Switch to Macs?
- Started
- Last post
- 36 Responses
- Svenskoo0
64 bit with Windows, you'll be able to build the most bad ass PC's ever, that will beat the processing power of any mac ever made by at least 4 times for about 1/4th of the price
you can then get a few macs for the front of the office so you can look all designer pro, and no one will walk in saying "you use PC's!?" as if they know anything about computers
- Are there any software compatibility issues with 64 bit ver of Vista?pang
- modern0
Alternatively the main reason I use Macs is because they lack those pointless container windows on CS3, so I can drag between apps and grab colours from things in the background faster.
Also Exposé!
- fernandolins0
If you can afford it, go with Macs. Even if you can't adapt to OS X (which I would find really hard), you can just install XP or Vista on them, the hardware is just great and running Windows on Bootcamp is just like any other x86 machine.
It also depends on what your company does. If you work with 3D software like Max, there's no Mac version. But then you can get modo301 and Maya which are much better than Max IMHO.
- section_0140
Honestly, I don't like Macs for design work. I realize they used to be the best but, xp runs cs3 just fine. Plus there are some programs we use that are only PC based. When I worked at a newspaper we used macs. I used to hate how all the windows were just kind of there floating. On a PC in photoshop or Illustrator or whatever, when you minimize a project it stays in the photoshop window. This comes in especially handy when you have 100 photos open. That used to be a nightmare to deal with at the paper. Maybe there is something I didn't know to handle that. On a pc however, the photos are nice and neat at the bottom of the window once minimized.
I do love OS X though. I use it for Logic Pro and other audio stuff at home and it is wonderful.
- Hmm...I don't always enjoy the way Mac handles minimization using the dock.Jaline
- timfraserbrown0
what?!
- SlashPeckham0
the quality of your work improves an a mac! seems strange but i've seen this happen a few time before..?
- rafalski0
I bought a Mac two years ago mostly because I was sick of asking Mac owners to do website checks for me. I was sick of getting project assets with fonts I couldn't install in Windows as well. I also got a Mac because it runs both systems, wouldn't even consider it before they went intel. I planned to use both OSX and Windows on it, but it turns out I am using OSX 98% of the time.
The transition wasn't smooth. The biggest pain were the fonts. Windows PostScript fonts aren't recognized at all, Windows TrueType didn't always work 100% ok (although these problems were rare and only occurred in Eastern European characters). There are font conversion tools, but they're not always perfect and violate font licenses.
I couldn't get used to differences in Photoshop display modes in both platforms (desktop showing beneath the workspace on the Mac). When I finally did, now CS4 is going to mimic Windows display style anyway.I have no problem still using XP at work, but really enjoy using OSX at home. It's easier to maintain, doesn't scare you neocon-style (vide 'windows defender' crap), doesn't tell you to prove ownership or buy a new license when you upgrade memory. Actually, hard drives can be cloned for backup as the computer is running and swapped easily among any Macs if there is a need to. You can boot any Mac via USB from your portable drive at any time. This is some Unix beauty at work. Expose - this is another useful OSX feature you wonder how you could do without before.
I have to add, as there is some controversy in that area, that OSX 10.5 is a considerable improvement over 10.4 for me, if only for QuickLook image viewer introduction (simply press space to instantly preview a file). "Cover Flow" Finder mode, which I initially took as an useless gimmick, makes a surprisingly good font (or any graphic file) browser when paired with QuickLook.
- jayeshsraut0
The truth of life: pc sucks mac rocks!
- monoboy0
Why not do it gradually, start with one or two macs. See how it goes.
- roundabout0
If you already have the software for the PC then I would not bother, I am not too sure what it is with 10.5, but it just pisses me off.
- jamble0
Virus-schmirus. I installed a free virus checker years ago and haven't had a single infection on my PC for a long time. I wish mac-tards would stop trotting out the virus line as a reason for not using a PC, it's a hugely out of date arguement.
- True, trueenfocusmedia
- not everyone is able to install a virus scannerpascii
- Bollocks. Windows comes with one anyway so it doesn't matter that much.jamble
- Who actually couldn't install one? If you're on a network, the admin would do it.jamble
- Also the rumours about the "blue screen of death", which hasn't happened for years.Jaline
- pascii0
i say: Graphic Design & Office on a Mac. Specially Office, because of all that Virus-Stuff. (Web) Development on a PC. Macs can Windows too these days. Anyway, i suggest to ask a sympathic Local Mac Partner in your Hometown who helps you to Switch step-by-step with all the necessary support.
