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I am thinking of going over to the dark side having seen my sister-in-law's iMac (21.5") but I am wondering are there any of you out there who would have had bad experiences in switching over, in either direction.
Is it a case of needing to change my PC software for MAcs or will I be able keep my current bunch of software?
-------------------- Miles Cullinane, Cork, Ireland.
From the sometimes sunny south of Ireland, Posts: 913 | From: Cork, Ireland | Registered: Jul 1999
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You can use your current software.... IF you load Windows on your Mac through Bootcamp or a virtual windows environment.
If you do that.... why even switch?
I don't personally see the sense in switching over to a Mac if you're heavily entrenched in the PC world.... it'll cost you big time.
What windows OS are you using now? If you're not using Windows 7... I'd recommend trying that first... it's AWESOME.
I have all PC desktops... but do have a MacBook Pro laptop.... and wish I didn't.
Next time I'll be buying a PC laptop.
For me... the Mac thrill faded quickly when I discovered how eccentric and quirky things worked compared to the PC...
It's a solid machine - don't get me wrong... and people should use what they like.... but I never really felt much in the way of the purported Mac Mystique.
In fact... when laying out an iBook (photo book) with Mac's own included software recently... the program crashed about 15 times.... so this notion that Mac's never crash is bogus.
Also... I have not had any viruses take down my PC in years... so I don't see that as any big selling point for buying a Mac either.
They're designed nicely... great marketing... but it's mainly marketing that makes you think you're missing out on something.... at least that's my experience.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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I think a lot Miles will depend on if you want your mac to output to all your devices. Personally I have a seven year old version of sign lab running my cnc, five year old flexi running my large format and eight year old software on my edge. They are all on the original pcs, each pc running only the one piece of software and not networked. Files transferred via usb. All my design is done on my macbook pro, which I absolutely love working on, main software being Illy and Photoshop. Personally, I would not change my setup one jot. However if I had to change to all macs to run my production machines, that would be a different matter. It would be a waste of time for me because it all works fine so why mess with it. So my answer Miles would be, you need to assess your own particular needs for your new machine
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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All of my Macs still run, no repairs, no glitches. My plotter runs off a 14 year old Mac, networked to my Mac Pro tower and a PC laptop. PC laptop (Dell) is already acting funky. It will be 2 years old this Christmas. I've replaced PC's almost 3 to one to the Macs, and I use the Macs much more.
So yes, they are a very solid machine. Costing way more? Not at a 3 to 1 lifespan ratio! Besides, the latest Consumers Reports rating of computers had the equivalent PC versions of Macs at only a couple hundred dollars cheaper. So I bought my Dell laptop for $500 and I forgot to check on the graphics card, assuming I could put a better one in. Nope, part of the motherboard and it's so lame it won't handle Artcam graphics. Two years old and failing, should have spent a little more than double that on the Mac. It would have been much cheaper in the long run, and I'd have a laptop that I could run Artcam on.
Miles, switching over for some programs like Illy & Photoshop aren't expensive at all if you are going to upgrade those programs to the latest version. They will upgrade you cross platform at no additional charge over the regular upgrade price.
My situation is a little different for my desktop. It works great when you can run 2 monitors. In that situation, I run under the Mac OS, and run Windows 7 on the second monitor only.
Todd, why don't you just set up your Macbook Pro to boot up Windows right at start up and just use it as a straight PC? You like how solid it is. Booting up in Windows on a Mac is no different than booting up a Dell or HP.
Edit: Almost forget. Todd, quirky? I could say the same thing about Windows. It's just a little different. It's what you are used to. I grew up on Mac OS, so to me Windows is the quirky one. Interlacing every program into the OS is just plain crazy in my book. It certainly doesn't speed up boot up or quitting programs. It's actually slower. I'm not even going to comment on deleting programs. But it basically comes down to what you are used to.
