Computer Advice Please

Barbara A. Lewis wrote

on 3 Jul 2009 3:36 PM

I am getting ready to retire my old faithful MacIntosh G4 and I am now researching what would be the best computer for my studio - PC or Mac. I work on a brand new imac at my regular job and would love to upgrade to one of those, but they are very pricey and unfortunately by the time I upgrade my current Mac software would definately be too expensive. My husband and I are thinking about getting a PC - I want to continue to work with Creative Suite 4 (Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop) and he wants to be able to edit and produce video (using Final Cut or Premiere), so the computer will have to have tons of storage capacity, even with backing up on CDs. I thought I would ask your opinions on which would be the best to purchase and why. Any help you could offer would be most appreciated as this is a HUGE studio purchase for us!

valeriemalley wrote

on 3 Jul 2009 4:47 PM

My son-in-law, Rick, a professional photographer, uses Mac for his photography needs, and encouraged me when I was in the market for upgrading to change from PC to iMac, and I'm not sorry I did.   Working on computers came to me late in life, and I find the iMac relatively simple to use.  Also, I find it a relief to not be so concerned about viruses.  It seemed every time I turned around my PC was running some kind of a check for any problems that might or might not have occurred and sending me all sorts of messages that left me staring blankly at the screen. Although I have Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, I have yet to learn what it is all about.  I do use the iPhoto.  And I have a fairly extensive collection of music on the iMac.  I have not done anything relative to videos.  Is Final Cut or Premiere a PC product?   I don't think PC's clean up like a Mac does when you put things in the Trash.  I'm sure you will get lots of input on this from ones who have much more knowledge, but I just had to give you my two cents.  My vote:  iMac.  ;-)

Barbara A. Lewis wrote

on 14 Jul 2009 2:43 AM

Hey Valerie,

The company I work for just switched from Mac G5s to Imacs. They are selling the used G5s to the employees in a “lottery” drawing, so I put in my name for one of those. It is a much more powerful machine than my G4 and will hold me over until I can afford a new imac. Now all I will have to do is upgrade my software! I have always worked on Macs - they are really good machines. I have never had a problem with my G4 - it just got outdated and was too slow to run the programs anymore. Thanks for your input and advice - I really appreciate it!

Karyn wrote

on 15 Jul 2009 8:44 AM

I agree with Valerie, go Mac for the creative software work.  I use a Time Machine for backup and extra storage.  Makes a huge difference in my ability to keep working on a small G4 laptop and still do the photo work that I want.  You will love a G5!  So fast, smooth, sigh.  I had one at a previous job and I still miss it. 

Barbara A. Lewis wrote

on 15 Jul 2009 11:38 AM

Thanks Karen! I am hoping that my name is drawn for one of the G5s - they are selling 100 of them, but have over 150 names of employees so far in the pool. I will find out next Tuesday. I love macs and I am currently working on the new 24 inch imac at work - we are getting CS4 soon too. I wish I had a laptop, but that will have to come later when we can afford it.

Karyn wrote

on 16 Jul 2009 10:27 AM

I'm pulling for you!    CS4!  Oh wow, another dream to own.  I was just today looking at the Adobe website for the newest software.  Use InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat frequently.  Wonderful stuff.

Nothing like a nice screen to work on.  Laptops are limiting in that way, but good luck in getting a new machine!