PC or Mac? - Page 3

idtwinmom · 12-15-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crouch79

I agree that it is what you are most comfortable with. I use PC, and have liked it. I have XP SP2 and 2 GB of RAM. It moves pretty fast. If you do get a PC, go for a Dell, I have their laptop and got the Complete Care Warranty, its worth it, if I need something replaced, they either send the part or a repair technician to your house. They even replaced my entire LCD Screen and DVD drive. You could accidentially drop it or spill something and its covered. I don't think Apple has that kind of warranty.

The Apple Care is just as good. However, I agree, comfort is a major factor. One more thing about Macs though - you don't need to buy Antivirus or Firewall software every year. They just don't get viruses! Add up the cost of a truly good PC (not a Costco or other retail machine), all the software to upgrade to Vista, all the Antivirus software over the life of the machine...... hmmmm, pretty close to the Mac and what software you do want to run.

And one thing against Mac - do not buy iWork, purchase Office for Mac. The extra cost is more than worth it!

idtwinmom · 12-15-2008, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pseudo_nz

Wow, looks like I really am in a minority - I am just starting out with digital scrapping, and I'm on a linux-powered laptop!

I have a windows box at work, which has PS CS on it, but so far I'm not missing it at all. I'm using GIMP for image editing and Scribus for layouts, both of which are also available for Win and Mac.

Wow! Love finding a Linux user here! Since the creation of Mac OS X, we are closer than you think. OS X is based on Unix and Linux is very similar as well! Nice to see you here!

idtwinmom · 12-15-2008, 05:50 PM

As you can tell, I'm a Mac user. I have been for 6 years now (bought my first one month before getting pregnant for my twins). I now have an iMac that I just love! But, because I still do not have a desk that I can put in the living room, it lives in my bedroom. To do anything during the day, my DH brought an old and nearly dead laptop home from work for me. It suffices. I can at least get on the net and stuff while taking care of the kids.

Also, it is important to note that I used to work teaching people to use PC's and my DH is a Network Admin with lots of experience with all kinds of hardware. Even he is now convinced that Mac is the way to go. The new Mac's are very Green (less pollutants in their construction, that sort of thing) and much more stable. Macs do have their glitches from time to time, but I am so grateful that when I turn on my machine it works, no fiddling, no fussing, and very little frustration. It really is easy to learn, and what you don't know - spend $99 and get a year of classes from your local Apple Store!

*Muma* · 12-15-2008, 06:09 PM

I'm a PC user .... never used a MAC so have no idea what the difference is .....
What is the difference btw??

I have only used HP to buy PCs in the last 5 years .... the only thing that failed was my DHs hard drive but I believe turning it off via hard boot 98% of the time and viruses contributed to that. I am using Vista and love it. After using it for 2 weeks I would never go back to XP

debbers · 12-15-2008, 06:33 PM

Muma, I use both a PC and a Mac. I don't think either one is any better than the other overall, but each one has things it is better at.

The Mac is newer, and has fewer things, but it does a MUCH better job at video work. My PC is a rock solid screaming HP that's about 18 months old, and I turn to it for things I'm familiar with. Because really, I've gotten to the age where I tend to prefer what I'm already comfortable with.

They both have PSCS2 on them, and I share files back and forth as needed.

The Mac has a mouse I WISH I could get on the PC. I'm the one with a bad case of tendonitus in my right wrist, remember. I use a trackwheel mouse thingie from Logitech on my PC. The Mac's mouse scroll wheel ... scrolls HORIZONTALLY as well as vertically. It's light as a feather, and even after hours of video work, my wrist doesn't hurt from using it.

Really, that horizontal scroll was something I'd never have thought I'd want to try, let alone like. Someone should do it for a PC, too!

Anyway ... Photoshop is the same price on a PC or a Mac. Office pretty much costs the same. Firefox costs the same, you use them all the same way.

Macs cost more out of the box, but you replace them less often.
PCs require far more TLC and maintenance.

It's really a toss up as far as I'm concerned. I've TOLERATED Windows since I had to start working on them (after having to give up on my beloved Amiga), and now I've grown used to them.

deb

Fulltime RVer · 12-15-2008, 09:08 PM

Two of my friends just switched from PC to Mac because of the horror stories they have heard about Vista. They figured since they have to learn something new anyway, they may as well learn to use a Mac. Both paid the $99 for a year's worth of weekly one-on-one lessons. Both are absolutely delighted with their new Macs and are amazed at how easy it is do things.

I, like Omi, have been a Mac user since the 1980s. I used PCs when I worked so I do have some basis for comparison.

debbers · 12-15-2008, 09:21 PM

That $99 for a year of one on one lessons is an INCREDIBLE offer. They assigned me to a professional video guy who has been there to answer any question, help me with the best way to do things, if I have a specific issue, I can just bring in my project files on my own EHD, plug it all in, and he'll help with my own file.