[ September 09, 2011, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I use both platforms on a variety of machines. My home computer is a 27" iMac and you would be hard pressed to find a better LED monitor. The computer performs well with the Adobe Creative Suite. I prefer iWork to Office as Macs software is generally much easier to learn and use. But the two office suites do not play all that well together in certain areas.
At work I am running a 15" MacBook Pro OS 10.6.8 and then running Windows 7 through VMware Fusion. Really the best of both worlds. I can VPN into work from home and run the PC only design software I need access to. The 3D software I am using is pretty taxing and takes a lot of machine to run it well. So far I think the stand alone PC runs the 3D program a bit better but it is a bit more intensive than most graphic software that is used in the sign biz.
I've been using Macs since 1993 and they are rock solid. I have an old G3 in the basement that still starts up and runs fine. I also have an older (pre-intel) iBook laptop that we use daily. I just can't see switching over to PC's. They work fine but I prefer the Mac OS and the iLife and iWork suites. I also use Apple's Aperture software to edit my digital photos. Then I use the Apple TV to access Netflix, my photos and music library over my home entertainment system.
As mentioned above, you might want to check out how your current equipment will be affected by the switch and possible upgrade to Windows 7.
posted
I may have been a little harsh on my assessment.... Dave makes some interesting points about programs not being intertwined with the OS... and when you delete programs, it doesn't leave a bunch of junk forever in your computer. If that's the case... that's a pretty good thing.
I must admit, that everytime I'm visiting Best Buy and checking out the computers.... I'm drawn to the slick look of the Mac product verses the ever-present 'plastic-y' cheap look of most of the pc product.
Apple makes some very tight systems... I can see why people like them.
I'd disagree with my buddy Dave about price though. I've compared a comparably equipped Dell laptop to a MacBook Pro several times... and the Mac is almost always 1k more.
In fact, I just recently priced a Dell XPS system (their top-end) against a 17" Macbook Pro... and with dedicated graphics card, more ram than the Mac... i7 processors for both, lit keyboards, extended battery for the XPS... HD monitor for the XPS, etc...the Dell is $1,300 verses the Mac being $2,500 with half the ram. Plus, the Mac doesn't have a user-replaceable battery... so if it goes weak/bad... I guess you'd have to send it in.
The Mac Pro desktops really skyrocket when you compare apples to apples (no pun intended).
I just custom-built a new desktop with top-end components of my choosing... and probably have somewhere around $1,100 into it. Runs superbly... I like the fact that I can customize it as I like... and know that I have endless options if I decide to upgrade it - but understand that's not for everybody.
Dave - that's interesting about the Adobe 'cross-over' upgrade pricing. I wasn't aware of that... makes it more palatable. But you still have to outlay extra $$ for an upgrade to get the software legally installed on a mac, don't you? Especially if the only reason you are doing so is to get the software onto the mac?
If you prefer Macs, the nice thing is you CAN put windows on it as Dale suggests and install those Windows-only programs... so you have that option...which is very nice.
Good luck in your final decision.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Todd, I based my cost comment strictly on what was reported in Consumers Reports as I haven't researched it at all. The prices were comparable between the Mac model and their recommended PC equivalent. Of course there are always cheaper options, and I don't know what CR based their comparisons on.
The desk top was an iMac vs. a similar all in one PC model. I know the Mac towers are higher priced and I'm glad I bought mine when business was booming. This thing has massive power and speed, is so easy to add components, drives, and memory, and Apple's Time Machine is a life saver. Several files I had deleted were easily restored through Time Machine.
[ September 10, 2011, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: Dave Sherby ]
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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quote:and when your battery is toast in one year at $180 a pop you'll be wishing you had your MacBook back. [Wink]
Another misconception. It's very rare that a battery goes bad in a year. And who pays full retail for a battery any more?
In fact battery life is extending to more than two years and some are going 4 years.
The apple battery is not filled with some magical dust either. Batteries are all the same inside whether its a PC or a apple brand. All of them use the latest technology possible.
The reality is.. An Apple machine is basically a PC machine. Open one up and the parts are identical in almost every way. All the parts are assembled by the same companies for each. Component parts are interchangeable.
