I’m a Mac, I’m a PC

April 8th, 2008

Yeah, we have probably all seen the infamous Mac vs. PC commercials by now that Apple puts out. This isn’t a bashing post, or anything like that, but rather simply I am looking for your input on which Mac I should buy. This will be my first Mac purchase, however I am no stranger to the other white meat. I am going to be doing mostly design, and some animation on it, so keep that in mind.

To set a baseline here of what I am looking for:

  • Lots of RAM
  • Decent size monitor (I don’t need the 30 inch, regardless of how much of my drool is already on it)
  • I am open to machines (Tower vs. Laptop, and curious as to your opinions on each)
  • As far as pricing goes, I don’t want to break the bank, but perhaps no more than $3k

So there you have it. I am pretty much open to all your input and direction.

Thanks!

Edit: I actually already own multiple PC’s, so I am just in the market for a Mac at this point.

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21 Responses to “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC”

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  1. #1 liam says...

    Just curious to know why you are going for a Mac over a PC? I’m not saying don’t get a mac, i’d just like to know what lead you to decide to rule out a PC?

    Thanks, and good luck finding something suitable.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 10:17 am

  2. #2 Matt says...

    Hey Liam,
    Well, I will make an edit of this now, but I already have enough PC’s, heh. I suppose a new one, or a revamping is not out of the question either.

    Thanks for the input!

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 10:19 am

  3. #3 Nout van Deijck says...

    I think the iMac-24 inch is great, the size is perfect and if you buy the mac via the Apple-site, you can add more memory if you’d like.
    It’s really a great mac, and the new, aluminium one, even more.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am

  4. #4 Kyle Meyer says...

    If I had $3k to drop on a computer I’d get the basic Macbook Pro ($2k), some extra RAM to max it up to 4GB (about $150 on Newegg), and a 23″ Cinema Display to use as an external monitor ($800, quality is worth it). Any left over would be a nice bluetooth mouse and keyboard!

    The decision of whether to use a laptop or desktop is something I had to decide between about a year ago, I wrote a post on it that may interest you: http://astheria.com/personal/the-desktop-and-laptop-dilemma

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  5. #5 Matt says...

    @ Nout van Deijck

    I like the idea of the iMac, as my sister’s boyfriend has one, and has nothing but good things to say about it. That screen size would be nice as well.

    @ Kyle

    First off, I love your site design. Very simple, yet completely accessible, and easy to use.

    Secondly, I like the idea you have of running the monitors in tandem, creating a “desktop” feel when I am at home in my office. I also like the freedom of being able to be away and still have my files with me.

    I currently have a Windows laptop (which I am almost certainly going to install Ubuntu on), which is convenient, so I think you might have made up my mind for me.

    Thank you both for you input!

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

  6. #6 Chris G. says...

    I agree with Kyle, but if you want to save a little coin to splurge on something else buy a Dell Monitor. I have the 2408WFP($599) and I love it with my Macbook Pro.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

  7. #7 Matt says...

    Hey Chris, thanks, and also a good idea. Now, do they sell refurbished displays at Apple stores? Not sure if anyone knows, I could probably call and ask heh.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 6:21 pm

  8. #8 Jason says...

    I’m going to have to go with #4 on this one…

    I’ve been a PC owner and user my whole life. My decision to get into design school washed my views of graphic and video editing software on the PC, so I bought my first Powerbook.

    I have since upgraded to the latest MacBook Pro 15″ with 4GB RAM, 320GB, 7200RPM hard drive, 23″ cinema display, a wacom tablet and wireless keyboard.

    Unless you have an external HD on your network that you can run on time machine, I strongly suggest you keep your system to a one-computer setup. Most people I know have a desktop AND a laptop, and I can tell you that it’s been a nightmare for file management and the like.

    The Mac world is AMAZING. Nuff said.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 6:52 pm

  9. #9 Zinni says...

    I just went through this same decision at work, my outcome was the following:

    24″ iMac
    Extra Ram and 20′ Widescreen Monitor from Newegg.

    Its a solid combo for the money.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

  10. #10 Jordan says...

    I’ve had a 24″ iMac for a few months now and I enjoy every minute I’m using it. Including this one.

    Four GBs of RAM, 500GB hard disk, and a 256MB graphics card along with a *huge* monitor makes one heck of a machine.

    I was skeptical about the glossy screen, but after a rearrange of my office furniture, I have no lights behind me and nothing to worry about.

    Cheers!

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 7:54 pm

  11. #11 Matt says...

    So, it seems like almost an even split, perhaps a little more weighted on the iMac side. I guess I have more research to do, however the bottom line appears to be the standalone display for the Macbook Pro, and a large iMac (24 in)

    Thanks everyone!

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

  12. #12 Tom Hodgins says...

    Well I’ll tell ya straight out:

    I was a PC user, but I’ve been running linux since 2001. I had a really old PC, but I recently got an iMac. I upgraded the ram and got the nice mouse and keyboard, and it cost me 1,400$.

    Since getting the machine and looking at what’s actually in it, there are things like optical audio, that I don’t even need, but they’re there if I need them or not.

    You can learn to use OS X in about 10 minutes, you can install windows on your iMac if you want, and you can also have linux on it - so it’s really just the best machine for the price, and the software it comes with is great.

    I’d recommend getting an iMac over a macbook or a mini, but I’m sure the experience would be similar with those two.

    Best of luck!

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 9:38 pm

  13. #13 PXLated says...

