 Lucia I. Stanley |
Apple vs. Everyone else My question is which is better . . Apple Computers or Dell, HP, etc. ? I want to be able to store and work with my photos (editing, transfering to CD, etc) and am wondering who to buy from. My husband said that's what Apple was invented for and to go with them. I would also like to have a laptop instead of desktop so my photos can travel with me to my clients. My son said to get an external hard drive so nothing is lost. I am an up and coming freelancer and "the image" is my passion. After reading some of the Q & A's on computer calibrating and Spyder vs. Huey, my head is swimming! HELP is needed. Thanx to anyone who has answers!!
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John G. Clifford Jr |
The better question to ask your self is, "What software do I want to use?" The Macintosh was the better platform, and it's still a good one, but Photoshop runs well on both PC and Mac, as do most other photography software packages. And, some packages are only available for the PC. Add to this the fact that you can get a more powerful computer (faster processor, more memory, larger hard drive) for the same amount of money if you're buying a PC, because there is competition. Only Apple Macintosh computers run MacOS, and you'll pay accordingly. (If you think Microsoft has a monopoly on operating systems and is dictatorial towards software companies who want to play on their platform, take a look at Apple!) I write this as someone who has been a Mac user since 1986, and who has done professional software development on the platform. I've also been a Windows user since 1988, and have done professional software development on that platform as well. My personal computers, desktops and laptops, all run Windows XP. I'm very happy with them. And, I do a lot of post-processing. My next computer will be a PC of some sort (desktop or laptop) and it will be running the Windows operating system. I like Dell desktops and Compaq laptops (and Sony laptops, but they're expensive).
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Lucia I. Stanley |
Thanx so much for the quick answer. Photoshop seems to be the most popular. After looking thru some of the Q & A's, I'm realizing that there's more to it than processing. I guess my next question is, in addition to calibrating the monitor (why?! and why haven't I heard of doing this before?), what else do I need to keep in mind regarding working with images on the computer ?
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Michael A. Bielat |
I like Apple. It is a clean Operating System and there aren't many viruses or security flaws within it that I am aware of. They do cost more than a PC but I like them a lot. Dell has gone down the tubes in my opinion. I ordered 3 things from them at different times over 6 months and had a different issue with each order. HP is recommended because they have really stepped up and made up for Dell's crummyness over the years
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Oliver Anderson |
I just bought the Dell M1710 4GB with Vista and CS3. The thing is loaded to the max and its monitor is 1920x1200 so I think its the sharpest available. Visually its stunning in bright red with LED's that flash from the vents...it's more than most need but its amazing and Photoshop screams on it compared to my old Inspiron. Your son is definately correct in using the external harddrive for backup.
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Lucia I. Stanley |
Thanks so much for all the advise. I've been doing alot of research and thought I'd made up my mind on a Toshiba, but then I saw, on QVC while channel surfing, an Acer. I was impressed but, since I don't know the company, I'm still cautious. I looked up their history and was wondering if anyone else has heard or had first hand knowledge on this company ? I feel so empowered with the knowledge I have now after doing so much research on the laptops and finding out what each aspect regarding the operating system of a laptop do that I dare any copm. geek to try and sell me something I don't need, he he he. That feeling is a great one !
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Oliver Anderson |
My ex had one for college, she got hers at Office Depot for like $800. Its OK but the color monitor isn't that great and her Photoshop Elements was kinda slow because it wasn't too powerfull. I'd rather own a great used machine than her Acer. Oh yeah the wireless modem was kinda weak, my laptop could find 15 different wireless networks from her room and hers only saw 2.
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Lucia I. Stanley |
I wonder what year that was because the one that they showed last night was supposed to do just the opposite. I forgot what it's called but there's a "new" component that is said to find more than others do. Hmm, I still want to stick with the Toshiba. The one that I'm looking at has everything except the 2.0 ghz proc. speed. None of the Intels, that I can pay for, have 64 bit for the video card either. From other Q & A's it sounds like these are important to have but what can you do. So , I'll settle for 1.73ghz and 32 bit for now. Is AMD still getting a bad rap? They do offer 64 bit.
