Mac or PC?

Hi everyone,

I am adding my input and a question for you all. I hope to get some more info what to do in my future.

In 4 years I have changed two desktops PC's, both very power full, fast, lots of memory, better processors, graphic cards etc.
Both have crapped on me with in 2 years, well the second one is a bit older than 2(2,5)
On both I had, tons of images but always under 80% capacity, 2 monitors, 2 external drives and color munki running.

This time the tech support said it is possibly power supply or motherboard!? They will fix it but it is a blip in my workflow. I just don't want my pc to be down for 3 days or so.

I would like to know what the pros and cons are between pc and mac, I have all my photo shop and other software for pc but if someone convinces me that the mac is better than I would transfer everything to mac.

I just don't want my work station to crap out that quickly, it is $2000 every 2-3 years!

Any input on your experience? How old is your work station and how often do you upgrade to a new one? Is mac a better product?
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I'm primarily a Mac user, but I firmly believe in using the best tool for the job.....and if you're more familiar and proficient at Windows, you should probably stick with Windows. It'll be cheaper for you since you won't have to buy all new software, and you'll get back to being productive faster since you won't have to relearn everything. There's nothing intrinsically better about the Mac experience if you're not finding yourself particularly frustrated with Windows.

That said, I personally find Macs better for productivity because I don't have to worry about many of the typical housekeeping chores that Windows machines still seem to need, i.e. updating drivers from 18 different sites, worrying about defragmentation/antivi​rus/malware scanners, or trying to do backups of your files. At the same time, this "just works" mentality can be a bad thing if you're one of those who like to customize their computer to work and look "just right" as the Mac experience is often much less (easily) customizable.

Speaking as an IT person.....if your computer has had multiple bad power supplies or motherboards over the years, it's very likely you have bad power in your area. I would invest in a good UPS before spending on a computer to make sure you don't just end up frying your new one.

Naito wrote in post #15954087
I'm primarily a Mac user, but I firmly believe in using the best tool for the job.....and if you're more familiar and proficient at Windows, you should probably stick with Windows. It'll be cheaper for you since you won't have to buy all new software, and you'll get back to being productive faster since you won't have to relearn everything. There's nothing intrinsically better about the Mac experience if you're not finding yourself particularly frustrated with Windows.

That said, I personally find Macs better for productivity because I don't have to worry about many of the typical housekeeping chores that Windows machines still seem to need, i.e. updating drivers from 18 different sites, worrying about defragmentation/antivi​rus/malware scanners, or trying to do backups of your files. At the same time, this "just works" mentality can be a bad thing if you're one of those who like to customize their computer to work and look "just right" as the Mac experience is often much less (easily) customizable.

Speaking as an IT person.....if your computer has had multiple bad power supplies or motherboards over the years, it's very likely you have bad power in your area. I would invest in a good UPS before spending on a computer to make sure you don't just end up frying your new one.

Thanks for your info.
I have a expansive UPS and it did not trigger due to current or voltage spike. One of my laptops is hooked up to the same UPS, never had an issue. I mean it still could be the power issue, no idea.

The cost of components, software or learning curve is not the biggest concern, I want a solid and reliable work station. My biggest thing is the frustration over windows (windows update, mal ware-spy ware-anti virus issues and repairs).
I have a 3 year service plan with Dell and they will fix it, no question asked. But I am just wondering if Mac is More reliable and better solution for me.

What are Hollywood pros ore other photo pro's using?

Should I invest in Mac in my future or just hang on to windows because Mac has its problems too?

I have to add that I have virus software, computer performance software and I update regularly like dell suggested after I had my first issue with it. I never wanted to have this work station on the net due to possibility of bad software download, spyware etc. but Dell said it is almost a must with pC to be on-line doe to updates!?

Why? Any difference with Mac?

I use mac and could not be happier. After decades of micro$oft blue screens and DOS commands and what not, this thing just works. No blue screen, nothing. So far I'm also not running any anti virus software (Norton really bogged down my PC back when). If you do change, call Adobe, I learned after I changed that they seem to allow cross platform upgrading. They might also allow you to "exchange" software if you are already all the way up to date.
Mac also upgrades online. I'm currently using a macbook pro that's probably 4 years old, later this year I'll get a mac mini with extra ram and new screens. Plenty power for photography.

They are more expensive and have that fanboy mac attitude, but I could not be happier. I have 3 drives attached (one for photos, one for backup of photos, one for time machine auto backups) and an extra screen.

