TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

OK, $500 monitor, save $750 and the ability to update the machine instead of a forklift upgrade every 5 years.

Guys, no one needs to be offended by my comments - there are upsides and downsides to every platform (and every product for that matter) - just pointing out that there are advantages to a PC. Any time now, a Linux user is going to chime in and tell us all we’re full of it

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

On that we can agree. The limited upgrade path is the reason I went wit the ULTRA w/64MB and 1TB, not that I need that much memory right now, but I was future proofing. I plan a 5 year life on my main machine and go from there. I replaced a 2018 iMac PRO and am very happy with the STUDIO. As you may recall, I store nothing but apps and OS on the internal drive using about 25% of its space. Everything else is on attached storage, some TB4/TB3, some disk and that not usually used on Synology NAS systems. Works for me! my laptop is still (an @ 2018) MBP as it still works very well for what I use it for. Hope your son gets you to 'see the light'!!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Macs have a Command key (splat, clover leaf, “interesting feature” symbol), where Windows has a Windows key. Both have Control or CTRL. Mac has Option where PC has Alt. Usage is subtly different. With a positive attitude, you can switch back and forth at will.

leftj Loc: Texas

Not offended at all. Each to his own. Computer systems are so subjective. I am currently on a 2018 MBP and based on my past experience with Windows I've been much happier.

TimmyKnowles Loc: Gallup, New Mexico

Totally agree.

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

This post asks clear questions.

For your reference while I have personally owned and professionally used and specified Windows based systems professionally I have used Lightroom (Classic) on Apple computers often for about ten years. So I feel qualified to address your questions without bias.

There are no differences in tools and features on the Mac vs windows 11. There are no meaningful differences between the versions.

There are at least two differences between the two Operating Systems you will see while using Lightroom. They have noticeable differences in the conventions used in the man machine interface that can prove frustrating.

One is Apple has renamed the control and alt keys to command and option. Usually it is just a name change but in some cases they swap the name. Another is the drop down menus at the top left of the window have different names and submenus items are moved notably “properties”.

And they differ in how they handle printer interfaces. If you print directly through Lightroom and Photoshop you will find that setup is very different.

Outside of Lightroom almost all interfaces are similar in functionality but are very clunky.

Otherwise performance is pretty much independent but Windows is more considerate of the user when upgrading.

I don’t get along well with laptops and much prefer desktops.

Tim Canavan Loc: Central Connecticut

Thanks for this input Jack. I appreciate you taking time to respond.

Tim Canavan Loc: Central Connecticut

Thanks Bill. I appreciate your input.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Do you have any Lightroom or PS plugins that you now use on the Win7 machine? Do you know whether they will perform ok on a Mac platform? (for that matter, do you know if they will perform ok on a Win 11 platform?). In addition, are there other Win 7 apps you use, and wish to use in the future?

Tim Canavan Loc: Central Connecticut

Well, I am using an older version of LR right now. I don’t plan on using it going forward. I plan to use new software for everything on the new machine. The stuff I have now is all old and I won’t be trying to bring it forward. I am still checking on how my older HP printers and Eason V600 scanner would connect up to MAC OS or Windows 11. Thanks for your input.

rlscholl Loc: California

As has been mentioned, Apple computers will typically do things somewhat automatically, while PCs sometimes require that the user make some decision. Another way of saying the same thing is that PCs provide more flexibility for the user in how some things are done, while Apple tends to provide less flexibility. People who find Apples frustrating may be those who prefer their own way of doing something rather than Apple’s.
For those of us old enough to remember hand-held calculators, I think it may be similar to the comparisons between algebraic notation and reverse Polish notation. Most users preferred one or the other, but few were ambivalent. I suspect the PC vs Apple comparison is similar, and preference is an individual thing.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Lightroom/Photoshop will look and run the same on a Mac or a Windows machine, provided you are using a new version of LR/PS. Very old copies of LR may not run on new machines with up to date OS. Machines from the two systems feel somewhat different to the user. Switching from one to the other for the first time can be frustrating but it doesn't take long to adjust. Most users will have a preference for one over the other even after becoming competent with both. I have used both, but I have a strong preference for the Mac machines for a number of reasons that may or may not matter to other users.

I see people mention the non-upgrade-ability of Mac's as a barrier and I confess that when Apple starting sautering them up where I could not get inside them to switch out simple things like ram modules and drives, I was very annoyed but not annoyed enough to switch because various features of Windows machines annoyed me more. At that point I started buying with future-proofing in mind and instead of getting the entry level model, I got one with more specs than I thought I needed at the time, but that let me get 12 years out of my last Mac mini, and I'm hoping my new Mac Studio with do the same. It should outlive me.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I can’t speak for Mac, but my Epson V600 and my older HP 6800 series printer both work fine on Windows 11.

jsh

I've been a PC user for 35 years. I purchased an M1 Mac Mini about 6 months ago to run FCPX (Apple only product). Figured I'd see how LR and PS run on it compared to my PC (my PC isn't the newest but it's certainly no slouch). LR and PS are impressively faster on the M1 than on my PC. (I'd be curious how performance is on the M2 v M1...) I've gotten use to the Mac interface but my vote goes to the PC... probably hard to train an old dog new tricks. I use a KVM switch to go between the two - Mac for LR, PS, and FCPX, and PC for everything else. I'm happy in both my worlds.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I failed to mention one thing I was worried about : old peripherals and a new Mac Studio. I was pleasantly surprised that they all worked - the 15 year old monitor, the 2 photo drives and the backup drive, the 2 printers, the Wacom tablet. It might be a concern to you switching from Windows with any external equipment you want to use as to mac drivers, cords and connectors, etc. I did have to buy one adapter to connect the ancient monitor to the Studio.