First Mac - maybe

I am considering switching over to a Mac for my photo editing, as I am looking to expand into another office as well. So I might as well get a new system - I need to update anyway! grins

However, I've never had a Mac, and I am trying to figure out how difficult it will be to adjust, get new software, etc.

Since all of my previous years of work - my personal work and clients are on PC...Tiff, Psd, Raw,jpegs... will everything transfer well? What about my backup DVD/CD's that were burned with Nero/PC?

I understand that Adobe is offering good deals for switching to Mac, and currently I am also using CS2/win 2000 pro/Wacom tablet/IView Media/Frontpage.

My current PC desktop is about 2 years old, and my laptop is even older - about 4-5 years! Both are Microns.

Also, I would like to learn more about good - to- high end monitors. I currently calibrate with Spyder 2, but am listening to other's advice.

Recommend any specific Mac Models/Monitors?

Any computer advice is highly appreciated! I can 'work' with computers fairly comfortably, but am not that technically inclined!






Thank you!
Kathy W

Kathy,

I was a "switcher" about a year ago. Having worked with PCs literally since Day 1, I found it pretty easy to change over to a Mac. In fact, it seems both operating systems have been gradually merging together so there are many simularities. I got really tired of having to deal with all the viruses and for a year, my iMac has been working flawlessly.

I've had to deal with the same problem of transferring data and files from the PC to Mac and have had no real issues. Darren mentioned having to ensure external disk drives were formatted correctly to be usable on the Mac. I believe this may have been true for earlier models? I've been using several external hard drives interchangably on either system ,so I believe Apple has designed the system to be even more compatible than before.

I'd suggest purchasing the MS Office software for the Mac, so you can use the same documents as before. Whether you elect to run the newer systems in Windows mode is a risk you have to decide on. The advantage would be you could use your same software. Myself - I'll probably elect to continue running OS-X and purchase new software.

I do have some minor quibbles with some of the built-in software. For example, Safari (Apple's answer to Internet Explorer) is not fully compatible with all Web-based applications. It won't work with Yahoo Mail, for instance. Most other applications run fine, though. I found a free alternative to Safari - Camino - that does work with Yahoo Mail, so not a big issue.

Not knowing your involvment with photography, you might also consider the iMac (20 or 24 inch), as I'm impressed with the "all in one" elegance of the design. However, if you need really fast speed and want the capability for future expansion, I agree with Darren, you ought to go right to one of the big floor-standing systems. Be sure to order at -least- 1 GB of RAM (for any Mac system) and the largest hard drive they've got.

I also echo Darren's suggestion to wait until Spring to switch, as both Adobe and Apple will be releasing major new software and upgraded systems.

Feel free to contact me directly as you go through your decsion process, Ken

I highly recommend getting a mac (if it's within your budget). If so, get the new iMac 20" (or 24" if you have some cash) and max it out with 2GB of 667mhz DDR2 SDRAM, 200pin SO-DIMM. You will need to buy 2x 1GB ram modules to do this (as it will be used with a core duo processor) The computer and high-end monitor are built together as one. You can add another monitor to it later if you want a dual monitor setup. If you want to spend double and need some SERIOUOS power, get the new intel mac pro. Currently, I have a 17" iMac (intel) + 21" Dell LCD monitor and I use them in "extented desktop" mode to work as one giant monitor. I have it maxed out with ram and it works great. I also have 2x Lacie 300GB firewire hard drives for storage and backup. I use a program called SuperDuper to create backups automaticly every night. If you have ANY questions about macs, I'd be happy to answer them. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have.

I've been considering the same move as my current Dell desktop is aging, hard drive is small/full, etc.

Here's where I'm at, and if I'm missing something big, someone please let me know. Doing an apples to apples comparison as much as possible, a Mac Pro comes out to be about $1,700 more than a coparable Dell configuration.

Both configurations have:
- 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo Processor (the mac obviously has two, vs. one for the Dell)
- 4Gb RAM (4x1GB)
- 500 GB storage
- 23" cinema display (mac) or 24" ultrasharp widescreen (dell)
- comparable optical drives, sound cards, etc.

Price: $4,500 for the Mac; $2,800 for the Dell. I'm sure that there are differences, but if both systems were running side by side, what would be the most significant difference one would notice in performance?

