Whos made the switch from PC to Mac?

[John Bantin 101]

Blimey! I didn't understand a word of the last few posts! That's obviously why I HAVE to use Macs. I just bought a Macbook for my daughter. It has Snow Leopard OS and my son tells me it won't run Photoshop CS/CS4. Anyone found that to be the case?

Edited November 14, 2009 by John Bantin

[TheRealDrew 0]

Blimey! I didn't understand a word of the last few posts! That's obviously why I HAVE to use Macs. I just bought a Macbook for my daughter. It has Snow Leopard OS and my son tells me it won't run Photoshop CS/CS4. Anyone found that to be the case?

 

 

John is it CS or CS4? CS was not Universal Binary..

 

There are some issues with Snow Leopard and CS4 Adobe Blog Also some info here

 

Is CS4 not running at all, or is it hanging or some other issue? There have been bits and pieces of issues, such as the beack ball which can happen depending on memory in the machine, such as here which could be happening on a MacBook, especially if it has 2 Gigs of RAM...

[Drew 0]

Cor, the whole wanting things to work is an age thing... look at Matt... he's still Hackintoshing!

I'll agree with Apple the hardware provider is essentially the worst kind there is. I hate having no upgrade choices other than GPUs and HDD. I want a more powerful processor in the 3rd year of life of my desktop. I don't want to buy a new machine because they can't bother to make a 64 bit EFI upgrade for my 3 year Santa Rosa laptop and so I can't run in 64bit mode, even though the Core2Duos can run in 64bit.

I don't know which Genius Bar you go to but my geniuses are all very happy people who take in the products in and fix it. The ipod scratches, dying battery, my laptop battery which was technically out of warranty was replaced FOC (which I actually didn't want as I wanted a useless battery to keep the laptop plugged in.)Maybe it's a dutch genius thing.

[John Bantin 101]

John is it CS or CS4? CS was not Universal Binary..

 

There are some issues with Snow Leopard and CS4 Adobe Blog Also some info here

 

Is CS4 not running at all, or is it hanging or some other issue? There have been bits and pieces of issues, such as the beack ball which can happen depending on memory in the machine, such as here which could be happening on a MacBook, especially if it has 2 Gigs of RAM...

 

 

I don't think my 13-year-old daughter needs Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3 or CS4 so I haven't even tried loading any with Sow Leopard (OS 10.6). I have several other Macs in my house for that. However, I thought it might need mentioning to those about to switch to a Mac. Obviously there is no problem with Leopard OS (10.5.8).

[blimbo 0]

What? The Mac is FUNDAMENTALLY different because it essentially runs on Unix. It is nearly infinitely tweakable. It might be confining if you are constrained yourself, but it is certainly not by nature.

 

Fundamentally different? But what does that mean in terms of day to day usage? And is it really more tweakable than Windows?

 

I've used Linux almost every day for the last 5 years or so, but regularly use both Macs and Windows machines. Linux is truly tweakable because it's an open source OS unlike OSX and Windows; I don't see much difference between those two in terms of tweakability. The Unix side of things should make very little difference to the user other than the filesystem layout; these days I believe Windows etc asks for the admin password when you're altering the system, much the same as Unix systems.

[TheRealDrew 0]

I don't think my 13-year-old daughter needs Photoshop CS, CS2, CS3 or CS4 so I haven't even tried loading any with Sow Leopard (OS 10.6). I have several other Macs in my house for that. However, I thought it might need mentioning to those about to switch to a Mac. Obviously there is no problem with Leopard OS (10.5.8).

 

 

Ahh, gotcha. htought there was an issue getting it installed and running....

[segal3 0]

Cor, the whole wanting things to work is an age thing... look at Matt... he's still Hackintoshing!

Not so much, Drew...

[johnspierce 25]

Blimey! I didn't understand a word of the last few posts! That's obviously why I HAVE to use Macs. I just bought a Macbook for my daughter. It has Snow Leopard OS and my son tells me it won't run Photoshop CS/CS4. Anyone found that to be the case?

 

Hi John,

 

I'm on Snow Leopard version 10.6.2 and I can confirm Photoshop CS4, Aperture, Lightroom and Photomatix Pro all work perfectly fine. I think CS4 was identifed as an application which was not currently *certified* to run on Snow Leopard; in other words, they just haven't tested all the features yet and verified compliance.

 

Cheers

JohnP

[crawdad 0]

What? The Mac is FUNDAMENTALLY different because it essentially runs on Unix. It is nearly infinitely tweakable. It might be confining if you are constrained yourself, but it is certainly not by nature.

