Preserved Topic: MAC ??? (Page 1 of 1)

Well I am planning on buying a new computer as my dad is constantly booting me off the one we have now and I just flat out want only my stuff on it. I love graphics and web design so I was thinking Macintosh but I am only 13 so i am still into gaming, etc. I just need opinions from you people to help in my decision. Thanks!!!

Well Im thinking about getting one of those snow colored iMAC's just because it would look so awesome on my room. I dont play video games at all so I dont know how well most games are compatiable with MACs. I do know programs such as Photoshop were originally made for the MAC and work good on them. I hear Internet Explorer sucks on the mac though. Netscapes supposed to run alright.

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

if i were you, i'd go with a pc.. it'll allow you more versatality in the long run. you can use any program a mac has, or something similar... and finally you have all the games. the macs barely get any games, it's just the way it goes.

i spent the first 5 years of my life on an apple before switching to a combo of mac and pac, finally now i am just using pcs...

so i guess no matter what you chose, you'll be doing alright as long as you're on any sort of computer.

cheers.mikey.milker

I would just like to point out that the colors on imacs, are actualy called flavours. And their newest flavour is granite. Thats right.. you can have a rock flavoured computer..

- Dan -

Actually for games, cant you just us Virtual PC?

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

or Virtual PC for anything PC related...

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

errrrr.....what is Virtual PC.....I am guessing a virtual PC but like what exactly is it?

Damn now I wish I kept the info for that. A friend of mine gave me a broushure(sp?) for it. Its like a program that runs mulitple OS's and can support PC programs I guess.

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

supposedly you can use that program to emulate a pc program.. but it just doesn't work out too well.

if it actually worked well, do you think companies would even bother porting copies of their software to macs?

i'm not exactly sure why virtual pc is a realistic option, but i know it's definitely not a possibility.

cheers.mikey.milker

I dunno like I said I didnt read the information my friend handed me but you can check out http://www.macwindows.com/VPC3.html for more information. The offical website wasnt working ... which isnt the best sign. I never used Virtual PC nor have I ever used a mac so my opinions should mean piss.

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

...hmm...Macs are, overall, better for graphics...but if you plan on doing *anything* else with your machine, go for a PC. The 1ghz processor really isn't that expensive, oddly enough.. It's the monitor that'll kill you.

If you want to be able to game go with the PC (for now) I think gaming will be more accessable on the Mac with OS X It should be easier to port games. And I could be talking out of my arse but didn't Apple license the PlayStation OS so you could play those?

BTW Virtual PC is not the way to play PC games on a Mac, they can't really get DirectX to work properly and you will get no support from the manufacturer (So if you buy it and it doesn't work you are SOL)


Walking the Earth like Kane

[This message has been edited by bitdamaged (edited 21-08-2000).]

I want to preface my question by saying that this isn't a defense, but a legitimate inquiry. Now, why do people always say that Macs are better for graphics? I've been hearing that for years. As far as I understand it, the reason used to be that Macs supported more graphics software, but that, as far as I know, just isn't true anymore. But, people still make the blanket statement that Macs are better for graphics.

I can't help but think that saying Macs are better for graphics is like saying an Olivetti typewriter is better for writing novels. Does the OS really have that much to do with it? I have a really hard time believing that my graphical skills would improve if I switched to a Mac platform. Come to think of it, I have worked on a Mac before and the software seemed to respond the same way it did on my Windows machine at home.

Can someone tell me *why* "Macs are better for graphics"?

Wes:
I guess everyone just assumes Macs are better then PC's for graphics because early graphics programs were originally made for them right? I really dont have a clue what Im talking about, I just want a snow flavored mac, thanks to Dan the Man for letting us know there flavors. I doubt there any better then PC's for graphics, I guess it just comes down to natural talent either way.

Bit: I was wrong about the Virtual PC? Hmm I was fairly sure that was the way to go but I dont use Macs so I dont even know why I made that assumption.

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

Actually I don't think it's really that the graphics that come out better (I mean it's photoshop, it does the same thing on both platforms right?)

I think it is more of the way Macs allocate resources. Adobe products just run quicker on the Mac. They get allocated more RAM and the processor is designed for those kind of applications so ever since the demise of the Amiga (which might get ressurected BTW) it has been the dominate Graphics platform. Personally I use PCs cuz I can build my own which is cheaper for me and upgrading is a breeze. Not to mention multitasking I will have any 12 hum-dinger apps running at anyone time here at work and I can't do that on a Mac. Belive me I tried at one time I had both a G4 and a P400 128 MB of RAM and the PC was better for multitasking. However Graphics rendering was better on the Mac but I could not get Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Image Ready open at the same time as a browser.

