View Full Version : I've gone Mac!
I've only gone and done it :D
After months of contemplating I've finally decided to move over to Mac. Last night I ordered a 20" imac 2.4Ghz with a 500Gb HDD and wireless keyboard and mouse. I can't wait for it to arrive!
I've been a faithfull PC user for more years than I care to remember and have always defended Windows as an OS through all the critisism it receives. So what changed my mind? Windows Vista basically. That, and the fact that I have now been using Macs at work for 5 years along side PC's and have seen first hand just how much more friendly the Mac OS is. Just as one small example, if I turn on a Mac and a PC at the same time, the Mac is sitting there ready for action in about 30 seconds with the CPU usage at 0 - 2%. I have to take my coat off, make myself a coffee and have a chat with my colleagues before the PC is even remotely ready, and even then it'll still sit there running start up processes in the background with the CPU wirring away merrily for some time. I've kind of been in denial for some time but I've finally accepted the inevitable........ I just prefer Mac :love:
BTW please don't let this become a Mac vs PC debate. I'm not criting here and sitisising PC's just because I've bought a Mac. I just wanted to "come out" and share my exciting news :thumbs:
hypnotic
09-02-2008, 10:41
Turn coat ... :p
The same thing happened to me. Had been using PC's for all my development work until I started work at a design agency and was given a new G5 to play with. I was surprised at just how easy it was to make the transition plus it's good to be able to use both. Hope you enjoy your new toy :) They are reliable machines and I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with it. Plus you've got a rather tasty graphics card for gaming.
Im insanely jealous...TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!! I HAVE MONEY AND BISCUITS...Dont leave me here please!
Boooooooooo!!!! ;)
Just kidding, I'm of the opinion that each person should use the setup that works for them best. Macs are great machines and as long as it does what you need, it doesn't matter whether it's got an apple or windows logo on the box.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your new setup. Just don't become a Mac fanboy :)
Craikeybaby
09-02-2008, 11:27
I made the switch last year, if you aren't 100% sure, buy an old Mac off eBay that is running OS-X and see how you get on with that. With in a few weeks I was using my £150 Mac laptop more than my considerably more expensive PC up to date PC, now I've bough a new Mac, ditched the PC and need to list my old Mac on eBay so that someone else can benefit from it!
I'm in the same position at the moment, I'm saving for a Dell laptop for mainly photography little video & Internet But I keep looking at the MAC. I need an unbiased pro/con for both systems. (And the Mac is quite a bit more costly for a similar spec, then there is my files & pictures)
specialman
09-02-2008, 11:39
quality peiece of kit.
Slipper-one
09-02-2008, 11:58
Use both for work, the ibm clones used for day to day stuff,invoicing,email,web and as print/output servers while the macs are only used for design layout, output via the pc's. Go figure.
BTW had/have a mac 512mb all in one unit 110volt cir 1970's me thinks.
[1] (And the Mac is quite a bit more costly for a similar spec,
[2] then there is my files & pictures)
1) the diff is Macs work out of the box, just add RAM; besides, the spec is not similar:
2) a Mac will happily run Windoze and all your old Windoze software. Side-by-side and simultaneously with MacOSX, if you want. Try that on a Windoze box!
I.o.w. get a Mac and you get two machines for the price of one!
Chappers
09-02-2008, 12:22
I've been toying with the idea of as Mac for a while now. Nothing against PC's but looking at the specs, the Mac seems to suit my purposes better.
Now I have a lot of PC based software, but the main ones are Photoshop and Lightroom. Now I know in theory that you can approach Adobe and get the licenses transfered, but has any one done it and if so how easy is it.
:thumbs: well Done Paul. I have just ordered my new desktop PC, big fat memory/processor/drive heavy thing just for photos. However, I am considering replacing the laptop later this year with a Mac version, but its software :( All mine is pc, especially the expensive stuff [CS3, Office, etc - will I be able to run them on the Mac or does one have to start again?
Thanx for that W.Smith
Im not too sure what you are on about, Im guessing you can simulate a windows platform on a MAC ??
