Need advice from Mac users, please [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Kountrygirl

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 11:01

Concretin Nik

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 11:37

Gimp is a free program that supposedly does many of the things that PS can. I have not used it, but friends who rave about it.

And there are 'student/academia' discounts for various software. So if you are, or know, a student, you might check the local college book store...

nphsbuckeye

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 11:48

There's a dedicated computer section here that would be better for this - have a look there and use the search feature. The Macbook/MBP comes up a lot on how powerful it is; I've never used it, but I'm spoiled on how fast my computer is.

LR works for most things you want to use. People that have PS and LR use LR the majority, and even the vast majority, of the time and only use PS for hardcore work. There may be "programs that do 80% of what PS can do," but those last 20% are worth about $600 - so...

shaggymatt

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 13:22

I use Lightroom for almost everything, have the Nik Software plugins which I *HIGHLY* recommend. Every once in a while I need CS4.

If you're using it for editing, make sure you get a firewire 800 port, I haven't shopped lately, but when I bought mine, not all machines have an 800 port. Get a firewire 800 card reader, not cheap, but you go from an hour plus for a card import to 5-10 minutes.

Max out the ram, my 4gb 2ghz core 2 duo imac is SLOW, there come times when I have to run an export and leave the computer sit for an hour. Get a Mac Pro if budget is not an issue. You have the option of quad or 8 core$.

UK DSLR NEWBIE

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 16:14

Ive been using mac's for years now and really love them. I use Lightroom 2 and elements 6 (elements 7 is not out yet for mac) between the 2 programs I have everything I will ever need I also use Aperture 2 sometimes look into that on the apple website its half the price of lightroom 2, and still very good if you only do minor editing.

Hope this helps

bps

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 17:35

nphsbuckeye

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 18:38

Welcome to POTN Leslie!

I switched to Macs a little over 3 years ago and I will never go back to Windows again. Apple provides a superior end-user experience! If you already use Lightroom, then you may be more comfortable with it. However, if you want to try out Aperture, you can download a free 60-day trial. I'm a big fan of Aperture, but it really comes down to your own personal preference. Trying both really is the best way to go.

Bryan
That's highly subjective and debatable. If you like the OS more, fine, personal preference. But right now unless you have thousands to blow on a Mac Pro, Apple has nothing after the Mac Pro except old laptop technology that the lowly Windows unit fits nicely, with their i7 processors.

bps

23rd of July 2009 (Thu), 22:30

You're absolutely right, it's a very personal decision that changes from person to person. I'm simply giving an opinion based on my experiences. (and I'm an IT guy that deals with computers 60+ hours a week)

The OP didn't ask about a Mac Pro -- she's in the market for a laptop. You don't have to spend thousands for a MacBook Pro. Additionally, a PC (or laptop) that has i7 processors is great, but if you don't have a stable operating system running on it, then you have nothing but a headache.

My headaches ended when I bought an Apple. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Bryan

Tom Reichner

24th of July 2009 (Fri), 00:46

One thing to remember is to use the classifieds here on POTN. Aperture is normally about $150. I just got it here for $80, which included the PayPal fee and postage. This was for Aperture 2, and it was in a sealed, never ever opened package. I wouldn't be surprised if you can save 25 to 60 percent on brand new software by buying it here from another member. Some of the best deals are right here on POTN!

Alleh

24th of July 2009 (Fri), 16:49

using anything outside of photoshop is using the wrong software. Why upgrade the hardware and not the software? You don't buy a better camera without better lenses.

Moppie

24th of July 2009 (Fri), 19:26

Hello all, I'm interested in buying a mac laptop to use for my photo editing. Can you tell me what software that you use, I currently have Lightroom which works with PC or Mac. I have been looking at Elements 7, but I have not seen a version for Mac.

Elements 6 is the current version avaliable for Mac: http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelmac/

What you need however is very dependant on what sort of photography you do, and how much your edit your photos.

It is quite possible that Lightroom will able to do everything for you, or your might need a full version of Photoshop CS4.

fotojoem

24th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:38

Macbook Pro and Lightroom,PS3. I rarely even open CS3 I have been taught that Lightroom can handle almost all of your photography needs. If you are into graphic design, PS3 is your best bet. Just my opinion.