In all fairness I am an avid PC user so I don't know some of the advanced Mac tricks for messing with Memory settings that might alleviate the problem.

my .02
mike

PS Jestah. The Virtual PC might work with older games (I dunno I haven't tried) but back in the day when I did tech support for EA these were virtually useless for gaming. The reason Win 9x is best for gaming is the DirectX API which basically is an interface that allows the game to talk directly to your components (sound card, video card) and lets these process the relevant media bypassing the processor. (I am simplifying greatly here) DirectX doesn't work on many platforms well (including NT) and gets updated regularly. I would imagine that for new games to work via Virtual PC you would need to get a patch for that program everytime a new version of DirectX is realesed (DirectX will be included on any game that needs it). Anyway the quick answer is that DirectX is the stumbling block for Virtual PC.

Walking the Earth like Kane

[This message has been edited by bitdamaged (edited 21-08-2000).]

I have a mac and a pc where I work. Particularly with Illustrator, mac's simply run better with fewer quirks. THe OS is seemingly more stable, so things just run more quickly.

Well, I've run benchmarks with Photoshop and PC, sitting right next to each other, and then timing some processor heavy tasks. Hz for Hz, Mac out-performs the PIII by quite a margin. Hard to say how it'd do against a Gigahertz processor, aren't those kind of expensive yet? Illustrator, for instance, is also a huge dog on the PC. The functions are the same, but you'll need a lot of RAM.

Macintosh sucks for games, however. Wana play Diablo2? Forget it on a mac, there may be a port this autumn, but it probably won't work as well. Games make it to the Mac late, if ever.

I run Virtual PC on my Mac G4 at home, it basically creates a virtual hard drive space where Windows (or Linux, whatever, you get a choice!) is loaded. I run Win 98 on this Virtual PC space, and it's the real macoy, came with a windows licence and everything, I've gone through Windows update and brought my IE up to 5.5, with all the critical patches. But! DirectX support, as pointed out, sucks big time. Forget about Diablo 2, the reason I bought the app in the first place! Hrmph.

So! Both are good. I prefer the Mac, it's faster than the PC for the tasks I use most. At work I use both a PIII/600 running NT and a Mac G4/500, the mac blows doors on the PC. Still, the PC was bunches cheaper than the Mac, and if it wasn't at work I could use it to play games! Another thing to consider is software. At your age I wouldn't scream if you tracked down some less than legitimate softwares. Don't expect to find this situation for the Mac, unless you have a friend who could set you up.

SO! Mac - 2 points. Windows -> 2 points.

It's a push, Use the system you're most comfortable that you can also get software for. If you need games in your life, go PC, if your life is graphics and speed is important, go Mac. My 2 cents!

Your pal, -doc-

OK, so my basic assumptions were correct. However, the statement that Macs run with fewer quirks is quite subjective. I've found that every machine has its own personality. The job I had where I worked on Macs--I've never had so many crashes and freeze-ups in my life, especially with the Adobe software. No fewer than two a day. I've also seen Macs that were fine. Same with the PCs. Windows has its problems, Mac OS has its problems...

But, back to deciding which system to get: I always tell people to take into consideration what your friends have. They will be able to help you with problems and maybe provide some software.

Of course last week when Notepad caused a Kernal32 error I came this '' close to screwing it all and running Linux. I am really starting to love that OS, if I could just type better....

I have started playing with the GIMP image editor in Linux. BAsically the opensource answer to photoshop and it really is good for the price (free came with Redhat 6.2) between that and VMware (kinda like virtualPC)Linux can rock for day to day tasks, not to mention a dual boot for gaming.


Walking the Earth like Kane

1000 mhz PC's cost much less then 500 mhz Mac's. Mainly because you can buy them piece by piece. Where as, mac's are like gaming systems, if they need to be upgraded, chuck em in the trash and buy a new one <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">

Not to mention, for games, mac's can only support up to that lovable ATI rage 128 (hey, its a good card, I used it on my PC for a long time). PC's, well, they have the GeForce-2... Has its on processor, I think up to 333mhz now.. plus 32mb of video memory. Makes your system not slow down at all while running apps with heavy graphics.

Btw, I know almost nothing about this, so trust what I say only as much as you'd trust me with your car... or children.

- Dan -

Well right now I think I am going to go with the Mac. Mainly because I am getting a Playstation2 on Oct. 26(Wooooo hooooo) so that should take care of my gaming needs(errr well hopefully). Now on further. FOr you Mac users what should i get? iMac? g4 cube? or should i wait for the xtrem toaster/overgrown microphone? Thanks for all of the input!

Avoid the iMac. They bought one for me here at work (though it had a g4 processor) and two days later I told them to send it back and get me the box.