Thanx for that W.Smith
Im not too sure what you are on about, Im guessing you can simulate a windows platform on a MAC ??
No. No 'simulation'. Windows runs natively on Intel Macs. Just as MacOSX does.
In fact, the fastest Windows Vista laptop on the market today – according to PC Magazine – is a MacBook Pro (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136649-page,3-c,notebooks/article.html)!
:lol:
Nice one Paul, I hoping to make the switch soon as well.
BTW had/have a mac 512mb all in one unit 110volt cir 1970's me thinks.
Think again, slipper: the Macintosh was launched in 1985....
Well done Grendel, join the club i've had an iMac for about 3 weeks now finding it very good. LL, here is a link for Mac and Windows.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html
Well done Grendel, join the club i've had an iMac for about 3 weeks now finding it very good. LL, here is a link for Mac and Windows.
http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html
:thumbs: Thanks, that sorts that one then!!
Now I have a lot of PC based software, but the main ones are Photoshop and Lightroom. Now I know in theory that you can approach Adobe and get the licenses transfered, but has any one done it and if so how easy is it.
Sorry, your theory is a bit off the mark: in practice you can run all your Windows software natively on a Mac. So no license transfer required.
Craikeybaby
09-02-2008, 13:07
You can also get your licenses transferred you you can pay for Lightroom/CS3 to use on your PC, then see the light and make the switch and run the OSX versions and get Adobe to give you a new licence number so you don't need to keep switching between Windows and OSX on your Mac.
Sorry, your theory is a bit off the mark: in practice you can run all your Windows software natively on a Mac. So no license transfer required.
I'ts not that straight forward...to run PC software on a Mac you will need to install Windows...either via boot camp or virtualisation software such a Paralles or VMware
The boot camp option requires you to boot into Windows instead of OSX to use the windows applications, the virtualisation way allows you to run Windows and your Windows applications at the same time as OSX.
If you are going to switch to Mac I would recommend that you transfer the Adobe licences...switching to OSX and then still having to run Windows for apps that have mac equivalents seems a bit silly to me :shrug: I'd only recommend running the two OS's together if there was a specific Windows app that wasn't available on the Mac
Think again, slipper: the Macintosh was launched in 1985....
The Macintosh was launced at the beginning of 1984 - hence the TV advert based around the Orsen Wells book 1984. Before '84 though Apple, had been around since 1976 so Slippers machine could be one of the early Apple machines they produced rather than a Macintosh
Think again, slipper: the Macintosh was launched in 1985....
It was 24-jan-1984 that Steve Jobs launched the Macintosh to the world.
Slipper-one
09-02-2008, 13:47
Stand corrected on dates, did say "ish" One of these babes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_Plus
still powers up. Think I need to clear out some things now.
It was 24-jan-1984 that Steve Jobs launched the Macintosh to the world.
Oops . . .
Nice one Paul, I hoping to make the switch soon as well.
Thanks Colin :) It was actually your imac - I'm in love (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=45634) thread that finally tipped me over the edge :thumbs: ;)
Lady Lens - software was a big sticking point for me but, as has already been said, you can transfer your license for your Adobe products onto the Mac platform. I don't suppose you can do that for MS Office but the Mac version of Office 2008 (Home and Student edition) is only £88 from Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Office-2008-Mac-Home-Student/dp/B000X86ZAS/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=gateway&qid=1202569475&sr=8-1).
Another thing I forgot to mention is that I bought 4Gb of memory from Crucial for £73 (http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=iMac%202.4GHz%20Intel%20Core% 202%20Duo%20%2820-inch%29), as opposed to the £539 Apple wanted for the 4Gb upgrade :eek:
There's only one windows app that I think I'm going to struggle to find an equivilent for and that's Quicken. It's like Microsoft Money but better (imo). Although Quicken do a Mac version, they pulled out of the UK market a few years ago so there's no hope of getting it. I've been struggling to find a decent alternative. Can anyone recommend any personal finance software for Mac? :shrug:
It was 24-jan-1984 that Steve Jobs launched the Macintosh to the world.
