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Considering a Mac: question

#1
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2/5/07 at 5:23pm
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After being really close to buying a new Gateway PC, I'm thinking of getting a 20" iMac (Mac Pro is a bit out of my price range) and from what I've read the time may be right to switch from the PC.

I use Adobe Photoshop CS and the rest of the Adobe Creative Suite daily on my XP based PC, and my one concern is that I've read there are speed issues running Photoshop on an intel based Mac? The article I read, which is on CNet, talks about non native applications that haven't been ported to intel based Macs and that using these programs, such as Photoshop, is much slower.

Any thoughs on this, and additional thoughts on the iMac to throw in?

Carl

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#2
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2/5/07 at 5:52pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Carl, it is true that the Creative Suite hasn't been ported yet. However, the Universal (Intel-native) version is due out this spring. Adobe for the first time released a free Photoshop beta (a caveat...you have to have a serial number for the previous version of Photoshop in order to download it) for the Mac so users could see the performance gains they can expect when the full release is ready. Until then, you have a couple of options...you could run the Mac CS2 version now through the Rosetta emulation. It's definitely a slowpoke, but some of that slowness can be minimized by increasing RAM. You could also run your Windows version of the Creative Suite by running either Apple's Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop for Mac. Check Ron's post for his experience with Parallels.

I'm a big fan of the iMacs...I think they are great value and unless you need the highest end graphics card for gaming, it should be plenty powerful enough for you.
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#3
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2/5/07 at 5:56pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Agreed. Get the iMac and run your current copy of photoshop until the intel version is released.
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#4
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2/5/07 at 6:08pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Here's a link to Macworld's benchmarks on Photoshop CS2 and the CS3 beta.
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#5
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2/5/07 at 8:16pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Thanks guys. I'm going to check out the boot camp and parallels info. The benchmark test article was a good read. I'm really indecisive about making the move to the Mac. I could probably live with running CS on it...I mean, it's not exactly running speedy on my current computer. I hate to shell out for the upgrade to CS3 though.

On the other hand, I'm not a gamer and I honestly don't feel like I want any part of Vista. Is 2 Gig RAM and a 250 Gig HD enough for the foreseeable future?

Carl

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#6
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2/5/07 at 8:20pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

I know how you feel. I'm a LONG time windows user that just made the switch and I'm glad I did. I've been sitting on the fence for over a year now and finally got the courage up and sold off my laptop and bought the MacBook Pro. I won't lie and say it hasn't been without its ups and downs as I've adjusted to OSX but over all its been a lot easier then I thought and now that I'm fairly comfortable there's no going back.
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#7
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2/5/07 at 8:55pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Carl, I think 2GB and a 250GB hard drive is fine. I have 2GB of RAM on my MacBook Pro and it runs both Tiger and XP through Parallels great. One thing to keep in mind with the iMac...it only has two RAM slots. If you do decide in the future that you want 3GB, you'll have to remove one of the 1GB SO-DIMMS and replace it with a 2GB module.
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#8
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2/5/07 at 10:23pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Miller
On the other hand, I'm not a gamer and I honestly don't feel like I want any part of Vista. Is 2 Gig RAM and a 250 Gig HD enough for the foreseeable future?

For normal applications, 2 GB is a lot more than enough. Given that you will be running PhotoShop (possibly under Rosetta, at that), I'd say that 2 GB is not overdoing it.

You might want to consider a larger hard drive. Digital music, digital photos, and digital video (MiniDV == 15 GB per hour) eat HD space as if it was going out of style.

If you install Windows XP (or 2000) on your Mac and run it via Parallels, that would also be another big disk space user.
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#9
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2/6/07 at 8:14am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Plus, most applications won't use more than 2GB of memory.
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#10
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2/6/07 at 7:23pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Thanks again. I'm going to check out what cost it would be to go for the larger hard drive to the iMac. 2 gigs of RAM sounds like it would be enough for now. At least it can be expanded a bit if needed though I didn't know about having to replace a 1 gig module with a 2 gig...Not ideal, but I can live with it. I have a feeling all this is going to take me close to the 2k mark in cost....I really wish the Mac Pro came with a monitor.

Andrew, if you don't mind another question or two...Did you run into any unexpected situations where you wanted to do something with the Mac that you used to do with Windows, but couldn't? What do you use for Word Processing/Spreadsheet/general office type software, if anything?

Carl

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#11
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2/6/07 at 7:48pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Andrew, if you don't mind another question or two...Did you run into any unexpected situations where you wanted to do something with the Mac that you used to do with Windows, but couldn't? What do you use for Word Processing/Spreadsheet/general office type software, if anything?
I use Office for Mac for my office duties, Mac Mail for email, Firefox for web browsing, Roxio for CD,DVD burning and iTunes for my CD playback, Dreamweaver for web development etc. Really other then the email program most of what I need is the same as the windows programs I used before. I used to use PaintShop Pro a lot for image editing but its not available for Mac so I've switched to Photoshop which is taking some time to adjust to but that's not really a Mac/PC issue just a different application. I have a long post that shouldn't be too far down the list in the Mac/Apple forum with some more thoughts on what it was like to switch over.
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#12
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2/7/07 at 2:09am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Carl,

I was in the same boat as you. Long-time windows user who
was petrified of the "unknown" when deciding to purchase a Mac Pro.

