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03/08/2005 10:47:17 PM · #26 |
| well i do like working with macs more but have recently been a bit soured by mine. It completely died on me last week, the tech I was on the phone with couldn't seem to grasp the fact that I was doing everything she said word for word and the computer was still not working properly. Ended up that I have a jacked up hard drive. They sent me a box via next day and I sent the computer back, should be getting it back in a week. Lost everything on it though (luckily it was all backed up....except for a presentation for a class the next day that I had to redo into the wee hours of the morning). I've only had my powerbook 12" for 2 months, hopefully after I get it back things will go smoother. Working on this pc isn't nearly as much to my liking. |
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03/08/2005 10:50:37 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
well i do like working with macs more but have recently been a bit soured by mine. It completely died on me last week, the tech I was on the phone with couldn't seem to grasp the fact that I was doing everything she said word for word and the computer was still not working properly. Ended up that I have a jacked up hard drive. They sent me a box via next day and I sent the computer back, should be getting it back in a week. Lost everything on it though (luckily it was all backed up....except for a presentation for a class the next day that I had to redo into the wee hours of the morning). I've only had my powerbook 12" for 2 months, hopefully after I get it back things will go smoother. Working on this pc isn't nearly as much to my liking. |
Most of what you have on the harddrive is still recoverable if you need any of it.
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03/08/2005 11:07:08 PM · #28 |
You would hope that's the case, but in the process of trying to fix it the tech person had me erase my hard drive because she felt it was the last option and I agreed to try it because nothing else was going to work.
I should however mention that their tech support was very helpful and patient. As long as I get my computer back before I go surfing and photo-taking next week I'll be happy. I would still recommend a mac over a pc to anyone. Not every product will be faultless, I just got unlucky. |
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03/08/2005 11:13:35 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by petrakka:
You would hope that's the case, but in the process of trying to fix it the tech person had me erase my hard drive because she felt it was the last option and I agreed to try it because nothing else was going to work.
I should however mention that their tech support was very helpful and patient. As long as I get my computer back before I go surfing and photo-taking next week I'll be happy. I would still recommend a mac over a pc to anyone. Not every product will be faultless, I just got unlucky. |
You have to remember that Mac does not make their own hardrives. There is a chance you have the same hardrive in your PC as in your Mac. The G5s have serials, but so do a lot of the faster AMDs and Pentiums.
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03/08/2005 11:49:48 PM · #30 |
We have an iMac, an eMac, an Apple PowerBook, a 2.5GB G5 and a PC. All of the Macs are being used daily. The eMac, the G5 and the PowerBook sleep only at night.
The PC has been off for months. And it's been off before that. No one wants to use it.
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03/09/2005 12:20:20 AM · #31 |
| As far as price is concerened, my Apples cost a bit more but I love them. If you work in a school, or have kids in school,(elementary thru college), you can receive an education discount. Check it online or ask in the Apple Store. |
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03/09/2005 12:20:53 AM · #32 |
I use my PC for working on the internet and checking files the Mac created for compatability before sending them out. (it crashed 5 minutes ago and I had to restart it)
My Mac does all the heavy lifting and hasn't crashed since I bought it a year ago. It stays on 24/7 unless I have to go out of town for a few days or longer.
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03/09/2005 12:28:05 AM · #33 |
One other consideration that may or may not apply to you, the business world is completely dominated by the PC, if you think you are ever going to work in a business environment a PC might be the way to go.
For myself I have to use a PC, my clients assume that I will have a PC and be running Windos. |
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03/09/2005 12:32:15 AM · #34 |
Originally posted by scottwilson:
One other consideration that may or may not apply to you, the business world is completely dominated by the PC, if you think you are ever going to work in a business environment a PC might be the way to go.
For myself I have to use a PC, my clients assume that I will have a PC and be running Windos. |
A Mac running OSX can comunicate with any PC and Windows programs now run native on Mac.
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03/09/2005 12:43:22 AM · #35 |
Originally posted by nsbca7:
A Mac running OSX can comunicate with any PC and Windows programs now run native on Mac. |
Do they all? (genuine question, I have no idea).
The thing that has stopped me ever considering a mac is the lack of software available for it compared to Windows. For instance, I have a kid and as far as I know all his games are Windows games.
Do you mean that any program that will run in Windows can now also rum on a Mac? Sounds unlikely to me, but I could well be wrong.