And it wasn't just Steve Jobs ;)
Richard Peters
09-02-2008, 16:26
I have both a mac and a pc, main reason I have the PC is I only use it for my photoshop needs so I can easily upgrade it to make it faster as and when I need. Everything else is done on the Mac though, its a dream to use. There is also one bit of software I use which is not available on a Mac so the PC is handy for that too.
Not sure about the OP saying their PC takes forever to boot and the Mac only takes 30 seconds...my PC is ready to go in about 30 seconds also.
digitalfailure
09-02-2008, 16:33
I've been contemplating this for a while, and when my dell lappy finally dies it'll be replaced with a macbook pro after having a wee play with Ian C's :)
And when my desktop machine dies, that'll probably also get replaced with a mac too.
Sorry, your theory is a bit off the mark: in practice you can run all your Windows software natively on a Mac. So no license transfer required.
But what's the point of running Windows as your main OS (and you will be running it as your main OS if you stick windows in bootcamp, because you won't be bothered to keep restarting)?
The plus of having a Mac is the OS, if you use Windows on a Mac all you have is an expensive PC.
So in theory you can run your Windows software on a Mac, but if you do it was stupid for you to buy a Mac in the first place.
And to the OP, congrats, the new iMacs looks very nice, (especially compared to the old ones).:)
I made the switch last year, if you aren't 100% sure, buy an old Mac off eBay that is running OS-X and see how you get on with that. With in a few weeks I was using my £150 Mac laptop more than my considerably more expensive PC up to date PC, now I've bough a new Mac, ditched the PC and need to list my old Mac on eBay so that someone else can benefit from it!
When are you selling it?
barryjohnston43
09-02-2008, 19:44
Lets cut to the quick.
PC's have their roll, but when it comes to graphics there is none better than a Mac, that':clap:s why when you go into an advertising agency their creative department is full of Macs
barryjohnston43
09-02-2008, 19:46
Lets cut to the quick.
PC's have their roll, but when it comes to graphics there is none better than a Mac, that's why when you go into an advertising agency their creative department is full of Macs:clap:
OOPS put clapping man in wrong place.
Venomator
10-02-2008, 12:37
Now, now chaps & esses ... :suspect: ... Grendel did ask for this NOT to become a Mac vs PC debate/argument ... as it would spoil spreading his excitement, and the sharing of, to the rest of us ... :shrug:
Great news for you Paul ... :clap: ... I am very pleased for you and hope it lives up to your expectations/excitement ... :D
Not sure if you saw the 'Air' thread ... :shrug: ... but I pre-ordered one a couple of weeks ago and, as it is due for 'despatch' some time this coming week, I am hoping to get it PDS ... ;)
And I ordered the Windows package too as there are certain programmes I must have for work ... :suspect: ... does that make me stupid too ... :naughty:
So in theory you can run your Windows software on a Mac, but if you do it was stupid for you to buy a Mac in the first place.
