--->DILEMA! Should I buy a iMac or a new Windows based PC <--

[backinblack]

Hi all

What I want to do with whatever new computer I buy

- Photoshop
- Web Design
- Flash
- Movie editing/DVD authoring

I bought a Dell Inspiron 9400 1.83G 1g of ram 17" screen dual core laptop in March. Then Boot Camp came out ( Boot camp is interesting to me because I own PC versions of Photoshop/Flash/Dreamweaver). I returned the laptop (just 2 days before the 30 day was up!). I got a full refund of $2120 Canadian.

I was going to get a MacBook Pro 1.83Ghz core duo, then I realized that portability is not super important to me.

So I looked at an iMac 20" 2.0Ghz core duo at apple.ca and added 2G of ram upgraded the video card to the 256mb radeon card and 250g hard drive. Was approx $2500

..lol..then I thought hey, maybe I can get a really good PC for that much
So I went to Dell and looked at an XPS 3.0Ghz dual core with 320 gig hd 2 g of ram 512mb ati card 19" screen in it was about $2600 ish.

What the hell should I do? Any input would be great. These prices are all Canadian. Also the reason I was looking at a mac is the dual boot capability and possibly a transition into MAC versions of all my software as I hear Macs are better for multimedia.

I have $2120 canadian burnin a hole in my pocket and dont mind spending a little more to get a nice computer.

I am writing this post from the computer I currentlty use wich is a p4 ht 3.0Ghz with 1g of Ram and a nvidia 6800.

And theres my life story.......:puzzle:

[JoshuaJonah]

- Photoshop
- Web Design
- Flash
- Movie editing/DVD authoring

If those are your requirements, get the Mac, you wont be sorry.

[wizard]

- Photoshop
- Web Design
- Flash
- Movie editing/DVD authoring

If those are your requirements, get the Mac...Agreed.

[lunatic]

And theres my life story.......:puzzle:

lol you need a new story :D

just kidding.

By asking "which should I get, a PC or a Mac" you are most likely going to get responses from people that are dedicated to one or the other.

Though the design industry standard has revolved around Macs for centuries now I don't think it is necessarily better anymore.

Question - are you planning on buying all new software? Or do you already have software? I'm not particularly tied to any particular computer type but what keeps me buying PCs is all the software I already have and don't want to have to repurchase.

[lunatic]

P.S. first person to start a mac/pc flame war gets booted from the forums for a day. I'm not kidding.

[Stratification]

If you are interested in exploring the Mac OS and like the style of the iMac I'd say go for it. The bottom line is whether the Mac OS is important to you or not, you can't buy that on another machine for any price. On the other hand if you're primarily going to be running Windows then getting the iMac is going to be kind of silly. Personally I'd get the iMac, but that's not an objective opinion, I like Macs.

[skepticstudios]

I've never owned a Mac in my life nor used one that often, I've always had Windows based PCs (poor me you say)... and as soon as I can afford to set up my own design studio its going to be kitted out with Macs

As Defective said, if those are what you want the system for, get the Mac

[Butters]

If you're gonna be doing video editing and DVD authoring then a Mac is easily the smarter choice. Sure there's some good Adobe software for both those things, but Apple make far better stuff for it (even the basic stuff like iMovie and iDVD comes bundled with your new Mac for no additional cost).

Plus Final Cut Pro kicks butt.

[simplistik]

Yea... quite simply for the Video editing end of it... a Mac software is a tad ahead and more simple to use than the PC software. Although Ulead for PC is pretty good, but FinalCut and even iMovie are better than it. Quite honestly though the other stuff you can't really tell the difference on either platform.

[BoonDock]

I'm a big fan of MAC's for the software that you mentioned just due to working for a design studio now but before I was bent on PC's just because I could do everything with a PC, maybe not better but a PC could do everything that I wanted, such as video games etc. which I hear is still a problem at times with MAC's but at the same time, I'm def. not an expert at MACs just because I've been so PC based for so long till I started working. So if you want to go by industry standard, as said above, I'd go with the MAC, I'm sure you wouldn't be sorry.

[McGuffin]

My opinion as someone who has designed on both Mac and Windows is that Mac is much more enjoyable. I'll be getting a Macbook Pro shortly to replace my PC. Reasons? For one, I've spent much more time than I would like maintaining my machine, not using it. Many of the things that need to be manually done for Windows are done automatically on Mac. I've never had a crash on my Mac. Happens all the time on my Windows PC, at the most random time (read: browsing the web, listening to some music. CRASH! Music starts screwing up and it reboots).