The only perceived difference is the OS to run them. There is no secret mojo that makes any one machine better than the other.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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The debate about Macs versus PC will rage on forever without a doubt. In my mind everyone's answer depends on what they have been using and how computer savvy they might be.
I am no computer geek - not even close. Nor do I want to go there. I want to simply run my machines without thinking about them. If something goes wrong I take my machine to someone who knows how to make it go again. I want to concentrate on the work I do with them and never think much about the computer or OS it might use. And that is why I first tried the Mac and eventually switched entirely to that system. Would I go back? Not in the foreseeable future.
We are now a Mac based shop. I switched with some hesitation and reluctance. I started out with a Macbook Pro five or so years ago. On my desk I had a hot rod custom built PC machine. In the next four years the Macbook ran flawlessly while the hot rod and loaded PC gave me nothing but trouble. When it came time for an upgrade I hesitated because of the need to run windows based software which was long paid for. Switching would cost me money. I wanted to run as much as possible in the Mac format. After much thought I made the leap to an iMac for my main computer. I switched all my software to Mac based with the exception of EnRoute which is run through Parallels as a virtual Windows platform. It works for me.
The conversion did take time, there was a learning curve and it wasn't a cheap solution. But it was worth every bit of effort and expense. At least it was to me. The most valuable asset I have is my time. I would rather pay up front and save in the long haul.
My old Macbook Pro was recently upgraded to a new one - state of the art with solid state drives. It works well. The iMac 27" is now almost two years old and still running flawlessly. Next year I will most likely upgrade and slide this one down the desk to serve as my secondary computer. I'll pay whatever it costs to get the latest and greatest current iMac - most likely with a solid state drive as well. I love how fast they boot up.
While I may spend a little more than my friends who purchase PC's I am more than happy with the quality and VALUE I get with my purchase. While my friends endlessly fiddle, upgrade systems and tweak I concentrate on building the most imaginative projects ever. And that is what I enjoy the most. I am no more right than they. Having a Mac based computer system is just a solution that works extremely well for me.
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Unless you are a person who loves to open up and replace/update the components of computers (no matter what the brand) most computers have a three - four year lifespan as a primary computer if you are doing graphic intensive procedures. Now I know there will be more than a few who swear they can get a lot longer from their machines - no matter what the brand. That is fine and I won't argue. But at my house computers have a definite lifespan as a primary machine - as do computer programs - before it is time to upgrade.
I view a computer as a three to four year investment at most. After that time (or a maybe even sooner) I like to get a newer, faster computer and update my software.
I compare it to vehicles... We could argue all day long as to the best make of vehicle - without anyone winning. Some like to buy bargain priced vehicles or even used. Others are willing to pay more and get more features and fancier machines. We all need to satisfy our own needs and wants in a way that suits our lifestyle and budget.
I buy new vehicles. I drive them for four or five years at most and then trade them in or sell them. Other than oil changes and maybe a set of tires and brakes I've never done repairs to my vehicles. I want to simply get into my truck and KNOW it will start and run without worry. I've never opened the hood of my truck except for when I have jump started someone else's vehicle. I want dependability. I'll pay more for that assurance by buying new and upgrading often. And I don't go looking for bargain priced vehicles either. I do my research and then pay what it takes to get what I want.
Other folks like to tinker, upgrade and maintain their vehicles. They love opening the hood and playing in there. Some take pride in owning a vehicle for decades. It gives them pleasure. That's OK for them.
I just want to drive without worry.
Who's right? Does it matter?
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I will admit- I have had a battery issue with my first MacBook and it wasn't working the way any battery should- called Apple at 4:18pm on a Thursday afternoon, replacement battery showed up at 8:03am the very next morning- no charge...
As far as price comparisons- the last 3 Apples that I have purchased were EXACTLY $100 cheaper than a comparable customized Dell- I had both loaded in my shopping carts and compared accordingly...
