Mac vs. PC In The Design World

[Bunyip]

Which is used most in what areas (3D/Print/etc)? Pros/Cons?

Cheers.

[NoRunsNoDripsNoErrors]

mac ........................................... everything

[Larry Pubes]

my personal experience is that pc's suck major anus.

[Al Green]

this is one of those endless debates but.. now that the new macs can run windows. its kind of irrelevant. not that its seamless but its possible to handle a pc design workload on a mac.

mostly the only things that would technically require the used of PC windows os...would be programs such as 3D studio max and Solidworks...and maybe if youre european...corel draw..

besides that anything that is industry standard can be done seamlessly on a mac.


for the most part its a matter of preference..

alot of Web designers i know.. even if they work primarily on a mac always troubleshoot with a PC.. and vise versa... due to OS and Browser settings and monitor/color settings. btw those working on macs should really set their color settings to 2.2 gamma to get a darker more true universal monitor color.


feel free to add or dispute.

-al

[RumPuncher]

here's the FINAL WORD on the mac vs. pc argument:





IT DOESN'T MATTER. The big apps will run on either system.

The notable exception is Final Cut Pro that will onyl run on a mac,
but it's a tinker toy compared to real video editing software.
Maya (the only real app for 3D) can run on anything, but runs best on linux.

Really..... the computer is just supposed to run in the background and let you be creative.

[kephaone]

mac rules..
but pc's are better for animation.

[johnny ballbags]

Really..... the computer is just supposed to run in the background and let you be creative.


.... if you can do what you do you can rock an old pc running photoshop3 or early ass versions of whetever it is you use and get it done....

[ArtistikFunk]

I will have to say that the MAC is an awesome tool to get loose & creative with..

I had a PC back in the day & it pretty much got thrown off my back porch and smashed due to so many crashes & viruses..
seriously!!

[Issac Brock]

^^way to not know how to install antivirus..

Macs are overpriced. Get a good pc and run linux if you like the interface that much.

[johnny ballbags]

I will have to say that the MAC is an awesome tool to get loose & creative with..

I had a PC back in the day & it pretty much got thrown off my back porch and smashed due to so many crashes & viruses..
seriously!!

sounds like user related issues to me....

[thehiatus]

We use PCs at work for two reasons
1. We do web design mainly and most of the people viewing our sites will be on pc's.
2. My bosses are jews

Saying this I do all my freelance work on my macbook pro.....

It doesnt really matter.....

[Hullucination]

pc's suck my norton anti virus has been going crazy the last few days, the icon keeps flashing with an eclamation mark, but fuck it im to cheap to renew my subscription

my next comp will be a mac

[johnny ballbags]

get avast antivirus... its free.... uninstall norton..... its poop...

[johnny ballbags]

i am gonna either get a mac or really start to use linux instead of talking about it cuz fuck vista...

[Seffiks]

hey Hi how are ya (ummm just to add my 2 cents which is needed very dearly) the debate will soon be over the answer is PC period, my reason i chose PC is because MAC/Apple Computers will not exist in 1 more year or so. apple already dropped the Apple Computer name and are now just known as Apple inc. it will not be long before they drop the whole computer and will only stick to the accessories. So to them die-hard graphic art designers will be losing there job soon if they do not adapt to PC

[Ski Mask]

hey Hi how are ya (ummm just to add my 2 cents which is needed very dearly) the debate will soon be over the answer is PC period, my reason i chose PC is because MAC/Apple Computers will not exist in 1 more year or so. apple already dropped the Apple Computer name and are now just known as Apple inc. it will not be long before they drop the whole computer and will only stick to the accessories. So to them die-hard graphic art designers will be losing there job soon if they do not adapt to PC

ok, so pick a rought date when you expect this to happen by. I would like to come back and mock you when this doesnt happen. I dont want any hurt feelings about what constitutes a reasonable timeline for this happening....

dropping the "computers" from the company is not some omen of doom for the company, it just means that they would like to reflect the actual output of the company, which is now largely other electronics.

