jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Why just those two? I have two Gateway systems and love them both.

Edia Loc: Central New Jersey

I just bought a Dell inspriron 13 7000 at the Microsoft store in the mall. It has an i7 6500 processor and 8 gig of memory and 256 Gb SSD and only cost $699. It is a 2 in 1 computer and has an SD slot and three USB 3 ports. It only weighs 3 and a half lbs. So far, it is a great little computer for photo post processing and really fast.

dmagett Loc: Albuquerque NM/Sedona AZ

I use both iMac and PC's. I personally prefer Mac. But, if you are going to invest in a new one, I would recommend a "business" class PC as opposed to a "consumer grade" PC. Business grade PC's are built stronger, use much better components and are designed to last a long time. When I purchased my iMac, I compared components and if I equipped a PC with the same components they would cost the same as a Mac.
My 2 cents worth. My old Dell, Lenovo/IBM and HP machines are still running well ( one at 11 years old).

John Geyer

I have a client/student who has traveled the world. He had to have the best Mac Book Pro as that is what "the pros use". Photoshop has two keys that are different on Pcs and Macs...no difference.. though some graphic acceleration are only supported by Pcs. My client used iphoto while traveling to Antarctica, Africa, Iceland and many more. When he wanted to edit photos I set him up with Lightroom, best photo edit program.
Since Apple doesnt make Lightroom it is not an "approved" program. Lightroom cannot find the photos as Apple hides them from non "approved" ie not made by Apple software. Had to buy an external hard drive and export all the photos, over 38000, to the hd and then import them using Lightroom. Bringing them back to the hd was time intensive as each Nikon D800 file was raw 36 Megapixel. Nothing a Pc or Mac cannot do. Just dont care for Apple holding images hostage just because you DARE to use non Apple software. Buyer beware...Apple computers barely in use world wide as iphone accounts for 85% of their business and ipads most of the rest

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

If you subscribe to the Creative Cloud photo plan you can just deactivate them on your old computer and install on a new Mac.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Unless you have an immediate need, I would wait a while for the updated Apple line up. http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Hirsh

Mac and PC users are usually ardent proponents of their particular computer and operating system choices. I've used Macs since 1985 and for the last 10 years or so have felt that the Mac OS is superior and more secure. I believe there is a general agreement that while Macs are more expensive initially, their long term costs are less. Most recently this is supported by IBM. Personally, I have found Macs to be more intuitive and easier to use than PCs running Windows. Many commands are the same between software applications. Also, Microsoft charges you for operating system upgrades while upgrades are free on the Mac platform. I have run Windows on a Mac using Parallels emulation software and found it to be blazingly fast so if you have a Mac but need Windows for a specific application(s), you can run them simultaneously on a Mac via emulation software. You can cut and paste between Mac and Windows applications. There are many free photo editing applications for both Macs and Windows and there are also many low cost applications for both as well. I have a variety photo editing applications installed on my Macs which are relatively inexpensive and powerful: Photoshop Elements, Polarr Photo Editor, MacPhun's creative kit software suite and Affinity Photo. I believe that if you go with a Mac, you will not be disappointed.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I switched from Apple to PC long time ago, since I really never liked the Apple, I've never looked back!

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

My few cents. Apple reigns supreme in the professional world of graphics and design. Windows is king with the written word. That said, everything written on a PC has to be washed through a Mac because most big publishers refuse to accept Windows files, and have not for years and years. The screen gamma on many PCs is incorrect for graphics work from the get go. This is not true of Apple machines, which have screens that are zeroed in on publishing requirements with correct gamma. Publishing is the one market where Apple's tiny share of the market reigns supreme.

The enticement of all things PC is price. Dells are free, almost, but you get what you pay for. My one Dell stopped working while fully unplugged and in a low humidity closet in California. A year in the closet, and it refused to boot. Time alone killed it. I have a video of its death in a dumpster (after I stripped every useful part.)

goheid

I've used both PC's and Mac's, when it comes to viewing photos, the Mac wins against all the rest.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

No. You can get an Apple computer almost as powerful as a Dell, but you will pay three times the price. I hear stories about the bad tech support from Apple unless you pay through the nose. Dell and any Windows system, is much more "open" for add-ons and modification than an Apple. Windows 10 is more stable than the Apple OS.

On the other hand, if you buy Apple, my stock value will increase. (I may not like Apple products, but their stock is still high to steady.) On the third hand, buy your Dell from Costco and you will get good tech support as Costco provides support to its customers. (I just did that with an old HP laptop I bought two years ago.) And I also have Costco stock. LOL Thank you.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

WOW. My daughter's experience with Apple tech support is quite the opposite.

Kuzano

I did Dell Onsite Teching during the period they introduce the Latitude and Inspiron series. Thank Go both have improved IMMENSELY after those first few year. However, after that stint, and starting my own consulting business (many other brands) I wondered why I had so little exposure to Toshiba.

Frankly, they were the best laptops I could sell my clients. The reason I had little knowledge was because they rarely have hardware problems, or other problems as well. That has been my response on laptops from about 1999, until this very day. Not the cheapest, but the most reliable I have encountered over the year... Toshiba #1. If a client asks, they end up most often with a new Toshiba.

Now, FWIW, for cheap and relatively durable and reliable.... ASUS, Acer and Samsung... best return for the dollar spent.

And even very few Toshiba will come in at the price of a MAC.

John Geyer

Same computer....no internet access near south pole. Solved by new Asis PC laptop.
Never held hostage by Apple.

twr25 Loc: New Jersey

Apple make you use iTunes and other cumbersome apps. To me, its like the children's version of an adult computer. I'm familiar with both systems and I would never choose a Mac over a PC.