Any Mac users here?

[Redguard]

I know... not a marriage topic, but I'm just curious.

Does anyone here use a Mac computer?

I've always shunned them in the past because I found them to have too many incompatibilities.

But they seem to be a lot better now. They can even run Windows! And you just can't beat the esthetics of a Mac.

I have a keen interest in graphic design and video editing, so I'm thinking that now may be the time to make a switch.

Can anyone here offer their experiences?

 

[seebs]

If you want a computer that can perform pretty much any task, and will basically stay out of your way, get a Mac.

If you have to run specific apps or games, you may be stuck with Windows.

I am the primary computer admin for my house. I reinstall Windows machines roughly annually, maybe every six months, and constantly have to update anti-virus, anti-spyware, and other utility packages.

I can forget about a Mac for a year and a half, and it'll still work.

Also, if you ever decide you want to get some serious utility out of a computer, your best bet is still to get something with a real kernel under it, and the Mac has it and Windows doesn't. There's a lot to be said for learning your way around UNIX; it's particularly nice to have the option of doing that when you feel like it, or ignoring it and using the GUI.

Disclaimer: I own upwards of fifteen computers, and the only thing I actively use Windows for is video games and sysadmin for other peoples' boxes. It's just too annoying to use otherwise.

 

[Carri20]

I have a Mac but I'm still pretty new to it so I probably can't help you much lol.

Anyway how do you get Windows on a Mac? I've heard it can be done, but I'd like to know what it involves before I go out and buy a $200 XP disc.

 

[Redguard]

I have a Mac but I'm still pretty new to it so I probably can't help you much lol.

Anyway how do you get Windows on a Mac? I've heard it can be done, but I'd like to know what it involves before I go out and buy a $200 XP disc.

Do you have one of those new Macs with the Intel processor chip?

 

[SweetBella]

too funny, i opened this thread thinking you were asking about make up... lol!

 

[MoodyBlue]

I know... not a marriage topic, but I'm just curious.

Does anyone here use a Mac computer?

I've always shunned them in the past because I found them to have too many incompatibilities.

But they seem to be a lot better now. They can even run Windows! And you just can't beat the esthetics of a Mac.

I have a keen interest in graphic design and video editing, so I'm thinking that now may be the time to make a switch.

Can anyone here offer their experiences?

Macs are the industry standard for graphic designers and for video editing.

 

[felinity]

I lurve my Mac. I'm a computer programmer, and sometimes, people are surprised that I can do all my programming on a Mac, but unless there's some super-specific programming software that hasn't been ported (which is unlikely these days), I can do what I need to do just fine.

 

[HeatherJay]

My hubby LOVES his Macs at work. He also has a Mac laptop that is quite lovely to work on.

I've used Macs almost exclusively in pursuit of my art degree...from a standpoint of artistic capabilities, there's just really no comparison for me. Macs rock.

We have a PC at home, but I've a feeling that will be changing when next we buy a computer.

My hubby used to be a hater, but in the last few years especially, he's finding it harder and harder to call the Mac an inferior machine...in fact, if you ask him today, he'd say it's definitely the superior beast.

 

[Redguard]

I used to be a hater too, but it looks like Apple has REALLY stepped up.

 

[HeatherJay]

I used to be a hater too, but it looks like Apple has REALLY stepped up.

Maybe Jobs was just biding his time, waiting for Gates to get bored and retire...

Now he's free to carry out his evil plans of world domination.

 

[Asherz]

Lol, I'm a former mac user wanting to back.

 

[heron]

Macs are the industry standard for graphic designers and for video editing.

Yes, this is true, but I've been teaching grapic design on PC's almost since they came out. You can do plenty on a PC. And cross-platform issues are less of a porblem than they used to be.

 

[sarasarabobara]

Do you have one of those new Macs with the Intel processor chip?

I just got one...i think you're referring to the new MacBook. Really happy with it for the most part

 

[HeatherJay]

I just got one...i think you're referring to the new MacBook. Really happy with it for the most part

I think he's referring to any of the newer Macs that can support Windows XP. The Intel chip allows you to choose if you want to run XP or OSX...pretty cool. The MacBook isn't the only one.

 

[sarasarabobara]

I think he's referring to any of the newer Macs that can support Windows XP. The Intel chip allows you to choose if you want to run XP or OSX...pretty cool. Does the MacBook do that?

Hi HeatherJay!

Yep....they told us this one has the new Intel chip in it It's been great!

Hope you're doing well.

 

[Redguard]

Yeah, I was thinking about all of the new generation Macs with the Intel processor.

 

[felinity]

Yeah, I was thinking about all of the new generation Macs with the Intel processor.

Those make me a bit drooly. I'll need a new Mac eventually, but we really need to budget for it.

 

[Redguard]

Those make me a bit drooly. I'll need a new Mac eventually, but we really need to budget for it.

I agree. They can cost a pretty penny. They're not like those boxy PCs that you can have your neighbour's cousin build for you in his basement.

 

[felinity]

I agree. They can cost a pretty penny. They're not like those boxy PCs that you can have your neighbour's cousin build for you in his basement.

And thank goodness for that!

 

[Southern Cross]

Red,

I've used both Macs and decent Windows computers in my photography business. Right now, I have two fairly fast and well equipped PCs on my desk at the office. The faster of the two has a decent dual core processor, 4 Gigs of RAM, and a decent video card matched to a top end Samsung widescreen monitor. The slower PC is mainly for admin work instead of image processing, so it's not set up to work as quickly.

A PC can be used for about 95% of the work that a Mac is capable of when it comes to design work. So if you already have a decent PC, that should get you started.

BUT - you have the issue of cross platform (MAC OSX and Windows) software purchases. Many software packages will still run on only Mac or Windows, and are not set up to work with Mac's Intel Processors. Take Adobe Photoshop for instance. They're not going to produce a cross platform version of Photoshop until the next major version upgrade hits the market (every 3 years or so). A lot of software manufacturers will allow you to change current versions of software to a new platform for a minimal fee, so be sure to check before you buy. Design software can easily exceed the cost of a computer several times over.

My iMac G5 iView was a GREAT machine (I bought it just before the Intel chips hit the market). The screen resolution and display quality is probably the best I've used in 20" screens. But frankly, I just could not get used to the Mac way of doing things quickly enough, and I sold the machine after only 3-4 months of light use. HOWEVER, my next system will be a Mac set up to run Windows. The G5 is portable enough to bring onsite for client work or run on rolling carts in my studio shooting area, and I can run my cameras right from the computer using pecific software on commercial shoots. So I'll probably be buying a G5 with a 17" screen, or POSSIBLY a Mac Laptop.

I don't think you can go wrong with a Mac either way. But please do yourself a favor and buy one with a Core Duo processor and max out the RAM. It's a minor and affordable upgrade that even a technodolt like myself can do and the ability to run two memory hogging applications at the same time is a huge timesaver when you get into the design profession. And DON'T buy your RAM from Apple - it's WAAAAY overpriced. Buy matching RAM from Newegg (Samsung is the OEM manufacturer for Mac), so for under $200, you can do a major RAM uprade.

I would also suggest NOT upgrading the hard drive through Mac. Again, you are better off purchasing a stand alone hard drive for extra storage.

Mac's Apple Care is a great deal as far as I'm concerned.

Finally, if you get into the design world, any competent professional really needs to know how to speak Mac inside and out. I interact with everything from magazine design pros and art diretors to ad agancy execs and they're all using Macs for their art and design work. I cannot remember the last major client that was using PCs unless it was just for office admin tasks (secretaries, accountants etc.).

Chris