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If there's anyone here who owns a mac, please give your thoughts and opinions. I am currently looking into going over to the dark side, ie buying a mac for my photo and video editing needs.
This is not a mac vs pc thread, can we all agree its a personal choice and both are awesome in their own right.
So what mac do you own, what do you love/hate about it?
I have a Mac I currently work on
13" Macbook Air
And then I used to use Macbook Pro 15"
Both are pretty decent machines
Had a PC since they were practically invented, then I got a Mac about five years ago and I haven't looked back.
Although a lot of games are being released for OSX nowadays you're not going to get the same tweakable gaming experience of a PC. However, I prefer the Mac for doing pretty much everything else.
Go watch the 'Mac vs PC' ad campaign to see why ;)
I know Omegafenix is pretty clued up on the macs, tr send him a pm if he doesn't see this thread.
but he doesnt own one yet ! best bet is to ask grimspoon he's been using macs for years afaikQuote:
Originally Posted by simon
Um I think you will find I do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dohc-WP
I have a 15" Macbook Pro and I've had it for exactly a month now. I've also used a PC and Windows for the last 20 years and then decided to get a Mac for my Game Design work. I also would never go back to windows as I love my mac to pieces. Like Dan said your not going to get the same gaming experience, games that run on mac run awesomely on it, problem is alot of older games dont support Mac OS. There are ways around this, bootcamp, vmware, crossover etc.
For a functional working tool you cant beat it, it just works. User interface kicks windows down the stairs and takes its lunch money. It will take some time to get use to it but not long. We have 5 or so iMacs in the office all used by graphic/web designers.
What I love: Power, simplicity, mobility & the absolutely awesome App store. Good example; the Mac version of Office is called iWork, you can buy it online or at an Apple store for about £72 - £100 depending on where you shop. Buy the individual programs (pages(word), numbers (excel), keynote (powepoint)) directly from the app store for £14 a pop which works out to £30odd cheaper. Also the built in apps like Mail, calendar, iphoto, garage band are all top quality and I personally prefer iMail to Outlook or WindowsLive Mail any day of the week.
What I dont like is basically only some of the more glaring compatibility issues mostly with games, but I knew this going into it and as my Macbook Pro was never intended as my main gaming device there really isn't a downside for me. Some people will put the Price of Apple products in the hate section but I wouldn't, the MacBook pro is one of the most solidly built pieces of tech ever. Nothing on it feels cheap.
I suggest checking a few sites and comparing reviews, keeping inmind what you want to do and what you will need. There is also a really good Magazine (dunno if you get it in SA) called 'The Independent Guide to Mac' it has a tone of use fill info on most things Mac & its unbiased.
Edit: I hate safari, only opened it to download and install Chrome.
Edit2: you can also buy games like Civ V, Splinter Cell and a whole bunch of smaller games. directly from the App store. The Steam Mac OS App is brilliant and filtering to show only games that is Mac Compatible is easy as pie.
^ nailed it.
Wow omega, thank you for the detailed reply.
Also thanks to all the responses so far.
Gaming is not a major drawback for me, I've got my xbox for that.
What Omega said is right to the point. Apart from Safari which can easily be replaced I would always buy a Mac. I switched to Mac 3 years ago with a very old 2004 PowerBook G4. It still to the day works a charm even though I now have a MacBook Pro 15" and I replaced my TV with an iMac 27". I'm a complete convict when it comes to Apple. It really makes everything very easy for me and I also find it to be much easier to keep tidy workspace wise. I never have to search on where to find something on my Mac.
Which one do you use most - your macbook pro or imac?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecuse
My Ideal setup would be involve 2X 27" Thunderbolt Screens with the MacBook Pro docked in a Henge Dock.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sockmonkey
While the iMac is pretty powerful I have heard people having issues with it, Grimspoon had such an issue. Plus the MacBook Pro is almost as powerful as a desktop plus it has mobility.
Well that settles the imac vs MBP conundrum, I was struggling to choose because I've already got a great screen and although it will be in a permanent set up its great to have the optional portability offered by the MBP. I want those henge docks so badly, I can see how it will go well with my 47" LED TV.Quote:
Originally Posted by OmegaFenix
Just be aware all new Macs use a thunderbolt port instead of DVI/AVI/HDMI ports. You can still connect to an external device via an adapter but any multi-screen setup that doesn't involve Thunderbolt displays will require jerry-rigging. So while you can connect 1 external screen via an adapter like this one, a second external screen would need a usb adapter. Which is why I want the thunderbolts (you can daisy-chain 7 or something thunderbolt devices together that connects to your MBP with 1 port.) and they look AMAZING. If you have an Apple TV Box you can use airplay to mirror the display of you MBP on your TV wirelessly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sockmonkey
I highly recommend you get a few "Mac Guide" magazines or check out websites. I did about 4 months of research before finally buying my MBP. Also keep an eye out the Early-2012 update can't be far off, mine is the late-2011 model.
I have to do a lot of reading seeing as I will be using it mainly for video editing I need to make sure everything is compatible, from cables to connectors,software, external monitors, external drives are just some of the things that I need to think about.Quote:
Originally Posted by OmegaFenix
That is exactly what I'm doing, I've got about 8 "buyers guide" tabs open as I'm typing this. Its a big investment (for someone earning in rands) so making the right choice is crucial. I've also got my eye on this rumour site, they seem to be on top of things when it comes to the upcoming 2012 refresh.
Trust me its a big investment even if your earn £. I know alot of video editing people use macs but yeah. Check out all the info you can, it sometimes helps reading a few of threads on different forums even if it turns into Mac vs PC.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sockmonkey
Once you go Mac...
...you never go back.Quote:
Originally Posted by pantsula
Though Mac's, especially MBPs, don't depreciate in value as much as PCs. You can sell a year old MBP that originally cost you about £1500 for about £1000. So what most mac earners do is when it does come time for a new one you sell the old one and buy a new one. Trying to sell a 1 or 2 year old Laptop and you will be lucky to get half of what you paid back for it.Quote:
Originally Posted by SarahMonsta
But yes its ture MBP and even MacPros can't really be updated like PCs. Although I am not that familiar with the MacPros. I know iMacs can't be upgraded. I upgraded the Memory in my MBP and will soon update the HHD of it.
im going to get macbook air around june :) hope we can share some interest together....
i always dream to get apple stuff.....
Not really too much I can add to what has already been said. Macs are awesome. I love mine.
I have a Macbook and I HAD a iMac, but the screen failed on me and I got a refund. I may consider the iMac again when they sort out their screen issues. Until then I will stick with PC for gaming and my Macbook for emailing, graphics, movies, photos etc etc.
One thing you will notice with a Macbook / Macbook pro is they tend to last for years and years. Where friends of mine have replaced their Laptops at least twice, I am still running my Macbook and it feels the same as the day I got it.
As for upgrading, yes an iMac is not upgradeable other than the HDD and RAM. If you are into tinkering with your hardware and upgrading, don't buy a iMac, you won't get any satisfaction out of it.
As for the Macbooks, yeah you can upgrade to an SSD and more RAM and you will have one very fast machine.