peripatetic
Well-known
There are now 3 really good choices, Mac, Linux (I prefer Ubuntu) and Windows 7.
Like many people I have Macs at home and Windows and Linux at work.
Back in the day OSX was a huge advance over Windows, but technically now both Linux and Windows 7 are equally good for most things.
Macs do have a price premium, and in the UK at least, the premium is approaching extortionate proportions - I'd say more than double, approaching 2.5x the equivalent PC price for Linux or Windows. I think it's not quite as bad in the US.
The only thing I really really really (I mean a LOT) hate about OSX is the finder; which I think is a complete abomination. Of couse one can buy a decent file browser, but they cost as much as the OS. I actually frequently use the command shell rather than suffer one of the four stupid ways to browse the finder allows you.
However, you should probably let your choice of software choose your operating system for you. If it's Aperture it has to be Mac, Lightroom and Capture One will go Mac or Windows, and Bibble Pro (now Corel something) will go Mac, Windows or Linux.
I have a ton of Apple devices, iPhones, iPads, MacPro laptop, Mac Pro desktop, etc. And they make really good stuff. However Microsoft has really cleaned up their act in the last few years, post-Vista and now make very good software too. It's been years since I last saw a blue-screen on a Windows machine, and I've had a lot more hardware problems with my Macs than my Windows or Linux PCs in the last 4-5 years.
Probably everyone is moving towards "appliance" type devices, Apple certainly is, and Microsoft is going to be making its own tablets too. I find this unfortunate, but it seems to be inevitable.
I've probably bought my last Macs, but if you've never had one then you might as well try one. 🙂
My next computers will doubtless all be very touch-screen focussed. Probably Windows 8 tablet devices.
Don't get all religious about Macs though, that way bankruptcy lies. 🙂
Like many people I have Macs at home and Windows and Linux at work.
Back in the day OSX was a huge advance over Windows, but technically now both Linux and Windows 7 are equally good for most things.
Macs do have a price premium, and in the UK at least, the premium is approaching extortionate proportions - I'd say more than double, approaching 2.5x the equivalent PC price for Linux or Windows. I think it's not quite as bad in the US.
The only thing I really really really (I mean a LOT) hate about OSX is the finder; which I think is a complete abomination. Of couse one can buy a decent file browser, but they cost as much as the OS. I actually frequently use the command shell rather than suffer one of the four stupid ways to browse the finder allows you.
However, you should probably let your choice of software choose your operating system for you. If it's Aperture it has to be Mac, Lightroom and Capture One will go Mac or Windows, and Bibble Pro (now Corel something) will go Mac, Windows or Linux.
I have a ton of Apple devices, iPhones, iPads, MacPro laptop, Mac Pro desktop, etc. And they make really good stuff. However Microsoft has really cleaned up their act in the last few years, post-Vista and now make very good software too. It's been years since I last saw a blue-screen on a Windows machine, and I've had a lot more hardware problems with my Macs than my Windows or Linux PCs in the last 4-5 years.
Probably everyone is moving towards "appliance" type devices, Apple certainly is, and Microsoft is going to be making its own tablets too. I find this unfortunate, but it seems to be inevitable.
I've probably bought my last Macs, but if you've never had one then you might as well try one. 🙂
My next computers will doubtless all be very touch-screen focussed. Probably Windows 8 tablet devices.
Don't get all religious about Macs though, that way bankruptcy lies. 🙂