Windows PC or MAC?

Question

Has anyone made the switch and how do you like it. I have only went to the apple store and tried to mess around with the computer and it seemed user friendly but I would like some feedback. I am also going to school soon for graphic design and I am told that most graphic designers work on MAC's. Thanks!

Answer 1

Macs are more user friendly. I have one and I have always had one. I'm also a graphic designer, so I can tell you from personal experience, Macs work better when it comes to design. Get a Mac and the software Photoshop and Illustrator.

Answer 2

New Macs come with the Intel Core Duo processor instead of the RISC processor that older Macs have. So, a new Mac can either run Mac OS X or Windows XP. Macs are more user friendly, I think but that's with it running OS X. If you run XP, it's like any regular PC basically.

Traditionally, graphic designers do use Macs. The from RISC processors were faster at processing graphics. However, I'm not sure if the new Macs have an advantage now that they are using the Intel Core Duo chip because it isn't based on the RISC design of the former Macs.

Answer 3

It depends!

I have Master degree in computer graphics foucing on multimedia and 3D animation. I had an Apple 6100 old mac 18 years ago and have 4 PCs in the past 10 years.

The answer is how easy you can get your computer upgraded and get the software you need.

If you are doing publish type of graphic design, you pretty much use software like photoshop, illustrator, flash and other publishing and video editing software, which you can do the same on PC as well. And most likely, you will end up doing some web work, which is easier for you to get free web editing software for PC.

If you want to do more advanced 3D graphic, animation and even programming control your graphic, you can find a lot of software created just for PC. You can easily get high end hardware with 4 processors and 8GB memory on PC with good price, but not on Mac.

There are tons freebies software and friendly PC tech out there to support and answer your question. Enough for PC. That is how I work.

Frankly speaking, in the real big graphic desing studio (such as FoxStudio), they use UNIX (SGI), which runs on super computer with 96 CPUs, 2TB memory. PC and Mac are not even close.

If you are serious to do graphic for your career, go with PC. You can always turn around to use Mac, because it's easier.

Answer 4

People work with what they're comfortable with, I use Windows and have done so for many years but I'm as equally at home on an Acorn (!) as that was my first computer, and the very first computer I used (aged 18 months, aww) was an Apple ][, so I'll use just about anything.

I can positively zip around almost any version of Windows though, whereas the differences within OSX just plain annoy me after a while (it's the little things which, when added up, really result in a frustrating user experience). If you're happy with Windows, why change? All the pro software is available on both platforms, you have the compatibility issue already dealt with, you have your workflow established, your hardware is there, why waste time, effort and money changing to an entirely new system, with its own set of paradigms, interfaces and workflows for no real gain?

... That's my personal opinion anyway. If it's anything important you're working on, you can achieve the same result on any major OS, be it Linux, OSX or the much-loved, much-hated Windows, so just go your own way and work how you feel comfortable.

I have to use Macs for some of my Uni coursework (and tutorials), and it annoys the hell out of me because, while Windows is just as quirky, it's a whole NEW set of quirks to get used to - and that is just pure frustrating. Having to constantly think about what you're doing instead of thinking about what you're working on really slows you down and decreases your productivity, and that's why I'll never buy a Mac.

Answer 5

i made the switch and love it. my g/f is a graphic design major and has a mac also.....mac is all she uses in all of her lab classes. the software is pricey but at least if you get a mac your on the right track. i was worried about the switch for simple things like word and power point...but the stuff you do on a mac is compatibale with a PC so you will be fine in college classes when you have to email in homework. A mac will take you a few weeks to get used to....like anything new, but i will never go back to a PC now. like everything, there is pro's and con's one of the cons being that EVERYTHING is not compatible but most of it is....pros are almost everything, i love my mac.

Answer 6

I work as a network admin servicing both MAC and PC, if you are going to a design school than it is a no brainer MAC, their most common programs are all related to design and creativity, plus if you are still quite novice they are very user friendly. though for myself i will always go for PC I am totally uncreative. Plus the new iMacs can run both windows and MAC operating systems through a program called boot camp.

Answer 7

Macs are great if what you wanted is already there or you know for sure the option is there and affordable to get, although one word off the exact topic: if you are faced with older Mac that is not OS X, turn around and get a PC; older Mac is as reliable as Windows 3.1 was.

Answer 8

I preferably like the PC. But It all depends on who you talk too. Some people sware on Mac's some on PCs. But it is true that alot of people in graphics design do use Mac's

Answer 9

Yeah, you'll probably like the MAC more. The interface is weird at first but you'll get used to it. They started using Pentium processors, so they should be able to do everything a PC can soon.

Whatever you do, DONT BUY A DELL.

-Aaron Joseph