Comments on: 2 Discussions on Pcs vs. Macs for Graphic Design

By: karaz

karaz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:09:13 +0000

First there is no "Mac". What people call "Mac" is in fact an Apple branded pc (that i would call ABPC).
That means you won't have anything more on an ABPC than you would have on a regular pc in terms of hardware.
Actually it has more limitations in upgrading, maintaining, overclocking, testing various configurations and what not. For example if i need another component to run a new app or simply to bust it's performance i simply go to the nearest hardware shop and in the shortest time i have a better computer. Can i mess things up? Of course but that's an option i have (i periodically upgrade my computer an i never had any unsolvable problems).
So in addition to the superior performances you get for the same money, over time, the conventional pc will severely outperforme an ABPC bought in the same period without having to replace the entire system.
In terms of applications again ABPCs are a bad choice since officialy supported third party operating systems are limited to Windows, and i doubt that's a desirable option for professional use since Windows has no native support for ABPCs and Apple's support is limited (drivers/devices).
It's true that Apple puts a lot of effort in graphics and design field but that alone doesn't make Apple compatible software better. In fact having Apple regulating all the software that get into ABPCs, only limits them to imposed bounds (monopoly).
On a conventional pc there are far more options and the permanent competition between producers raise the standards for better operating systems and applications. The few Apple-only applications lack this key quality.
Pc is less and less about Microsoft and Windows so that one can easily get away without using any of their apps (i use Linux and mainly open source apps for several years now).

My conclusion is that the [Mac] ABPC is more about a more polished look/feel and more trust in the computer for casual users who would want to use it for every day computer activities and entertainment without any headakes.
But if you're a professional i'd definetilly would recommend the pc. You have more control over it, it costs you less for better performance and you'll have far better choices and even decision power in the software you'll use.

By: dustin

dustin — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:38:33 +0000

/\ You forgot the operating system, the thing that uses all that hardware power.
windows requires more processing/ whatever power to run.
So I guess it kinda just evens it out.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:56:46 +0000

"Mac, what else is there?"

Well, here's the difference between a custom PC I recently configured with an English company, versus a Mac in the same price bracket. These prices are relevant to the UK market.

Firstly the processor:
With my custom built PC I get Intel Core 2 Quad 2.83mhz
With the Mac I only get an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.83mhz

RAM
With the PC I get 8gig of 1600mhz RAM
With the Mac I get 4gig of 800mhz RAM

Hard Drive(s)
With the PC I get 3x650gig hard-drives with 16mb cache and RAID 1 setup
With the Mac I get 1x1000gig hard drive with 8mb cache and no RAID 1 setup

Graphics Cards
With the PC I get a 1024mb Geforce 9800GT
With the Mac I get a 512mb Geforce 8800GS

Monitor:
Same on both; 24 inch; same spec.

Sound Card
I get an Audigy X-hi-fi xtreme Music 7.1 soundcard with the PC
With the Mac I get onboard sound.

Speakers
I get 7.1 Creative surround sound speaker-system with the PC
With the Mac I don't get anything close to 7.1

PRICE
PC : e1600
Mac : e1800

Amazing really, so many graphic designers can read NoLogo and still fail to see what suckers they are for Apple's branding and marketing. "Macs are better for design", the common catch-cry of most graphic designers, reminds me of a part of Naomi Klein's tome which talks about how brands today "poison our relationship with truth"; such designers need to employ truth and fact a little more in regard to evaluating the Apple brand, instead of substituting both for such a tired and critically neutered catch phrase.

Machines with faster processors, more RAM and better graphics cards are better for graphics; that there is a fact. That is why I have always bought custom built PCs since I first started in graphics, and that is why my machine has always out-performed my colleagues' Macs.

By: KBG

KBG — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:44:33 +0000

Mac, what else is there?

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:12:56 +0000

My daughter is entering school in the fall to major in fashion merchandising. We're trying to keep expenses down on a laptop, but want her to have the right one. It sounds like the Mac is great for graphic design, but I don't know how closely fashion merchandising mirrors graphic design in terms of system needs. Does anyone know how the Mac and PC laptops compare for a fashion merchandising curriculum?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:05:08 +0000

In my experience, the main differences between the two for designing is the buttons and hot keys!! I am a current student for Graphic Design at the Art Institute, and I use BOTH PC and Mac... I havnt had any problems (so far) using a file I made in Photoshop CS3 (Mac) then slap it in my flashdrive and use it at home (on my Photoshop CS3 for PC).

I feel that its better to be versatile for this situation. I am more of a PC guy, only because I used to be a gamer, BUT adjusting over to Mac using the Adobe suite is as easy as ctrl+z/apple+z haha.

My plan is this:
I already have a good workin PC (laptop) and am planning on buying a desktop Mac. I feel it would look better on a resume that I can use both Mac and PC.

By: Devin Fernandez

Devin Fernandez — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 05:25:23 +0000

I have used both, and im going into my second year of college in a graphic deign major, I have a mac, but my school uses windows. Basically when i don't bring my macbook into class, and i am forced to use the pc's provided, im tearing my heair out due to the crashes/viruses. Bottom line i like mac's quite a bit better for graphic design/artistic uses.

By: Nick Burkwit

Nick Burkwit — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:52:13 +0000

Hi, I am a high school student in Electronic art courses and plan to go into graphic design or a similar field once I attend college. This summer I realize I will have to purchase a laptop and some programs like Photoshop, illustrator, painter, and a few others. Unfortunately I am at a loss for which system to choose, I obviously want to use the computer for artistic purposes which makes me want to lean towards a make based upon what I have read here. The only problem is I am unfamiliar with Apple and Macintosh and would prefer to stay with the PC if I can. In addition I don’t necessarily have very deep pockets in terms of money (I’m still in high school remember). Lastly, I have already learned many of these programs in school using Windows. So I find myself at a crossroads with the question: do I switch to a Mac because it’s better for design? Or stay with PC because it’s familiar? And does the System REALLY matter? please help!

By: Nick Burkwit

Nick Burkwit — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:51:25 +0000

By: Brad

Brad — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:51:26 +0000

Hi There, THE BIG QUESTION? I don't actually know to be honest which is technically better.
BUT... I have used a Mac for graphic design for 7 years now and never had any viruses, a few crashes here and there and a harddrive die on an old G3 but nothing else.
If you are looking for a super sexy looking computer go with the mac. The cool thing about PC's that you can customize your look very easily! Oh and Apple has multi-button mouses now (still looks like one though) and even put a neat little scroll button too. I find macs a lot easier to use, they seem basic and user friendly to do almost anything.
I play computer games and although I love Macs to the death, this is where they lack support. I have Halo 1 on my mac at the moment and have been waiting for Halo 3 to come out but will be waiting for quite awhile.
Another point my Mac laptop set me back about $4,500, I could have gotten a PC for half that.
In the end once you choose one it is hard to go back indeed, I think I need to buy a PC for gaming Cheers Brad