I would go Mac if only for the reliability. I'm not saying you won't have a good experience if you go PC, but I sure haven't. Besides, I don't see how you can go wrong with Mac IF you can afford it, especially with Bootcamp now.

[DDD]

didnt read any posts so sorry if this is a repeat. I would recommend go with what ever platforms has the best prices or availability for your software of choice. I think MACS have some video proggys that PC doesnt have and vice versa. Research. I am still trying to buy my laptop, been researching my buns off and asking for advice here as well. It would cost me too much to switch to MAC so I wont be doing it anytime soon.

Also consider the plugin makers for your desired platform. I knwo for LW and AE some of the plugs I use are not available on a MAC

[Zaid_W1red]

Has eveyone forgotton about boot camp?!

[lunatic]

um, have you read the thread? boot camp was mentioned at least 3 times.

[Zaid_W1red]

my bad :crazy:

I scanned through and missed it *get coat...leaves* :pa:

[darkplanets]

Not to sound biased, because this isn't, even with my name, but I would choose the mac. As everyone else said, mac's do better with video and dvd capabilities, which is true. I cannot however, talk about flash running on OS X; I'm much too poor to buy the $800 student version of Studio 8, and I've heard rumors for and against it. Now as for Photoshop CS 2, I wouldn't really say there is any difference, but I can say it runs nicley on my 1.8 ghz PowerPc g5 iMac with only 768 mb RAM. Sad, yes. My dad has the good dual core one ><
As a potential mac user, I should note you on a few (obvious) things. A) iMac's are cheaper and less powerful than the "powerpc's" aka the towers. B) Sadly, macs are not indestructable. I am very good at crashing my mac simply because I never upgraded RAM that much. With my current RAM, I can only run about 5 applications simotaneously for about 2-6 hours, depending upon what I'm doing, before my RAM konks out. Make sure you get enough ram, or u'll just have to restart. C) Make sure to get antivirus (Norton) and repair programs, if you may ever need them (Tech Tool Pro and Diskwarrior are nice). D) Run software update.
Other than that, you should be fine. Dells can offer more brute power for a cheaper price, but as previously mentioned, windows can crash often. Also, since you are interested in Boot Camp, know this. Because you are buying this computer right now, you will need to spend another hundered something dollars on the new OS when it comes out next year (rumor). Rumor has it that it will eliminate the need for a Rosetta emulation. Regardless of your choice though, im sure you'll find a computer that serves your needs rather nicley.

[backinblack]

thought id get more replys than this!

[Mik3]

- Photoshop
- Web Design
- Flash
- Movie editing/DVD authoring

If those are your requirements, get the Mac, you wont be sorry.

I agree. Looks like the ideal Mac user to me. :P

[grimdeath]

I'm considering purchasing a MacBook Pro just because of the ability to do a triple boot, if the blasted things wouldnt be so expensive and the lack of a full keyboard is another drawback but I'm really considering this but I'll wait until all apps are native and not runned using rosetta.

But purchasing a Mac isnt that bad anymore since now you have more options and not limited.

[simplistik]

thought id get more replys than this!
What more do you need to see...? you've gotten more than enough feedback :P

[codemonkeypete]

ok, seems i caught this thread a bit late.
As a mac owner myself, I would generally say BUY THE MAC BUY THE MAC, however, after seeing what u want to be doing, im a bit hesitant. Yes, bootcamp is available, so running photochop is fine, "if" u do it from an xp boot(going to be a pain in the butt switching between os's every time u need to use it tho) - because (first hand experience) Adobe CS2 runs like a DOG in rosetta on an intel Mac, and Adobe are NOT releasing a universal binary of it, instead making us wait for CS3... Advantages of staying with non apple hardware?... value for money for a start, for your 2200 canukian dollars u can kit out a hell system, and come feb/march next year u can use any universal apps anyway(per the alleged rumour about apple realeasing an xp download for ALL xp machines to run universal binary apps)...
...mate, maybe go half way?.. get a decent pc and a G4 as well. u can pickup a monster G4 now for nicks.