With either machine, if you don't want to be online all the time, just connect once a month or so and see if there are updates for the OS etc. I also backup everything to CrashPlan and use the machine for everything else, I actually never even turn it off. No issues. I don't know much about the OS, with windows I knew a lot since I had to fix mine and coworkers machines all the time. I prefer to be ignorant in this case

So just from my single person experience, mac is a lot more user friendly and never gives me any issues at all. The 20 or so years I spent in the clutches of microsoft were a different story...

edit to add: adobe cloud allows you to run your software on two machines (just not at the same time) and that can be a PC at work, mac at home. AFAIK your regular license also allows for two machines and they might allow you to have the mac version as well. Definitely worth a call I'd say.

phantelope wrote in post #15954266
I use mac and could not be happier. After decades of micro$oft blue screens and DOS commands and what not, this thing just works. No blue screen, nothing. So far I'm also not running any anti virus software (Norton really bogged down my PC back when). If you do change, call Adobe, I learned after I changed that they seem to allow cross platform upgrading. They might also allow you to "exchange" software if you are already all the way up to date.
Mac also upgrades online. I'm currently using a macbook pro that's probably 4 years old, later this year I'll get a mac mini with extra ram and new screens. Plenty power for photography.

They are more expensive and have that fanboy mac attitude, but I could not be happier. I have 3 drives attached (one for photos, one for backup of photos, one for time machine auto backups) and an extra screen.

With either machine, if you don't want to be online all the time, just connect once a month or so and see if there are updates for the OS etc. I also backup everything to CrashPlan and use the machine for everything else, I actually never even turn it off. No issues. I don't know much about the OS, with windows I knew a lot since I had to fix mine and coworkers machines all the time. I prefer to be ignorant in this case

So just from my single person experience, mac is a lot more user friendly and never gives me any issues at all. The 20 or so years I spent in the clutches of microsoft were a different story...

edit to add: adobe cloud allows you to run your software on two machines (just not at the same time) and that can be a PC at work, mac at home. AFAIK your regular license also allows for two machines and they might allow you to have the mac version as well. Definitely worth a call I'd say.

Thanks for the input.
That is exactly what I am looking for , a more reliable machine, I don't care who makes it, it could be even a big cube made in no where, just I want it to be fast and perform well. And so far many people tell me that Mac is more reliable, pc more affordable so it is a better choice for them.

I just want a solid and fast unit.

That's perplexing. I get the impression that Dell's quality has slipped over the years, but they're not yet utter junk, are they? If it's not power spikes, perhaps your systems are suffering a buildup of dust, pet hair, etc. in the power supply or on the CPU heatsink?

FWLIW, I've built at least a dozen PC systems over the decades and can remember only one big system failure that occurred when the capacitors on the mobo started to swell and fail. Most components have fared well too, apart from a few HD and optical drive failures and one DOA cheapo refurb mobo. My currently active AMD machines are about 3 and 5 years old, and both run perfectly. The motherboards are mid-range Gigabyte and MSI, the power supplies are Antec and Supermicro etc.

Geonerd wrote in post #15954665
That's perplexing. I get the impression that Dell's quality has slipped over the years, but they're not yet utter junk, are they? If it's not power spikes, perhaps your systems are suffering a buildup of dust, pet hair, etc. in the power supply or on the CPU heatsink?

FWLIW, I've built at least a dozen PC systems over the decades and can remember only one big system failure that occurred when the capacitors on the mobo started to swell and fail. Most components have fared well too, apart from a few HD and optical drive failures and one DOA cheapo refurb mobo. My currently active AMD machines are about 3 and 5 years old, and both run perfectly. The motherboards are mid-range Gigabyte and MSI, the power supplies are Antec and Supermicro etc.

So far I was really happy with Dell. Because of their reputation I bought this one. I am not saying that Dell delivers bad products, I am just trying to get input on this dilemma.
Should I keep buying PC-s or will I be more happy with mac.

It is so funny that so many people defend their systems and are not open to hear what might be better.

Dell is OK for the most part, but I've always had better luck buying highly rated individual components and putting PCs together myself.

It sounds like a hardware failure that can also happen to a Mac. What brand of PSU and RAM does your PC have? I remember that most Dells I repaired had cheap parts in a previous job. At home, I've been building my own PCs since I was little with high quality parts and never had a problem. Is that an option for you?

Well, here's my 50 cents:

I used windows all my life until I bit the bullet a year ago and bought a MacBook Pro to use in addition to my Windows desktop PC. So far, I love it to death!

