Choice of computer... MAC or PC?

[Chic]

I soon have to get a new computer, but I am a bit confused of which one, MAC or PC?
The MAC's I've been looking into is the MAC pro, and I also thought about the G5.
Any other suggestions?
It will be used to personal stuff as surfing, playing games and all that, but I also want it fast and good to work with when it comes to adobe programs, photography work, and handle a couple "heavy" programs at the same time.
Also, I've never used a MAC before, and that makes me think a bit, maybe I should continue to stay with a PC, as I know it quite well.
What do you guys think?

[Silence04]

here we go again...

[Chic]

here we go again...

oh, sorry...

[captain spanky]

a...


a...



a...




...aaaahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahaahahahahaha :D
INCOMIIIING!!!!!!!


(sorry Chic... i don't mean to make fun... but this question is asked again and again here :))
i personally use a mac... but that's a personal choice from years of using both.. i find macs more 'me friendly' and just easier to use.

[jimking]

What the hey............................Get a Mac of course! Ducks for cover. :D

[CkretAjint]

I personally use a mac... but that's a personal choice from years of using both.. I find macs more 'me friendly' and just easier to use.

Ditto

Although most game are PC geared only. So you might have a hard time playing them on a MAC. But then again, I have found Adobe products to run better on a MAC....

[Cyan_Ide]

Yeah, I think it's really a question you have to ask yourself. We have PC's at work but I use my Macbook Pro, mostly because using one OS so prevalently, you sort of learn all of the little quirky stuff about that operating system. Button combinations, system commands and operations and their like. That's really my biggest handicap when I'm working on a Windows, and why I prefer using my Mac.

[Chic]

I know i need to ask myself that question, but when it comes to put down 2500-3500 dollars on the table, I believe it s good to check out what other people mean when it comes to the use of design on the computer, as for me, I don't know that much about that stuff.. yet...
And I want to make sure that I buy the right thing, as much as I can ;)

[captain spanky]

if you feel comfortable using a pc and you like playing games... you should probably sway toward doing that ... don't just get a mac because of the name. you'll save yourself a lot of money in the long run with a pc.
I use a mac because i am more familiar with the software on here. I don't really play games or anything... i just use it for work and because the printers and agencies i work with are mostly on macs too it's just generally easier to match them. If you're just going to use it for a bit of hobby work and messing about.. perhaps look at a mac mini or a refurished something then you could save some cash, still have a mac and have some cash spare for the ridiculously expensive software. :D

[morea]

check out our new user FAQ:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7786

Question: Which is better, mac or pc?

Answer: 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. Mac vs. PC debates have really been done to death and are not well received.

The rest of the forum rules, etc. can be found here:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42

[Silence04]

oh, sorry...
just kidding around, no harm... :D

[PrintDriver]

Hmmm...does anyone else have a problem using a machine that is part of your livelihood to play games on? Just curious. I guess you have to be as old as me not to want to live dangerously (and you probably don't have more computers in your house than TVs)

[jessicam]

Hmmm...does anyone else have a problem using a machine that is part of your livelihood to play games on? Just curious. I guess you have to be as old as me not to want to live dangerously (and you probably don't have more computers in your house than TVs)
Quite the opposite. Every time I upgrade for work I am listing all the new games I'll get to play in the back of my mind.

I don't really see it as a potential problem, except for impacting my productivity. I don't let my kid play on my work computer, though. That would be living very, very dangerously.

[PrintDriver]

That's another reason of course. Accessablity leads to temptation. I'm just thinking about drive space and scratch space and online interuptions and inadvertant crashes. But if you don't work with large stuff, maybe the space thing isn't an issue. I dunno. Was just curious.

[Ned]

Get an Atari.

[PrintDriver]

I still have mine. From the late 80s I think. And a whole bagful of old cartridges. If I could find new joysticks, I'd be golden.
:D

[Ned]

I bet you there are geek collectors who have those joysticks for you, Mr. PD. :D

[Patrick Shannon]

Although most game are PC geared only. So you might have a hard time playing them on a MAC.

Bootcamp.

Hmmm...does anyone else have a problem using a machine that is part of your livelihood to play games on? Just curious.

Not really. Although I keep my games over on the Windows partition (which I have no more use for since my last job ended) so it keeps it seperate from the work stuff on the Mac partition.

[doubting_thomas]

Is this really getting discussed again, or has the thread been defused already?

[TriciaLynn]

I dont know anything about playing games but I just bought a PC laptop last summer that I really love. I hooked up an extra LCD monitor. I have always been a fan of PC's until I decided on a career in digital media. I will be buying a Mac in a couple of years.

What I have noticed is that every individual or company I associate with that are in the digital media business uses Mac. (That is not to say that you have to or everyone out there does, just the ones I know.)

I just bought my Adobe Creative Suite 2 this past fall for my PS class. We learned on PC's. That's what I have and that's what I bought my programs for so I was very happy with the decision. Now, my school has completed a Macintosh Computer Center at one of the branches and has decided to teach all graphics classes on Mac. Not only that, but since I plan on freelancing and using other companies' equipment then I need to know it and not be waisting their time trying to figure it out as I go. So for now I will be doing my school homework and anything I actually produce from my home office on a PC but learning and doing some of my freelancing from a Mac. Some people wouldnt be bothered by that and I will get used to it but I really prefer consistancy.

Also, graphics and layout is not all I plan on doing. I started in this field and will be focusing later on video. All those Mac people I referred to earlier use Final Cut Pro which is a Mac product.

I suggest you take a look at what you will be using when you are not using when you will not be using your own computer. If I had your budget right now then I would go for the G5. It is all a personal preference though.

Some people will be annoyed anytime this question is raised but industry, technology, programs, etc are constantly changing and for anyone who has not been in the business for a long time or who is getting ready to upgrade really need to revisit this question. My budget at the time was only $1000 and I got a lot for my money and needed it right then so I am very happy with the decision I made but when I do buy a new system I will be looking into it and asking around all over again. That's not annoying, it is using wisdom.