Heading over to the other side & need help (PC to MAC)

My dual processor windows workstation is getting long in the toot and the time has come for me to change. I am really tempted to bite the bullet and move over to Apple. I really don’t want to kick off a PC verses Mac debate as there ar many of those all over the place, what I am looking for are some informed opinions and tips from Mac users and preferably from those who may have recently made the transition.

I have looked at the Mac Pro and were I to spec it the way I would like I could not afford a display so I will more than likely go for the 24” iMac with the 2.33GHz Processor 2GB of memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 256MB SDRAM graphics card. I know I will have to get additional external storage but the FireWire 800 port should make that fast enough and I would also like to extend the desktop to an additional flat panel monitor (which I already have which will hopefully be compatible)

I have been using Photoshop since Ver 4 and do not intend changing so I doubt that I will have any problems there but OS X will be completely new and any help will be greatly appreciated.

Is the above kit up to the job? Will I find the transition easy? What will I struggle with the most?

Should it have an intel processor, you'll dread the performance of CS2. Otherwise, sounds like you're making a good choice.

Ronald S. Jr. wrote in post #2145729
Should it have an intel processor, you'll dread the performance of CS2. Otherwise, sounds like you're making a good choice.

It is an Intel dual core processor. I understand that CS2 runs in their strange Rosetta mode. I guess that adobe will be bringing out a version of CS2 that will be able to use the speed of the mac pretty soon (I say guess but mean hope).

neil_r wrote in post #2145868
It is an Intel dual core processor. I understand that CS2 runs in their strange Rosetta mode. I guess that adobe will be bringing out a version of CS2 that will be able to use the speed of the mac pretty soon (I say guess but mean hope).

This was discussed in another thread about CS3 I believe, somebody said that they hvae no plans to do Intel Mac support for CS2. CS3 isn't that far away though.

This is something I considered a while ago, but between the cost of the computer, then purchasing all new software was too much. Don't forget to keep that in mind.

stacie

neil_r wrote in post #2145697


I have looked at the Mac Pro and were I to spec it the way I would like I could not afford a display so I will more than likely go for the 24” iMac with the 2.33GHz Processor 2GB of memory and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 256MB SDRAM graphics card. I know I will have to get additional external storage but the FireWire 800 port should make that fast enough and I would also like to extend the desktop to an additional flat panel monitor (which I already have which will hopefully be compatible)

I have been using Photoshop since Ver 4 and do not intend changing so I doubt that I will have any problems there but OS X will be completely new and any help will be greatly appreciated.

Is the above kit up to the job? Will I find the transition easy? What will I struggle with the most?

Neil I'm a bit confused. Is the 2GB memory RAM? (or did you mean a 2GHz processor) What's the entire HD size? 2GB is wonderful for ram...definitely necc. for processing photos. We use 1GB ddr sdram and need it at minimum....256 won't cut it for graphics processing of any sort.

edit: and with Mac, the program Aperture $149 and PE4 $79 combination is absolutely perfect. (Right now, aperture is just at the top of it's game...)

edit2: the one thing that will really be different w/Mac is that when you want to delete something, you drag it to the trash. End of story. No uninstalling...no having fragmented files...so easy.

I was a Mac user for many years but then had hardly touched one for 5 years until a few weeks ago when I set one up for a client. All I can say is WOW! OS-X is spectacular. You won't regret it. Had I not built myself a new Dual Core PC last month I would definately go Apple. Spec looks spot on to me. You will need to spend time finding your way around the different interface of course, but I found it totally intuitive and didn't need to check help once. The iMac screen is superb too.

Permagrin wrote in post #2146269
Neil I'm a bit confused. Is the 2GB memory RAM? (or did you mean a 2GHz processor) What's the entire HD size? 2GB is wonderful for ram...definitely necc. for processing photos. We use 1GB ddr sdram and need it at minimum....256 won't cut it for graphics processing of any sort.

edit: and with Mac, the program Aperture $149 and PE4 $79 combination is absolutely perfect. (Right now, aperture is just at the top of it's game...)

edit2: the one thing that will really be different w/Mac is that when you want to delete something, you drag it to the trash. End of story. No uninstalling...no having fragmented files...so easy.

The iMac has a 250GB hard drive, I beleive he is saying 2GB of RAM, and a video card with 256MB of ram on the videocard, which is alot! Not sure what you mean by 256MB of video ram on the video card is not alot???

Bosman wrote in post #2146381
The iMac has a 250GB hard drive, I beleive he is saying 2GB of RAM, and a video card with 256MB of ram on the videocard, which is alot! Not sure what you mean by 256MB of video ram on the video card is not alot???

Agreed ... CS2 doesn't really use video card memory so Neil getting 2GB RAM is the correct route to take AFAIC.

The full spec is:-

Screen 24"
Processor 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drive 500GB Serial ATA
Graphics INVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256 MB SDRAM

My main concern is getting to know OS X I am so familiar with the DOS/Windows environment. Plus the mouse only has one button

you wont regret it. the mouse the iMacs ship with the mighty mouse (as far as i know) - ie you get your right click back, plus a couple of other buttons. its a joy to use OS X is fantastic, its very intuitive and easy to pick up, its built to work with you, not against you and you will soon slip into its way of working.

also, you mentioned you already had a screen. could you not use that with a mac pro? or get a cheaper dell screen or something. i havent used a mac pro but all i can say is they look incredible! either way whichever one you use you will like it! we use imacs for design work at uni and they run great.


edit: take yourself down to an apple store and ask for some help round the OS, they are super helpful in there and will quickly get to grips with what your buying before you make any purchase.

stupot wrote in post #2146476
.also, you mentioned you already had a screen. could you not use that with a mac pro? or get a cheaper dell screen or something. i havent used a mac pro but all i can say is they look incredible! either way whichever one you use you will like it! we use imacs for design work at uni and they run great..

I have a relatively new 24" dell screen, but I do not think it will give me the same brightness, sharpness, and colour depth I have seen in either the iMac which I could just about afford or the Apple Cinema displays that I know I can't afford.

I've been using Macs for years at home, and PC's at work. I just upgraded my desktop at home with the MacPro Tower. I'm running CS2 on it with no problems, as well as Microsoft Office for Mac. Going between the two is pretty easy. After a while, you'll find you prefer the Mac OS for its ease and elegance of use.

Mark

Bosman wrote in post #2146381
The iMac has a 250GB hard drive, I beleive he is saying 2GB of RAM, and a video card with 256MB of ram on the videocard, which is alot! Not sure what you mean by 256MB of video ram on the video card is not alot???

I thought it was his ram...which wouldn't be enough...a lot of computers come standard with 256 or 512...I was worried that was what he was buying...

Sounds like a good system and you won't have any trouble adjusting. Mac's a lot easier to use.

Well, after using my freinds mac and his constant bullying im making hte same move.
Hope its the right one