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03/09/2005 12:54:37 AM · #36 |
Originally posted by Natator:
Originally posted by nsbca7:
A Mac running OSX can comunicate with any PC and Windows programs now run native on Mac. |
Do you mean that any program that will run in Windows can now also rum on a Mac? Sounds unlikely to me, but I could well be wrong. |
I'm pretty sure that's not what I said.
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03/09/2005 01:30:23 AM · #37 |
You can run a program called Virtual PC and many Windows programs will run very well on it. I did a set of tax programs (professional programs for estates) on it for several years that. (They make Turbotax for Mac, Quicken, and Quickbooks - that run straight on OSX) The people who designed the program kept thinking it wouldn't work, but it did - everytime. I just had to do the backups and archives for it differently.
I don't have the latest version of Virtual PC, but some WIndows programs work well on it, others (such as those that do a lot of number crunching) don't.
Plus if you look at the boxes, some of the game programs come with both Mac and Windows software on the same CD. |
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03/09/2005 01:35:32 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by Mary Ann Melton:
You can run a program called Virtual PC and many Windows programs will run very well on it. I did a set of tax programs (professional programs for estates) on it for several years that. (They make Turbotax for Mac, Quicken, and Quickbooks - that run straight on OSX) The people who designed the program kept thinking it wouldn't work, but it did - everytime. I just had to do the backups and archives for it differently.
I don't have the latest version of Virtual PC, but some WIndows programs work well on it, others (such as those that do a lot of number crunching) don't.
Plus if you look at the boxes, some of the game programs come with both Mac and Windows software on the same CD. |
I knew about Virtual PC, but it kind of defeats the purpose of running a clean, fast and uncluttered system like OSX. Office XP runs native on OSX without Virtual PC as long as you buy the Mac version.
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03/09/2005 01:51:25 AM · #39 |
Hi
A Mac running OSX can comunicate with any PC and Windows programs now run native on Mac.... well NO not correct...
Macs (OSX) run Unix with a user inferface that Apple builds - currently OSX (10). Applications have to be written for Apple to run. Yes - Microsoft bought a company last year that makes Virtual PC on a Mac. This is an emulation envoronment (ie DOS) into which you load the chosen PC operating system you wish - ie Windows etc. You can then load the PC app into that environmenton the Mac - but it is an emulation environment running Windows - so defintiely is slower than the native.
It is true that many developers are now writing their apps for both Windows and MacOSX - indeed many ship the CDs / DVDs in the same packaging - but usually games. Most serious apps (eg Photoshop) need the appropriate OS (ie Windows or OSX). Most of the major apps are available for both - but few offer cross platforms for the same price. If youy are moving from Windows to Macs OSX your apps will need to be up-graded (or in this case cross graded) at the same time. However, you will find that most files will transfer between platforms without hitches - Apple has worked with developers over the last few years to get this part smooth.
Hope that helps.
I work with Apple - so if you have specific issues please feel free to PM me (gprentice@mac.com)... although am happy to answer publically also.
Graham
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03/09/2005 03:42:54 AM · #40 |
I've seen it said a few times in this thread, and I just have to point out that Macs CAN AND DO get viruses (virii?) - anyone buying into the "there's no such thing as a Mac virus" is going to have a very unpleasant surprise one day.
Mac viruses are certainly a lot less common than Windows ones, but that's just because of the huge market share Windows has. There ARE Mac viruses out there and I'd strongly suggest that those here who have been announcing that they have a Mac because "they have no viruses" go get themselves some antivirus software pronto.
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03/09/2005 05:41:33 AM · #41 |
I just LOVE the MAC vs PC debate..
I have a G5 desktop and a AMD XP2700 desktop and use them both,, but the mac does get a bit more time then the pc.
the "speed" difference is actually not difference ins speed just MHz, the 1GHz G4 processor is about equal to the 2.4GHz intel P4. and the 2.5GHz G5 processor is almost 2x the 2.5GHz intel P4, or 1.3x the AMD64 running at 2.5GHz. so it´s useless to look at the MHz to compare speed.
