Moles Loc: South Carolina

Most pros have macbook pro with retina display. Here's the bit of advice you will thank me for. If you are going through a lot of photos for editing, download Photo Mechanic from Camera bits. It will change your life. You tube has many videos about how PM works, so you can see how it speeds up your workflow.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Is there anyone here who doesn't recall the "Blue Screen of Death"? Until about 10 years ago I bought PC computers, about one every two, three, or four years. I could never get more than about three years out of them before I'd find an almost-daily "fatal failure" of my PC. Sony, Dell, Gateway, HP, it didn't matter much, I had them all. Then in a desperate wish for some peace, I took the plunge and purchased my first Apple. It was an iMac, dated 2003. Yes, it did cost a bit more than a PC. Then I learned of the TWO (please take note --> TWO) advantages of buying the Apple machines. FIRST, no "blue screen of death". I have never -ever- had my iMac just shut down. They are far FAR more reliable than a PC. Okay, ready for the second reason to buy an Apple? They last, for years and years. My 2003 iMac still works, does not quit while using it with Photoshop, no Blue Screen of Death. It does move more slowly, I'll admit that, but it sill works. (What computer doesn't slow down after five years of age?)

Since Adobe switched to the Intel chip, I had to purchase the "newer" 27" Mac in 2009. It's five years old now, and I use it 8 to 12 hours every day with no failure. I plan to use it for at least another ten years. Oh, my 2003 iMac? I use it every time I return home from a photo shoot. The machine burns my DVD, then makes my Kelby type CD case thumb nail prints. So I'm currently using an 11 year old Apple, and a 5 year old Apple every day of the week.

Oh, one more thing. I ran into a past student of mine, from more than 20 years ago. Since "used" computers don't seem to draw much trade-in value, he has kept every former Apple, the first of which is the original toaster-looking type from the 1980's. For me, he powered it up. It still works!!!! And every computer purchased since then also works. Since "newer" software requires operating systems that out-date older machines, he has had to buy newer models. But one of his daughters uses a 15 year old Mac to do her homework. And along the way, he tells me that he has never experienced a clash between his Apples and Adobe software.

So, is an Apple more expensive?? Take the price and divide be ... oh, divide by 10, because you'll get at least 10 years of service, and very VERY reliable service. Hands down, Apple computer are far more economical than any PC, and they give you such peace of mind, because they just keep working.

Okay folks, go ahead and attack. I'm just saying if you are looking for reliability and Peace of Mind, Mac is the way to go.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Very good observations. I assume that "Adobe" was a typo and should have been "Apple."

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Actually no, I meant to type Adobe. From Gateway stores (remember those?) and Best Buy stores, I frequently heard them say that Adobe wrote software that wasn't always compatible with PC operating systems. True or not, I always encountered conflicts with Photoshop and my PC's. But from 2003 forward, with iMacs, I never encountered conflicts with Adobe and Apple.

dean100 Loc: New-Biden did steal 500,000+ votes in OH

If you have a week or so I would have one built, I did last year - it will be half the cost of purchasing one from Dell and you can use better quality components and still have the savings. You will still have the Intel 3 year warranty on the processor and board as well.
Here is what got for about $1,200.00:
Intel board w/USB3.0, SATA-6G, RAID etc.
Intel Core I-7-3770 Ivy Bridge Quad Core processor 3.4 Ghz / Turbo 3.9 Ghz, 22nm
16 GB Ram (Crucial)
256 GB Solid State Drive (Crucial)
2 TB SATA/6G Hard Drive (Seagate)
DVD / CD, 2 EA (LG)
AMD FirePro V4900 Graphics Card
Antec Three Hundred Two Midtower ATX Chassis
Kingwin 650W Power Supply

It's ready to go in 15 to 20 seconds after you power it on. I can send you the invoice if interested.

Savanna

If you only do basic editing, I would go to the library and finish the job using Preview or iPhoto (mac) and take my time choosing a new computer. A refurbished Mac is about the same prize as a new PC. I am an ex PC user, I had to switch for video editing reasons to a MacBook Pro and never regretted it, I am since a happy Mac one. I did my last photo editing on the spot with my Mini iPad and wireless camera, so convenient when a simple job.

cuzinvin Loc: Reno, Nevada

If you buy a MAC, you can sign up for "One To One," which allows you to have 30 or 60 minute private lessons on any software that Apple sells. That's an incredible benefit, not to mention their "Genius Bar," and "Apple Care."

