banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

I'd say go with a Mac. The reasoning for this is, when the Mac user base becomes large enough, the virus creating morons out there will switch their focus over to the Mac system and then we will here a whole new bunch crying.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

I have never had a freeze, lockup, or blue screen, since XP except one time due to hardware failure(a hard drive dying). I now use Win 7.

I have used Macs off and on in the past. They are good products, but I prefer the virtually infinite degree of customization that Windows allows. I can take Win7 and put a whole new motherboard, video card, hard drive(s) under it and keep on going. You can't do that with a Mac.

I build my own desktops. Takes one day to build, update, and install all my software, including PS6 and Lightroom 5. I have an AMD FX 8120 8 core processor, 16gb ram, gigabyte motherboard, AMD 7870 video card.

I carried over from my old computer the 256gb Crucial SSD hard drive, that contains Windows and all my software, and, also 2 synchronized 2 terabyte Western Digital RE Hdd's, that have my photos, and also my 2 22" NEC monitors. Probably $2000 total.

The only thing I had to do when i upgraded is reactivate Windows, too much hardware changed.

A Mac that has the capability of my computer would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $4000.

Building a PC is easy, hardly even let you screw up, Tab A into slot C, everything is keyed.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Good for you. 👍

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

Once you get this issue settled, could you please ask :

1) Which is better, Canon or Nikon?
2) Which is better, digital or film?
3) Which is better, Ford or Chevy?
4) Which is better, Leno or Letterman?

Many years ago when the Apple vs IBM/Clone debate started, it was generally held that Apples were slightly better for graphics work, primarily because they had better source software for things like image manipulation and video editing, and IBM/Clones were better for 'business' because they had word processing, spreadsheets and database software out the wazoo. You may not believe this, but before Windows became the dominant platform for Intel-based PCs, there were at least half a dozen viable, popular, useable word processing programs available to use.

In the intervening decades, though, that differentiation has largely evaporated. The Apple platform now has business-oriented software available for it, and the IBM/Clone platform has quite useable graphics software of every stripe.

My basic gripe with Apple is their culture of elitism, fostered by Jobs and the rest of them.

My basic gripe with IBM/Clones is the crappy software that anyone with a half-semester of Intro to PCs can write and then unleash on the unsuspecting world.

Windows 7 is pretty stable. I've used it for a couple of years and had maybe two crashes, both due to heat and a less than optimum memory chip.

Flip a coin.

pasiuk57 Loc: Apple Valley, Minnesota

Once you go MAC, you NEVER go back....

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Camerabuff Loc: Liverpool UK

Mac every time they also have less depreciation so if you up grade selling on is easier

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I used to use a PC. After ten years of frustration, crashes, repairs and visits from a friendly PC programmer, I went to work for a MAC only magazine; When I said I used a PC, there was much hilarity in the office; bet you'll change your mind within the week" i was told. Well, they obviously knew something ! I did, and have been using Macs since, and I won't be ever going back to PC hell. A MAC is designed for Photo users
graphics and every thing else. believe me, you'll love it.

LoisCroft Loc: Jonesborough, Tennessee

I used a PC for years and finally got tired of all the problems. My computer is on 24/7 and a typical PC would last a couple of years, but would cause a great deal of frustration in the meantime. I bought an iMac in 2007, still going strong! My kids bought Macs too and my son says their motto should be, 'It just WORKS"

donnieb55 Loc: Greensboro, NC

I spent 35 years in the printing industry and all prepress work is done using Macs, but duh I have a PC. My next one will be a Mac.

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

That's a no brainer. The Mac.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

I'll help you out.

1. Nikon
2. Digital
3. Ford
4. Letterman

Clif Loc: Central Ca.

Just to offer another point to consider.... If you like to hobby in photography as well as to play around with computers then you may like what a PC offers, if you are rather serious about photography and don't wish to play with a computer also, then think MAC. To put it another way, do you wish to consider all the steel alloys and heat treating and the anti-vibration grips one might design into a hammer or is your desire to drive nails?

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

I use both everyday as a professional Art Director/ Graphic Designer/Professional Photographer... I own 2 and one at work- Mac Pros, several XP's, two G4's and a Mac 9500 bought in '96 ( around then) that runs Sys OS-9 to run a expensive transparency scanner I need to scan 4x5's and 2.25' chromes I still have to use from time to time, and access to some archives on SyQuest drives and 3.5" floppies.

If I had to pick a single word to describe the difference... and all the software I use professionally can run on either-often back and forth- (so that isn't an issue anymore), Macs are a more "elegant" platform to work on.

That and they are built like a tank- look like a Rolex inside and out. Jobs was always very attentive to all details... even the packing when you receive it will impress you. (I have seen inside a Rolex!! They are beautiful- and no one but watchmakers ever see it!) If mac owners are a bit cocky- well drive around in a Lamborghini and try to NOT be cocky! LOL.

Google "Inside a MacPro" "Inside a Rolex"

Every thing has problems from time to time, but all in all you get what you pay for. (9500 was on every day, all day for over 10 years, and still runs... still networks with the latest OSX- I challenge any windows machine to match that, that isn't run by an IT professional..)


Go Mac.

alandg46 Loc: Boerne, Texas

Macs are for people that really don't like computers and need to have their hand held.