[Larry Pubes]

it seems to me macs are at a place where the market demand is greater than ever. economics 101, no?

[Seffiks]

look at apples sales quotas the mac computer only amounts to 1% of there sales now you telling me that they are going to keep making it when they are not getting a demand for it????? hmmmm i think not

[Seffiks]

"Apple is no longer a computer company," declared Carmi Levy, Senior Research Analyst for Info-Tech Research. "That was proven five years ago when the iPod stormed onto the scene, basically eclipsing the Mac as its iconic, internal brand. So this will only continue. Apple will move into markets where it makes the most sense to dominate the consumer/end-user experience. If it happens to be on a computer, so be it. If it happens to be on a converged device that you hold in your hand and take with you, then so be it. If ultimately Apple stops making desktop computers because that's what the market dictates it to do, then that's what it will do."

[Ski Mask]

the key word is ultimately. you're saying that because non-computer items are the bulk of what apple produces that somehow they will stop making computers alltogether in the near future. If mac sales tank, then yes, they will. Are there any signs of that happening soon? nope. Are they scaling down production or research in that area? nope, they're just trying to broaden the brand identity so that people dont automatically think of a computer when they hear Apple. You're grossly oversimplifying things here.

[tabloid-]

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/Product/230224204.jpg
why would you want to use anything else.

[creep3]

My first comp was a mac. I rocked that for a few years untill i was maybe 13. After that i went pc and have not turned back. Its really personal prefrance in my eyes. I do webdesign, graphic design and some programming and my pc has never let me down.

[acephale]

People who are computer illiterate tend to favor macs more, because they look neat. I've used PC's my whole life, the only way you get viruses is if you're an idiot and you click on links that are like "CLICK HERE FOR FREE BIG TIT BLACK DICK ASIAN COCK EXPLOSION TENTACLE BLOOD PORN WITH BRITNEY SPEARS"

[Joker]

So you're saying that if Dell and other PC companies made an effort to step up their industrial design there's a good chance computer illiterate folks would buy PCs over Macs? I'm not sure there's much logic to that arguement. I think the reason computer illiterate people buy into Mac is because of advertising, word of mouth and ease of use. Just like anything else. I'm sure aesthetics plays a big role as people want something that is going to look good but I don't think anyone would plop down close to two grand on that idea alone.

[johnny ballbags]

i see more computer illiterate people with pcs than macs...... most people i know that have macs are doing some kind of design or audio production....

[Lilla]

Mac's are fun and I've got to to say that from my own experience I hated them until I could afford one..

Possibly controversial bit I think a lot of people who've bought in would agree. It's a lot of money for what you get in terms of raw power but in terms of moving around the thing it's great and far nicer experience than my pc's!

[Joker]

Honestly, you don't have to look far to see Apple's influence on the PC world... just one look at Vista tells you that. And now that you can run Windows on a Mac... there's little excuse.

As for the guy who claims Apple will cease making computers in a year or so... I highly doubt you think that claim to be true. With all the creative world at their doorstep giving feedback and praising the Apple computer for it's abilities... I can't imagine they'd just give up on that and focus on iPods. The reason the iPod makes up most of their income is because just about everyone can afford it and when a product works good and looks good... the consumer comes running. From your teenage dork to the beefcake at the gym, folks want an iPod. Just like everyone wanted a Sony walkman in the 80's. Not a Panasonic or JVC walkman... they wanted the Sony one. Did Sony stop making TV's? VCR players? Stereo systems? No. And Apple won't stop making computers either. I'm sure they're letting the success of the iPod (and soon the iPhone) fund their ID projects in other areas.

Bottom line... why would they discontinue making desktop and laptop computers that are needed to work seemlessly with the other products they make? Why would they spend so much money and time making sure these products sync with your desktop and laptop if they're no longer going to make them come twelve months from now?

I think your statement was said to stir up shit...