Joe

basroil

24th of July 2009 (Fri), 22:48

Most people generally will not need more than LR2 or another similar editor (most have gone much further than just RAW conversions that they are known for). For those that do need more, you can get photoshop as a standalone (just photoshop+bridge) for about $400.

But as people said, if you are already spending $1700+ (2500+ for 17"), making sure you have a budget for software as well is always a good idea. After all, if this isn't a photo editing only station, you'll already be spending 200+ on Office, and likely about 100 on other things a well., all of which should be calculated before you purchase a computer.

robbug

25th of July 2009 (Sat), 01:12

You already have LR. I would stick with that. I use aperture with nik tools installed and I go to photoshop for creative work - selective coloring, precise saturations, graphic design, etc. If all your looking to do is utilize your computer for minor/medium error correction of your exposures then LR will do fine. Add on Nik tools and you have 80% of what you ever would want to do. Get into fine art and you would need photoshop or a comparable product. Since Apples come with the necessities with regards to software, you have everything you would need in regards to photo-editing at this time.

Electric Shepherd

25th of July 2009 (Sat), 02:24

I use DPP for Raw conversion the Elements 6 for anything else. Elements 6 can be made even more useful with freebie add ons that bring easy layer masks and curves that are not native to Elements.

MaxxuM

25th of July 2009 (Sat), 12:27

Hello all, I'm interested in buying a mac laptop to use for my photo editing. Can you tell me what software that you use, I currently have Lightroom which works with PC or Mac. I have been looking at Elements 7, but I have not seen a version for Mac. I need advice on which software works well , I don't want to upgrade for a number of years after this purchase. Are there programs that do 80% of what PS can do for under $300 or is it better to go ahead a spend the $1000 and get everything. I have seen several programs on the Mac site... too many to pick from. Thanks for your help, Leslie

I use Aperture 2 and Photoshop CS4 on my MacBook Pro and I don't see needing anything more for photo work. If you already have LR, Photoshop is really the only other thing you 'might' need. You may want NeoOffice which is a free Office like program; it even reads the newest Office file types.

That's highly subjective and debatable. If you like the OS more, fine, personal preference. But right now unless you have thousands to blow on a Mac Pro, Apple has nothing after the Mac Pro except old laptop technology that the lowly Windows unit fits nicely, with their i7 processors.

Actually, it isn't subjective. In every customer (experience) report Apple has scored highest among PC makers for customer satisfaction and support that I have read.

And the OP stated they were looking for a laptop. So, that would mean 99% of all laptops use 'old technology' since the i7 mobile (or i3 or i5) chipsets is not widely available yet.

basroil

25th of July 2009 (Sat), 23:28

Actually, it isn't subjective. In every customer (experience) report Apple has scored highest among PC makers for customer satisfaction and support that I have read.

And the OP stated they were looking for a laptop. So, that would mean 99% of all laptops use 'old technology' since the i7 mobile (or i3 or i5) chipsets is not widely available yet.
First part, not entirely true. Customer satisfaction surveys are highly volatile at best, in the last decade Apple has had a 16 point variation in the ACSI, and most computer companies are no less volatile either. In fact, there have been just as many years that Apple was below Dell as above them, and some years neither company is the top pick. That said, yes, they generally do have a higher rating, but only since the invention of the "I'm a Mac" ads and the raise of the mac-fanboy movement (there was a big linux fanboy movement just before that, though Windows never really had such movements. Guess Windows is just too boring for it) have the numbers been significant. ACSI even remarks on how the shift was highly unusual, though the numbers still stand. Bottom line: Apple is a great company for customer satisfaction, but it's overall history is no better than other top tier brands, there's no guarantee that the satisfaction won't fall in the near future.

