Macbook pro should I buy one

Huss

Huss

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Huss
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Hi All,

I am after some advice from real world users if possible. I have recently started a photography business and as part of this I am looking to upgrade my computer, for image editing. I am a windows user historically, but have used a mac so know the benefits of the OSX etc

I am torn however, I can upgrade my home PC for a I7 930 with 8 gig of ram etc for around £700. But it means sticking with windows and I am tired of window not working as intended. I have seen a Macbook pro I5 for a reasonably good price and like the idea of slideshows at wedding etc and the ease of using Iphoto to do this. Also it could replace my sony vaio laptop potentially as my main lappy/processing computer.

My issues are I can't find much on the net that says why macs are the preferred machine of choice for photographers and arty folks

So can anyone tell me if a macbook pro i5 model would be comparable to a PC i7 spec for photo editing?

Also are there any other consideration I should take into account before making my decision?

I really want a mac, but don't want desirability to make the decision for me, I would rather it be made upon offering me the best solution

thanks in advance for any advice.
Huss
 
a mac wont do anything extra that a PC wont. if you want one platform over the other then great but dont expect your throughput to magically increase by chosing one over the other. snow leopard vs windows 7 is a very close comparison these days.

as for i5 vs i7, an i7 will pee all over an i5. 2 cores and 4 threads vs 4 cores and 8 threads.
 
A mate of mine has only ever used a mac he swears by them.
 
I use a Mac at home, and PC (Windows) at work. Both are equally suited for the task at hand; it will probably come down to personal preference and budget. You will get more PC for the same money, so to speak.

You say you really want a Mac - then you should probably get one. :) It will neither be "better" or "worse" than a PC with Windows or Linux - it's just a different philosophy and methods for getting the same end result.
 
Im hearing the same thing all the time, personally i wanted an iMac for ages, but when i really looked at what i wanted it for, i could do all that with my current laptop, the only reason i wanted a mac or macbook was for the design of the PC. Just think of the time it would take to adjust to a new OS as well, hell yes mac is faster and looks better but its like trying to learn from scratch, personally i feel they are both good and compete equally. If you want something to show off your work then get the iPad......:thumbs:

Check this video out, im still looking around before i set my heart on it but i see many advantages to getting one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFtx9HzM-lE
 
We got A Mac and a note book mac, would not use anything else, got nothing against pc windows ect, just prefer a mac, they dont get block, keep clean,
 
neil_g said:
faster? shouldnt be on a like for like basis..

better looking? there are a multitude of really nice PC cases out there at the moment.
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I understand where your coming from with the cases however my opinion on the iMac was it was a clean bright case/built in pc (all in one) that was tidy and very fast, even with the new windows 7 i still find that sometimes processing just isnt as fast and feel the OS weighs more than Mac OSX, however i would still rather use Windows as there are various other things i use my PC for that Mac hasnt got programs for.
 
I got a Macbook a few years ago and could never go back now. I use my gf's PC laptop from time to time which cost a similar amount of money and it's nowhere near as pleasant to use.
 
thanks for the answers so far. Realistically If I want a powerful editing machine then the PC is the way to go right? I am guessing that a mac doesn't offer anything extra by having an optimised OS, that I can't get by throwing raw processing power at on a higher specced PC?

cheers
 
I've totally ditched my desktop mac now for a MBP and have to say it's as good, if not better, than any machine I've used before. Okay, you're limited to the amount of RAM you can fit (mine maxes out at 4GB RAM and has a 250GB HD) but for image editing in LR and CS3 it works flawlessly. Software support for Macs is better than ever these days and OS X has been refined that it's now unsurpassed (IMO) in terms of ease of use.

Speed from the Intel processors is very good and Mac build quality is better than ever.

Suppose it's all down to price. Software is all the same regardless of hardware... but macs are a nice luxury :)
 
Huss said:
thanks for the answers so far. Realistically If I want a powerful editing machine then the PC is the way to go right? I am guessing that a mac doesn't offer anything extra by having an optimised OS, that I can't get by throwing raw processing power at on a higher specced PC?

cheers
Click to expand...

For the amount of Money you're planning on spending the PC option buys you a more powerful system for the money,( Mac pro systems are fantastic but expensive) I have a old and new iMac and running Photoshop on them both is noticeable in terms of processing power and workflow, although that's down to the hardware that's inside them and not the operating system etc. I would never change back to a PC, that's just my personal choice( several years of faffing about with Windows made that decision for me)

Best thing would be to pop down to your nearest Apple store or reseller and play about on one.

Michael.
 
I like my Macbook Pro, using one as I write. It's my workhorse, has been for a few years. However, I have a purpose built [water cooled i5, because I'm a geek] music/photography desktop aswell. I prefer using the mac, but there's no denying the horsepower of the PC, especially for the CPU-frying hobbies that I use it for...
 
