New Laptop Recommendations

[CharlieY]

Hi Folks. I'm new to this forum and would like to solicit your advice on the following:

-- I'm currently in the process of replacing my 4-year-old Dell XPS laptop. I'm leaning heavily toward the 15" MacBook Pro, but would like input to reinforce this decision or to offer alternatives. I'm a serious amateur (Canon) shooter, and I would use this machine exclusively for photography.

-- I currently use Elements 6, and plan to add Aperature for workflow. Is this is good idea?

-- If I do get the MacBook Pro, are there any particular features or add-ons that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[stephaniekscott]

I have a Mac and I LOVE it, although I've got the Powerbook G4 (old version of Macbook Pro.) I'm actually wishing I had waited the 6 months for the Macbook pros instead of buying mine, but I needed it for school then and it is still a monster machine.

They don't get bogged down like the PCs, they are REALLY intuitive, and of course, no viruses, which is pretty nice.

I just got Aperture 2 and while it is awesome for workflow, and does have some nice editing features and it is cool that it works seamlessly with all the other Apple software, it is definitely NOT photoshop. Just a heads up.

I would just recommend building it yourself, not getting the stock version.
The new intel chip makes them really fast (you will be amazed compared to the Dell you've been using, my husband has a Dell and it annoys me) but if you're going to be doing a lot of photo stuff on it, you'll want as much power and memory as you can cram in it, and to get that, you'll have to build it yourself. I ordered mine over the phone and told them I needed the most ram and memory possible as I was using it for photo/video.

Also, buy the Apple Care protection plan. It extends your warranty, and offers you more protection and service...it is completely worth it. Although I haven't really had any major issues, it's nice to know that I can take it in anytime I have a question or need help with something (which I've done a few times) and even though I've had it for three and a half years, pretty much anything is covered (short of me dropping it out the window.)

[gldiana]

I have a Mac and I LOVE it [...]
They don't get bogged down like the PCs, they are REALLY intuitive, and of course, no viruses, which is pretty nice.

Ok, I don't want to be the defender of Microsoft because I'm far from being a fan, but I just want to point out a few facts (based on 25 years with computers, also used to do consulting in the computer industry and using anything from Silicon Graphics Onyx 2 to DOS and Linux):

- Macs are overpriced, standard components costs several hundred dollar more than on the competition and that's because of the monopoly Apple holds (it won't allow anybody else to install MacOS)

- I'm not sure what it means "bogged down" - Yes, Windows (especially Vista) has the tendency to eat up a lot of resources but for the price of a Mac, one can get a more powerful PC (quality of components is very important for final speed of system) which runs smooth (my computer never "bogs down"). And Windows has a lot more choice of software and device drivers, meaning that every piece of hardware out there will work with Windows, but not necessarily with MacOS.

- Mac HAS viruses, oh yes it does. You just hear more about Windows viruses for the mere fact that for every Mac out there there are 95 PCs.
So, not protecting one's computer under the belief that MacOS has no viruses is just naive (at that, Linux is a lot better because of its kernel).

- As far as being intuitive... ehm... actually MacOS allows very little interaction for the advanced user, it offers less options and that's why it seems easier. I prefer Windows because as an advanced user it's a lot easier to tweak it (and I hate one mouse button).

- As for Apple itself, not unlike Microsoft, it has the tendency to use common devices and call them with a proprietary name and pretend to (to borrow an italian expression) have invented hot water (or reinvented the wheel, if you prefer the english expression) like for the Airport (which is a lot slower and they didn't invent it).

I'd also like to know why their "Cinema Displays" are so expensive, up to $1000 more than other brands for same size of screen and much less quality. As a matter of fact Apple was sued recently for lying to indicate the bitplan of their Cinema Displays; which someone discovered is lower than any other display in the market and therefore capable of showing less colors. For example compare Apple's 23" for $899 (contrast ration 700:1, response time 16ms, the highest in the market, similar to a 5 year old screen, meaning there will be some trailing if you watch movies or play certain games; no HDMI connection for better quality, no HDCP which means impossible to play High Definition movies from Blue Ray, etc.) with Gateways 24" $499 ($479 at other retailers; HDCP, HDMI, contrast ratio 1000:1, 3ms response time - 5 times faster than the Apple, Full High Definition 1080p; and as a bonus it swivels 90 degrees, so great for photographers who want to work on photos shot vertically). Why is Apple charging nearly twice as much for a largely inferior product (the price gap increases with larger size models)?
Because people buy the brand name, not the quality.

I welcome an alternative to Microsoft (historically I'm an Amiga guy), but I don't believe Apple, with their arrogance, is it.

Sorry to point all this out, Stephanie, at the end is all about personal preference, but I like to keep facts straight because the propagation of myths doesn't help anyone. Certainly nothing against you, I'm happy you're happy with your choice.

