2 PCs, 1 printer) that it's always the PCs that get network problems and exhibit weirdness requiring restarts. The Macs just work.
And whilst I dunno much about TCP, I know when I do a web page, I code it so it works in all the other browsers and validates OK on the W3C first, then add all the hacks and javascript necessary to make it work the same for ie.
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
They have opened up a Mac superstore here and I have been in twice this past week. I am very tempted to buy a new Mac. (see link)
iMac 24" (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/6174005/wo/9A3SeY9t13o62CzY3CkFM9dte5j/2.?p=0)
With the upgrades I want it comes to $2619. plus tax.
Is there any caveat I should know about? Do you think it's smarter to stick with MS? What about software? How much s/w is available for Mac these days? I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
Any thoughts?
Ill just skip all the replies you have gotten and answer from my experience as a mac user, so bare with me if i say things that have been said.
If I were in your shoes then i would go for a mac. You get alot of good software with your mac and you wont have to worry about viruses, slowing down over time and re-installing every year. You can install windows on it too and get just as good performance as on a winbox with simmilar innards. Buying a mac gives you the freedom to choose between OSX and windows.
My next PC will not be a mac, but that is only because I already have a good one. If i had none and was in the market for a new one then I would go for a macbook pro.
If you have any questions please use the PM.
Have a nice day Raymond. :)
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Everybody loves Raymond..
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Originally posted by Gh0stFT
We work daily with different print companys, if your work is mainly
for profesional printing stuff, stick with a Mac.
We run both at work, Mac & PC, both run the same software like
Photoshop and Indesign, but if it comes to real Color-Management,
or Color-Calibration, Mac still beats the PC in Lightyears.
If you need the Puter just for Web Graphics and surfing or
Games, go with a PC.
Just my 2cent
Gh0stFT
Now that they basically use the same hardware, is the only difference software?
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Originally posted by Debonair
lol, i just saw that rofl
What's so funny about my city? Or has MP4 hit?
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Originally posted by xrtoronto
Do you think it's smarter to stick with MS?
[/B]
Not in a million years. All the Windows frustrations are gone. There's simply no upkeep by comparision and tweaking. I've had my iMac for 2 months and that's how it has been.
What about software? How much s/w is available for Mac these days? I'm thinking of using my PC for online stuff and the Mac for multimedia stuff.
[/B]
You can use all your PC software via Boot Camp which installed easily and works very well. Ask your question to the folks at the Mac Owners Support Group (Google it). They have 1st hand knowledge. I'm a dweeb computer user. So far OSX (Mac Tiger operating system) just plain works. Every time. Safari, their web browser, works great. Email, Garage Band (you can compose music), the iCal calendar works. From what little I've read, and it is very little, Mac rocks when it comes to multimedia stuff. Especially making movies, hi end photo editing, and movies. Now, I do none of those things and never will. So ask those who know and dont' have their egos and opinions joined at the hip.
I bought the Mac software package with mine and Apple Care warranty. iTunes works great. I've also found the men and women on the Mac Owners Support Group to be a neat bunch of people. They answer questions in a friendly manner. None of the blustering and belligerence you see in here. Granted, the forums are very different to begin with.
They have a Newbie section where I've posted many questions, and I read it frequently and learn how to do things. The learning curve is not steep. If, Toronto, you're comptuer saavy already, it'll be a breeze.
There is a way to save money on your purchase. Run it by the MOSG (Mac Owners Support Group). They get a real bargin on memory which is quite pricey via the Apple Store online. There maybe other ways they can help you save dollars with no sacrifice of quality.
I also found the telephone Mac support -- I called them twice -- on issues like "how to" stuff that any semi-intelligent person should be able to figure out which I couldn't -- and the support was great. Quick, easy, pleasant.
Mac has about a 5% market share in computers world wide. Not too different from BMW and or Mercedes. I think the comparision is very apt for all the purposes I use a computer.