I used to have the 15" widescreen powerbook with 1.25GHz G4 processor and 1GB DDR and it was about the best laptop available at the time, and about half the size and weight of a 15" PC laptop ;)
the opperating system on PC and MAC are very similar to look at, you won´t notice much difference exept some things look a bit different on the mac, but the difference is in the core, the mac runs a UNIX system, the most powerful opperating system ever designed, while windows still run on the win NT base mixed with some features from the win98/dos base, and that makes it rather unstable and vulnearable to outside attacs.
there are no such things as bluescreens, viruses, trojans, or any other known problems like on the windows system, ( that´s why my PC isn´t connected to the internet, only the mac)
the Apple design is almost flawless, if you open a G5 desktop and a PC desktop and compare them, then youll see the difference, therre are NO cables in the MAC but the PC is full of them.. WHY?? bad design maby, Apple design their computers from the core to the lable and everything in between, but in a PC there are many designers, one for the motherboard, another for the box, the third for the soundcard, forth for the whatever and so on... that gives apple the edge, all their computers are designed by the same team so all ingredients are designed to work together, and are designed so all items get´s maximum performance, (no use having a 256MB radeon on a 133MHz pentium 1 with 64MB ram)
so when you buy a mac, the only thing you´re likely to add is more RAM and aditional HDD (only for desktops)
but with a PC you´re always buying some hardware because something is too slow or outdated.. not with the MAC, it´s state of the art wen you buy it and everything work perfect together all until the end (about 3-5 years) I know of a mac laptop that´s 13 years old and still works fine and is being used on a regular basis.
I´d say go for the mac, try it out for a few months, and if you don´t like it you can sell it for almost the same price you payed for it. (very unlikely that you won´t love it). better to try the mac first then to buy a pc and say later.. "I should have tried the mac" when you keep loosing your work due to bluescreens, viruses and system ccrashes
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03/09/2005 05:47:06 AM · #42 |
Originally posted by ganders:
I've seen it said a few times in this thread, and I just have to point out that Macs CAN AND DO get viruses (virii?) - anyone buying into the "there's no such thing as a Mac virus" is going to have a very unpleasant surprise one day.
Mac viruses are certainly a lot less common than Windows ones, but that's just because of the huge market share Windows has. There ARE Mac viruses out there and I'd strongly suggest that those here who have been announcing that they have a Mac because "they have no viruses" go get themselves some antivirus software pronto. |
for a virus to work on a mac with OsX you would have to connect to the internet as a ROOT user with ALL security disabled, and if you do that, you shouldn´t have a mac. ALL activity that medles with system files on a mac needs to be approved by system administrator with the ROOT password, and thus NO VIRUSES CAN BE FOUND ON A MAC !, the viruses you talk about are just a simple programs to bug the user but have no effect on the system, unlike viruses on windows, that can delete the system disk. |
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03/09/2005 09:02:39 AM · #43 |
| Do a search of the forums for the LCD vs CRT debate also - It is very hard to calibrate a laptop screen and its not the best for editing high resolution phots, which you say your is main goal. |
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03/09/2005 09:49:55 AM · #44 |
Originally posted by DanSig:
for a virus to work on a mac with OsX you would have to connect to the internet as a ROOT user with ALL security disabled, and if you do that, you shouldn´t have a mac. ALL activity that medles with system files on a mac needs to be approved by system administrator with the ROOT password, and thus NO VIRUSES CAN BE FOUND ON A MAC !, the viruses you talk about are just a simple programs to bug the user but have no effect on the system, unlike viruses on windows, that can delete the system disk. |
I know you're not going to believe me but trust me, you are mistaken.
There is NO SUCH THING as a "virus proof" operating system. Yes, OsX has a number of benefits - Unix-based, relatively low usage which limits the number of attempts - but it is not immune. Do you really think that viruses only came into existence with the advent of Windows, or even Dos?
And of course that's ignoring the vast profusion of Word/Excel macro viruses which will affect Mac version of Word and Excel just as well as the PC versions...
Message edited by author 2005-03-09 09:50:18.
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03/09/2005 09:53:59 AM · #45 |
Originally posted by ganders:
Originally posted by DanSig:
for a virus to work on a mac with OsX you would have to connect to the internet as a ROOT user with ALL security disabled, and if you do that, you shouldn´t have a mac. ALL activity that medles with system files on a mac needs to be approved by system administrator with the ROOT password, and thus NO VIRUSES CAN BE FOUND ON A MAC !, the viruses you talk about are just a simple programs to bug the user but have no effect on the system, unlike viruses on windows, that can delete the system disk. |
I know you're not going to believe me but trust me, you are mistaken.