[hahaha760]

Both if thats what you have use them that how i do it at work
but either way computer is general are only good for porn

[TheArchitect]

I started using photoshop for photo retouching and graphics on a PC. After I outgrew
my 266 Mhz Pentium II I went ahead and tried an iMac to see what all the hoopla was
all about. Besides the problems with adware and spyware on PC's I think the main
advantage of Macs is that the company who designs the hardware also designs the
software. This helps make things run more seamlessly and more predictably. Also, Macs
tend to last longer and are generally more reliable. For about two years I was dragging
my iMac back and forth from home to work every day without any problems until I
finally bought a G4 Cube for home use. I still have and use that Cube 6 years later.
But I now also have a Powerbook G4, and Dual G4 Tower, and a G5 iMac for business
purposes. I still have one PC which is the general office computer and which is used
for Quickbooks but I'd replace that with a Mac too if it wasn't so troublesome to set up
Quickbooks again and transfer all of our relevant files. Besides it's good to keep a PC
around for those occasional files that won't open on a Mac.

In short, once you go Mac, you never go back.

[destruction]

http://www.johnlewis.com/jl_assets/Product/230224204.jpg
why would you want to use anything else.

AMEN BROTHER!

[Terance the terrorist]

macs for design, pcs for random play and bullshit.

[xoXox]

here's the FINAL WORD on the mac vs. pc argument:





IT DOESN'T MATTER. The big apps will run on either system.

The notable exception is Final Cut Pro that will onyl run on a mac,
but it's a tinker toy compared to real video editing software.
Maya (the only real app for 3D) can run on anything, but runs best on linux.

Really..... the computer is just supposed to run in the background and let you be creative.

Maya is not the only real app for 3d!

[Bunyip]

So anyway, I ended up forking out for a 24inch iMac, dual core, wireless everything, etc. and i am loving life. Cheers for all the feedback.

[adapting to reality]

you cant run fruityloops studios through a mac. im better with fruity loops than garage band. music is all ive learned to get technical with using computers but for the future im thinking of doing some photography stuff, expand my hobbies etc. ive seen my friends mac shit out alot but hes just a retart so...feedback?

[kostoner]

Is this just based on desktops? Has anyone worked on a pc laptop and an mac laptop, and noticed any real difference? eg screen colours etc etc

[MAR]

I work on macs at work and pc's at home. I prefer pc's.

My main problem with mac's are they are too user friendly. Plus if something goes wrong with the hardware it takes much longer to get it fixed. And macs are not invulnerable as most of the jockers would like you to think. Ive had two comps go out on me, on my school G5, the logic card/board died (two weeks later i got it back), and my work mac a g4 laptop crashes maybe once every two weeks...

my PC crashed maybe twice in the past 2 yrs I've had it?

...but of course what will I be dropping two grand on in the next month? yeah a mac i don't really want.

[businessOnly]

Well, I haven't really read the other responses.. But i prefer mac..

I own a interactive design firm and my offices are all macs... everything from design, accounting, business software, is all ran on our macs.

At home i have a brand new pc... Its 3ghz tons of ram, blah blah. It crashes like every 20 min... randomly goes off line, etc.

I personally will never buy a pc again. I wouldn't shell out my heard earned cash for a crappy computer.

You can buy a civic or a mercedes... both are good cars and serve a purpose... the way i look at it.

[Seffiks]

PC

http://www.cpusolutions.com/mm8004744CPU/Images/smilsys.jpg

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10909477/Athlon_64_Computer_Amd_Fast_Custom_Gaming_Desktop_ Pc.jpg

http://holamun2.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/custom-computer.jpg


if you want real design PC's are where its at

[the.crooked]

damn son.

[Joker]

You know those guys who drive around in those cars that have all that shit all over them?... the rear spoiler, the ground effects, big ass sticker across the top of the windshield, chrome shit here and there, the interior is all crazy inside with lights and shit and the stereo has more going on than the car. You know the ones.