[anardodesign]

It depends which software you know how to use for video and audio editing, because apple makes software, but Adobe those too.

However apple is better man, and I have both systems at home! :)

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

Honestly! I've never used a Mac in my life. If you already have windows in another machine and it's recent, try out a Mac!
If you can go with Boot Camp in a couple of Months when it's more developed and less buggy.

Macs are notoriously more visual appealing than Windows, and Vista is still a long time away. So try out a Mac! Check out what all the fuss is about.
If you don't like the OS so much install Windows on it.;)

Go with the Core Duo, and when the new version of the OS X comes out that supports your favorite Windows only programs on the Mac natively just upgrade. Core Duo at 2.0GHz with 1GB of RAM or 2... Sounds pretty sweet to me.

As far as using Photoshop just network those two and use Photoshop on you windows Computer if you get bored of reebooting, or reboot for portability. Think about it! I heard that OS X will support the Windows apps natively by implementing the Graphical interface inside OS X.

Soon MacIntel or Wintel Will be inter-compatible with no big problems.

More power or prettier system? Who cares? Do you really need the extra power, or would you rather have a presentable system.
Pretty soon it's all gonna be pretty much the same.

[ya3]

Well... Everyone's already said everything that needs to be said... So why don't you just watch one of Apple's latest marketing ventures:

http://www.apple.com/getamac/ads/?restarting_medium

[teet]

Yes, bootcamp is available, so running photochop is fine, "if" u do it from an xp boot(going to be a pain in the butt switching between os's every time u need to use it tho)

I really agree with this statement. As a current dual-booter (Ubuntu 95%, Windows XP 5%) it is a pain in the butt to reboot to access certain programs. Also, it's going to cost quite a bit to buy boot camp and another copy of windows to dual boot with. If it were me, I would either A) Bite-the-bullet so to speak and get a mac and start transistioning over to MAC versions of everything or B) just stick with a PC since becuase of all of your software.

If you do decide to go with a PC, you could build yourself a hellacious system for CA$2500.

-teet

[NiñoScript]

i woud go with the mac, like most people here.

i've been using BootCamp in my bro's iMac CoreDuo, and it works perfect!, i even got 47 spywares and 1 virus!!
i've used Flex and Photoshop, and they work exactly as they would in a PC, actually... they are running in a PC :puzzle:

soo, if you dont like MacOs X (i doubt that), you could always configure it to boot directly to Windows XP

just think about it, what if you ever need some "mac software" while you have a PC... you would be stucked!, but with the iMac CoreDuo, you'll have acces to all PC, Mac and of course Linux software.

You won't be dissapointed, get the mac (with at least 1GB of RAM, or it will sux, really ;P)

[ya3]

i even got 47 spywares and 1 virus!!
Wow! Just like the real thing :krazy:

[NiñoScript]

or maybe you could get the super pc, and install MacOS X in it, i've read its possible :o

[ya3]

It's easier and 100000x more usable if you go the other way around ;)
Trust me - I've tried it.

[t0mm0]

well, i really hate macs, but for your requirements, i would say that one would be better. and if all goes wrong, you can install linux on wither a mac or a x86 based comp.

[grimdeath]

or maybe you could get the super pc, and install MacOS X in it, i've read its possible :o

Well yes you can install OSX on a PC but you cant do anything else much besides use the OS since you cant run Mac appz on it.

Bootcamp on the other hand can run both OSes and their appz heck you can even run Linux and its appz as well its really a no brainer a MacBook Pro is certainly a better purchase since you get more bang for your buck not only is it prettier but you can do everything now.

I'm gonna get a 17" MacBookPro soon myself :thumb:

[foodpk]

If you buy a mac, the terrorists win.

[Templarian]

^everyone knows torrists use ubunto (sp?).

[Pixelangry]

One Word: Mac.

[Theros]

For the heck of variety, I'm going to say go with a PC just becuase while MACs are really well known for being able to do the listed things that you want really easily, PCs can do just about all the same. And also, with that kind of money you really could buy a powerhouse PC that would last you years without upgrades and whatnot. Personally, I have never had any major or minor problems with my PC, and frankly those MAC commericals almost make me angry in how they sterotype your HP PC to every single PC out there. I have had very few crashes, and with the kind of hardware you could buy with that money your PC will run even better than mine. So, it's your choice, but for the sake of agrument and this thread I say PC :P