:p
And I ordered the Windows package too as there are certain programmes I must have for work ... :suspect: ... does that make me stupid too ... :naughty:
:p
Hehe, no.:p
If you have no choice in using windows software and it is a minority of what you will be using I can see the point of getting a mac, but if most/all of the software you will be using has to be run on windows then yes, you may as well have saved a few hundred quid and bought a windows PC.:lol:
Venomator
10-02-2008, 12:54
you may as well have saved a few hundred quid and bought a windows PC.:lol:
As it is an 'Air' and bought simply because I wanted the lightest, most portable and versatile notebook around I could probably have saved well over a grand actually ... :eek: ... 'cos I have a PC and a Laptop already ... :lol:
The fact that it is also stunningly, mouth-wateringly and achingly beautiful as well ... :love: ... had absolutely NOTHING to do with my decision ... :naughty:
But I still can't wait ... ;)
:p
Haha, well there is that as well. :p
Coincidently I bought a laptop just after the Air thread, the Dell XPS M1330, which will be arriving tomorow. :D
Venomator
10-02-2008, 17:00
Coincidently I bought a laptop just after the Air thread, the Dell XPS M1330, which will be arriving tomorow. :D
That is the same one I was going to order just as the Air was first advertised ... :thumbs: ... good choice ... ;)
:p
Not sure if you saw the 'Air' thread ... :shrug: ... but I pre-ordered one a couple of weeks ago and, as it is due for 'despatch' some time this coming week, I am hoping to get it PDS ... ;)
And I ordered the Windows package too as there are certain programmes I must have for work ... :suspect: ... does that make me stupid too ... :naughty:
:p
If it makes you stooopid then I am too Rog ;) I also have a couple of apps that have no Mac equivilent and so will be using Parallels on my gorgeous new Imac to run them in a Windows environment :thumbs: I know that Bootcamp allows you to dual boot a Mac with Windows but I prefer the idea of just having Windows running "within" Mac OS. Makes more sense to me :shrug:
Oh and yes, I did see the Air thread and I'm not at all surprised to hear you've ordered one Rog :thumbs: It looks simply stunning :D
RogDen31
10-02-2008, 18:24
Well done :thumbs:
I am just about to order my new imac 24" 2.8ghz this week, the only non mac program i run is MS money, but seeing as i wont have any now, not much use for the program :eek:
Venomator
10-02-2008, 18:53
:lol: @ RogD ... :D ... snap m8 ... ;)
Paul ... I like your plan as it fits with what I will be doing ... :suspect: ... plus I am installing the Air on my home network with the other two Windows based machines and a 500gb Hard Drive ... :D
:p
Heh, I went from full PC to full Mac and I'm never looking back. Superb machines and so easy to use.
ghostgull
19-02-2008, 11:52
I switch a month ago :-D Got a lovely Macbook Pro to go with my iPod Touch :-)
Took the plunge and used bootcamp to Vista on it - Vista lasted 15mins before getting removed. OS X is great, I think I'd struggle to go back, which is funny as I provide support for Windows. :-D
I wish I'd done it years ago.
geoffd70
19-02-2008, 12:20
There's only one windows app that I think I'm going to struggle to find an equivilent for and that's Quicken. It's like Microsoft Money but better (imo). Although Quicken do a Mac version, they pulled out of the UK market a few years ago so there's no hope of getting it. I've been struggling to find a decent alternative. Can anyone recommend any personal finance software for Mac? :shrug:
Hi Paul
Got me a MacBook Pro in December after my laptop gave up. Have had Macs at work since the SE yonks ago, but needed PC's for various reasons. I use VM Fushion to run PC applications and so far it's been faultless. Like you I run Quicken and have done so since 1992 and have been looking for an alternative product so that I can rid myself of PC's for good. I started looking in earnest yesterday and came across this http://moneydance.com/ but haven't given it much of a go yet. Apple seem to think it worth recommending, but who knows it might be the answer.
next you will saying you have ordered a Nikon!!!
Jonnyreb
19-02-2008, 12:40
Crazy fool :D
Nice one mate, always one to encourage the spending of cash :thumbs:
Dont worry, you can still be the king pumpkin ;)
I think you should go and stand in the corner with a dunce cap on ! :)
.....Like you I run Quicken and have done so since 1992 and have been looking for an alternative product so that I can rid myself of PC's for good. I started looking in earnest yesterday and came across this http://moneydance.com/ but haven't given it much of a go yet. Apple seem to think it worth recommending, but who knows it might be the answer.
Excellent, thanks for the link Geoff, I'll have a look at that.
next you will saying you have ordered a Nikon!!!
Well actually................:naughty:
Nice one mate, always one to encourage the spending of cash
lol :lol: It feels gooooood (until the bank statement comes :( )
I think you should go and stand in the corner with a dunce cap on ! :)
I'm already there Neil, with dunce cap and mac on ;)
Actually a little update while I'm here.........
My Imac arrived on Friday morning and I set it up over the weekend. As I expected the whole process was effortless. It looks stunning on my desk with the wireless keyboard and mouse (photo's to follow).