There is NO SUCH THING as a "virus proof" operating system. Yes, OsX has a number of benefits - Unix-based, relatively low usage which limits the number of attempts - but it is not immune. Do you really think that viruses only came into existence with the advent of Windows, or even Dos?
And of course that's ignoring the vast profusion of Word/Excel macro viruses which will affect Mac version of Word and Excel just as well as the PC versions... |
If I remember correctly the first virus was written in the late 70's or early 80's by the German Chaos Club and ran on a UNIX platform.
Of course I've been drunk many times since I studied such things (early 90's) so my memory might be somewhat distorted.
Darren
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03/09/2005 10:29:01 AM · #46 |
| Most of my POTD's were processed with my laptop and its screen. However, I learned to have it angled "just so" so I had a better view of what the color was going to look like. We have moved an older CRT for me to use. And I have to say that for optimum color management on your photos, the CRT is better. But that is easy to buy just the CRT and hook up to your laptop when you begin to need a higher level of color management. This works great for your prints, but there is still something strange that happens when you upload photos to the internet . . . .sometimes they upload with perfect color, and other times it is so washed out you have to oversaturate to make the colors natural on the website. I am still trying to find a solution for that one. Converting to sRGB helps, but is not the total answer - as some websites have no color management in what they display. (or so I've been told) |
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03/09/2005 10:33:16 AM · #47 |
As to the virus issues - yes everyone who uses the internet and email on their computers needs virus protection and needs to keep it updated. But currently, most of the viruses, trojan horses, worms, etc are targeting Windows and the Microsoft products designed for Windows.
And everyone needs a firewall, because there are programs out there that seek out computers online and try to interact with them. You could lose personal data or be hijacked to send out spam, I'm not a specialist as to what all it can do, but I do know you don't want someone else to have access to your computer via the internet.
Because the Microsoft Office designed for Mac is different . . . the viruses that come in word documents don't do the same thing to a mac system that they would to a windows environment. |
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03/09/2005 10:35:21 AM · #48 |
With Apple Cinema Displays there is no angleing for proper contrast and color. My CRT for my PC is a ViewSonic Graphics Series G90f and I can see color and detail better on my Apple Cinema Display LCD.
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03/09/2005 11:31:40 AM · #49 |
Originally posted by emorgan49:
Do a search of the forums for the LCD vs CRT debate also - It is very hard to calibrate a laptop screen and its not the best for editing high resolution phots, which you say your is main goal. |
True, CRT's tend to be better overall than LCDs... But do a search on Apple Cinema Displays and you'll find that a great many professional graphic artists find them to be more than adequate for professional use, let alone serious prosumer work.
It may be truer in color, but I can heat my office with the 21" trinitron I work on, and just about need an addition on my house to fit the thing. A 23" Apple Cinema Display would be a dream come true.
I lust for a G5 to replace my Linux workstation. It may be more expensive intially, but if I were to put a cost on the amount of hacking + research I had to do to build an effective photography environment I'd be WAY past the cost of a Mac environment.
As for software, you can find titles that exist on one platform or the other, but when you look at things you need to get done, there's always something available. When it comes to photography it's hard to find something you can't accomplish on a Mac. Office software is no problem either... MSoffice, Appleworks, OpenOffice... They all do the trick.
Being a UNIX professional, I can confidently say that Mac's architecture runs circles around Window's potential. Academically you can argue viruses exist in either place, but in UNIX you have compartmentalization built in to isolate faults. I've had a Linux box directly on the net for years and it has never been compromised despite hundreds of attacks per week. My wife's XP laptop is like a little culture dish for spyware and other diseases despite virus protection and firewalls. Windows is *functionally* decent with XP, and has all the software you need, but I'm not comfortable with its plumbing at all. No thanks!
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03/09/2005 11:52:31 AM · #50 |
Originally posted by ganders:
...Mac viruses are certainly a lot less common than Windows ones, but that's just because of the huge market share Windows has.... |
This is an often repeated argument employed by PC advocates, which ignores the fact that it would require considerable skills to write malicious programs for the MacOS whereas it takes comparitively little to do the same for Windows.
The real question is which is more likely: that some misguided kid or adult with little else to do will think of reasons to wreak havoc or that an intelligent individual with highly specialized skills will be equally inclined to do so.
Message edited by author 2005-03-09 12:16:08.
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