Mac obviously has the cool factor and I like that you can easily add hard drives right into the chasis as needed, but I'm not sure that's worth $1,700, even factoring in the arguably superior OS of the Mac. That would be $1,700 towards an Epson 7800...

One other note/question: if you have a copy of windows on CD from your PC, you can load that onto your new Mac rather than having to buy a new copy, BUT, only if it's XP Service Pack 2 or later? I was told that you couldn't load SP1, then upgrade it to SP2; it would have to be a native SP 2 on the installation CD. That could add a little cost to putting Windows on the Mac if all you have is SP1, yes/no?

I was a "switcher" 3 years ago. I will never use a PC again. Everything about the mac works better, all the software is more streamlined with each other, and the hardware is flawless. The new intel macs are gorgeous. Don't be too set on getting a PC, the new MacBook Pros are just as powerful as the desktops and are portable!

Rick, the power macs are so expensive because they can have up to 4 HD's and 16GB (that's right, GB, not MB). They also have firewire 800 and a really nice video card. You pay a heavy price for being able to expand it in the future. You could just as easily use firewire hard drives and a nice iMac + ram. The iMac has a digital monitor output and works great. It would not be as fast as a "quad xenon" power mac, but it's still plenty fast. When comparing a mac and a PC, the real advantage of a mac is the solid OS. In addition, 2ghz on a mac running OSX is not the same as 2ghz on a PC running windows. The Mac OS is more efficient and handles multiple programs much better. Also, many have argued that a Power mac is actually MUCH cheaper than an equally powerful Dell. See the following article:

http://www.macworld.com/2006/08/features/macproprice/index.php

Rick, you should also consider that the "quad xenon" vs. the Dell's single core duo is not comparable. The mac is way faster. Also, you seem to be assuming that you must buy the mac screen with the mac. Both the mac screen and the dell screen use the same screen made by Phillips. The only difference is the backlight, casing, and sex appeal. There is no reason to buy a mac screen when you can get the same screen at half of the price.

Darren makes a VERY good point. Apple will charge more than double for their ram and hard drives. Ram is very easy to install in all macs. HDs are very easy to install (I believe they are SATA-150 drives) on the power mac, but very difficult to install (by yourself) on the iMac. I believe that you can put a 500GB drive in the iMac, though it may be a laptop drive. You will void the warranty on an iMac if you do it yourself. With regard to Darren's comment on monitors, I don't think that the tuning is a major issue (in my opinion) if you use a color calibration system. I used a Monaco XT color calibration system on my Dell and Apple monitors and they look exactly the same. Rick, if you go with a Dell monitor, non-OEM ram and HD's, the mac will be about the same price and have more performace, a better OS and incredible customer support (AppleCare is free for first year). I had a fried mother board in my iBook G3 (about 3 years ago). Apple had FedEx deliver a prepaid custom box to my doorstep within 2 hours. I dropped off the package at a FedEx location...the laptop went to TN, had a mother board replaced, and arrived on my door step the next morning. I was shocked. With dell, you get to talk to a guy in India who is reading a default script. Customer service/product replacement on a high-end computer is also somthing to consider.

Here's another article (less biased than MacWorld) that compares the Mac and Dell.

http://www.systemshootouts.org/shootouts/desktop/2006/0809_dt3200.html

Thanks for the feedback guys. That comparison from MacWorld is interesting, but more appropriate for a business system than a home system I think. I wouldn't be going for a Precision workstation; a Dimension desktop would be plenty of computing power for my needs, hence less expensive. The iMac seems more on par with the Dimension with regards to capability and price, but I don't see buying an integrated monitor/computer. What happens when it's time to upgrade the computer - the monitor gets tossed, too????

The Mac Pro is very tempting - gotta love the Mac designers. But the idea of being able to put an Epson 7800 with the Dell for about 20% more than the cost of just the Mac Pro is equally tempting.

As always, the advice here is great! Thank you all!

I normally fork out at least 3K when I buy a new system, so the higher pricing on a Mac isn't too horrible and shocking - but I need to start preparing for it!

I don't need a 'maxed out' super system, but I do need/want something that is better than average. I am amazed at how good these systems are getting!

I shoot about 30-40 weddings a year, plus I am building up my landscapes for stock, as well as some portraits and commercial work. So I need pretty good Ram and large hard drive space.