 

Of course, if you're running CAD software or engineering software, you're totally right. Even the design guys inside Apple use Windows (running on Mac Pros).

 

Define "fundamentally" because the hardware and chips are the same as is the architecture. Yep, that right, a Mac is a PC running OSX Leopard instead of Windows, big whoopeee. They are not fundamentally different, they simply run different operating systems on very similar hardware. Linux runs on a PC. I run Linux on my laptop PC on Parallels with Windows, this one I am typing on, UBUNTU, it is an open structure. All any PC needs to become a "MAC" is a tweaked/optimized OSX Leopard operating system and Parallels. In fact, there are people running MAC software on PCs, just Google it if your MAC can manage that, lol:

 

http://www.ihackintosh.com/2009/01/install...-boot-132-hack/

 

You admit, even when the Apple designers need a computer to do real work, they use a PC.

[johnspierce 25]

I don't know how long this charade can last, there is essentially no difference now between a Mac and PC starting a few years ago, under the hood they are the same, PC won, a Mac is a PC running a tofu operating system. There is no reason, if Apple released it, that OSX Leopard could not be run on a PC in Parallels just as a Mac can run Windows in Parallels.

 

I use a number of mapping, geology and drafting/CAD programs that simply are not available on a Mac operating system. I had a Mac, I took it back it was too limited and confining. Like being marooned on a beautiful desert island, nice for a while but ultimately I had to escape, I have stuff to do.

 

Ain't no charade my friend, the hardware is just not the issue anymore. I'm a huge fan of the Hackintosh movement because it really shows how superior OS X is... I wish Apple would openly support using it's OS on other platforms. I'd love to see a new Dell Adamo with OS X on it. Of course, if you want to continue to endorse Microsoft's 2nd tier OS, feel free. You seem to think it's Macs vs. PC's and you are missing the point. They are BOTH Personal Computers, one with a significantly better OS.

 

I have always argued that PC's had superior hardware all way up until Mac made the switch to Intel. The OS however, is absolutely superior. I understand your issue with CAD programs, that's a niche PC Software has "owned" for quite some time. PC's still own the gaming arena too, but in terms of photo, video, sound software and useability, OS X is clearly superior in my opinion.

 

And after all, this IS a photography forum, no?

 

If Microsoft will release an OS that A) is not a worse performer than the previous release and B) has at least SOME advantage for upgrading, I'm totally willing to try it. Why do you think so many people still want to buy new PC's with Windows XP on it?

 

JohnP

Edited November 14, 2009 by johnspierce

[cor 0]

Fundamentally different? But what does that mean in terms of day to day usage? And is it really more tweakable than Windows?

 

I've used Linux almost every day for the last 5 years or so, but regularly use both Macs and Windows machines. Linux is truly tweakable because it's an open source OS unlike OSX and Windows; I don't see much difference between those two in terms of tweakability. The Unix side of things should make very little difference to the user other than the filesystem layout; these days I believe Windows etc asks for the admin password when you're altering the system, much the same as Unix systems.

I used to have a few linux machines at home, but now there is none (well, unless you count my NAS boxes which run some kind of linux). OSX is nearly as tweakable as Linux, for most of us mortals. In Linux you can go a little further and change the kernel and device drivers more easily, but very very few people ever do any of that. I can compile basically anything I can on Linux on my Mac as well. So much so, that i could get rid of my linux machines. (and im really a unix person).

 

Note btw that I never say that someone should be running mac. It's totally a personal choice. If you like Windows, by all means ignore all the ranting mac people and stick with what you know. Windows machines are cheaper, are probably faster, have better graphical support, and you'll rarely find software that wont work on windows.

 

But im with Eric in that working day to day on a mac has helped my sanity a lot. I now spend at least 50% less time yelling at my computer for acting stupid

 

Cor

 

ps: on my Windows Dell XPS now because Macs totally fail at gaming, and im playing Call Of Duty MW2

[TheRealDrew 0]

You admit, even when the Apple designers need a computer to do real work, they use a PC.

 

 

That is because the apps have not been written for Mac and some emulators do not work as well. Probably easier just to use a PC than deal with Bootcamp and the rest. And as to "real work" there are certain applications that are just PC so there is no choice, but many people use Macs to do alot of "real work" and earn livings with them....

[John Bantin 101]

Hi John,

 

I'm on Snow Leopard version 10.6.2 and I can confirm Photoshop CS4, Aperture, Lightroom and Photomatix Pro all work perfectly fine. I think CS4 was identifed as an application which was not currently *certified* to run on Snow Leopard; in other words, they just haven't tested all the features yet and verified compliance.