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Richard Lynch |
I use both Mac and PC and have for a long time...almost as long as I've been using Photoshop (my first time using Photoshop on PC was v 2.5 and I used 2 on Mac). In the early days there was a difference in the print world (pre 1998 or so; services and printers preferred mac files). More recently most things are virtually the same, especially considering RGB workflows and Mac's adoption of an intel chip so it can natively run PC programs. Any issues with speed are either software or hardware related (e.g., you are running a cable connection with no firewall, you don't have enough RAM, your hard drives are full, etc.), and it has NOTHING to do with how the program reacts with a well equipped and maintained PC or Mac. if you have issues you need to do some maintenance and perhaps consider an upgrade. I have one preference that I cannot kill completely, and continue to hold -- I like the color Mac renders slightly better than the PC because they tend to be a better match to print, and I believe it has to do with native gamma. You CAN compensate in Photoshop using the Mac preview, but that is just a fix for Photoshop, not other programs. I use Mac as a primary workstation because I am used to getting results with it, and I am most used to working with it. Use a good plan and workflow, and you should be able to get the right results no matter what computer you choose.
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Oliver Anderson |
Rich is totally correct on the color issues EXCEPT for my monitor. The NEW Dell laptop monitor is INSANE and beats any Mac. I would have bought a Mac if it was better because I'm a label whore and want the best. My XPS is way more than I'll ever need but the monitor is unbelievable and the machine cranks photos out faster than anything I've worked on. Just threw a party at the Playboy Mansion (for Susan G. Komen) and photoshopped up 250 photos in 1/2 the time it would have taken with my old laptop....remember you'll want a monitor calibrator if you're serious about printing photos.
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Richard Lynch |
Again, I suggested you can compensate, but there is a difference. And I admit to hardware calibrating my mac, and not PC -- which could be the difference. I just can't justify the effort, when mostly I type on my PC and do my creative and visual work on Mac. IN NO WAY did I mean to say a PC can't.
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Oliver Anderson |
I know Rich...In all honesty it comes down to SOOOOO much more than what is the Best. Because for me, BEST, means $$$ doesn't matter. For others it means for their specific needs and use. I grew up racing and golfing and never wanted to be thinking the reason I lost was due to inferior equipment. Buy the best you can afford and appreciate it, then move up as the need becomes necessary...Let me explain...Just worked with the photog I learned everything from and he traded his 1DsMarkII for a 5D & 30D....I was BLOWN away?????he also shoots mostly in JPEG since all the clothing, swimwear, lingerie lines want it that way. I was SHOCKED!!! it just goes to show that a great photographer can KICK my butt with a P&S camera. He has 500+ covers and I have less than 50.
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Richard Lynch |
yes, if you shoot perfect exposures, how much of RAW is a crutch? I limp. I am great post process (and my clients attest). I limp back to the question...Which do I trust more? mac. Either can work. One has been more graphically oriented from the outset. It was mac.
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Oliver Anderson |
I don't argue with that...especially after hearing 2 of the top 5 photographers for Maxim use 20 or 30D's.....I use a 1DsMarkII because is gives me A LOT of forgiveness...and I shoot RAW. it made me think I kinda SUCK. thats an awakening
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Richard Lynch |
In the end, if you get the results, it doesn't suck ;-) It just might take a few more minutes.
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Lucia I. Stanley |
Wow, guys. To be in the company of such passion is wonderful. I am truly home !! (I don't mean to get sappy but there's no one who I can get into a conversation like this at home. I love it !!) Well, I feel better knowing the calibration is for printing the photos and not just previewing them. I'm not there yet in my finances so I have a finisher I go to. But I do edit them before I take them to print. I would love a MAC but, again, my finances. I just bought my first digital SLR (Nikon D40X) and am tickled at what I've learned and can do. I like my photos so far (I'd love feadback if you look at my gallery) and have not finished my education, (everything you see is self learned) so I figure if I like what I see, and so do my clients, then anything is better than this 2002 #^%*@!! that I have now :). So I'll work with my finances and get the best that I can (and get my images off this dino before it dies) and, like Oliver said, up grade later. Thanks soo much for everything ! Oh, and Oliver, you live my dream, racing and photography (but not the chick models - I like the opposite team :) )I have 3 older brothers who introduced my to "boys fun" and have always wanted to race. (It's a wonder I only have 1 speeding ticket. he he) Thanks again !! Lucia
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