Very very cool!

deb

*Muma* · 12-20-2008, 07:07 PM

I had heard that the Mac is far superior for graphics works

As far as Vista goes I love it and have had no problem at all with it but I did have a PC that came with it. My brother on the other hand who tried to upgrade from XP to Vista had nothing but trouble with it and if memory serves me right that is exactly what happened with the upgrade from 98 to millennium.

omio · 12-21-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idtwinmom

The Apple Care is just as good. However, I agree, comfort is a major factor. One more thing about Macs though - you don't need to buy Antivirus or Firewall software every year. They just don't get viruses! Add up the cost of a truly good PC (not a Costco or other retail machine), all the software to upgrade to Vista, all the Antivirus software over the life of the machine...... hmmmm, pretty close to the Mac and what software you do want to run.

And one thing against Mac - do not buy iWork, purchase Office for Mac. The extra cost is more than worth it!

I agree re the cost -- Mac costs up front but PC nickels and dimes you to death. (I've owned both.) There are more software titles for PC but you have to look at it carefully -- lots of cheap junky programs for PC -- titles that most people on this site wouldn't need or use. The big programs are available for both and there are very few differences in use. Also, take into consideration that Mac comes with quite a lot of excellent software (not trials) for use with email, photos, dvds, movies, electronic music, and tons of other things. One of my favorite little apps is Photobooth -- a click of the mouse turns your built-in webcam into a still camera -- the screen even flashes white to provide extra light for photos in the dark. Very fun to play with.

I do have iWork and Office. I use Office more because I have to export iWork files so Windows can read them. But I love the iWork applications -- Pages is just awesome!!! One funny thing happened. I had a Windows doc that wouldn't open in Word on my DH's PC or my Mac. I tried opening it in iWork's Pages and it popped up with all of the formatting intact.

My DH has always staunchly refused to let me get him a Mac. After yet another 2-hour fight with the PC -- his new MacBook Pro laptop arrives Monday.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Re the Mac that crashed and caused so many problems -- someone had really mistreated that computer before you got to it. I've had two Macs crash in about 20 years and both times were my own fault. You know when you think "I probably shouldn't do this" and do it anyway?

That said, either platform will be fine if you take good care of the computer. Either one will be fast if it has enough memory -- one big issue people have is trying to use Photoshop with too little RAM -- I have 4 GB on my desktop and 2 GB on my laptop -- all the difference in the world in speed. Either one will run the programs you actually need. It's kind of hard to go wrong if you spend the money up front to get a fast processor and plenty of memory.

dmrdm · 12-21-2008, 06:37 PM

Good question to do a poll on.

I'm a PC...have been my whole life. Started out with DOS back in the good old days. Owned so many PC's since the 80's. Never had issues. Have one with XP now and 2 with Vista. No Vista issues - not sure of why every one thinks there are issues. Favorite OS, XP. Guess my first desktop and laptops where Radio Shacks. Can't remember how much that laptop weighed, but it was heavy!!! All computers since then have been Gateways. Only had one hard drive failure about 2 years ago, rest of the computers were given away to young nieces and nephews and charitable orgs.

Love my PC's...use CS3, do movies, RAW photos, and use the normal business applications such as Excel, Access, etc.

Guess, I don't have a reason to change. Love what I've got and all works perfectly.

wndyeliza · 12-22-2008, 07:54 AM

My ex BF is a Mac nut and talked me into one. I am so glad that he did! I find it a lot easier to use than a PC. I don't have any digiscrap experience on a PC so I can't compare that way.

omio · 12-22-2008, 11:10 AM

After taking part in this thread, I had to laugh at a PC-Mac discussion on www.unclutterer.com. It started out so friendly and with such good sportsmanship and then kind of degraded into name calling on both sides.

It's so funny how loyal and connected we are to our computers. My son says my Mac is hardwired into my brain. Hmmm....what do you think he means by that?

You know what? The bottom line is that both platforms have their plusses and minuses. When I was teaching computer classes and parents asked for advice on buying a computer, I always told them to find the software they wanted and then buy a computer that would make it work. That's not especially good advice any more (unless you're a gamer and need a PC for wide choices) because the major software is available for both platforms. Bottom line is that the best choice is whatever makes your boat float.

Wishing all of you Macs and PCs a wonderful holiday with the ones you love.

Victoria · 12-26-2008, 08:56 AM

Hope you all had good Christmases. Omio, did your husband like his new Mac?

omio · 12-26-2008, 11:15 AM

Hi Helene! My DH is getting more happy with his Mac by the day. Of course, switching to a new computer, even if it's the same platform, is a pain. I've had to remind him that he had exactly the same inconvenience when he got new PCs and he can't blame the Mac. We have his mail switched over now, which was the main stumbling block since Outlook doesn't play nice, so he feels like his data is all secure now. To answer your question, after five days on the Mac and learning to use Skype video, he's decided that this was a good switch after all. He's very happy not to struggle with the antivirus software and is especially happy with iPhoto, which does everything he needs to do with pictures. He is an engineer and doesn't always handle this kind of change real well so I feel like I've won a major victory.

Victoria · 12-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Good to hear he is loving his Mac. Change from any computer, even within the same family of computers has alearning curve. I just set up a new HP desktop in Nov. and had to switch to Vista. I also upgraded to PSE 7from PSE 4 and each of these changes had learning curves. I'm happy now.