PC, MAC, Or ?????????????

Hello!  I hope I don't start WWIII, but  I've been using a four year old PC that works.  But it has slowed down more than molasses going uphill in January.  I saved up for a while, and am considering a Mac.  The majority of what I do is work with photos, and using Office applications,  I'm considering working with video, or trying out that intervalometer on my Nikon D750.) 

     Before I plunge into either world, I thought I would see what our members experiences have been, and what recommendations are out there.  At this point I've been using (don't laugh,)  Elements 8.0 for an editor and will probably subscribe for Photoshop, but may also go into other directions.  I remember one member recommending a custom PC system for photographers, but can't recall any other details.

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciate.
Thanks!

Michael White
Tucson, AZ
My Therapist has four paws and a wet nose.

Preston will probably will probably get on this thread shortly and recommend a Puget Systems PC. I switched to a Mac almost 8 years ago and that first Mac is still going strong. It has lasted longer than any other computer I ever owned and I have grown to really like the Apple OS.

When I bought my Mac Pro tower, I priced out a comparable PC (Dell) and much to my surprise, the Mac was cheaper. I did it several times as I was so surprised by the results. Who knows today?

From the aspect of driving Photoshop or Elements, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference these days between a Mac and PC.  I am sure others will chime in with recommendations, but that is my take.

Michael,

First, if your PC is only four years old, the hardware is fairly recent. So, there are things you can do punch it up, if you choose to...

• Install more RAM (Assuming you can: If your system is 32 bit, you're limited to 4GB. If your system is 64 bit, consult the manual to see the maximum amount of RAM you can install)
• Upgrade your hard drive to an SSD (This will make a huge difference)
• Uninstall any applications you no longer need
• Disable programs that load at start up that you don't need to run when your computer boots up.

Harley's right--here's the plug for Puget Systems. I don't know how they compare price-wise with a Mac, but they are competitive, and have many choices for components. They also have very responsive US-based tech support. Several members, including Jim and myself, have Puget machines and we are very happy with them. They are worth a serious look.

I am not a Mac person, so I don't really keep up with their offerings, but they do make nice machines. The new iMac has gotten good reviews.

Feel free to e-mail me if you need more info, or suggestions for PC hardware.

--P

Hi Michael, I recently went to a new Mac when my 5 year old Dell's mother board died.  So far so good.  Everything transferred nicely and what I think I like the most is the compatibility between phone, tablet, and computer.  I use ps cc and Lightroom and I really like the monitor.  Takes a bit of adjusting but no issues thus far.

I don't see a reason to go to Mac unless you don't like PCs.  My computer is 6 going 7 years old.  KInda scares me sometimes, but I pretty much have everything backed up, so no big deal if it fails.

I don't have any issues with speed at all, but I use that machine SOLELY for photo work.  I have CS5 and MS OFFICE on there, and that's it.  I don't use it to do anything else, and I don't use it for web use for anything except posting to NPN and getting program and system updates. In fact, afer being at work, and dealing with the slow company computer on little bitty word files, I an thrilled when I get home and zip right through PS work. My  machine is a customized HP that I pretty much put the max of everything in back when I got it.

My next machine will probably be from Puget Systems, as I hope to be doing  WHOLE LOT MORE PHOTOGRAPHY within the next year.