Mac vs PC

[zana]

Hi

I'm very new to Graphic design although I work in an office where I see Photoshop used all the time.

I would like to get started and get a laptop/notebook too so I can take my work around with me as I learn Photoshop...since I haev two jobs and commute back and forth a lot....

I have heard now, designers, artists, etc..debate about this big question for years....but I'm asking those serious designers out there what Operating System do they use/prefer w/ Photoshop...Macintosh or Windows?

Any advice would help at this point...

ZANA L

[blastradius]

I should start off saying that I am a PC user and have very limited experience with MAC.

I would say it comes down to what you are going to be using the computer for. If all you are doing is low resolution web graphics, simple design then a PC would work. The more complicated the designs and the high resolutions images the more layers you begin to deal with, then the more you begin to move into the MAC realm of things. This is not to say that a PC couldn't do it.

Here is what I know to be the differnce between the two. PC/windows is designed to incorporate any number on configurations, add ons etc. which lends to a level of instabilty. MAC OS on the otherhand is design specifically for that machine which tends to make it more stable. MAC's in general from what I have seen are capable to adding more memory and seem to have faster front side buses. Translation is they and process your graphic faster.

The other question you need to ask is who else is going to need to open up your work? and systems are they using. If all your printers and co-workers are using PC and you have a MAC you may spend a lot of time trying make your files compatible.

So although I am a PC user and think everything you can do on a MAC I can also do on a PC, my suggestion would be to go with the MAC unless it conflict with those who you need to share your files with.

[zana]

So although I am a PC user and think everything you can do on a MAC I can also do on a PC, my suggestion would be to go with the MAC unless it conflict with those who you need to share your files with.

My boss (he is a member of your Webb Pro World site too) has all Macintosh Powermacs g-4's in the office & LaCie Monitors.....you know the one's with the dark hoods for designing. He swears by Macintosh but then again I hear him complain all the time that clients get documents they cant open on their Windows computers.

We use virtual pc sometimes to open Access files to I think....

SInce we have Macintoshs in the office then I will think about getting a PC notebook so we have both OS systems in office (we're a "small" company....Daren does all the design...I handle all the books & type Emails..and we have three Java developerers that are friends of Daren who live in India)

We used to have a Dell Windows 98 computer but we had to make room for this huge scanner and an aquarium as Daren likes to look at his fish all day in betweening designing).....I liked it when I could look at both a Macintosh screen and Windows screen too...if you know what I mean.....

Now that I think of it too....I think I like the Macintosh graphics (the tools and property box things) better in photoshop than the Windows photoshop screen.

Thank You again for your advice.

ZANA

Zana L
Ad. Assisnt.
www.webpageturner.com

[redcircle]

What your desktop or windows looks like should have no bearing on what operating system you choose. My Windows XP looks exactly the same as Mac OSX. What it sounds like is that you are used to the MAC platform so I would stick with that. There is no reason you should learn something new. If compatibility with windows is the issue and you want a machine that can do the conversions for your clients then I would get an old PC, Not your main workhorse.

Graphics better on a MAC, Maybe 15 years ago. It's not the case now. Most graphics cards that you find on a MAC you can normally get on the PC also. I actually believe the market for graphics on the PC is much larger due to all the video game junkies looking for the fastest redering card.

So. MAC vs PC. Both great platforms. Use what you are used to and what gets the job done. neither is really better than the other.

Personally if I had the money I would get a mac but until because I want to learn something different. I done about all I can on a PC and need a new adventure.

[zana]

So. MAC vs PC. Both great platforms. Use what you are used to and what gets the job done. neither is really better than the other.

Personally if I had the money I would get a mac but until because I want to learn something different. I done about all I can on a PC and need a new adventure.

ha ha ha thank you!!
Now I'm back to square one!

You make very valid points thanks to ya'll

Zana L

Zana if you get a PC you're fired!

(just kiddin' lol........well....I mean...you just wont be allowed to bring it into the office! lol)


DAREN :-)


"Operating systems are like the lyrics to that song by Grahm Nash?[Steven Stills?].......'If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with'" lol

[joepower]

If you're doing work for the Web, you have to consider who your audience will be, and what system they will be using. Chances are, the answer is that 97% of them will be using PCs.

I work in a shop where we have both platforms and it causes a lot of problems.

[ronniethedodger]

"Operating systems are like the lyrics to that song by Grahm Nash?[Steven Stills?].......'If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with'" lol

Stephen Stills is the answer!

But I would liken the song's first line to the Mac vs. PC issue. If you choose the wrong one it would be like "There's a Rose, in a fisted Glove".

I would stick with the system that you are more comfortable with. As a couple of people have pointed out, there is beginning to be not much difference in the case of one being any better than the other.

My preference though is a PC with a two-button scroll-wheel mouse. It is comfortable for me and moving over to the Mac with a one-button mouse is too difficult and in my opinion too cumbersome also.

I do believe that the Mac does offer support for wheel mice, but even then it would probably not have the "right-click" sensitive menus options....but I may be wrong about that.

Other options may also affect your decision too. Such as possibly using Graphics Tablets and Pens to create artwork with. In that case, I would think the PC would have more variety and hardware support over the Mac.

Just some of my thoughts about loving the one your are with!

[alienzhavelanded]

Let's not forget that MACs display colors and screen res differently than Windows as well. This is the defining difference between the two visually.

The Martian

[mattnel]

File exchange is your biggest concern. If you are mostly communicating with Mac users then Mac should be your first choice, but if on the other hand you need to be able to exchange files mainly with PC users (about 90% of the market) and occasionally with Mac users, go with a PC. I have had no end of troubles converting various Mac file formats for use with PC and vice versa, even with supposedly compatible file formats.

The operating system on a PC is important though, as is a good graphics card and plenty of RAM. I honestly wouldn't recommend doing high end graphics on windows XP. I've been using Windows Advanced Server 2000 for 2 years and never had a crash, which is more than I can say for my experience of Mac.

Also you will find that high quality components are much more readily available for PC and they will always be much cheaper than their Mac counterparts.

Ultimately there is nothing that you can’t do in PC PhotoShop, Illustrator, Freehand etc. that you can on a Mac and both are capable of the same high quality results.