I still have a Dell Desktop that is still chugging along- I have CorelDRAW loaded on it (which I still prefer to other vector software- another debate for another time) plus I use it as a print driver for an old HP 5000 and an old Roland PC-960 cutter-- 2 MacBooks and 2 iMacs- all of them play nice with each other...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Curtis hammond: Another misconception. It's very rare that a battery goes bad in a year. And who pays full retail for a battery any more?
In fact battery life is extending to more than two years and some are going 4 years.
I'm typing this right now on a 1 1/2 year old Inspiron with the Dell battery meter warning popping up all the time telling me the battery has "reached the end of its useful life.".......I suppose it's my misconception that Dell batteries don't last very long.....1 1/2 years old and 1/2 hour use and the battery is dead.
According to you because the processor, HD/SSD and memory may be the same all other components are equal and idenical, including Apple and Dell batteries, ordered from the same vendor with same specs.....Non-sense!
Curtis, how many Mac laptops have you owned lately?
quote:Originally posted by Dan Sawatzky: I view a computer as a three to four year investment at most. After that time (or a maybe even sooner) I like to get a newer, faster computer and update my software.
That's a fabulous plan when you own Macs, with their outstanding resale value, often 3 times that of a similar PC.
The real misconceptions is it's really not as expensive to own a Mac as many think.
posted
I guess I haven't been one of the 'unfortunate hoards of pc users' that have had a pc give me problems.... I've got a 4 year old Dell desktop in the other room and it's still working just fine.
Just like Dan.... I built a new machine and moved the Dell down the line. Not because it wasn't working, but simply because it was time to look at something faster, etc.
Same concept... same rock-solid experience.
I think people get a bad taste for PC's because PC manufacturer's offer entry level units (cheap), mid-level units (better) and high end units (best)... and a lot of people order on the cheap and wonder why their pc with a crappy motherboard, 2 gb of shared ram between the OS and 'on-board' graphics, and 3 generation old processors doesn't do the job for them.
Well... Apple doesn't really do that. They just sell a 'best' model at a premium price and that's how they smartly market their product. They don't really want the Wal-mart shoppers.
So... if you really compare apples to apples... the horserace is much closer.
The nice thing about a pc... is you can have a cutting edge machine about twice as often and at about the same price as one mac.
I don't know when, what, or how people are basing their price comparison.... but you can get a 17" Dell XPS i7 loaded with all the same hardware stats at the Macbook Pro 17".... for over a thousand dollars cheaper: $1,300 verses $2,500. I just looked and that's a fact. And we're talking cutting edge technology in the Dell... so, I'm not getting that.
But again... I don't hate the Mac really, I just really didn't see the arch-angels floating around playing bugels with blue light radiating out of the usb ports like I had imagined. hehe...
Keep on computing people... as long as we keep typing these rebuttal posts, it's apparent that both computer platforms must be working just fine.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote: Curtis, how many Mac laptops have you owned lately?
Sorry, Let me ask you. How many computer shops have you owned lately. How many machines have you opened lately?
I have built, and repaired, diagnosed. and tweaked more computers than just about any 50 others combined on this site. That's a fact.
If someone lays an Ethernet card on the table and says how does this work. There will be no possible discussion on what machine it is used in.
If someone lays a laptop battery on the table and asks how long it will work there will be no debate as to who made it. The first question will be how large are the cells. No one will ask if it is being misapplied and used in a machine that will drain it fast. Using a dell laptop as an example is hardly a valid choice. Those machines are value based and always have a lesser consumable component.
I've been to more computer shows, repair conferences, hardware development conferences, software author meetings than almost any body else on this site. Does that make me an expert? Nope, not hardly. There is to much to know.
Any one can point out specifics to support any specific opinion with another pointing out a counter point at any time. Micro points are easy to use to make a statement. But those micro points do not make an opinion facts and are too often misleading.
I have pointed out coming trends and warned others about coming software updates that would cause pain for a few here weeks before an actual event occurred.