First and foremost, the monitor is just too damned small. How can you possibly expect yourself to get any decent designing done on a 13" screen? It's just not fesible. So, go for a real computer, none of this toaster crap.

Anything but the CUBE!!!
ahhhh, thats natures worst mistake, and it's man made. It's not really a horible system, but I think it's the monstrocity with a vent on the top.. imagine if your coffee spills...

- Dan -

What's wrong with the cube? It looks nice and runs hella fast! Its a nice little system. It cant keep up with the AMD gig processor, but it dose pretty damn good for being a MAC.

I'm 13, i'm not into coffee yet.

OK, Cola then. Just don't spill anything! <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif">

Forget the iMac, the screen is way too small, you'll end up hating it. The cube looks mondo cool to me, I may get that for my next work machine, assuming the Xtrem machine doesn't come out first! They're here in Stockholm, I'm thinking of stopping by their offices to visit, maybe get to play a little! 1200Mhz G4, that will blow doors on any PC on the market, bar none. If price is a consideration, I've got a bottom-of-the-line G4 box sitting right here, cost less than $2000 here in sweden, and we have a 25% sales tax! Nice machine, but no zip drive, and no floppy. Count on an external zip or a CD burner, you'll need something.

Your pal, -doc-

iMAC's arent very good? Damnit. I just bought my girlfriend one for her birthday because her whole room is like the lil tangerine color. I was planning on getting a snow flavored one in the next few weeks. What is actually wrong with them? Should I even bother returning my gf's and getting her a PC instead?

Freaking I can never win. I go to the mall to buy a puppy at the mall for her, she loves animals, but they wouldnt sell me one since I was only 17. She was all upset and then when she went to get a CD she said she liked it and for $998 or whatever it was it seemed alright. See now if I was able to get to apple.com from my computer I would have known that...

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

There's nothing "wrong" with an iMac - just depends on what you want to do with it. I got one for our receptionist who does billing, word processing and internet stuff, and it's absolutely fine for that. Does she like it? Does it do what she needs? Then it's the right machine. It looks pretty, it's fast and it's simple. It's not fussy; It's an appliance, and that's as much as most people ask of a computer. Okay? Ours has been reliable and I like it a lot for the purpose we put it to (with the exception of the wretched mouse). The new ones are even better than our older one, with no fan noise, cool CD loading slot and I think the new optical mouse, right? You're not a gamer, so that's not part of the equation (me either BTW).

But if you're using it hard for graphics and apps that are really palette laden (you're doing Deamweaver aren't you?), the limitations of screen size and limited internal expandability will piss you off. So evaluate what you want it for; use hers for a while and see if you can use it for what you need to do. Want a sleek snow colored box to write with, to surf with? iMac's hard to beat. Wanna do Photoshop? DreamWeaver? The processor is up to the job, but even a 21" monitor isn't big enough most days! iMac is really kind of groundbreaking in that Apple realized that computers are finally out of the nerd domain and into the consumer market like boom boxes and vacuum cleaners; and Apple figured out what maybe 80% of the computer-buying market needs: simple, attractive and simple. And simple. But figuring you to be one of the 20% left, maybe you ought to think some more. But I really like Macs, and from what I've read so far, I wouldn't talk you out of a Cube!

Good luck

jestah: you're 17 and you bought your girlfriend an i-mac?

good god.. you could have spent that money on something that'd actually make you happy. like cheap booze and cheaper women... you've got a lot to learn my son.

cheers.mikey.milker

I asked her if she wanted a PC she said no cause it looks pretty in her room. I dont even know what shes planning on using it for but thats what she says ... Whats wrong with buying her a computer Milker? Well my parents paid for it ne way...

Jestah
ieJestah@hotmail.com
ICQ - 77252449

hahahahahaaaa..... my parents used to give me shit for giving my art to my girlfriend.

"you're going to waste that on her?"

they were right actually, oh well. but shit, a computer? fuck the dumb.

cheers.mikey.milker

yeah there is one thing i like about PC's
i can put in all sorts of cards.
And i can swap them easily. Right now my video digitizer is in it. Some exotic PCI cards. An Isa sound card. In my last job i needed an interface for logging measurement equipment. What i am sayin is the pc is soo flexible. Need something? open the hood put it in load some drivers(crash windows a couple of times <img border=0 align=absmiddle src="http://www.ozones.com/forum/smile.gif"> and off you go.
Although the most problems i had came through swapping cards. You can choose every part you want. Other OS? no problem, other hard drive? fixed in a minute.
Is this all possible with a mac too?


See you soon on the darkside of the moon (when the Alchemists don't blow it up that is)