Which one better suit us, Mac or PC?

Question

We've been using a PC but need to buy a new computer so we are thinking of switching to a Mac. I'm a graphic designer but my partner is into programming and databases. Which one would better suit both of us?

Answer 1

Mac is comparatively cheaper and less vulnerable to security attacks.
Windows on the other hand has a far wider application and much more user friendly.

Answer 2

Hi!

I've been working with both computers and this is my personal opinion.

If you are a designer, MAC has very cool tools to do presentations and it has been certainly more efficient while handling graphics. I'm sure you now better than me which applications you use as a designer, so if you think that interoperability with other 'designers' files is not an issue, then go to a MAC.

About the programming and databases, if your partner is wise he should use a PC and load Linux.

Linux is a great system to load programming and databases, also, if you are looking for new business opportunities, open source projects offer a great window to develop new things and the most of them are in Linux.

If your partner is focused more on the 'commercial' applications as SQL or ASP, then the choice is windows.

Work in XP Professional or WIN 2003. You should be ok.

A Mac for a programmer and database guy i dont think its the right choice. Compatibility between MAC and windows it is still an issue on very specific softwares.

As i said, unless your partner is sure that the suite of developing he uses is compatible at MAC and that the applications he creates are compatible in Windows also, then go to the MAC.

Whatever the choice you make, make sure to load your computers with a lot of memory... and don't trust them, always back up your stuff.

Hope that helps!

Oscar

Answer 3

Always remember that there is a slight learning curve when switching from a PC to a Mac and vice-versa. Weigh that in against the novelty of switching to a Mac since both can do pretty much the same thing these days though, PC's have a much wider range of applications for programming and database management. That, plus the fact that all of the best graphic programs are available for both Mac's and PC's, I'd say stick with the PC.

Oh yeah, and if you want to upgrade later on, it's also generally easier to upgrade a PC than a Mac.

Answer 4

I'd like to add my opinion as a Mac-using web developer.

I have used both Windows and Macs for about ten years now and I have both Macs and PCs at home. I use a Powermac G5 for all graphical work as well as programming and database administration.

I use a PC for the kids to play games on, the other is used for testing websites in Internet Explorer for Windows.

I should say that I use cross-platform scripting languages (Perl, PHP, Ruby) and database systems (MySQL, Postgres). Mac OS X comes pre-installed with Apache Web Server, Perl, PHP, Ruby, Python, MySQL, and many more open source applications / systems. For this type of work, the Mac is perfect.

If you use Adobe products, you may be able to buy a license that allows you to essentially move your applications from Windows to Mac.

As someone mentioned before me, the latest Apple computers have Intel chips in them, meaning you can install Windows alongside Mac OS X. I honestly couldn't recommend a better system for both purposes (assuming your partner does not program in Visual Basic or rely on Microsoft SQL Server).

By the way, you can't really go wrong with an iMac. They are just so good.

http://www.apple.com/imac/

Answer 5

Traditionally, Pro Graphic Designers have used Macs, as you probably know. They are generally mroe powerful and handle graphics, and other media better. But for the same price you can get pretty powerful PC aswell these days.

What type of programming your partner does matters. If they do Microsoft, .Net, then they really need Windows.

And remember, if you switch to Mac you gotta buy all your software again. Although, if you're planning on buying latest versions anyways, might be a good time to switch.

Answer 6

homestead windows is often connected as a secondary OS on Macs. subsequently, you will have the potential to get a Mac, use OSX on your well-known stuff (for the reason that that attitude you are able to by no potential could worry approximately viruses), and set up homestead windows as a secondary OS on your video games. As a techniques because of the fact the hardware is going, there is not any longer any exchange. Macs ARE computers. they are merely wonderful computers with an added working technique. because of the fact of that, you will have the potential to particularly usually do what you will with the two a Mac or a pc. The exception is gaming. Macs suck for gaming (and in spite of what human beings say they do no longer quite have an understand-how in multimedia....it particularly is all approximately the utility you're using and there are some damn properly ones obtainable in the marketplace for homestead windows). The something you're able to do no longer forget is this: Are you at risk of relearn the superb thank you to apply your workstation? Mac isn't as 'handy' to utilize as they are asserting it particularly is for terribly long term homestead windows customers. each and every thing is in the incorrect region and the menus artwork in any different case. some concerns are lacking thoroughly and there are some new concerns to be certain the superb thank you to apply. some human beings assist you to know it particularly is worth it, others will say you shouldn't hardship.

Answer 7

Most of the answers I've read here miss one glaring point: ever since Apple transitioned the Macintosh and Xserve lines to Intel processors this year, Macs run Windows, Linux and any other PC operating system you can throw at them, in addition to their native Mac OS X.

For graphic design, while the applications themselves are almost completely identical across platforms, OS X itself seems to lend itself just a bit more to creative endeavours. (This is coming from someone who sat firmly entrenched on the Windows side since 3.11, then experimented in 2003 and switched in 2004. Linux never really caught my fancy, mainly due to user-friendliness issues. :P) You also won't have to worry nearly as much about system maintenance, security issues and the like while you're running OS X.

For database work, I agree that Windows has the higher ground there. Apple provides a utility called Boot Camp (har) which partitions your Mac's hard drive and allows you to install Windows/Linux/etc. on one of the partitions, providing a simple (two icons) graphical bootloader to choose which one to start into. An alternative is Parallels Desktop, which lets you run a PC OS (Windowslinuxyaddayadda) in a virtual machine at just about native speeds, while you're already booted into OS X, which allows you to simultaneously work in Windows and OS X applications.

Also, FileMaker is a database application for both Windows and OS X. Haven't used it, as databases aren't my thing, but thought I'd throw that out there.

My recommendation is that you get a Mac, and use it to run whichever operating system suits your needs at any particular time.

Answer 8

stick with pc. Macs are good for graphic design, but depending on your programming preference, I would use a PC.

Answer 9

No question at all: get a Mac! They can run Windows if you need to, and the Mac OS is much more secure than Windows. It's also easier to use and maintain.

Answer 10

PC based on your partners requirements. Graphics design work as good on either.