For second part, there are plenty of quad core options currently available though, and not all core 2 duo chips are old, they are just based on an old architecture. But that doesn't mean they are all built the same, just look at the pentium m and core lines. Both were built from the same p3 base, but core offered nearly double the performance, much more than double when in duo. Yes, the new chips will be that much better, but that doesn't mean a early 2007 chip will be as fast as a new model even at the same clock speed (though they will be closer than a core and any core 2 at the same speed). But yea, by 4th quarter 2009 the new laptops will be faster thanks to new chips. Only question would be if Apple releases new products when the chips come out, or if they will wait 6mo-1yr after like they have in the past.

nphsbuckeye

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 13:25

Actually, it isn't subjective. In every customer (experience) report Apple has scored highest among PC makers for customer satisfaction and support that I have read.
From personal use, I don't really prefer one OS over the other. I really like the Mac OS in the relatively few times I've used it. However, I use Windows based hardware because I don't have thousands to spend on a Mac Pro. Use Mac might have better customer satisfaction, but it is still subjective based on the individual user.

MaxxuM

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 17:18

First part, not entirely true. Customer satisfaction surveys are highly volatile at best, in the last decade Apple has had a 16 point variation in the ACSI, and most computer companies are no less volatile either. In fact, there have been just as many years that Apple was below Dell as above them, and some years neither company is the top pick. That said, yes, they generally do have a higher rating, but only since the invention of the "I'm a Mac" ads and the raise of the mac-fanboy movement (there was a big linux fanboy movement just before that, though Windows never really had such movements. Guess Windows is just too boring for it) have the numbers been significant. ACSI even remarks on how the shift was highly unusual, though the numbers still stand. Bottom line: Apple is a great company for customer satisfaction, but it's overall history is no better than other top tier brands, there's no guarantee that the satisfaction won't fall in the near future.

Like when Dell had the "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" campaign (Dell being at the top)? So, basically, you agree.

For second part, there are plenty of quad core options currently available though, and not all core 2 duo chips are old, they are just based on an old architecture. But that doesn't mean they are all built the same, just look at the pentium m and core lines. Both were built from the same p3 base, but core offered nearly double the performance, much more than double when in duo. Yes, the new chips will be that much better, but that doesn't mean a early 2007 chip will be as fast as a new model even at the same clock speed (though they will be closer than a core and any core 2 at the same speed). But yea, by 4th quarter 2009 the new laptops will be faster thanks to new chips. Only question would be if Apple releases new products when the chips come out, or if they will wait 6mo-1yr after like they have in the past.

I never mentioned performance or cores - otherwise, we would seem to be in agreement.

basroil

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 17:55

Like when Dell had the "Dude, you're getting a Dell!" campaign (Dell being at the top)? So, basically, you agree.

I never mentioned performance or cores - otherwise, we would seem to be in agreement.

Actually, dell started slipping below Apple during those years ;)

And even if you didn't mention performance or cores, that's all that anyone cares about. If it wasn't for that, it would be like the monster cable idea, it can have the greatest specs in the world, gold plating everywhere, but self proclaimed audiophiles can't tell the difference between that and a steel clothes hanger. You can see the difference between 2 and 4 cores almost immediately, but you can't see the difference between nahelem and core 2 at all if they are both the same number of cores (i3 and low end i5 chips will continue to be dual core), then the performance increase will only be as great as the increase from first generation core 2 chips to the newest ones. If OP needs a laptop now, it's about the right time to do so, prices won't fall much on new models, and will actually increase slightly when the new chips are everywhere.

MaxxuM

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 18:51

Actually, dell started slipping below Apple during those years ;)

And even if you didn't mention performance or cores, that's all that anyone cares about. If it wasn't for that, it would be like the monster cable idea, it can have the greatest specs in the world, gold plating everywhere, but self proclaimed audiophiles can't tell the difference between that and a steel clothes hanger. You can see the difference between 2 and 4 cores almost immediately, but you can't see the difference between nahelem and core 2 at all if they are both the same number of cores (i3 and low end i5 chips will continue to be dual core), then the performance increase will only be as great as the increase from first generation core 2 chips to the newest ones. If OP needs a laptop now, it's about the right time to do so, prices won't fall much on new models, and will actually increase slightly when the new chips are everywhere.

I always thought it was dependability.

