[Padcore]

I currently have a laptop.

I'm looking to update it to another laptop or mac.

I have never used Mac's before but I have heard so many glowing references that I am seriously considering changing to them.

I have viewed the Apple website quite a lot but the jargon used confuses me - im no techie!

Basically I want this machine to be able to run CS3 with ease, surf the WWW and obviously as cheap as possible.

Any suggestions?

Should I mac it up or PC?

[silkstone]

You are opening a can of worms here!

Basically, if you need to run Windows software (for which there is no Mac version) you may as well get a Windows machine. You can install Windows on a Mac and dual-boot into either OS-X or Windows with BootCamp, and some Windows software may run under the Parallels emulator, but running Windows on a Mac rather defeats the object of jumping ship.

There are reported to be some issues with the latest OS-X (Leopard) which I'm not sure have been resolved. The Mac OS has always been renowned for being more stable than Windows, but people have been getting the dreaded Blue Screen of Death with Leopard. Having said that, OS-X is a Posix/Unix derived OS and as such is inherently more secure and less error-prone than Windows with its horrible registry that gets in a mess.

Unfortunately Apple's prices, especially in the UK, mean that you can't really call their products good value for money. A Windows machine of similar performance would probably cost about two-thirds as much. However, if you really like the look of them, and you don't need to run Windows, why not?

P.S. Or else get a cheap laptop and install Ubuntu Linux (free!) and you'll have something which is very stable and will not run Windows apps just as well as OS-X won't.

[Padcore]

Indeed the price of Apple products is the main stumbling point about my prospective purchase.

However the cost will ?eventually? balance out, maybe? No need to buy anti virus software every year? Plus the "joy" of using a mac.

Hmm...

[Steve]

There are some excellent free antivirus solutions available so that cost can be discarded in your calculations

[Rob Barron]

LOL, you'll have to use your Mac for a lot of years before you'll balance out the costs from saving on AV software! Basically if you are looking to spend as little money as reasonably possible, forget a Mac. They cost a bomb.

Are they worth it? Yes if you are a Mac devotee (who would sell their souls to buy a Mac!), no if you can't stand Macs like me

But like Silky said, you are opening a huge can of worms here, the Mac Monsters are almost evangelical in their passion for the machines, almost as MADly passionate as the Linux Loonies (hey, sorry but couldn't find another word to complete the alliteration <g>) so be prepared for an onslaught

Cheers,
Rob

[Steve]

on the subject of security for MAC's...

IT security and control firm, Sophos, has published its Security Threat
Report 2008 examining the threat landscape over the previous twelve months,
and predicting emerging cybercrime trends for 2008.

The report reveals that in 2007 organised criminal gangs for the first time
arrived at Apple's doorstep with the intention of stealing money. With
proof that hackers are extending their efforts beyond Windows, Sophos is
warning computer users of all operating systems not to be complacent about
security.

Sophos experts note that malware for Macs has been seen before, but until
recently, organised criminal gangs have not felt the need to target Mac
users when there are so many more poorly protected Windows PCs available.

However, late 2007 saw Mac malware not just being written by researchers
demonstrating vulnerabilities or showing off to their peers, but by
financially-motivated hackers who have recognised there is a viable and
profitable market in infecting Macs alongside Windows PCs.

As computer users become more aware of traditional malware attacks, such as
email-borne worms, Sophos's Security Threat Report 2008 also reveals that
the wider use of new mobile technologies and Wi-Fi enabled devices, like
Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch, may be opening up new vectors of attack for
hackers.

It seems that MAC's are becoming more prominent on the hackers/virii radar

[fgates]

If you are used to Windows, using a Mac is quite difficult. The first time I used one, I struggled to get it to release my diskette. Recently I had a problem with a iMac. I couldn't insert a CD. There was a special button on the keyboard. Also, unless you move in a Mac crowd, there won't be many people that you can ask for advice.

Fred

[stupot]

I've never used a MAC but do understand there appeal however about a year or so ago i remember a conversation with my ex's step dad (A network security expert for the US navy) and he echoed the above Sophos report, he said that for many years MAC's market share was small compared to PC's especially PC's running Microsoft OS the reason the bulk of malware is written for PC's. However as MAC's have become more prevalent more malware is being written all the time, he also added that and he emphasised this point that Microsoft has had many many years of experience in countering malware with dedicated teams writing security patches weekly, something the writers of MAC software don't have. His prediction over the next 5 years was MAC user's time of safe trouble free use would slowly start coming to the end.

Ok that's only one guy's view and take from it what you may and no doubt if you were to buy a MAC you'd have a great machine especially for photo editing but when you start hearing whisperings from different sources more often than not it becomes reality.

One final comment from my point of view as regards the cost of MAC's i recent looked into upgrading my PC, Mobo, CPU, Ram, Graphics card, Hard drives, with the rest recycled from my current PC and i came to a figure of about £1500 (some seriously hardcore hardware involved) then out of curiosity went and had a look on Apples website and priced up a similar spec system and the total cost was over £6000. Hmmmm i know what i'm staying with!!

[Willow5075]

I used to work with a Mac devotee but if the quality of Macs is anything like their overpriced iPods - forget it!

[IanHoughton]

My father in law's just bought a Mac laptop, being a Windows person through and through, it took me forever to setup his wireless / network at home for him. The machine itself was pretty nice looking, but the OS was a real pig to get around (obviously time will help him to get used to it) He bought it because the spec was good, looked nice but it cost him than for the equivalent windows laptop.

Myself, wouldn't pay the extra just for the looks, the performance is no better than my own laptop and I need to run microsoft software so its a no-goer.

[AQ]

My two pennies worth.

I have only known 2 people who have bought Macs. They were bought mainly on style ground to go into moden offices. Both were replaced with Pcs in about 2 months.

If you really only are going to use it for CS3 and the internet a Mac will certainly do the job. I guess you would use a Mac native version of CS3 rather than running it through an emulator.

Finally do you really need a lap top. A standard PC with a large high resolution monitor will be much easier to use as well as having much more HD space for working and backups. CS3 works better with two hard disks as well.

[Boofers]

can't connect to network,,,,sorry never herd that one before,. I use booth platforms everyday and don't mind.. It's like a camera brand, you can make up your own mind. All of the above is good advice, as a mac owner I will say the price is a little high and do wish at times it was not so over priced. Just make your self happy and find a groove to do your work and enjoy your self. I would buy a mac again when the time comes, but wouldn't like the extra money gone for it's seems petty crimes of greed.

Boofers

[Padcore]

Thanks guys for the advice.

Im looking at a desktop imac for about £900.

Too many decisions in life.

[silkstone]

Before you decide on an iMac, do a search for info on screen issues. There have been several reports of brightness variations from one side to the other (24") or from top to bottom (20"). Also the high gloss reflective screen isn't ideal except in a darkened room. The idea of an all-on-one machine is appealing, but I'm not sure that they've got it right here.