I'm a computer tech in a couple offices who has to work on both Apples and Windows computers. After having done this for a few years, I can reasonably say that neither OS is much better or worse than the other.
You should work with the system that feels comfortable for you and runs the software that you like.
Windows tries to be too flashy and overdone. OSX feels just right. I'm an equally opportunity computing guy, and while both may have their place, most people can easily go either way. I have a mixture of Macs and PCs in house. I typically use the Mac for everyday use and the PC for gaming and also a PC for my entertainment system, but OSX is very soothing to the eyes.
From a technical standpoint, both are powerful platforms although some will argue that you can get more for your money going the windows route, which is true. Same price usually equates to better specs with a PC. What those same people don't realize is the Mac is an engineering piece of art. Ever compare a Dell laptop to a Mac Book Pro? The Mac Book Pro has the beautiful and sturdy aluminum casing. The Dell fells like they outsourced Fischer Price to build it.
I type a LOT and I used to go through a PC keyboard almost once a year. Usually due to the printing wearing out on the keys, keys getting too soft, etc. I switched to an Apple aluminum keyboard about 3 years ago and the tactile feeling of the keys is the same as it was when I first picked up this keyboard. Apple stuff is expensive because they were designed and look great IMHO. Little true fact: the Apple keyboard helped improve my typing words per minute by 20-30. Not having to press down a whole lot makes a great difference, but I supposed that is irrelevant.
It's somewhat of a learning curve to go to OSX, but if you are able to, I'd say check out an Apple store and play with a Mac. The Apple reps will not care how long you are there, and will probably even sit with you an entire hour to show you the ins and outs of OSX.
But would I ever get rid of my gaming PC? Nope. I'm one of those gaming junkies that has his computer watercooled and all sorts of stuff in it. Customization is nill on an iMac and you can't exactly get all of the latest and greatest super fast gaming hardware for a Mac Pro.
Windows or Apple? Both. Get an iMac or MB or MBP and install Windows on it with Boot Camp (Parallels is ok, but the Windows Guest OS often reports errors after I shut it down and restart the VM).
I run on both systems for business reasons. It really doesn't matter which you choose, but learn the one you do. Far too many people today although have computers know very little about using them efficiently other that FB, e-mail and the internet. It even worse when it comes to software.
If you are going to shoot pictures take a course in Photoshop or the flavor of your choice. You can do all this on line or buy a book. Apple offers courses as well as Windows. It is time well spent. You can get certified in PS and the returns will be great. As far as what system - Today it's A Horse apiece, IMO
I use Windows. I thought about switching too then I realized my reason was to jump on the bandwagon. Decided to stick with Windows. But I do have an advantage in Windows: I know how to use it.
my philosophy is "once you go mac, you never go back!".
it all depends on how comfortable you are with using either systems. i will gladly rant and rave about apple with complete confidence. i'm not completely technology inclined, but there has not been one thing about my apple purchases that have frustrated me.
i say stop into an apple store, talk it over, and do some research. you may just decide that windows is working perfectly well for you!
happy hunting.
I use both systems...Windows at the office and an iMac at the house. Switched to Apple about 5 years ago or so and have been happy ever since. No problems, no crashes, no viruses. Currently have the 27-inch iMac with an i7processor, 2.9 GHz, 16 RAM, and a 1TB drive. Would have preferred a Mac Pro but that was out of the budget. With the latest generation, high megapixel sensors coming out, I'm just wondering if this iMac will be able to handle the larger RAW files without bogging down excessively (considering that Apple has decided to drop the Mac Pro from production). Unless Apple has a high-powered iMac in the works.
I'd love to have an Apple computer - they're beautiful and well made - but you can't beat how much you get per dollar by custom-building a PC. Apples are just crazy expensive.
Windows 8 is on the horizon. Maybe you could wait for that to come out?
ontime wrote:
I'd love to have an Apple computer - they're beautiful and well made - but you can't beat how much you get per dollar by custom-building a PC. Apples are just crazy expensive.
Windows 8 is on the horizon. Maybe you could wait for that to come out?
If only Apple could have children in China build their computers, they would be so much more affordable!
I have both, a Mac Book Pro for work and a self-built PC for photography editing and a Dell laptop too. I really like the Mac and it's my default laptop when I'm on the road but I found that in a year I own it, it crashes way more often than my Win7 64-bit PC which is very very stable.
If only Apple could have children in China build their computers, they would be so much more affordable!
Not sure what this comment refers to. Apple's products -- computers, tablets, smart phones-- are all made by contract manufacturers whose factories are in mainland China and staffed by quasi-slave labor (including, in some cases, children) being paid less than $2/hr. And this is true for all of the other computer makers as well (HP, Dell...).
I just completed migration from a 2008 Mac Pro with a 23" Apple Cinema Display to a new iMac with a 27" display that required moving internal drives to external cases. After a few days of tinkering everything is working without a hitch. I've been using Apple products for almost twenty years and am a very satisfied customer. I also have witnessed hundreds of flame wars over the subject of which system is better. Frankly, the only thing that matters is that the user is content with the product they're using. I won't likely switch systems but I don't care what anyone else uses.
It has been interesting to observe, of course, the success Apple has had in creating a user experience with its iPhones, iPod, iPads as well as Macs that has obviously captured the fancy of a great many people. From the days when Apple stock was selling for $13.00 and nothing they produced stirred the imagination of any but the most diehard fan, to today when they are the most valuable company on the planet with the most recognized brand, something has changed. I know Microsoft fans believe they/we're all soft in the head. That may be the case, but I'm certainly enjoying the experience of working in this environment.
Good luck sorting this out. Sadly, I didn't buy any of that stock when it was $13.00 so whether you buy an Apple product or not makes no difference to me whatsoever...