However.......
I noticed fairly quickly that there was a distinct clicking sound coming from inside the mac :suspect: To start with I thought I could live with it but the more I heard it the more it started to irritate me. And of course it shouldn't do that anyway :nono:. So a phone call to Apple on Monday morning, who were superb, resulted in them giving me the number of my nearest Apple repair centre. I dropped it into them this morning and hopefully I'll have it back tomorrow. I feel all lost without it now :help: I'm guessing that the noise is a dodgy fan ticking away. Of course it could be a faulty HDD :shrug: Don't care really as long as they fix it quickly :)
Grendel, will you keep Me (us) updated with using the MAC picture editing etc ???
Im still undecided with PC or MAC for mainly picture & video editing (nothing else)(I can still use this pc for email) oh and is it easy to send pictures between a MAC & PC for email (these questions might seem silly to some but I havent a clue about Mac`s or the os
thankyou
I use Mac's for editing and don't see anything different to using a PC. A lot of the same applications can be used on both machines. I use Aperture and whilst it can be difficult to get used to it's no moreso than CS3 on the PC.
Grendel, will you keep Me (us) updated with using the MAC picture editing etc ???
Im still undecided with PC or MAC for mainly picture & video editing (nothing else)(I can still use this pc for email) oh and is it easy to send pictures between a MAC & PC for email (these questions might seem silly to some but I havent a clue about Mac`s or the os
thankyou
Essentially you can edit your photos just as succesfully on PC's or MAC's and there's no problem with file compatibility. A JPG created on a PC will open on a MAC and vice versa.The software is incompatible though, so if you have Photoshop for PC it won't run on a MAC. Adobe will let you transfer the licence though. There's also no problem emailing a pic from a PC to a MAC, it'll be viewable on either platform :thumbs: For me, the switch to MAC was based around my frustration with using PC's and Windows, expecially the horribly resource hungry Vista, against my experience of using MAC's at work. MAC is actually the standard platform in the graphics industry :)
Jonnyreb
19-02-2008, 16:07
I share some of your VISTA thoughts mate, but with SP1 due out within the next two months I'm keeping my fingers crossed for threading improvement. I've read that RC1 has notable if not significant improvement for media, whilst PS improved greatly and CPU demands in 'idle' improved.
we'll see :)
its still purdy and thats what i base all my purchases on :lol:
If you want to see a purdy OS mate, have a look as OSX Leopard :love: Time Machine (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/timemachine.html) is just about the most user friendly back up solution I've ever worked with :)
Essentially you can edit your photos just as succesfully on PC's or MAC's and there's no problem with file compatibility. A JPG created on a PC will open on a MAC and vice versa.The software is incompatible though, so if you have Photoshop for PC it won't run on a MAC. Adobe will let you transfer the licence though. There's also no problem emailing a pic from a PC to a MAC, it'll be viewable on either platform :thumbs: For me, the switch to MAC was based around my frustration with using PC's and Windows, expecially the horribly resource hungry Vista, against my experience of using MAC's at work. MAC is actually the standard platform in the graphics industry :)
Brilliant and in a language I can understand thanx :thumbs:
I'm in the same position at the moment, I'm saving for a Dell laptop for mainly photography little video & Internet But I keep looking at the MAC. I need an unbiased pro/con for both systems. (And the Mac is quite a bit more costly for a similar spec, then there is my files & pictures)
I got a Mac last year, I was upgrading my Dell Inspiron, and was looking at the XPS (I think) Dell.
The cost for this compared with the same spec MAC was the same... I went MAc and love it.(got the macbook 2gig)
I did a product review you may find interesting... you may not, but it is there!
Go for it! :)
Brilliant and in a language I can understand thanx :thumbs:
Glad to help :)
Jonnyreb
19-02-2008, 16:47
If you want to see a purdy OS mate, have a look as OSX Leopard :love: Time Machine (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/timemachine.html) is just about the most user friendly back up solution I've ever worked with :)
Hey, thats just sick, you pervert!!
:D
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