Links:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/M9178LL/A?fnode=home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/displays&mco=MTI1Njg

http://www.gateway.com/accessories/product/1541351R.php?seg=hm

[stephaniekscott]

Hey Luca,
The MAC vs. PC debate has been heated and vicious since Apple was born. I am not really qualified to get in a debate over the pros and cons, however since the phrase "propagating myths," was used, I'm going to need to respond to ya...I was just offering my experience.

My experience is that over the years I've owned several PCs and I've also owned two Macs. My Macs have out performed my PCs on all accounts. But I'm a high school social studies teacher and a person who likes to dabble in photography; I'm not an IT person, I'm not a computer graphics engineer nor do I do a work with complex programs. I run Microsoft office, (which works on a Mac and is the same price as it would be for a PC) photo and video editing software (also the same price) iTunes and use it for email and internet.

For me, the Macs have consistently been faster, easier to use, and they don't freeze up and slooow way down like my PCs tended to do after being used about six months, only resulting a year or so later in the blue screen of death.
Also, I've never had a virus. I guess they can exist, but I've never had one, nor has my husband (or two other of my friends who also have Macs.) It is possible? Yes, but far less likely. Especially if you are intelligent with your usage.

As for the intuitive thing, yes you are right, if you are an advanced computer user who understands DOS and Linux, you may find a Mac less intuitive. But those folks aren't the target demographic for Mac anyway. For the average consumer who wants basic everyday use, Macs are easier and more user friendly, in my humble opinion.

As for cost, I found that by the time I built my machine with everything I wanted, it was pretty comparable, my husband got his Macbook on sale for $700...it was less expensive or the same price than anything he could find in town.

Charlie is looking for something to basically use for his photography, he was asking us what we thought. Many people have PCs and they work great for their needs. Many other people choose Macs and have been very happy; I am one of them. I was just letting him know.

[stephaniekscott]

By the way,
I ended up adding Photoshop Elements 6 to the mix today....now it works in "synergy" with Aperture 2...you were right

[CharlieY]

Luca & Stephanie -- thanks for your input. I recognize that there are strong feelings on the Mac vs. PC platform debate, and I appreciate your candid input. In my personal situaton, I've never used a Mac, but I'm intrigued enough to give it a shot. If I don't like the performance and capabilities of the MacBook Pro as much as a PC, I'll go back. Thanks again for your perspective.

[gldiana]

Stephanie, your insight is, as always, very much appreciated (but I do hate iTunes, lol, I like freedom of choice and iTunes is locked to other formats).

Charlie,
I don't consider myself to "root" for one side; let's say that I'm stuck with a PC because I haven't found better (I would love to say Linux is a better desktop solution, but unfortunately the lack of software for us photographers/video editors makes it pretty much useless). What I know that (because of Microsoft's monopoly for many years) all hardware that comes out has Windows drivers, which cannot be said about MacOS or any other OS. So, I can buy any parts for my machine and make it as powerful as it can be, with the knowledge that it will work. By the way, I hate Vista, it's a horrible piece of junk so I stick to XP Pro (my laptop has Vista and I only use it when I travel).
I think your choice is right, try something out and you'll have a better idea if it fits your needs.

[diglloyd]

Hi Folks. I'm new to this forum and would like to solicit your advice on the following:

-- I'm currently in the process of replacing my 4-year-old Dell XPS laptop. I'm leaning heavily toward the 15" MacBook Pro, but would like input to reinforce this decision or to offer alternatives. I'm a serious amateur (Canon) shooter, and I would use this machine exclusively for photography.
-- I currently use Elements 6, and plan to add Aperature for workflow. Is this is good idea?
-- If I do get the MacBook Pro, are there any particular features or add-ons that I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help.

My MacPerformanceGuide speaks to how to select and configure a Mac, including optimizing for Photoshop performance; issues are similar for Aperture. Many of the principles apply to Windows as well.
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowT ... okPro.html

These days you can put 6GB of memory into the MacBook Pro (8GB in the new 17"), and with one of the fast new 7200 rpm hard drives your laptop is a viable replacement for a desktop machine. Aperture and Photoshop both do much better when a machine has at least 4GB, but going to 6GB is actually a 65% increase in available free memory (due to system requirements), so it helps a lot.
http://macperformanceguide.com/Optimizi ... Intro.html

[gldiana]

This post dates last summer, by now he probably already bought a laptop (hopefully not from HP/Compaq)

[Tusker]

I don't want to get in to a battle here but I have been using a Mac since the Apple II GS days, and at present have two-- Can't tell you the last time I heard of a virus on a Mac, if ever, and I will still be using my 17" MB Pro, and my other desk machine when some of you are buying your 3rd, or more, 'other' machines. I was forced to use a PC at work before I retired, was sure grateful to get home and use my Mac every night. Quality is in the eyes of the user. Macs have NEVER gave me, or my wife a problem. We both have our own machines. JMHO as well.