Going with the spring 2007 OS system is very tempting. I am sick of viruses too! The 24 Monitor would be great. My current one is a 20 CRT.

I had no idea that Mac and Windows were so similar though!

One of my main concerns is finding a system that is nearly 'fail proof' or won't hardly ever crash - I crave stability and warranties. Ths OS seems just right!

Sorry, but I've never really trusted a Dell, and have heard tons of horror stories from many friends. I bought one Dell laptop about 6 years ago and returned it within 2-3 days for a full refund - it kept crashing. The CService was crap. I am always polite and very rarely do I loose my temper, but I was given the complete 'run around' at Dell and kept getting transferred all day with people that could barely speak English, and nobody could give me any decent answers to very simple questions, so I demanded a Manager and a refund.- very frustrating.

My Microns -desktops/laptops have been stable, but catch little colds occasionally, even with investing several hundred a year for firewall, etc... So far, I have to admit, they have been pretty good though overall. My main Micron has a P4, 3.4 Ghz, about 300Gb, and only 1Gb ram. Its about 85% full just with my most needed (quickly accessed) recent 2006 jobs.

One thing that I LOVE about my Microns (in Idaho?) is their C Service. They have been completely awesome, friendly, and knowledgeable the few times that I've had to call them in the last 10 years! I've used and set-up about 10 Micron Desktops/ one Laptop (all business use) in the last 10 years - they are all still working - outdated - but working! Only 1 crashed (within 3-4 days of receiving it), and they had a repairman on site the next day to fix it.

In all reality, i've been a very loyal customer to MPC.

But......like ya'll mentioned... Macs look sexy and are very tempting!


How is Mac C Service really? I NEED awesome C Service- like Scott mentioned. I cannot stand getting an overseas person, and I am all for 'keeping it in the USA'. I am willing to pay more up front to Mac for more Ram and harddrive space for a great warranty and friendly/knowledagble/fast CService!

Thanks again for your advice... I might just contact ya'll in the future for more Mac help, as I am definately considering 'making the switch' and I have a lot to learn.

Thanks!

Kathy W

Kathy, if you have a firewire external hard drive, you can create bootable backups should anything ever fail. In the case of a crash, you could boot your entire operating system from a backup (even if the main hard drive fails). If you get a mac, I highly recommend "Super Duper" backup software.

Apple service is up to you, when you buy your mac, get apple care. For a mac pro, it will cost 300 bucks, and with that you will get full service on the phone, no questions asked repairs replacements, and any time of the day appointments at the genius bars in mac stores for questions, for 3 years. Without it, Apple C-service is amazing for 6 months and then non existent afterwards without paying per basis.

I'm as frugal as any two of you put together. Early this year I put together a good mac system for half the money some you are suggesting. The Intel macs were freshly announced. They sounded fine, but I didn't covent their advantages (native Windows support and even faster performance). I decided that one of the last Power Macs would be suit my needs. I hustled Denver's Apple orchards looking for deals, asking for better prices. Comp USA turned up a refurb or a demo, I don't recall which, with full factory warranty. It was the top-end model from a year before, a dual 2.0 gig with 140GB hard drive. That beat my old eMac (700 Mhz, 40 GB) by leaps and bounds, and $1,400 was a nice price. To complete this end-of-an-era system, I bought one of the last large LCD monitors at Micro Center for $99. I can handle the shame of owning a big, boxy monitor labeled IBM, and being approximately 18 months behind the state of the art. The computer's paid for, and still has a long way to go.

Macs can be a solid investment. My 4-year-old eMac sold for 2/3 its purchase price, so my cost of ownership was less than $100 a year. And you'll find you can do a lot with mac's built-in software.

You can check Apple's site for factory refurbished units at a discount. I hope you enjoy the switch. As a mac user all the way, that's the one Apple experience I'll never have.

I have owned an Apple for 6 years and would never go back, even considering the possible cost upcharge. File transfers have never been a problem, everyone I work with has PC's and I have never had a problem reading a file anyone has sent. I am going to upgrade as soon as the new processor comes out for the MacPro desktop. An note in regard to CS2, according to the "Apple Geniuses", it was designed for the pre-Intel processors and although it will work fine on the intel systems it won't be any faster on the newer faster intels. CS3 is being designed for the intel processors and will be able to utilize the full capabilities on the new computers.