As long as people use their personal opinion when making selections over which one to use,, the debate over which is best will never end.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Curtis - from what I've read... Solid State Drives (SSD) like Dan mentioned is in his machine... have a limited amount of 'writes' to the flash cell.... unless you pony up $5k for the more expensive variety.... which I doubt is in a Mac.
People I have talked to that use SSD's say they only last about 2-3 years in typical use. I guess you can get more time out of them if you reconfigure your temp file directories and all storage to a second drive - usually a traditional hard drive.
But nevertheless... if that's the case... Dan may discover his SSD hasn't got much time left??
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Curtis hammond: Sorry, Let me ask you. How many computer shops have you owned lately. How many machines have you opened lately?
To answer your questions, none and a few.
Let me ask you again, how many "Mac" laptops have you owned lately and personally compared their battery life to a PC laptop battery?
Hell, there's probably a pet cemetery somewhere for PC batteries.
It seems most PC manufactures (to use your term) are misapplying their batteries.
[ September 11, 2011, 01:28 AM: Message edited by: Joe Sciury ]
posted
joe, do you mind not hijacking my original post, maybe you could start your own discussion.
I would appreciate that a lot as I have decisions to make and I find it helpful to get peoples input on my question rather than watch this head to head develop.
-------------------- Miles Cullinane, Cork, Ireland.
From the sometimes sunny south of Ireland, Posts: 913 | From: Cork, Ireland | Registered: Jul 1999
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Another point I dont see mentioned is the quality of the software bundled with all macs. I dont know how many of these will interest Miles, but iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb are all excellent apps with a small learning curve due to the fact most mac software has a similar interface. Add to that bundle Garageband for the musically inclined and iTunes and Safari. With no anti virus required, there is little investment in software required apart from upgrading your sign design software. I know in my pc buying days, there was a myriad of software often bundled with a new machine but most was only good for a few weeks trial. Dont know if that is still the practice. Perfect example was when i had to buy nero video editing software after a trial period whereas iMovie is free.
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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My experience with switching my Adobe software from one platform to another has not been good. It eventually happens, but each instance has taken many phone calls, and about 3 weeks time.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Miles Cullinane: joe, do you mind not hijacking my original post, maybe you could start your own discussion.
I would appreciate that a lot as I have decisions to make and I find it helpful to get peoples input on my question rather than watch this head to head develop.
You asked for pros and cons and bad experiences of switching platforms either way.
I believe Todd started to derail, I jumped on about my "bad experience" with PC/laptop batteries, then Curtis joined in. Where did you think a thread like this was going to go??
Your less controversial questions about whether you'll be able to keep your current software is as simple as reading the OS requirement. It's either Mac or Windows compatible.
You can run either OS on a Mac machine via Bootcamp or virtual machine (Parallels etc), which will allow you to use your old software and new. Apple explains all this in their support documents.
With the latest patch release of Parallels, I am finally able to run PC versions of CorelDraw and Photoshop on the Windows 7 virtual OS I installed on my Macbook Pro laptop.
However, the latest patch said that it wasn't compatible yet with the latest Mac OS version - called 'Lion'... I have Snow Leopard on mine. I cautiously say, 'So far, so good.'
Joe - I'm not sure how much I started to 'derail'... I thought Miles would appreciate hearing the pro's and con's experience from somebody that currently has BOTH systems. Thought that perspective might be more balanced than someone strictly from one side or the other as far as recommendations and issues go.
One thing I do like about the Mac is their iPhoto software - very nice. Have not used iMovie much.... I use Cyberlink Powerdirector 9, which I would say probably has more robust features... but I could be wrong there. I'll have to open up iMovie and see what it's limitations are.
Good luck with your decision Miles - either way, I'm sure you'll get stuff done.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote: Curtis - from what I've read... Solid State Drives (SSD) like Dan mentioned is in his machine... have a limited amount of 'writes' to the flash cell.
Depends on if its a straight SSD or a hybrid.
