What will a Mac do for me?

JayC

JayC

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I am a PC user, but itching for a new laptop. What if I bought a MacBook as a way to get me into macs. My desktop will need replacing soon, and then I could get a Mac desktop. But my question is: How does running Photoshop differ when running on a mac vs a PC?
If I bought into mac, I would need to be able to run my PC version of CS2, maybe Office 2003, and Quickbooks 2009. Would I see any difference or gain anything by using a mac?

Jay
 
I doubt you can run CS2 on a mac if it is a windows version. There are workarounds, but you would be better off using a version of photoshop for mac OS. I like photoshop on mac a lot more, I think the environment is more intuitive. You can always co install windows on your new mac to help ease the transition.
 
I prefer Mac for both Office 2008 and Photoshop. It is more intuitive and it has easier lay out of tool bars.

You can install Parrellel or Bootcamp, these programs allow you to run Windows on your Mac.
 
I switched to a Mac after being a PC user for 11 years. There is a learning curve, but for a PC user it will be largely intuitive. I bought Aperture along with the new computers, and like it a great deal. For a hundred bucks you can get Apple's one-to-one training: an hour with an expert anytime you want it. They also have technical consultation at no charge, if some application doesn't load or run right. You do have to make some software changes as far as photo apps go. For photo work get the iMac. It's a bargain for what you get, and there is enough space to see what you are doing. I use the iMac at home and also have a 13" Macbook for travel. I'm not looking back!
 
You can run Windows on your Mac but in my opinion, that would defeat the purpose of getting a Mac. The Mac version of photoshop is almost the same and there wouldn't be much of a learning curve. I can't speak on Office or Quickbooks as I don't use those particular products.

The Macbook Pro and Air are at the end of their product cycles. Updated versions with Intel's i5 and i7 chips are expected very soon. In fact, I've been waiting on them since February. There has been a long delay because of a legal dispute between Nvidia and Intel. Now, Intel is in short supply of its i5 and i7 chips due to a very large order from Acer.
 
I use a mac with Aperture. it's a great app and a hassle free combination. Apple's for the most part are pretty trouble free and just work. Which is the big appeal to me.

I have a windows & laptop with Lightroom on it that I use when I'm lazy and I'm editing photos on the couch. It works just as well for the most part. But I just prefer the Mac.
 
I switched to all Macs about 8 years ago and would never go back to Windows. I currently have 2 iMacs and 3 Powerbooks and they just work. No crashes, no "blue screen of death" and no constant updates for patching holes, bad code and vulnerabilities.

However, on one of the Macbooks my son is using for school work he needs to run an old version of Office (2000 Pro). I found Crossover for Mac does the trick for Windows software on Macs.

It will run many MS progs even ones they do not have listed officially.

Crossover for Mac
 
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This is all good advice. You avoid bugs, have a much more reliable and intuitive OS...so much more.

The best advice is to go to an Apple store, mention you want to switch and sit back for the great service. They really are informative and I think you'll be surprised how easy the switch is, especially for working in Photoshop.
 
I bought a Mac after 13 years of Linux. I have adjusted and still run Linux in parallels, but rarely use it. Really, the question of switching is not one that should be considered merely in the context of PS, but rather as an environment. It will cost more. It will have less bugs / viruses. It will possibly have different software availability / updates / versions. The one guarantee is that because of the consistent hardware environment, things will 'just work' more often than not and more often than under windows.

I think that Nando's advice is right-on: don't buy it to make it into something else.
 
I use both a Mac (Macbook Pro, 10.5) and a PC (X61, Vista) and to be honest I'd be happy using either - on macs all the details of the OS have been thought out better but apart from that I don't really find one easier to use or less prone to crashing.
 
historicist said:
I use both a Mac (Macbook Pro, 10.5) and a PC (X61, Vista) and to be honest I'd be happy using either - on macs all the details of the OS have been thought out better but apart from that I don't really find one easier to use or less prone to crashing.
Click to expand...

That's also my experience. Macs crash with a bit more style than PCs but they crash nonetheless.

JayC said:
I am a PC user, but itching for a new laptop. What if I bought a MacBook as a way to get me into macs. My desktop will need replacing soon, and then I could get a Mac desktop. But my question is: How does running Photoshop differ when running on a mac vs a PC?
If I bought into mac, I would need to be able to run my PC version of CS2, maybe Office 2003, and Quickbooks 2009. Would I see any difference or gain anything by using a mac?

Jay
Click to expand...


The OS is pretty nice and if you can afford it go for it. Personally, I'm not sure I'd buy both a MacBook and an iMac. I'd rather spend the money on a nice MacBook Pro and just get a nice large monitor to use the MB Pro at home.
 
What has always put me off is the hardware side. I've built two of our home PCs from components, and run Linux and Windows. The ability to renew the motherboard etc. in the same box, and incrementally make hardware updates is a big plus for me. If this was (is?) possible with a Mac, then I would definitely consider it.
Best regards,
RoyM
 
wakarimasen said:
What has always put me off is the hardware side. I've built two of our home PCs from components, and run Linux and Windows. The ability to renew the motherboard etc. in the same box, and incrementally make hardware updates is a big plus for me. If this was (is?) possible with a Mac, then I would definitely consider it.
Best regards,
RoyM
Click to expand...

I'm sure it's possible with a Mac Pro but the hardware choice will be limited compared to a PC and also much more expensive.
 
wakarimasen said:
What has always put me off is the hardware side. I've built two of our home PCs from components, and run Linux and Windows. The ability to renew the motherboard etc. in the same box, and incrementally make hardware updates is a big plus for me. If this was (is?) possible with a Mac, then I would definitely consider it.
Best regards,
RoyM
Click to expand...

What you like is also a large part of problems in the PC world: you can mix components as you like because they should be compatible. But they are only 99.9% compatible. I know so many people who experience compatibility problems with drivers for hardware. You will always find a combination of highend board, highend graphic card, highend soundcard that will not work together properly.
Less options with a mac but all options will work.
 
Macs will make you coffee when you wake, dry clean your favorite suits, attract the ladies to your apartment and even make you a better lover..


In all seriousness though, I bought an imac in 2006 after using powerful windows machines for 10 or so years before that, and I will never own another windows computer again. After 4 years I've never reformatted once, never had a major OS crash. It's been nothing but reliable, it's significantly more elegant in physical design and build and also GUI/OS than windows. I just found out I can sell it on ebay and retain about 50% of the initial price for it as well.

win/win
 
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