When I see those computers (the ones posted just above me) I'm reminded of those cars. And as you probably guessed, it makes me giggle a little bit.

I can't remember the name brand of the second image but the company I do design work for, that's all they used. I think they had seven of those desktops (looked different though) and a bunch of laptops. After a year of working with them, me on a Mac, the boss bought an iMac for kicks mostly but also to make things easier for me. Several months after having the iMac, I went in for a meeting and everyone had Mac laptops. The first word out of my bosses mouth was "don't say a word..." because he and I used to have have these friendly Mac vs. PC battles all the time. He hated Mac. Now his whole company runs on a Mac. They use Windows but on Macs.

[FiveWaysNowadays]

Macs are preferred because well, its been that way for a long time. Now it doesn't really mattter, theres pros and cons to each side. Since macs have been used in print and desktop publishing longer you'll typically run into less font-related problems but I go to a school that has a pretty well known design program and all of the graphic design students use macs but they aren't doing anything that I can't do on my PC at home. The stability of OSX probably factors into the decision a bit but I personally haven't had any problems out of any of the PC's I've built. I think they both just have a specific target audience..mac for people who just want a hassle free user experience that allows them to do exactly what they need to do, and pc's for power users and people who want to customize the hell out of their machine (not to say that macs aren't for powerusers too because the terminal is there..it just requires more unix knowledge)...as far as design goes though, the adobe software is all cross-platform. final cut for mac is just as good as premiere on windows, for 3d stuff cinema4d and maya are available, so are pc versions plus 3d studio max...all of which are used in different areas of the industry, not to mention you can install windows on any of the intel-based macs...so the need to choose between 1 or the other is slowly disappearing for most.

[Zed_Resurrected]

As for the guy who claims Apple will cease making computers in a year or so... I highly doubt you think that claim to be true. With all the creative world at their doorstep giving feedback and praising the Apple computer for it's abilities... I can't imagine they'd just give up on that and focus on iPods.


no shit. apple/mac users are like a cult.

[.beardofzeus.]

PC users behave no differently. Everyones on some elitist, my computer is better than yours bullshit. There is nothing wrong with either system...

















except that window's suck ass.

[After School Special]

PC's fucking suuuuck.

[LUNCHES OF PUNCHES]

uh Vista? hows that working for you?






oh thats right its not. Sorry.

[MimikOctopus]

uh Vista? hows that working for you?
oh thats right its not. Sorry.

Actually lately I've been reading a good number of people that are fed up with the new Mac OS and are actually going back to PC (I read several posts, yes I know this is not the majority of people and all machines are prone to problems). That's not something you hear of very often. In fact most Mac users are fiercely loyal to Apple and will beat you with a rusty pipe if you talk smack about their fancy cased PC (they are made out of all the same parts, it's just the OS that seperates them)

I've stuck with PCs because most times you get more bang for your buck, and if you are so inclined you can choose every single component. Also I do a lot of work in Maya, and at the time I purchased it, it was not available for the mac.

I almost switched last year, but once again their video car configs were either crazy expensive, or a generation old.

But design is design, has very little to do with the computer you use. Most software is available on both platforms so it's really just a matter of personal preference. There are a few things like Shake and Logic Audio that are Mac only (because Apple bought them) but there are similar tools that are available to the PC such as combustion, cubase, ProTools etc.

Oh and I'm running Vista 64 bit and it's been rock solid for me. I don't know why people say it's such crap, it just wasn't designed to run on older hardware, and most vendors are putting their priority in writing drivers for their new gear, not slaving over drivers for a 4 year old video card. It is a bit bloated though, and heavy on resources, but if you have a beefy machine it's a good operating system. I remember everyone saying how crappy XP was when it first came out, now people won't give it up. Same will happen with Vista once the service packs are released and it becomes more stable for more people.

Just my $.02

[TreSixO]

as far as back in the day, there was no debate - macs were the only computers with a stable enough OS and consistent enough processor to handle those huge 3 gig poster sized hi res print graphic files...


but now its more of preference - macs are easier but more expensive to upgrade, have less freeware, and have recentlbeen enacting increasingly more fasciest business practices.


