mffox Loc: Avon, CT

For all my fellow UHH'ers this is like the familiar Nikon VS Canon question, but I'm at a crossroads. My MacBook crashed over the weekend, and it's still an open question whether the "Geek Squad" will be able to recover my files and, more importantly my photo works in process. (Fortunately I had done a full backup a week before.) Prior to the MacBook experience I had always been a Microsoft man, and I'm currently relying on an old reliable Dell laptop to keep me going.

Both systems have their good and bad points; If any of you would like to weigh in on your Apple vs Microsoft preferences I'd be most grateful for your opinions.

Mark

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My personal favorite for processing photographs is my 27" iMac. For all my other computer needs I use an older Dell running Redhat Linux. I prefer these due to the native resistance to virus attacks.
--Bob

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

to your RHEL system!

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

First a few questions. Which system are you most comfortable with? How old is the MB? Will your current applications run on the new chips that Apple is introducing?

The last question leads to my thoughts. I am delaying purchasing a new Apple product for at least a year to give them a chance to clear out any bugs. I am also delaying since several programs I use frequently will not run on 64 bit chips. Not really an answer, but I hope it helps.

Bill

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Just the amount of malware and viruses written for MS vs. Apple computers keeps me with my Macbook pro and Apple computers.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

I have been using Windows since forever. I used to do number crunching where the PC excelled. I was also able to get some high end software. Since I now do only graphic applications and if I had the money to start over completely I would shift to Mac in a heartbeat. JMHO

spaceylb Loc: Long Beach, N.Y.

MAC !!!

tbsteph Loc: Ohio

Well, I use both OS’s on a daily basis. They both have their + and -. The main advantage of Apple gear is how well they integrate together. Also, upgrading computers is a walk in the park with Migration Assistant.

If you stay with a Mac laptop I would suggest investing in a network hard drive for Time Machine backups. Then you are backed-up virtually continuously. YMMV.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Look at all the Win10 users happily using software 10+ years old and look at all the Mac users who have to buy new hardware for the new OS and then new software the OS hasn't yet invalidated.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

I have always been a Mac guy for my personal and photo editing and a PC guy at work. I prefer Mac and I love my 27" iMac (2017 model). Apple is going through some big changes though in the architecture and the new M1 chip sets and this scares me just a bit as I ultimately I think its going to render my system obsolete...again. I have the corpses of Macs past all around my house - but will still hold out.
Second point with Apple. Apple is notorious for not backing up their product with some glaring examples of known hardware issues, particularly on their MacBook Pro's. They have been in several class actions which they have lost but refuse to claim responsibility and that's a bad business practice for a multi billion dollar company that claims to have the best quality build and materials in the industry. I wouldn't doubt that your MacBook crash is due to one or more of these failures.
The new M1 chips (For MacBook, MacBook Air and Mini only so far) are proving to be very fast - some claim the fastest chips in the business but they are new and have some serious issues with compatibility with some programs (Adobe LR & PS say they run well but jury still out) and it is said security issues also. I'm chocking this up to newness and lack of Beta testing before release. It may take a good amount of time to work out the kinks but Apple still says it's ready. It always takes time for software developers to catch up to new tech like this and Adobe is notoriously slow at releasing updates.
I'll hold out as long as I can until they force me to upgrade to Big Sur then well see. Regardless - I'm a Mac Guy till the end. If I were you I'd stay away from the MacBook Pro's until they get the new chips and OS ready and go with the new 27" iMac.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I use both operating systems. I run Windows 10 on my Intel iMac using Parallels Desktop. But I’ll get an M1 MacBook Pro or Air soon. It will eventually emulate Windows on Arm.

The best advice i can offer is go with your gut. I have used both since ‘84 and always preferred Macs, but both are good for different things.

With Apple it’s seldom about hardware. It’s about Apple’s ecosystem. But with Apple Silicon (M1...) it might be about hardware again.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

Yes true but I hate the Windows platform as a whole and someday soon they will be behind the 8 ball because in it's core is still the same old code with another look.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Yep, raise your hand if you have the latest versions of LR and PS running on an 11 year old MAC ____________.

BebuLamar

I would use Windows as I found Mac is so difficult to use and the choice is limited. There is no low end Mac like an el cheapo $500 PC nor an all out 56 cores $70,000 PC either.

Fred Harwood Loc: Sheffield, Mass.

Love my 27-inch iMac!!