Let's look at the pros and cons for a little bit here:
--Mac is definitely a higher initial cost than windows.
--The Mac interface is going to be a fairly steep learning curve for a little while if you've never messed with one before.
--Once you DO learn the interface, you'll either hate it or never want to go back.
--Mac is MUCH more stable than windows. I've never had a crash in the year that I've had it. That's saying something because I'm kind of a geek and like to mess with stuff.
--I am online all the time and I have never installed any security software or had problems with malware, spyware etc.
--Apple's customer support is A+! I've been in the store to get an EFI password reset (me messing with stuff again...) and there was a fellow in there who had dropped his MacBook Air. The display was tweaked and it didn't close square with the body. They took it in the back room and 10 minutes later brought it out looking brand new! No charge for either of those repairs. Now THAT'S what I call service!
--I would be careful getting the MacBook Pro with Retina display. I have heard there are still compatibility issues with older software. As this doesn't concern me I haven't researched it.
--The interface IMHO is just way more aesthetically pleasing. (That's shouldn't factor in your decision but it's true all the same )

It's not my intention to sway you either way but I'm certainly going to be a 90% Mac user from now on. My advice; Read the forums, scour Apple's website, find a store or a friend that has a Mac and just experiment. See what you like or don't like and go from there. Apple will let you return a purchase for a full refund, even if only because you didn't like the computer. Good luck! Hope I helped!

**Pssst! Come to the aluminum side!**

keyfox11 wrote in post #15954993
Well, here's my 50 cents:

I used windows all my life until I bit the bullet a year ago and bought a MacBook Pro to use in addition to my Windows desktop PC. So far, I love it to death!

Let's look at the pros and cons for a little bit here:
--Mac is definitely a higher initial cost than windows.
--The Mac interface is going to be a fairly steep learning curve for a little while if you've never messed with one before.
--Once you DO learn the interface, you'll either hate it or never want to go back.
--Mac is MUCH more stable than windows. I've never had a crash in the year that I've had it. That's saying something because I'm kind of a geek and like to mess with stuff.
--I am online all the time and I have never installed any security software or had problems with malware, spyware etc.
--Apple's customer support is A+! I've been in the store to get an EFI password reset (me messing with stuff again...) and there was a fellow in there who had dropped his MacBook Air. The display was tweaked and it didn't close square with the body. They took it in the back room and 10 minutes later brought it out looking brand new! No charge for either of those repairs. Now THAT'S what I call service!
--I would be careful getting the MacBook Pro with Retina display. I have heard there are still compatibility issues with older software. As this doesn't concern me I haven't researched it.
--The interface IMHO is just way more aesthetically pleasing. (That's shouldn't factor in your decision but it's true all the same )

It's not my intention to sway you either way but I'm certainly going to be a 90% Mac user from now on. My advice; Read the forums, scour Apple's website, find a store or a friend that has a Mac and just experiment. See what you like or don't like and go from there. Apple will let you return a purchase for a full refund, even if only because you didn't like the computer. Good luck! Hope I helped!

**Pssst! Come to the aluminum side!**

Thanks keyfox. I will see what dell tech will say about it and I will see how well it will do after that. If I get issues again and again I will strongly consider mac.

frugivore wrote in post #15954946
It sounds like a hardware failure that can also happen to a Mac. What brand of PSU and RAM does your PC have? I remember that most Dells I repaired had cheap parts in a previous job. At home, I've been building my own PCs since I was little with high quality parts and never had a problem. Is that an option for you?

I could build my own computers but I really don't want to, I would upgrade components to a certain degree. I just don't want to turn into a pc doctor. I really don't have that much time on my plate. Maybe during winter time.

Building a PC isn't all that hard and if you choose good components, it's nearly hassle free. If you have never built one, expect to spend time figuring out what goes where and how to route wires. Probably the two most time consuming parts of building your own is choosing what parts to use and setting up/installing all your software (depending on how much you have of course) You're in Ontario so I can't offer to come over and help I'd honestly love to if I lived closer. Let us know what you find out from Dell!

keyfox11 wrote in post #15955102
Building a PC isn't all that hard and if you choose good components, it's nearly hassle free. If you have never built one, expect to spend time figuring out what goes where and how to route wires. Probably the two most time consuming parts of building your own is choosing what parts to use and setting up/installing all your software (depending on how much you have of course) You're in Ontario so I can't offer to come over and help I'd honestly love to if I lived closer. Let us know what you find out from Dell!

I will,thanks.