Help deciding on Mac or Pentium 4

We are getting ready to purchase a new PC, which is best for image editing Mac or Windows based.... and why? We currently have a Pentium 4 but need another.

Thanks in advance

This question has formed the basis of debate for several threads, most recently in the wedding forum:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=269870

I opted for a Mac, and I'm really enjoying the simplicity of the OS.

Cheers.

Well, it's really up to you. Have you ever used a Mac?

I have a Mac and would not buy another PC. I love the simplicity and stability of OS X, and the support from Apple is second to none if I have an issue. If you don't want to learn a new OS, and buy new software then buy a PC.

If you decide to buy a Mac, hold off another month or two until Apple releases Jaguar. It's suppose to be a major upgrade to Tiger. Check out the 24" iMacs, they are sweet.

I think that the main considering point it: do you want to use your computer for anything other then photo-manipulation?

The other points I look at are:

• Upgrade costs - can it be upgraded
  
• Cost of software
  
• Amount of software available
  
• Upfront cost
  
• How much noise does it make
  
• Heat generated
  
• Available periferals

cgratti wrote in post #2697231
If you decide to buy a Mac, hold off another month or two until Apple releases Jaguar. It's suppose to be a major upgrade to Tiger. Check out the 24" iMacs, they are sweet.

To avoid confusion, the next Mac OS is called Leopard. Jaguar was an earlier version.

I prefer Macs. I've been using them since the Mac LC and OS 7.

Michael

get a life, GET A MAC!!!

I prefer OSX to Windows, but that probabely has a lot to do with the time I'm spending behind my Mac, and me being unfamiliar with Windows...

If you have a lot of software for windows, or important software which is Win only, get a PC... Otherwise, you might want to try a Mac.

Not too many differences IMO, but I do think a Mac is easier if you don't know much about the OS.

I suggest you find the opportunity to experiment with both platforms and see which platform would work best for you. I've used PC and Mac for equal amount of years, and I completey fell in love with Macs since the start of OSX.

magicmikey wrote in post #2697297
To avoid confusion, the next Mac OS is called Leopard. Jaguar was an earlier version.

I prefer Macs. I've been using them since the Mac LC and OS 7.

Michael

Correct, my bad.... all these OS's are driving me batty!

If you have never used a mac, try one out. I recently made the switch to mac and will never buy another windows based pc (and I will never install windows on my mac).

i've used a couple of Macs, Dual G5 and a Dual Mac Pro. They are nice looking machines, but I won't buy one since Windows works great, and I like customizing my machine since I like to be different. I don't want to pay lots of money and be stuck with certain hardware, like the processor and motherboard, video card, and sound card.
I like to do videos and photo work as well as play a game or two, like Rainbow 6: Vegas, Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142.

Current (and lifetime) windows user.

Next machine: Mac. Why? Beautiful, powerful, easy to use ... and ... the new macs are intel based ... you can dual boot to Windows (if you really want to).

-Rob

Go MAC all the way.

There really isn't anything you can do on one that you can't do on the other, unless your a gamer. I personally have made the move to Mac, and don't regret it. It takes a little getting used to, but once done, most don't go back. If you like tweaking and customizing your system, then the PC is a good choice as those choices are very limited with the Mac. If you like playing with lots of different types of software, probably the mac is not your best friend. I use quicken, MS Office, Photoshop, Aperture and a browser... that's pretty much it. So the Mac fills my needs. It's not for everyone.

Mac....

easier to use. no need for in-depth knowledge of system to maintain. no windows registry, IRQ, driver issues, service packs.

no problems with viruses or spyware. not that there will never be, but the OS is inherently more secure and the smaller population makes them less vulnerable.

built-in OS support for color profiles. if you've tried to understand color management on a PC, you'll appreciate how easy the mac makes this

OS upgrades don't leave you feeling anxious