Even though I am saving money to buy a house(more likely a condo) somewhere in the Bay Area, I am thinking of buying a nice new Apple computer. I am growing more and more tired of Microsoft Windows and all the problems that come with it, each and every day. And I am not at all looking forward to Vista or the price or the probable security bugs. The only reasons that kept me from switching over to Apple computers were the price of machines and no Intel processor compatible version of Photoshop (which I need and want for design work).
The second fact looks to be an issue no more. I could either use Photoshop now using “coherence” with Parallels or wait a few months for CS3. So with that, I think I am officially in the market for an Apple computer.
Now I just don’t know which type of Mac to get, maybe. Mac Mini? Maybe a Mac Pro but just kiss about $2,800 good-bye (and that’s without a monitor), but then again, kiss all the Windows problems goodbye too. Or iMac? But what about a notebook? Hard choice too. Mac Book Pro or Mac Book, in black?
I don’t know, but I guess I would have to say I am leaning towards a Mac Book right now because it is inexpensive and portable. But then I would like something a lot more powerful than a notebook. Plus 13.3 inches would make it difficult to work in Photoshop. iMac’s are nice as well, but can they be upgraded easily? Maybe I’ll get a Mac Mini and a Mac Book, does that sound like a reasonably not-dumb idea? So I would have a relatively powerful desktop machine for Photoshop and maybe video editing and then have the Mac Book for the portability and to blog, do email and web development work. All while keeping the price low?
I think I’ll hit the Apple stores this weekend to test drive the Mac Books and ask the staff for their thoughts. But I do know that if Apple prices were lower, we wouldn’t be having this conversation and I would have jumped from the Windows ship long ago.
LATER: In the comments EagerDragon advises I should wait until the January announcements from Apple, just in case. I think that is a smart move, so I’ll wait until then. If nothing comes out, I’ll probably buy a Mac Book Pro and Cinema Display, like Mark suggested.
December 2nd, 2006 at 5:36 am
What, Vista doesn’t attract you?
Clippy will be sad.
December 5th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
It depends on what you want to do, both the Mac mini and the MacBook have no video card (per say), this may or may not have an effect on CS3.
The MacBook Pro and the iMac both have a nice video card inside that should speed up some of the functions of CS3 and you can still play your windows 3D games with the video card.
The Mac Pro is designed with the profesional in mind, it is highly extensible, with up to 16 Gig of memory and 4 disk drives, up to 4 vieo cards driving up to 8 monitors (360 dregree, LOL. This is the top for video and photoshop.
I am not sure how much you use photoshop or how much you depend on it financialy. You decide.
However wait until the anouncements in January, there maybe a surprice or two (who knows). If you can, wait another month, mean time decide what you are going to use it for and how important is time to you for a particular function.
I have 2 (older) powerbooks (wife and me) and my first system iMac (G4). As im strapped for cash, the longer I wait the better, so I will be in the market for the intel version come summer time sometime as my current 3 machines are fine.
Lots of luck, welcome home.
December 5th, 2006 at 11:07 pm
Thanks, EagerDragon
I think you are right, I will wait until the January announcements. But if nothing big is announced, I think I’ll go with a Mac Book Pro and cinema display and use it as a desktop too. If my HP laptop can handle Photoshop and sometimes Premiere, I think a Mac could handle it just fine. Then later I could always get a Mac Pro.
December 6th, 2006 at 4:47 am
Hey Julio. This is a great post and GOOD timing too! I’ve been thinking about getting a Mac too…but for DJing. A lot of DJs now are using a new problem called “Serato Scratch Live” with their PCs. Yet, I’ve been going back and forth between a Mac and a PC. Yes a PC is cheaper, but I dont like all the pre-installed junk. The MAC is super nice, but a lot more expensive. =( AHHH…but I think I will get the 13 inch Mac notebook. =)
Keep me updated on your search!
-Chris
December 10th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
love my apple.
December 24th, 2006 at 1:21 pm
christopher salazar:
take a look at the story at the other end of this link and your worries may be over . here is a quote from the story “The deejay runs Rane Serato Scratch Live on his PowerBook. The program allows deejays to spin digital audio files stored on their computers — including anything in their iTunes libraries — through a controller record or CD.”
as for the price, these days you can get a lot more Mac for the money than you used to . . .
best of luck, and happy holidays
December 24th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
julio:
another good reason to wait until after Macworld is that *if* there is a new system announced for quick release, or even an upgrade, the catalog retailers will have the previous (current right now) version on discount. if the speed increase/new optical drive variation/video card is not terribly important, you can save yourself another $300 to $500 at purchase time if you shop around.
. . . and as EagerDragon said . . . welcome home
December 24th, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Another good point, thanks, Martin.
February 6th, 2007 at 12:22 am
[...] After some thinking, and MacWorld, I finally pulled the trigger and bought myself a MacBook Pro (17 inch) from Apple (excuse the lack of unboxing photos). [...]