 

Cheers

JohnP

 

Thank for the info. This Mac is still using Tiger 10.4.11 because I never got round to loading Leopard, never mind Snow Leopard. They'll probably be into Giraffe before I get round to it!

[johnspierce 25]

Note btw that I never say that someone should be running mac. It's totally a personal choice. If you like Windows, by all means ignore all the ranting mac people and stick with what you know. Windows machines are cheaper, are probably faster, have better graphical support, and you'll rarely find software that wont work on windows.

 

- Windows machines are cheaper -- True, but the "Mac tax" is quite a bit lower than it used to be

- Probably faster -- I don't believe that's the case anymore, the last time Windows bested Mac was way back when XP was released. OS X is a better performer than Windows 7. I have both and OSX is definitely snappier. In fact, that's my major annoyance with Windows 7; it's prettier than Windows XP and friggin sloooooow by comparison.

- Better graphical support -- at the very high end, that's true. But I'm sitting here typing on my Mac Pro at 1080p on my Samsung 24" monitor and it looks pretty darn sweet. Works great with Blu-Ray movies too. If you are a CAD/CAM guy, get a super high end PC. If you are a photographer, you'll like Mac better.

- You'll rarely find software that wont work on windows. "Work" is a tortured definition. There are too many really buggy, crummy programs written for Windows. But yeah, there's more of it.

 

My "do it all" solution is to run Snow Leopard 10.6.2 on a Mac Pro with 8Gb of Ram, 3TB of disk and two big monitors. If I need to use Windows, I have WinXP loaded in Parallels and it runs like a rocket there. I really only have two programs I use in it though -- every thing else I use has an OS X equivalent and runs better.

 

AND!!! I don't have to have that HUGE performance penalty of running a real-time virus checker! That's because nobody focuses on writing viruses for OSX since it's only about 10% of the total market. That's B.S. that Macs are more "virus resistant" BTW, any OS can be brought down by a well-written exploit.

 

Hmmm. ON second thought, I encourage all of you NOT to upgrade to a Mac. Go away. Shoo Fly!

 

JohnP

[crawdad 0]

Ain't no charade my friend, the hardware is just not the issue anymore. I'm a huge fan of the Hackintosh movement because it really shows how superior OS X is... I wish Apple would openly support using it's OS on other platforms. I'd love to see a new Dell Adamo with OS X on it. Of course, if you want to continue to endorse Microsoft's 2nd tier OS, feel free. You seem to think it's Macs vs. PC's and you are missing the point. They are BOTH Personal Computers, one with a significantly better OS.

 

I have always argued that PC's had superior hardware all way up until Mac made the switch to Intel. The OS however, is absolutely superior. I understand your issue with CAD programs, that's a niche PC Software has "owned" for quite some time. PC's still own the gaming arena too, but in terms of photo, video, sound software and useability, OS X is clearly superior in my opinion.

 

And after all, this IS a photography forum, no?

 

If Microsoft will release an OS that A) is not a worse performer than the previous release and B) has at least SOME advantage for upgrading, I'm totally willing to try it. Why do you think so many people still want to buy new PC's with Windows XP on it?

 

JohnP

 

No, I think you misunderstand that I have already left the MAC vs PC cage that you live in behind, I am not PC vs MAC, I run Linux with Windows in Parallels. The hardware is the same, I don't see the point in paying twice as much for hardware just because it has an Apple on it, it will be just as obsolete in two years as any other.

 

Yes, this is a photo forum and to take pictures underwater you need a camera and a housing and those are designed in CAD which was probably run on a PC that then provided the code to a CNC mill with a PC running it to cut that camera housing.

 

You make some good points, I agree with you on most, thanks for your thoughts.

[Poliwog 4]

My Downloads directory was somehow set to being a Pictures folder. So instead of the normal folder options like sort by date and stuff, it had 'sort by date taken' and fun stuff like that. Somewhere in time I had probably put a jpg in my Downloads directory and Vista decided i must want it to be a special Pictures type folder.

 

You would think it was easy to fix. Some menu option right? Just right there, somewhere easily reachable. But there is a reason I hadnt fixed it for months. Every time I wanted to change it, I couldnt easily find a way to change it and gave up after a few minutes, convinced I must just be blind.

 

Go to “Start” > All Programs > Accessories* > File Manager> Switch directory to “Documents” > Main Menu (File Edit View Tools Help menu) click “View” > “Customize this folder” > click on drop down menu under “Customize” tab “ > Click on “Documents” > click “Apply” > click “OK”

 

and that should do it.