    I opted for the MacBook-Pro 17″ high def. Had a 15″ before and found it didn’t have enough screen real estate for serious remote work. My plan was to add a new Cinema once they refreshed them. Here a year later they still haven’t but I found I really don’t need it with the 17HD. I would suggest going to an Apple store if possible and comparing the 15/17 side by side.

    • Posted on April 8th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

  14. #14 Joram Oudenaarde says...

    If you have a maximum of $3k, I think you could have some really nice options.

    Personally I love the Mac Pro, but it’s too noisy for use at home (even if it’s a home office).

    For the amount of money that you’re willing to spend, I’d get a 24″ iMac with the 2.4Ghz processor and 4GB ram (don’t buy ram at Apple though!). Cost: about 1870.- if you buy ram at a PC-store.
    For your mobility you can always opt to get a MacBook with 2GB of ram. Cost: about 1130.-.

    That’s a clan $3K, and 2 computers that will totally set you for a while :)

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 9:29 am

  15. #15 Matt says...

    Ha, too noisy, that is great. I think I might put a poll on this post, to get a more accurate depiction of what everyone thinks.

    So far it seems like most posters have the iMac, but I still like what Kyle said about the MacBook.

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 9:34 am

  16. #16 Joram Oudenaarde says...

    I definately think he has a good point, but I personally try to avoid cable clutter as well (cable for your monitor, and adapter if you use the MacBook Pro as a “desktop” replacement). An iMac has it all in one, and is cheaper as well… plus a bigger and faster HD is a nice addition to that as well.

    If you do decide to get a setup like this, I’d avoid the Apple Cinema Display. It hasn’t been upgraded in ages, and a Dell (for example) is both cheaper and better at the moment. Just try to avoid buying a monitor with “dynamic contrast”, because that will seriously annoy you within a day or 2. It will automatically switch between high contrast and lower contrasts depending on the light in your room, making it unreliable when working with graphics imho. You can turn this feature off with most monitors that have this feature, but the static contrast will usually be just as low as a monitor with a normal contrast, while paying a premium price.

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 9:45 am

  17. #17 Angel says...

    Get a Macbook Pro 15″. Configure it t0 2.5GHz and 4GB RAM.

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am

  18. #18 Dmitry says...

    If it’s your first Mac I would definitely recommend the MacBook Pro (either 15 or 17 inch). It’s the most solid product in the Mac lineup right now because it is both powerful and portable — it’s good for everything.

    The MacBook’s/ MacBook Air’s 13 inch screens you may find too small for design work, and the iMac/Mac Pro are desktop solutions so they’ll not be moving around very much. MacBook Pro has enough power to rival iMac and is put together in a slim, mobile package. I have a 23 inch display which I hook up to my MacBook Pro when at home, and that basically gives me a nice desktop workstation — which I can unplug and take with me.

    If you’d like a desktop, I would say the iMac since it’s much cheaper than the Mac Pro and would suit your purposes very well.

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm

  19. #19 jones says...

    Easy answer. Get the MacBook Pro (as someone said, don’t buy extra RAM from Apple). And get the 23″ Mac Cinema display. Expensive? Yes. Best out there? Not even a comparison (and believe me, I tried). I have this setup and it’s been amazing. Also, those new flat Mac keyboards are worth whatever they are charging these days, you’ll never be able to go back!

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm

  20. #20 Bryan says...

    I agree with what a lot of people are saying here, let me just throw another 2 pennies on the pile…

    I’ve been a switched user for about 3.5 years now. I love the iMacs, but if this will be your primary machine, why tether yourself to the desk… however pretty it may look adorned with that new iMac.

    MacBook Pro is the way to go, it’s the best all-around solution. I’ve had a 17″ for just shy of 2 years… and I wish I had the 15″. Your bags will cost more with the 17″, you’ll get pissed on an airplane when you can’t even put a pen beside it on the airline tray, you’ll eat up just a bit more space than everyone else at the meeting table; it’s just a bit cumbersome used day in and day out. Though I love mine.

    Now, with the current lineup of 15s, I’d say for most people choose that base model and chunk 4GB of RAM in there (BTW it’s only $104 at crucial.com). But, if you can squeeze a tad more money out of your budget, get that next step up… the 512MB VRAM absolutely will prolong the performance life of your machine. You won’t see much of an increase day one unless you are really beating your card to death with Motion or a heavy video lifting compositing app.

    I’ve also had the Cinema Display, and the Dell… get the Dell. 18 months ago, the Dell had better contrast, and a better response rate. And, it was $300 cheaper when I got it. I got the 24″ for like $640. It’s an even better deal now. It won’t look as pretty next to your laptop, but it’s pretty impressive nonetheless. You gain a card reader in the Dell (I like his) but you lose the FireWire hub (pitty).

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 6:50 pm

  21. #21 Pai says...

    i used to work on windows-based laptop before, until i get an imac.. then i was hooked up to it, eventough i still want to use some windows tools, but with Parallel, it solve everything. now im running both OS side by side, there’s no software compatibility issue, whatever cool tools being released out there, i still can use it coz i have osx and windows in 1 machine.. the first time i get my hands on the imac, i know this will be the best investment im going to make.. :)

    p/s: now im thinking of getting a mbp coz i realize i really2 need something mobile, have to work here, over there, out side office….etc ya, mbp will be listed in my wishlist..

    my advise, just get a mac…. :)

    • Posted on April 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm

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