One last pitch for the Mac Owners Support Group. Register, its super easy and not invasive. Tell 'em what your contemplating. Lay out all the pros and cons you're heard and read. Everything they said and what I've read, has turned out to be true without hyperbole. Any.
Regards,
hap
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Well...lot's of really great responses here. I have read all of them and want to thank everyone who contributed. I am still totally undecided as to what path I will choose at this moment. (but that's ok, because I don't intend to make a move at the earliest until after Christmas Day, possibly during Boxing Week when a sale might occur)
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Originally posted by Sandman
Now that they basically use the same hardware, is the only difference software?
i would say yes.
Print Companys used Mac's for the last 15 years, they know the
whole workflow, from scanning to editing to printing. Former only
Mac Software is availible more and more for the PC though.
At work we use Heidelberg Linocolor for scanning and editing CMYK
pictures who are scanned through one of our Linotype Hell scanners.
Since a few years Heidelberg offers a new Software called Newcolor 7000,
which is availible for the PC too. I think it would be possible to
work with a PC similar, but tranfering to Mac and vice versa is difficult.
We used Quark Xpress for DTP on the old Mac OS, today we slowly
change to Adobe Indesign, and you know this Soft is availible for the
PC too.
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Originally posted by -dead-
Well I dunno about the under the hood stuff -- seems to work OK for me on the internet though. The only network problems I've experienced on the internet are paranoia-related IP blocking by US sites, easily fixed by using public proxies. Perhaps you can shake off my paranoid sense of being baffled with BS by giving me a concrete example of an URL that Safari can't get to but other browsers can?
As to the M$ TCP standards - possibly so, but I do notice on my own humble little TCP/IP network (1 router + 1 switch, 2 macs 2 PCs, 1 printer) that it's always the PCs that get network problems and exhibit weirdness requiring restarts. The Macs just work.
And whilst I dunno much about TCP, I know when I do a web page, I code it so it works in all the other browsers and validates OK on the W3C first, then add all the hacks and javascript necessary to make it work the same for ie.
Any long URL where the header info splits over two packets can fail. We first noticed it when Apple started hosting on akamai servers for load balancing. Essentially what happens is L7 firewalls, proxies, or content filters wait until they receive the full URL request before they do anything. Because safari uses a 1 packet tcp window it waits for an acknolwedge before it completes the URL - you end up with a standoff and eventual timeout.
A typical tcp window size is 20 packets, so an application that uses 1 is a bit retarded. I spent two weeks geting abused by mac people about pages that wouldn't load. Then when it worked on firefox they still refused to use firefox as their browser. Luckily for me one of firewall vendors had identified such a problem before and we were able to tweak around it. However occasionally safari still pukes on some pages - so its problem something upstream that does like safari's 1 packet tcp window.
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Originally posted by deSelys
-dead- has already given the explanation: the iBooks (previous generation) were as I described while the new MacBooks are easier to service. So we're both correct (or wrong).
But out of curiosity I'd like you to post here the expletives that the apple tech will use when you'll mention the iBooks ;)
Apple tech says 30 minutes, 2 hours if you're a total noob. But yeah 30 minutes is too long by 29 minutes.
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Check this out Xrtoronto: (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrinpimp.gif)
http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=192128&referrerid=3203
And, FWIW, you shouldn't use a laptop screen for photoeditting. Get a good monitor and use a Gretag Macbeth Pantone huey Display Calibrator to calibrate the colors.
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Originally posted by Vulcan
Apple tech says 30 minutes, 2 hours if you're a total noob. But yeah 30 minutes is too long by 29 minutes.
Being called a total noob by an Apple tech is like being called Haxx0r by the dweeb that you've just shot down in the MA. You guys made my day :D :rofl
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Originally posted by Ripsnort
Check this out Xrtoronto: (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrinpimp.gif)
http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=192128&referrerid=3203
And, FWIW, you shouldn't use a laptop screen for photoeditting. Get a good monitor and use a Gretag Macbeth Pantone huey Display Calibrator to calibrate the colors.
