Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : to buy a Mac or not to buy???
RyanDigital
08-10-2006, 03:44 AM
ok i just bought a pretty decent customized 17" widescreen HP PC laptop i paid 1700 for almost a year ago..
i just got hired at an ad agency and start working in two weeks.
we are using all brand new macs at the agency, top of the line
anyhow should I invest in a Mac Laptop and fork out the cash, sell my HP...
or should i jsut stick with my HP and cross platform??
for the last two years ive used PC, so im a little rusty with Mac OS,
I need a laptop for sure..any thoughts???
The official forum stance is that Both have their uses in graphic design. While Macs have traditionally been considered "THE" tool for graphic design, either system is acceptable in the industry these days. It’s not which system you use, so much as how you use it. The quality of our work is NOT defined by our hardware.
but that is a load of crap - buy a mac :D
you will be much happier.
Plus you are going to be in an all mac environment and you won't have to worry about cross platform issues, downtime due to viruses and the inevitable case of mac envy you will undoubtedly contract. If for some reason you miss windows you can always install boot camp.
urstwile
08-10-2006, 04:02 AM
You know, I think you should actually keep the PC laptop. And I'm an avid Mac user. Why? Because it gives you a chance to truly test your work (especially if there's anything web-related) on two different platforms.
Unless the Intel Macs also simulate the fact that web related stuff is also darker on PC's, you have a golden opportunity to be fluent on two platforms and also troubleshoot your work on two platforms.
Apart from fonts (which are the biggest problem), the filesharing thing is not that big a deal anymore. If I had the opportunity and money to also have a PC, say a laptop, I'd jump on it.
RyanDigital
08-10-2006, 04:09 AM
thanks, i was leaning towards keeping my PC, especially since i already have all the Software on it. plus your right about learning both, i just dont want to bite off more than i can chew since i am a "rookie"
Urstwile makes a great point. I'd love to have a mac, but I've got so much invested in fonts and software, it's hardly just the cost of the system alone to consider. I'd consider getting a mac for testing purposes and personal stuff, but I guess my advice to you is if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Maybe when you're due for an upgrade, but I wouldn't just get one to get one.
urstwile
08-10-2006, 04:40 AM
Ryan, your biggest cross platform obstacle is going to be fonts. Macs in the current config are supposed to be able to use PC true type fonts, but I've seen that work in an iffy way, when it does work.
But if you already have the PC versions of all the software on your laptop, I'd stick with that, seriously. It's also a great way to enhance your skill set, a very good thing, regardless of whether you're a rookie or not.
I do agree with MD that you might start to experience Mac envy in terms of the OS, but I'd still keep your PC. The more hats you can wear in this type of situation, the better.
As an avid Mac user, I used to really hate the PC interface, and I'm still not very fond of it, but it doesn't daunt me like it used to, they've improved a lot of things about it. So I suspect this is going to work in the reverse for you as well. Feel free to pick my brain, and there are many experienced Mac users on here who can guide you as you brush up on your Macdaddyness. :)
rickself
08-10-2006, 05:13 AM
Gotta agree with the keep pc option. What better ace card to have then if something comes up that a pc is needed... Hey I have my laptop!
What better ace card to have then if something comes up that a pc is needed... Hey I have my laptop!
Or hey I have boot camp ;)
On the fonts issue, the agency will probably be purchasing mac fonts ... I doubt you will be able to use them on your pc?
I guess there is always transtype.
Or hey I have boot camp ;)
On the fonts issue, the agency will probably be purchasing mac fonts ... I doubt you will be able to use them on your pc?
I guess there is always transtype.
Not to be a crumudgen, but normally multiple licenses don't allow for installations off the network anyway.
urstwile
08-10-2006, 06:02 AM
True, on the licensing issue, EC, however, it's perfectly legal that you can have a license that works on two machines that are functioning "non-concurrently". At least that's the case with Adobe CS2 and Quark.
In terms of the fonts, the only truly cross-platform font format is OpenType. TrueType is supposedly cross-platform, or at least you're supposed to be able to use PC TrueType fonts on Mac, but that just doesn't always work, in my experience.
rickself
08-10-2006, 12:35 PM
Originally Posted by crazy ghost whisperer
Hey now! http://www.mysticwicks.com/images/smilies2/smileystooges.gif I resemble that remark!
MikeTheVike
08-10-2006, 12:46 PM
i use a Mac at work, and a PC at home...the differences are minimal, just keep the PC. hard part for me is hitting the annoying Windows key when trying to use shortcuts after being at work!
Navian
08-10-2006, 01:45 PM
i use a Mac at work, and a PC at home...the differences are minimal, just keep the PC. hard part for me is hitting the annoying Windows key when trying to use shortcuts after being at work!
The windows key is awsome, especially if you have your major programs you use in the "frequent used programs", you just tap the windows key, run your mouse up the list and click, its like having your Mac OS docking bar on a ready key.
syberwolff
08-10-2006, 02:14 PM
You can disable the Windows key too. I use it quite a bit so I find that I like to keep it enabled. I usually use it for Win+D when i have a bunch of windows up and I wanna get to my desktop.
popejoydesign
08-10-2006, 02:53 PM
I use a PC at work (which is not really design, but production art) and at home for my freelance stuff I have a iMac and I just ordered my Macbook Pro. But I also have a HP laptop I am keeping around, just in case I get files from clients that are PC based. It's a great idea to keep it if you can, even if it's a safety blanket. I design and use my mac for everything, but just in case I get a file without the extension already included in the file, I can open it on the PC. I think it's handy to have both. My PC laptop may be a cheap one ($650 at Officemax) but it gets done what I need.
I say stick with what you got unless you can add the mac laptop without selling the PC laptop. If so....treat yourself :)
ecsyle
08-10-2006, 04:13 PM
Get a mac book pro with leopard in 2007. Leopard mang.
Then, purchase parallels. You can run windows at near native speeds from within osx.
Think of osx as a protective layer around your windows install, running on kick ass apple hardware.
Patrick Shannon
08-10-2006, 05:06 PM
At my work I used some software on my PC (can't remember name of it) to change the ALT key to the shortcut key so it works more closely to the Mac keyboard. Tabbing over to Ctrl with the pinky finger doesn't feel natural compared with using my thumb on the ALT key (like when hitting the space bar).
It's pretty funny when the network person tries to do things on it and they're baffled why their CTRL shortcuts don't work ;)
dyers78
08-10-2006, 09:31 PM
you are not going to get much out of the latop from selling it, Just keep it. My personal take on the Mac is wait until next summer. My head hurts form tying to keep up with what's what on the whole intel mac thing. I use a PC at home and a mac at work with no problems (I use a corporate font though that is loaded on both sytems). I want a mac laptop but I'm waiting until next summer to see if things smooth out.