Arty designery types and some togs prefer Macs because of their attention to styling of the hardware, something PC builders took yonks to latch on to, and a cult status partly unwittingly created by millions of totally inept PC users.

We run both, I much prefer the PC because I'm not interested in computer style and I get much more for my money and an unrestricted market from which to choose a machine.

You mention Iphoto for slide shows, I find this prog has total incompatability with Elements and perhaps CS4 as well - not sure on this last point.
 
Actually pretty simple to use Photoshop as image editor in iPhoto. Simple change in iphoto preferences. Went Mac in 2003, can't see me going back...it just works...
 
Huss said:
thanks for the answers so far. Realistically If I want a powerful editing machine then the PC is the way to go right? I am guessing that a mac doesn't offer anything extra by having an optimised OS, that I can't get by throwing raw processing power at on a higher specced PC?

cheers
Click to expand...

MacOS is more efficient and you don't need to run several utilities in the background sapping performance (such as virus protection). So although they are running the same processor the Mac will FEEL quicker. I have machines running Linux, Windows and MacOS. The Apple machines are my main weapon of choice. Windows 7 is a vast improvement over Vista (which was not as bad as people make out really if you optimised it).

The big problems I find with peoples Windows computers are that they install everything and under windows everything wanted to run something at startup and stick something in the task bar etc etc. I have used many Windows machines that should be quick but come to a halt running 25 unnecessary things when they start up then you loose a third of the screen in the web browser with stupid toolbars etc etc......... Its often down to just setting it up correctly.

They will both do the same thing, it is down to preference..... Oh and at least with an Apple machine you can run Windows as well.
 
cowasaki said:
The big problems I find with peoples Windows computers are that they install everything and under windows everything wanted to run something at startup and stick something in the task bar etc etc. I have used many Windows machines that should be quick but come to a halt running 25 unnecessary things when they start up then you loose a third of the screen in the web browser with stupid toolbars etc etc......... Its often down to just setting it up correctly.

They will both do the same thing, it is down to preference..... Oh and at least with an Apple machine you can run Windows as well.
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agreed. key on windows machines is not to install lots of crap like you say bungs icons down int he system tray.

also agreed on that both do the same thing its just personal preference.

in all honestly id buy a mac pro as its a phenominal bit of kit, granted id stick W7 on it.. :)
 
neil_g said:
in all honestly id buy a mac pro as its a phenominal bit of kit, granted id stick W7 on it.. :)
Click to expand...

At least with the Mac you can stick BOTH on very easily and run them without messing around and without breaching the software licence.

NOTE: I know about hackintoshes but notice the "without messing around" bit above
 
Can see the + of using it for a slideshow at weddings but you really need a much bigger screen (or two) for a decent editing setup. :) So add that to the cost of changing :)
 
Thanks alot for all the advice, I think I am actually going to go the route of PC as the difference in price is quite substantial and I can get a top notch PC with 8 gig of Ram, plus a shiny new macro lens for the same price. I will most likely go the Mac route in the long run but until my business is up and running it seems more of a desirable as opposed to a need.
 
Huss said:
Thanks alot for all the advice, I think I am actually going to go the route of PC as the difference in price is quite substantial and I can get a top notch PC with 8 gig of Ram, plus a shiny new macro lens for the same price. I will most likely go the Mac route in the long run but until my business is up and running it seems more of a desirable as opposed to a need.
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prebuilt or custom?
 
build it myself as works out cheaper imo
 
OSX or Win7, either will work and neither will have any real advantage over the other.

Given your choice is either upgrade an existing PC, or buy a new Mac, it's obvious which is going to give you the best value for your money.

The only question is whether you want to pay that premium to go Apple.
 
Hi Neil,

Yup I am looking at the I7 930 with 6 gig of ram for now. I will whack an extra terrabyte of storage too. I have a Radeon 5770 card atm which will be fine for now. SO it is just Mobo, Ram, CPU and hard drive for now. I had considered AMD's Phenom X6 1090 but the benchmarks did not show any advantage for photoediting and the price is around the same.

As for the Apple price premium, yeah it is tempting but then I need to factor in additional external storage and software and that is where it does not make sense
 
sounds good, a nice lian li case to make it look purdy too :D

external storage is a wallet killer at the moment, i just ordered 4TB additional storage and a NAS enclosure and its cost me the best part of £600 on its own..
 
I have just swapped my PC for an iMac and so far im blown away by it.