Moppie

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 20:27

You can see the difference between 2 and 4 cores almost immediately, but you can't see the difference between nahelem and core 2 at all if they are both the same number of cores (i3 and low end i5 chips will continue to be dual core),

Huh?
I've yet to see anything that suggests the i3 and i5 will be dual core, and if they are, they will be based around the same architecture as the i7, so much faster bus, memory controller on the chip, hyper threading, virtual cores etc.

There is a noticable difference going from a Q6600 to an i7 920, yet both are quad core.
A dual core based on the i7 would in theory perform as well as a Q6600, possibly better.

That said, adding a quad core to the iMac might improve its performance, it won't over come its biggest limitation. The form factor is designed for simple consumer use, and nothing more.

basroil

26th of July 2009 (Sun), 21:19

Huh?
I've yet to see anything that suggests the i3 and i5 will be dual core, and if they are, they will be based around the same architecture as the i7, so much faster bus, memory controller on the chip, hyper threading, virtual cores etc.

There is a noticable difference going from a Q6600 to an i7 920, yet both are quad core.
A dual core based on the i7 would in theory perform as well as a Q6600, possibly better.

That said, adding a quad core to the iMac might improve its performance, it won't over come its biggest limitation. The form factor is designed for simple consumer use, and nothing more.

Actually the difference is 4 threads 4cores to 8 threads 4 cores. Rather than core I should have said threads, but most people wouldn't know what I was talking about ;) Kind of how 2009 mac pro is better than 2008 even though they are both four core xeon processors in the 5000 line.

As for specs, all conjecture right now, but http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/21/intel-core-i5-750-reportedly-arriving-september-6-bringing-core/ has interesting suggestions. If it's true, should be interesting to see what small form factor computers will be able to do. That said however, doubling thread count does not double the performance, nor does a two core four thread processor has as much power as a similarly built four core four thread processor. From the looks of that chart, more than a few people agree. But yea, probably will be more or less on par with the q6600, though probably not the 9k series.

wlescall

27th of July 2009 (Mon), 22:54

Hello all, I'm interested in buying a mac laptop to use for my photo editing. Can you tell me what software that you use, I currently have Lightroom which works with PC or Mac. I have been looking at Elements 7, but I have not seen a version for Mac. I need advice on which software works well , I don't want to upgrade for a number of years after this purchase. Are there programs that do 80% of what PS can do for under $300 or is it better to go ahead a spend the $1000 and get everything. I have seen several programs on the Mac site... too many to pick from. Thanks for your help, Leslie

If you are interested in buying a Mac laptop for editing, I suggest you get a MacBook Pro. Check the Apple Store online refurb section - you can find a great deal.

As for image editing, LightRoom and Aperture are both excellent programs for both image cataloging and basic editing. Both will accept plugins. You may wish to download the trial versions of each to see which you prefer. Also I just installed for a family member Pixelmator, which is a decent image editor for about $60. It has many of the same features as PS CS4 and is continually being updated.

The best advice that I can give is to try what is out there to see what fits you best and use it.

glk73

31st of July 2009 (Fri), 09:56

Hello all, I'm interested in buying a mac laptop to use for my photo editing. Can you tell me what software that you use, I currently have Lightroom which works with PC or Mac. I have been looking at Elements 7, but I have not seen a version for Mac. I need advice on which software works well , I don't want to upgrade for a number of years after this purchase. Are there programs that do 80% of what PS can do for under $300 or is it better to go ahead a spend the $1000 and get everything. I have seen several programs on the Mac site... too many to pick from. Thanks for your help, Leslie

I am relatively new to post-processing RAW images, but have been doing this on a MacBook Pro (also have a PC but find the MacPro faster for this kind of stuff) with Canon's Digital Photo Professional and then ACR and Photoshop Elements 6. I have been happy with what I can do, but am still trying to establish an efficient workflow. I am thinking of getting Aperture or Lightroom to help with the organization of these files - especially now that my husband and I are each taking photos in RAW - and thinking Lightroom may be a good choice for me. But I plan to download trial versions of both Aperture and Lightroom and see which one I prefer. Photoshop Elements 6 has a lot to offer at a reasonable price depending on how much you process your photos and the volume of images you are handling.

Hope you enjoy using whatever laptop and software you end up getting!