mac vs. pc

This request is prompted by the current Adobe offer to upgrade ps elements users to pc3 at about half price. I am currently using elements 2 on a pc and since I am not able to upgrade both my computer and software at this time I'm considering just the cs3. What I would like is you're experiences using photoshop on both mac and pc systems. There seems to be a legitimate bias in favor of mac, but there must be some happy pc users out there.

Never used PS on a Mac, but it works perfectly fine on a PC. I think the difference between the two systems is which operating system you like better, not how specific programs run. I think programs like PS will run nearly identically on Mac and PC.

I think people are relatively happy running pc's with Windows XP. Most of the recent complaints I've heard about PCs concern running Vista, which just sounds like a mess.

I have to agree with Brent. Photoshop works fine on PC. You might use some short keys differently, but in the end, the application does the same thing on both operating systems. There is no hidden feature that is only available on Mac.

I have never had any problems using it on a PC. Just exchange the opt key with the ctrl key. I believe that Adobe does their primary development work on the PC these days.

RichieV

I just recently switched from running CS2 on a PC to running CS3 on a Mac and there isn't any inherent differences in how the program operates. I will say that CS3 runs much faster on my Mac, partially because (from what I understand) CS3 was optimized to run better with the Pentium dual core chips -- which I didn't have on my PC, but would also apply to newer PCs sporting the same chips -- and partially because I have 4GB of RAM. So the only thing you would notice if you are on an older PC is that the program will run slower. It is definitely worth the upgrade to CS3, you can do so much now with ACR.

As far as running CS3, there's no real advantage either way. As far as OS-X versus (likely) MS Vista, there are big advantages, I'm finding. OS-X seems much more stable and doesn't require all the special/different drivers for existing peripherals. The big deal in my mind is the relative safety from viruses, etc. I've been running my Mac for two years without the need for "protection". It's also a -lot- easier to connect in to wireless networks than any of my PCs ever were. There are a lot of other advantages worth checking out on the Apple Web site. The big disadvantage is that you'll need to change all your normally-used software to Mac versions as well as the switch from PC to Mac. A switch like this may be likened to switching from Canon to Nikon, so do your research carefully.

Ken

I have PS CS3 running on my desk top running XP with 3 GB or memory and on my Laptop running XP. Both have the Intel Core Duo processors. Yes, CS3 run faster than CS2 and faster on the Core Duo processors. I have heard nothing to make me want to change to Vista. Indeed, my desktop was purchased in November with "downgrade" rights to XP. I have to agree with Richie on the basic development platform for PS. It used to be devveloped on a MAC and ported over to Windows. I heard that this changed sometime in the mid 90s to being developed on Windows and ported over to MAC. Even though this occurred at roughly the same time that MAC's advantage in graphics processing over a PC basically vanished (Please don't yell at me! That is what I read from people far more into that aspect than I am.), it was probably more driven by which direction the porting of the software went more smoothly.

I have heard at least one user say that XP was more stable than Leopard, but that is far from me to say. Since I upgraded to XP from ME, three computers ago and two laptops, I have yet to have my PC lock up. Maybe I am unusual, but I usually have all the problems the call in help desks cannot help me with and I have to figure out myself.

It wasn't said above, but I would recommend that you use whichever computer you like best.

I am using PSE5 and thus far am happy with it since I don't need a boatload of graphics layout stuff. However I have been intrigued by the thought of upgradeing to CS3 - any advice on this would be much appreciated. What are the benefits and the learning curve etc.? I am runnig Win XP Home edition.
John

I truely appreciate all of the input and more would be welcome. One more item that may be old hat to many of you, is what to expect when running cs3 with vista.

Not specific to CS3, but here is a discussion over in the General Discussion Forum regarding Vista:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=26695&CGISESSID=00bf9de9a4a5cd48fbaa36c70ad8cbcb&u=11204

Having used Macs since the late 80s and a PS user since v.4 here my experience. There is little operating difference between CS3 on a Mac vs. on a PC, other then some keystroke stuff. If you have enough RAM you'll be good. BUT for cutting edge people I have discovered a few caveats. If using CS3 on a new Intel Mac be careful of drivers and plugins. Using Epson print drivers in this configuration leaves out certain options in the final print boxes in the driver. You can bypass this by running CS3 in Rosetta mode, but that kind of defeats owning a cool 64 bit platform! Also there are certain plug-ins that haven't caught up with Intel Macs and CS3 yet either. I.E. Nik Sharpener is not upgraded, and won't be for a few months yet. So just be aware! Any questions hit me up at Scott at 13photo dot com Thanks!