But,, Getting back to battery drain. An SSD uses lots less power and is much faster. Thus a laptop using SSD will run longer on a given battery charge. That is why SSD is popular within the laptop arena.
The next problem is write counts. Yes the SSD has a limited amount of write counts. However, as in any SSD device there is lots of redundancy blocks. There are detectors within the SSD that knows when a data block is or will go bad and redirects data to a new block. So the end result is that SSD drives last long enough. A good drive spreads usage across the entire storage area.
Dan will never know a dead SSD. He seems to change his machines regularly.
Those finding SSD disk problems are those using buggy data collection software.
Now getting back to choices. You buy cheap anything and there will be trade offs. You buy upper and and you will always be happier. For example.. A cheap dell laptop will have lesser components. A cheaper laptop will have a cheaper battery and lower life.
An expensive dell laptop usually has a better battery. All you have to do is look at the battery size. If it says 500 then you get an hour. If it says 1500 you get a few hours.
Miles wants some facts concerning a change over.
Take the lead of many others. They get a decent used MAC at a good price and play around. When they see the pro's con's for themselves they make an informed decision. Influence based on who has the best written post on a BB often leads to hurt feelings.
Some like blonds. Some like brunettes. Both are great.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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Todd, if you like Windows better, why are you messing around with parallels? Just activate boot camp and make Windows your automatic OS at start up. Make your Mac Laptop a Windows PC.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Dave... I was under the assumption that Bootcamp had a 30 gb minimum. Is that not the case? Can I literally turn the entire Mac into a Windows OS? When I had Bootcamp on it before, I swear it only let me do a smaller, partial partition.
Now that parallels seems to work... I do kind of like the fact that you don't have to close down and choose the boot OS like I did with Bootcamp.
But.... Parallels might not be as fast/responsive as bootcamp... because it's operating as a virtual OS under the Mac OS....
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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32GB is only for FAT32, you can have a larger partition for NTFS, but if you have any Mac programs that you use, then yes Parallels is the way to go. I run about 7 different Windows programs and I've seen absolutely no difference in speed between boot camp and Parallels. Even Artcam runs at full speed through Parallels for everything but the sculpting tools. That's where Parallels doesn't play nice since it needs a pretty powerful graphics card to work smoothly. Parallels uses a virtual graphics card, OK for gaming but not for Artcam.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Miles - have you made any headway in your decision? Any other questions or scenarios that you'd like covered? Hopefully some of this banter has been beneficial.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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I used Bootcamp when I first got my MacBook- I really hated having to reboot from the Windoze to try and learn the MacOS-- I then started using Parallels and liked being able to switch on the fly- then the only Win program that I ever used was CorelDRAW (which was very fast and stable) then I just kinda quit using Parallels all together and stayed over on the dark side... I thought about adding it to my newer MacBook Pro and loading CD, but my Parallels version is now really outdated and I would have to upgrade- plus go thru all the aggravating Windoze stuff just to get it to work again- haven't convinced myself to go thru the hassle for just one program...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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Am I the only one using VMware Fusion to run windows on the Mac? It seems to run Windows 7 really well on my MacBook Pro. I am able to run SolidWorks which is a pretty intensive 3D solid model parametric design software program. So it runs the Adobe creative suite with no trouble at all.
I also wanted to comment on Kevin's point above which has been a factor in my computer buying decisions.
Apple computers come with iLife software pre-loaded. So, I can produce pretty decent DVD's, Movies, manage all my music and photos and play around with music if I like in Garage Band? All of the iLife applications are pretty user friendly and easy to learn. On top of that they are all designed to work with each other. I can easily pull tunes, images and movies into a nice presentation on DVD or slide presentation.
For $60 more I can add the iLife software suite which allows me to do nice page docs (like word), Spread sheets and very nice slide shows. Not sure how they bundle Office these days or if that is an extra purchase...but it is $149.00 for the Mac home and student copy and $279 for the home and business version.
Just wondering if anyone else is running VMWare Fusion Software?