This post should help you somewhat in your decision

I *love* my Mac! Running it with Parallels is amazing!
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
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#13
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2/8/07 at 4:15pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Thanks again guys. You both seem to be having a lot of fun with the Macs and I got a lot of good info from your posts. I'm leaning toward going for a Mac now but still need to research a little more. The temptation is strong but I'm truly amazed at the hesitation I'm feeling.

I almost feel like I'm having trouble kicking a bad habit.

Carl

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#14
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2/8/07 at 5:55pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

I was in your exact same shoes last August...and went for the PC instead. 7 months later I sold the PC at a loss and did what I should have done before My guess is that if you're on the fence now you'll be on the Apple side sooner or later. Besides worst case is you end up hating OSX and opt to install XP on it...you've still got a very nice computer and can easily dual boot XP and OSX at any time you want.
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#15
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2/13/07 at 6:11pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Well, I think I've finally decided to take the plunge and get a 20" iMac...I'm a few weeks away as there's some planning I want to do.

My current PC came with XP installed, but far as I can see, no actual disc of the OS. I'm pretty organized, but I could be wrong about this. I just don't see the software anywhere.

Will I be able to create a back up of my current XP from my PC, and then install it on a Mac? Or will I have licensing issues?

I think what I'm going to do with the Mac is to run boot camp initially and hold off on Parallels for the time being. If all goes well and I'm happy with the Mac, my eventual goal will be to eliminate Windows entirely.

Carl

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#16
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2/13/07 at 7:17pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

They should be an image of windows on your hard drive somewhere for reinstalling purposes...check the manuals on how to locate it. Sometimes there's a method of creating a full boot disc from it via the software that shipped with the PC.
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#17
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2/13/07 at 7:49pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

I don't know how Microsoft treats transferring XP from one machine to another.

However, with Boot Camp, there is a technical consideration: You need to have a full-install version of Windows XP with Service Pack 2, on one disc. I believe this has to do with the absence of ready access to the drive "eject" buttons.
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#18
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3/8/07 at 2:03pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Will I be able to create a back up of my current XP from my PC, and then install it on a Mac? Or will I have licensing issues?
Carl, if XP came with your machine then it is an OEM license. OEM licenses cannot be transferred to any other machine - they have to stay with the original machine.

If you want to stay legal, you will need to purchase a new license of XP for your iMac.
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#19
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3/10/07 at 6:29am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
The temptation is strong but I'm truly amazed at the hesitation I'm feeling. ..I almost feel like I'm having trouble kicking a bad habit.

Carl, I know the exact feeling. Mine, - a couple of weeks ago.
First week I cussed the Mac, since the simplest things were tripping me up and I was rushing to deal with a project on a new computer with no 'right' click. Basically, I only used the Mac for mining the web for research and the textedit, then spent a week at my Moms building the project (she had the programs.)

The raw material I gathered in the Mac transferred just fine to her PC (as expected, since it was not program built) via flash drives.

By the second week I was settling in and enjoying.
Even becoming comfortable with the mighty mice. But old habits [do] die hard so I just added a 2-clicker wireless Logitech.

Really I have not had time to explore the Mac due to the project but am already starting to feel the Mac 'love' and even becoming proprietorial about the brand hoping for 'just enough' people to switch and maintain customer base so that it continues strongly supported....but not so many, the platform becomes a more attractive target.

It was very bizarre the other day while wondering about VProtection, - to get to a MAC aisle in the store and find only - one choice!

I intended to load XP pro, but am beginning to wonder....will I need it at all? Think at the moment I'd rather shop for software and storage capacity, external speakers, etc for the MAC.

So far so great for the 'new dawn' of my first experiences with a Mac. Jupiter seems to be aligning with Mars.
You've been dreaming. Dreaming of Sea Captain who haunted this house.
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#20
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3/10/07 at 10:16am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mary M S
on a new computer with no 'right' click
The mighty mouse IS a two-button mouse. It just needs to be configured that way in system preferences.

-Christian

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Benjamin Franklin)

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#21
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3/10/07 at 1:07pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

I just thought I'd quickly pop in here and say once again
how much I love my Mac.

My signature sort of says it all. Really, I'll never go back to
a PC -- and I truly feel that anyone who switches will feel the
same way.
Ronald J Epstein
Home Theater Forum co-owner
Email me at: repstein@hometheaterforum.com 
To View My Massive DVD Collection Click Here
HTF Rules and Regulations
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#22
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3/11/07 at 12:05am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
The mighty mouse IS a two-button mouse. It just needs to be configured that way in system preferences.
this is correct, and i'm puzzled why apple doesn't enable the mighty mouse to have a right click by default. i bought a mac mini last week, i'm a recent switcher (from linux, unlike most users), and i like it a lot so far. i'll probably be buying parallels to run some windows only apps that no other OS can touch (dvd-lab pro), i'd normally use vmware, but their mac product is behind parallels, even though they are the industry leader. one thing that irritates me about parallels, they charge you $50 for compressor, which is normally built into vmware's products.