What I have noticed is the residual values on Mac's - they FAR FAR out perform any Windows machines in terms of retained values. My Dell machine that is three years old is hardly worth anything now...If I had spent the same on a MacBook three years ago it would easily be still be worth £400-450. Cost more to begin with but holds its value..........I much prefer the Mac interface. Im no techno bod thou!! :naughty:

Huss said:
Hi Neil,

Yup I am looking at the I7 930 with 6 gig of ram for now. I will whack an extra terrabyte of storage too. I have a Radeon 5770 card atm which will be fine for now. SO it is just Mobo, Ram, CPU and hard drive for now. I had considered AMD's Phenom X6 1090 but the benchmarks did not show any advantage for photoediting and the price is around the same.

As for the Apple price premium, yeah it is tempting but then I need to factor in additional external storage and software and that is where it does not make sense
Click to expand...
 
Bought a Macbook 3 years ago, and now using a Macbook Pro, I never regret using Mac :D
 
cowasaki said:
The big problems I find with peoples Windows computers are that they install everything and under windows everything wanted to run something at startup and stick something in the task bar etc etc. I have used many Windows machines that should be quick but come to a halt running 25 unnecessary things when they start up then you loose a third of the screen in the web browser with stupid toolbars etc etc......... Its often down to just setting it up correctly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for reminding me... I installed the trial CS5 and Dreamweaver the other day and between them they seem to have set around 8 processes to start up at startup.:shake: Why oh why Adobe!?

vanilla said:
I have just swapped my PC for an iMac and so far im blown away by it.

What I have noticed is the residual values on Mac's - they FAR FAR out perform any Windows machines in terms of retained values. My Dell machine that is three years old is hardly worth anything now...If I had spent the same on a MacBook three years ago it would easily be still be worth £400-450. Cost more to begin with but holds its value..........I much prefer the Mac interface. Im no techno bod thou!! :naughty:
Click to expand...


Depends what windows laptop you get. My 3 year old Dell had only dropped in price around 30% in 3 years.;) (Although it is the exception not the norm!:lol:)

As for the OP, well comparing a desktop to laptop isn't really fair, of course you'll get a far better return for the Desktop. :) You'll just need to get a laptop as well when you get some more to spend, one of each is heaven!:lol:
 
Amp34 said:
Thanks for reminding me... I installed the trial CS5 and Dreamweaver the other day and between them they seem to have set around 8 processes to start up at startup.:shake: Why oh why Adobe!?
Click to expand...

my mate steve reckons adobe is an evil bunch of software developers, they sound like theyre best avoided..

:shrug:
 
:lol:

But it is one of my pet hates, why do companies insist on having a load of their programs loading at startup? **** OFF!:razz: I'll tell you if I want you to load or not!
 
I can't rate the new macbook pro highly enough, its the best computer ive used and ive used a lot, both Apple and Windows.
The LED screen alone is worth the money, images look fantastic on it and unlike LCD screens the picture is the same whatever angle you look at it.
I won't even bother going on about the fantastic build quality and advanced OS.
 
Danny_Two said:
I can't rate the new macbook pro highly enough, its the best computer ive used and ive used a lot, both Apple and Windows.
The LED screen alone is worth the money, images look fantastic on it and unlike LCD screens the picture is the same whatever angle you look at it.
I won't even bother going on about the fantastic build quality and advanced OS.
Click to expand...

You do realise that you are using an LED lit LCD screen don't you... The difference in angles is because you probably used a poopy TN screen before and I believe the Macbook uses IPS screens. My IPS Dell monitor has great viewing angles.
 
neil_g said:
i know, its an arse ache. and then that gives windows a bad rep with people who dont know any better..
Click to expand...

How do Apple actually regulate this, do they just ban everything on startup or is it the same but you have less ability to realise/turn them off?
 
I go into the MSCONFIG startup tab and just disable everything - it works wonders. Any necessary system bits and bobs don't appear in the startup tab and if your antivirus program is worth the paper its written on it will start itself anyway despite being ticked out of the startup list. Anything else in the list is usually garbage anyway.
 
trencheel303 said:
I go into the MSCONFIG startup tab and just disable everything - it works wonders. Any necessary system bits and bobs don't appear in the startup tab and if your antivirus program is worth the paper its written on it will start itself anyway despite being ticked out of the startup list. Anything else in the list is usually garbage anyway.
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yes and no, if theres stuff you know and need there then leave it.

for example ive left:

anydvd
spyder software
allway sync
realtek HD audio (its lightweight and i access it regular)

but then you can always re-enable if you find youve lost something you need.
 
trencheel303 said:
I go into the MSCONFIG startup tab and just disable everything - it works wonders. Any necessary system bits and bobs don't appear in the startup tab and if your antivirus program is worth the paper its written on it will start itself anyway despite being ticked out of the startup list. Anything else in the list is usually garbage anyway.
Click to expand...

:thumbs: well pretty much anyway. I just leave the AV software normally anyway :)
 
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