 

* I moved my File Manager so that it is stuck to the start menu, and am not sure whether File Manager resides in the Accessories directory or in the lower level “System Tools” folder.

 

Also, if you click, File Manager > View > Choose Details... Windows will display a list of about a hundred different details you can make visible for the folder just by placing a check mark against the details you want to make visible then click OK for your changes to take effect.

 

One more thing, make sure you have the “Views” drop down list (as opposed to “View” menu) set to “Details” on the secondary dark blue menu where it says “Organize Views Burn”

 

I am assuming you are running Windows Vista. The process should be fairly similar if you are running Windows XP.

 

Hope that helps.

[echeng 0]

You admit, even when the Apple designers need a computer to do real work, they use a PC.

 

I said nothing of the sort. I said that when they do CAD work, they work in Windows on a Mac hardware.

[Drew 0]

ps: on my Windows Dell XPS now because Macs totally fail at gaming, and im playing Call Of Duty MW2

You are a gamer? Now how could I guess that?

 

- Probably faster -- I don't believe that's the case anymore, the last time Windows bested Mac was way back when XP was released. OS X is a better performer than Windows 7. I have both and OSX is definitely snappier. In fact, that's my major annoyance with Windows 7; it's prettier than Windows XP and friggin sloooooow by comparison.

 

Well that's the issue. Most of the 3rd party apps are not 64bit yet. And it's annoyingly slow when comparing equivalents in Windoze. Quite a few people run back to Windoze 7/Vista 64bit (on a Mac Pro usually) to do real crunching work of the bigger projects, especially production houses and other creative types. Many have dual systems because of the strengths of each OS. OS, machines are all tools. I can give you quotes for and against each side from real people using it for work. As Cor says, it's an individual thing based on what it's used for. For someone to tell me any system is better for my uses had better prove it. I'm open to new ideas. My experiences with Vista left me with more wrinkles and less hair from the frustration of setup, so much so I almost look as old as Mike V!

[MikeVeitch 0]

you certainly have more girly hair than me.. that much is true

[Beach Bum 0]

This thread reminds me of another post made about a year ago when John Bantin asked what he thought was a simple question 'why don't we over here in the US run a statesperson such as Nancy Pelosi for president'. Lots of mud slinging!!!!!! Gotta love politics!

Mike

[JToorish 0]

I switched from PC to Mac for my traveling laptop last month. To be honest, I was already familiar with Mac and both of my kids use Macs, so I had some built in expert help. It is a little bit different, but nothing major, at least not for me. I've picked up a 13 inch Macbook Pro just before leaving for a shooting trip to the Florida keys. I've been gone more than three weeks now and I've used the Mac exclusively. I've used it work on photos, write and update websites. The most important thing is to really make sure you have programs loaded that will do everything you need because it is more difficult to find those quirky little programs or apps that we all use for very specific tasks.

 

The major difference is, when I am traveling, I can usually download a program for some specific task for a PC, but that program may not exist for a Mac and you will need to be prepared for that with a work around.

 

As I said, I had used Macs before and so many of the programs I use were actually originally designed for Macs and then adapted to PCs that the transition for me was pretty simple. I still have a Dell at home for a desktop but it will be phased out over the next year for a Mac Pro.

 

Jeff

[loftus 42]

I would be interested to know from PC guys what important apps I have been missing all these years for everyday computer use, that are simply not available in any form - either a cross platform version of the software or an alternative similar product made for MAC. Stuff that most of us on this forum use on a daily basis - not some task specific software like CAD that most of us would not use. Games aside - that's why we have Playstation. Interestingly my architect buddy recently gave up his PC based CAD software for MAC versions.

In other words what important apps for imaging, music / video, internet / email , word processing, spreadsheet, database etc are simply not available for MAC in any form?

Edited November 16, 2009 by loftus

[cor 0]

I have found equivalents of everything I use regularly. This has gotten a lot better in recent years. Unfortunately you do have to open your wallet a lot more for mac apps. The other way around, im absolutely addicted to Quicksilver on the mac, and anything on the PC cant even stand in its shadow. I feel helpless on my PCs without Quicksilver.

[Drew 0]

Does Quicksilver have a X.6 release? I thought it didn't work?

[John Bantin 101]

I had to buy CS2 and activate it on-line when all around me PC users were loading free knock-offs! So PCs are obviously a lot more cost effective - if you know what you are doing. (I don't!)