CJ

And then when I feel so stuffed I can't eat anymore, I just use the restroom! And then I CAN eat more!

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#23
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3/11/07 at 6:57am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ Reynolds
this is correct, and i'm puzzled why apple doesn't enable the mighty mouse to have a right click by default.
Probably due to a little stubbornness...they built their whole company around the philosophy "So easy to use, you only need one button" (or whatever it exactly was), so they probably don't enable it to retain that philosophy.
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#24
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3/11/07 at 8:49am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
The mighty mouse IS a two-button mouse. It just needs to be configured that way in system preferences

Wish I had seen this, the first couple of days after purchase!
But panic while rebuilding material I had already spent spare time gathering for weeks (which was suddenly inaccessible inside my newly dead PC) kept me a tad distracted.

I really like many of Logitech's products and was ready to give wireless (on the mouse - had wireless keyboards for years) another try, the in the box mouse was wired. When wireless meese first came out after trying a couple I felt they were too touchy and shied away from them till just now.

Love my newest Logitech and went for the ergonomic shape I prefer, LT's concave curve away from the thumb for right handers, which I knew and preferred from my last wired logitech mouse.

Thanks for the "your a dumba.." tone though, (kidding) - I will use this information to set up the Mighty M, - which I intend to keep handy for backup, - in case I ever forget to put the Logitech on its charger.
You've been dreaming. Dreaming of Sea Captain who haunted this house.
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#25
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3/11/07 at 11:54am
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Before I converted over to the MBP I had an Asus W3J laptop. Asus builds the MacBook for Apple and its evident that Asus borrowed a lot from their work with Apple as the W3J is very much 'apple like' in design. Anyway the one thing that I really liked on the W3J was that the button below the trackpad looked like a single button it acted like two buttons as it was touch senitive depending on which side you clicked. I'd love for that technology to get moved into the Apple laptops as well. They can leave it set to single by default like the Mighty Mouse if they want but its a pain having to Ctrl click with the touchpad for right click functions.
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#26
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3/11/07 at 3:47pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Pratt
but its a pain having to Ctrl click with the touchpad for right click functions
This is another configuration issue. You can have a "right-click" by having two fingers on the trackpad while clicking. That should make it a lot easier and accessible to right-click, just like the two-finger scroll makes scrolling a whole lot easier.

-Christian

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." (Benjamin Franklin)

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#27
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3/11/07 at 6:25pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

I know no one really cares about my story , but it's really odd - when I am on my PC, I have a 5 button mouse and couldn't even imagine having less than 5 buttons, but when I'm on my Mac, I could care less about only having one button.

It's really a bizarre thing, but it probably has to do with the fact that I'm used to one button on the Mac and more than one on the PC. I never jump from the PC to the Mac and think "Damn, I wish I had more buttons" because I never viewed the one button mouse as being a hassle.

I guess it's like that one legged guy I knew years ago (when I was in physical therapy). He had a prosthetic leg, but hated to use it because he had been accustomed to maneuvering with only one leg.
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#28
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3/11/07 at 8:32pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Craig, thanks for the info about the Windows license. That sort of stinks but maybe I'll be able to find XP discounted or something.

Mary, your story is encouraging. Funny thing about the mouse situation is that I was in CompUSA shopping the iMac and I asked about the mighty mouse and right click functions and the sales person told me it doesn't have a right click function at all. Clearly, I should have gone to the Apple store in the mall, but it's the mall and I hate going there.

I've decided to take the plunge and go for the 20" iMac so I figure I'll have it within the next month or so. I've been busy trying to plan and plot the conversion.

Someone told me that Macs don't have the same copy/paste function as a PC....is that true?

I need to review Ron's Mac software thread to wrap up my pre-purchase research. I want to make the transition as smooth as possible and am looking very forward to feeling the Mac love.

Mark, your story actually eases my mind a bit about missing mouse buttons and getting used to some things that are different....like I didn't see a backspace button the mouse keyboard and I had wondered about that.

On a related note...5 days ago my PC started taking forever to shut down because 3 programs suddenly won't shut down properly and have to be ended via task manager. All three programs have been on this computer for well over a year and out of the blue this happens...Talk about feeling the Windows hate.

Carl

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#29
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3/11/07 at 9:57pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

Quote:
Someone told me that Macs don't have the same copy/paste function as a PC....is that true?
copy/paste works fine, but cut/paste is a little more difficult.

CJ

And then when I feel so stuffed I can't eat anymore, I just use the restroom! And then I CAN eat more!

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#30
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3/11/07 at 10:42pm
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Re: Considering a Mac: question

After spending 75% of my weekend rebuilding a friend's XP system from scratch because it was so deeply infested with spyware and viruses, I once again am eternally grateful I don't have to use high maintenance Windows boxes either at home or at the office.
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