I'm about to Google it, but what does a Gretag Macbeth Pantone huey Display Calibrator cost, how does it work?
I submitted a cover for a journal (which got accepted) received a printed copy and the colors (blues and greens specifically) were totally not what I expected.
I tried checking my work on 3 different computers and printing a mockup in office, but the print version totally different :(
Just like to be sure that if it happens again, I can say my end not at fault...
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Originally posted by kamilyun
I'm about to Google it, but what does a Gretag Macbeth Pantone huey Display Calibrator cost, how does it work?
I submitted a cover for a journal (which got accepted) received a printed copy and the colors (blues and greens specifically) were totally not what I expected.
I tried checking my work on 3 different computers and printing a mockup in office, but the print version totally different :(
Just like to be sure that if it happens again, I can say my end not at fault...
Don't get the Huey. There have been many reports of it having an orange tinge.
If you're doing PC only, The Colorplus Pantone Colorvision is the least expensive option. If PC and/or Mac, the Monaco XR. The Eye One setups range from basic monitor calibration to full blown scanner, monitor, and printer sets.
Another thing is check to make sure what color space they want your submission in. If you sent it in aSRGB or SRGB and they wanted CMYK, it's going to be way off.
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Originally posted by -dead-
Well I dunno about the under the hood stuff -- seems to work OK for me on the internet though. The only network problems I've experienced on the internet are paranoia-related IP blocking by US sites
Yeah, and the Chinese government would never be paranoid and try to block IPs or limit internet access! LOL!
:lol
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Originally posted by Nilsen
If I were in your shoes then i would go for a mac. You get alot of good software with your mac and you wont have to worry about viruses,
*cough* http://kernelfun.blogspot.com/2006/11/mokb-20-11-2006-mac-os-x-apple-udif.html
Theres a few more exploits already in the wild. The funny thing is due to the lack of 3rd party security products for OS X all you can do is disconnect your Mac from the net.
Have a nice day nilsen :P (if you're still able to read the forums)
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And then there’s the question:
PCp or sMac ?
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Originally posted by Vulcan
*cough* http://kernelfun.blogspot.com/2006/11/mokb-20-11-2006-mac-os-x-apple-udif.html
Theres a few more exploits already in the wild. The funny thing is due to the lack of 3rd party security products for OS X all you can do is disconnect your Mac from the net.
Have a nice day nilsen :P (if you're still able to read the forums)
Just change a browser setting until the patch comes out. I knew you would fill this thread with this kind of stuff. You're obsessing again. :p
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Originally posted by ByeBye
Yeah, and the Chinese government would never be paranoid and try to block IPs or limit internet access! LOL!
:lol
Not that way round they don't, at least I've never been blocked to any Chinese stuff. And Hong Kong's not inside the Great firewall.
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If you're seriously debating buying a pc or mac and you're not getting it for gaming use, then I'd say go ahead and get the mac. You really don't have much to lose. It'll cost a bit more than an equivalent PC but it should last quite a while.
I'd go for the extended applecare warranty though, 'cause they're expensive to buy and if anything goes wrong, just as expensive to fix.
I don't have a mac but I have recently considered getting a 20" imac. No compelling reason to since my current computer still works fine and I have my laptop as a backup, but if I needed another computer for general use, I'd probably get an imac, add in a wireless keyboard and mouse, and stuff it full of aftermarket memory since macs love having more ram.
But that's just my opinion, and I haven't even bought one so what do I know.
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I know happy users of PCs and happy users of Macs, but being a cheapskate who always goes for max return on money, I chose PC long ago and have never found any incentive to go for Mac.
Apparently most computer users agree based on the relatively small number of Mac users compared to PC users.
Come to think of it, this debate is essentially Max vs. Mac.
Remember the ancient interlude when the Atari ST was a better value than either Mac or PC? All hail ancestral icons like Atari, Oldsmobile, and Douglas.