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I think the biggest consideration here is whether or not Miles has any equipment and/or software that is maybe older or a bit proprietary. This sort of stuff will create hiccups whether upgrading to a Mac or staying with Windows.
It's one thing to switch when all you really have to worry about is creating design files with software that's common in the design industry.
It's a whole other ball of wax when you get into things like specialized software, plotters, printers, hardware/software dongles, etc. Even staying with Windows, going from XP/Vista to Windows 7 has the potential for license updates, and going from 32bit to 64bit can cause hiccups - usually resolved with additional $$$ upgrade - *cough*CADLink*cough*
So, whether you switch to a Mac or stay with Windows, it's quite likely you'll have to update other software anyway.
The benefit to going Mac is the ability to install your current version of Windows if needed to run your current software, you already know it works together. This can get you through the transition and allow upgrading slowly along the way if needed.
The downside of going Mac is learning a new interface. Coming from Windows, it will seem a little clunky at first, there may be some times when you sit there staring at the screen trying to figure out where something is hiding, but once you get used to it, it's really nice and easy.
There's no joyous elation with upgrades/updates/new systems... I don't care what anyone says, computers are infuriating!
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Amen, Mike- they are infuriating indeed!- Just when you think you have them figured out, it's upgrading time and then nothing plays nice anymore... no matter what type you use. Nice summary.
Dale- I was looking at VMware Fusion, but have never tried it- I would love to be able to run CorelDRAW and Sony Vegas thru the MacBook Pro- I may look more into it.
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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That is the reason Mike and Michael I have a seperate pc running each printer and my router. Old software on each but work perfectly. Mac has latest cs5 suite so just find formats to save files in that play nicely with older pcs. Its easy to be tempted to try and do everything from a new computer but not necessary
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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Buy a new machine, slide the old one over but leave it in commission doing the work it's set up for already.
Perfect example: I have Photoshop/Illy CS and used it on both a G5 iMac and newer 27" intel iMac. I upgraded the intel Mac to OSX Lion and that broke CS - will NOT run, is no longer supported. So I still use it on the G5 as updating to CS5 isnt a high priority for me. Granted I much prefer Photoshop and Illustrator on a Quad core processor and huge screen so I'll update eventually, once I'm done spending money on an electric car build.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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I don't really have a loyalty towards one platform over another other than simply being more comfortable with the one I have been using for a longer period of time. Windows.
No my loyalty is more towards the software I like. It just so happens that I have a few programs that I use most often and are only available on Windows. There are a lot more smaller Windows based programs that I enjoy using but wouldn't mind using a Mac equivalent if I were forced to make the switch.
Once in college I worked for a different sign shop. They used Mac and Adobe. I tried my best to adapt, but it never truly felt right. I could do my job alright, but I wasn't near as efficient as I was using Corel on a PC.
I don't think it matters what platform you are switching too and from. You will find problems with either and you will most likely have to shell out some extra cash when making the switch. Which is okay if you believe it's worth the investment. I have never been convinced that it was worth it. Either you are buying new software that is compatible with the different OS, or a second OS.... in which case you aren't really totally switching platforms, and for what the headaches of learning and becoming more comfortable with a different setup?
The whole buying a mac and loading windows on it doesn't make sense to me. I've never been in a position where I've needed to switch between OSs to work or play. I have every thing I need on this one OS. So I can't quite relate. I would imagine that would be a pain going back and forth. And if you are just running Windows on Apple hardware, then at the very least you are paying for an extra OS that you aren't using.
[ September 14, 2011, 10:37 AM: Message edited by: Joseph Diaz ]
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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Ya'll people need to get a life,...this is the same old debate with exception of Curtis' input, the same people beating the proverbial same old dead horse with the same old stick,....Curtis is basically correct in that the only differences in the machines is the operating system,and if I may add,....the users and their attitudes
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Never kill a customer, unless you make more profit out of his death than out of his life.
Never change a platform.. unless you make more profit out of its death than out of its life.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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