For editing software, consider "Aperture," and the full suite of "NIK" apps.

You really can't miss with MAC.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

First of all - if you enjoy working at your desk a desktop will probably be your best bet and you can use your current monitor if it is a good one.

Avoid the big-box stores - although "Best Buy" offers good deals, they load their systems up with so much trial software it is a huge nuisance - and then they charge you to remove it! (At least that was my experience the last time I purchased a system there years ago.) I have always had great success with Dell, especially when you could build-your-own system. My last attempt to purchase a laptop for my daughter last week on their website left me so frustrated by their horrible awful terrible website functionality that I bought the same laptop for $50 more from TigerDirect.

For photo editing you do not need an expensive, fast processor - an Intel i5 is plenty. Having 8GB RAM should be plenty. Have 1TB of storage - but don't plan on storing all of your photos in your computer - you need to back up all of your photos.

Thombar Loc: Hominy, OK

If you're serious about photography and pp, IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Mac. I used a Dell and other Windows computers and hated the constant hassle with them. Then I got my Mac and have never looked back or regretted it. Try it, you'll like it. :thumbup:

pego99

I just bought a HP Envy at Microcenter.
2 TB Drive, I5 processor, 12 GB memory, Dual monitor output, DVD/CD burner, 64 bit Windows 8.1 at $499

FrumCA

Switching to a Mac is getting a lot of recommendations. I may have missed it in the thread but I didn't see any discussion about the need to purchase new software programs if you switch from a PC to Mac. Is this correct?

arlissd

Recently I just completed my Home migration from the PC platform to MAC with the purchase of the new MAC PRO. I became so feed up with Microsoft and their buggy operating system. So my suggestion to you is to buy an iMac you will be happy. I gave my wife an iMac 3 years ago and she is happy and I am happy.

Alfresco

If there is a windows program you Must run on a Mac, Parallels will allow you to run it just as thought it was a PC. I must admit, the one thing I miss on a PC that you can't get on a Mac is VIRUS. All right, maybe I don't miss viruses, actually I don't miss PCs either. One trip to the Apple store will convince you!

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

After working in computers, both personal, and business machines, I've found building a computer from the ground up is the best way to go for using a computer for a specific purpose.
Just the power supply on a computer takes a beating over the years. Off the shelf computers have a power supply that is specified for only the amount of power the entire system will draw when running. The selection of that PS should give at least 50% greater power than the power the computer will use. This rating is in amps, mili amps. If the mother board is rated to draw 1 amp, be sure the PS can produce 2 amps. Any electronic device will only draw the amount it needs to operate, so the mother board will be easy on your PS by only drawing 1 amp. Be sure the voltage is correct for the mother board though, higher, unregulated voltage will kill your computer. This usually what happens when the computer just dies. The regulators in the power supply break down and allow voltage fluctuation into the system, and it kills the processor, ram, and even motors for hard drives.

Your mother board should be professional quality, not consumer. It should have the fastest processor available, but professional. The mother board should have onboard ram slots for twice the amount normally found on consumer grade computers, and the ram arrays should be professional quality. You are building a professional high speed reliable computer.

Hard drives should be professional quality, with high speed run speeds. These hard drives will be above or at 1-10 tera-bites.

Video should be professional quality, with a processor built in, and as much ram as possible. Don't forget your monitor. I should be able to be easily calibrated, and be a suitable size. Multiple monitors would be best.

Don't forget to buy a suitable regulated battery backup power supply, that will power your computer for at least 30 minutes. This will allow you, should a line power failure, or brown out occur to power down your computer properly.

The budget for this system would be about $4-5000.00. But, if your incorporated is totally deductible as long as it is used for your photography business.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

This unfortunately is correct, though your Mac will come with just about everything you need other than your photo editing software. Even then you can do the basics in iphoto and there are some good free photo editing software out there.