I run mac and have for about 8 years, built pcs before that, and I do audio, video, and graphics.

5 years ago it would be no argument. Now you can do the same on PCs but you have to be on your shit about all aspects of computers. If you are a designer chances are you dont know extreme geek computer skills - and you dont have to - thats why macs are the obvious choice.

PCs processing power is strong enough... but also I can count on my hands the times ive had to manually restart my powerbook as opposed to PCs which have that blue screen alll the time. I recommend MAC if you are starting out with computers in general or you are major about design. Of you know how to build, debug, mod, and repair PC from the ground up, then go with that.


They are like cars - a MAC is a Lexus - expensive, works well, does a lot from the get go, and costly to modify and upkeep

PC is a caprice - its simple, easy to fix and modify, cheap, and breaks dwn with a new problem each week. If your a mechanic you can run with that

[Mercer]

The main reason I prefer a PC is cost. Most people I know with macs have to spend a lot more not only for the initial product but you have to get the apple care or whatever they call the extended warranty. Believe it or not they can, and do fail, especially the powerbooks which cost a lot to get repaired.

[Ski Mask]

well its been over a year, can I start rubbing it in Seffiks face yet?

[stealthyxcougar]

mac's the industry standard for design work, pc is the industry standard for business, and also for the majority of the population purely because of the price. macs time in the mainstream limelight may be coming soon though!

[Rewind]

you cant run fruityloops studios through a mac. im better with fruity loops than garage band. music is all ive learned to get technical with using computers but for the future im thinking of doing some photography stuff, expand my hobbies etc. ive seen my friends mac shit out alot but hes just a retart so...feedback?

Yea; feedback: Fruityloops suxxx. Garageband suxxx.
Why would you use either?

Tip: Get a fairly priced MIDI Keyboard/Controller (200-325$). Get an interface. Pirate Reason 4 and Logic 8.
Have a fucking blast making professional beats. And use a fucking Mac if you want to actually spend your time making the damn music, instead of troubleshooting your days away on a PC.

I'm literate in most Audio programs and DAWS for Mac and PC. And I'll tell ya, Mac baby.
PC is mega bullshit. Never once have had any Mac go wrong on me.

[LinuxOS]

In a design/marketing sense macs will do the job better.
Adobe programs will run much better on a mac, because they are mac based. Illustrator, Photoshop, etc..
Essentially both systems do the same job, macs run Adobe a lot smoother though. For people using programs like Maya, PC's are the general choice, but Linux is a lot better.
Unix based OS > Windows any day

[fooorks]

LLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIINUX.9.1 on macbook.

[northernlights]

mac all day!!!

[Lemonjello Jones]

I'd get a Mac if I could afford to drop 2-3k on a computer in one sitting, but I'm only doing graphics for the fun of it. My Windows 9 works perfectly fine so..

[Ginger Bread Man]

no one can front on macs ease of use and design.

we can sit and debate all day long but in the end both do the job properly.

i just feel i can finish my work quicker/seemlessly than i would be able to on a pc.

ive owned 4 different macs in the past as well as about 6 pcs.

it used to be that programs only ran on windows or os but now all that has changed and as many have pointed out both systems run most serious vid/foto/audio etc programs.

also you can not negate the fact that there are virtually nil viruses for macs.

trust me i go to the corners of the internet and have never had a virus.

[__ __ __ __]

got a mac for design work only. just a couple cds worth of music and got Pro Logic and Reason on it. everything else goes on pc.

[__ __ __ __]

I'd get a Mac if I could afford to drop 2-3k on a computer in one sitting, but I'm only doing graphics for the fun of it. My Windows 9 works perfectly fine so..

Brand new Imac is 1100 .. if you get it used im sure it will be well under 1000

[watson]

- works on pc and loves it
i use macs all day at school though

they both have their flaws and both are good in different ways