- I would have to disagree about Web development being better on a PC. I know a lot of my Dev mates are switching over to MAC for some technical reason I can't re-explain on this forum...enfocusmedia
- i exactly have the opposite here. maybe it's because mac-programmers often forget to test stuff on windows? : )pascii
- There isn't a huge difference when it comes to web development.Jaline
- enfocusmedia0
Kinda on topic...
How efficient is Adobe CS3 (Win) running via Bootcamp (OSX)?- Bootcamp is exactly the same as using a PCmodern
- i know... just wondering if for eg. PC Photoshop running on a Mac runs quite smoothly or notenfocusmedia
- pang0
Thanks all for the comments so far... perhaps maybe except the "switch to paper" comment. ;P (we already use paper also - wow).
In answer to Naim's point; it's now that time when we will require new hardware soon. Originally the plan was to just purchase new high-end PCs, new monitors, etc. We will need to "switch over" to Vista from XP as a minimum, so this means some new software, update artwork files to newer versions, etc.
So with this all in mind, we have the opportunity to consider the switch to Macs also. I used to work on Macs perviously and found that I could work that little bit faster. So I guess the main benifit would be better productivity. I am also wondering if clients prefer to see Macs in a design environment, etc.
We've also been looking at upgrade/rent options (in UK) also, ideally we would like to replace the hardware after 1/2 yrs so we not left to sell old hardware off. Any comments on this also would be great - do any of the studios use agreements, companies for this type of thing?
- First I think the client would (should?) want to see "great work". If a MAC environment adds to that illusion, well...enfocusmedia
- Nairn0
I don't see any point in anyone who knows what they are talking about and is honest with themselves answering this 'til Pang gets back with a 'why' they're considering changing over.
Any talk of 'improved workflow' or 'easier network integration' sounds suspiciously like bullshit to me.
- ..Sorry, except for (ironically! :) SteveJobs - that was a good, honest answer.Nairn
- Agree with Nairn x 2enfocusmedia
- SteveJobs0
switching isn't as easy as those commercials would like you to believe.
if you've been using windows for a decade or so, especially for development, you'll feel like a foreigner when trying to adapt. (Note: i didnt' say you'd feel like listening to Foreigner, though your experience may be different).
a simle example are the different uses of the Home and End keys. hit the end key when you realize you forgot a period at the end of your sentence and you're sent unforgivingly to the bottom of the document.
note the comments of all the happy switchers:
http://www.starryhope.com/tech/2…
http://lifehacker.com/software/k…
http://www.discursivemonologue.c…
note, this is only one small example.
when switching you are greeted with a cold welcome, and a pretty fascade and left to google a few third party tools just to ease the adaptation process. long-time mac users will show no love when you look for ways of making your new environment a little more familiar.
eventually you'll adapt, but there's something to be said about the pain in the ass process involved in getting there...
it's no wonder the mac's market penetration is so low - unless you're a hipster teen wanting to put together a photo album, a designer who loves him/her some photoshop and flash, or an old granny that wants to put her recipe's online - don't expect a warm welcome. ok, ok, i generalize, but you get the idea..
i'm just sayin'
- cannonball0
think about it this way- using PCs introduces unknown variables. if you use macs youve got a standardized system for your office. eliminates snafus and compatiability issues along the way that might cost you money/time
- Jaline0
Since Macs can run both Windows and OS X, I would go with Macs. There isn't a huge difference in terms of using basic programs though.
The ideal set-up is having Macs everywhere and running Windows XP on it by default. So Mac users can press OPTION on start-up and just change it to boot to OS X if they wish to.
- Chazolta0
mac mac mac
- olli1010
If you're seriously thinking about upgrading your current PC setup, there is no reason not to switch to Mac. All Mac's run Windows natively, so you won't lose any of your old software plus you get all the productivity of OS X and Linux/UNIX if the command line/Terminal is your cup of tea.
A very worthwhile investment, methinks.
- Sorry just to be clear all "NEW, Intel based" Macs, that is.olli101