Participant

Question

Mac Pro vs. pc

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
February 12, 2017
26 replies
36083 views

my perception is mac is abandoning their loyal pro market to phone and laptop profits. Mac Pro not improved in some time and seeems difficult if not impossible to upgrade. Thinking of making switch to PC for photoshop. Any thoughts or comment?

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magnus_a_lindberg

Participant

You can build your own 'Hackintosh' with PC-parts and install MacOS on top of it - if you are technically skilled and/or just an ordinary geek. I have not any personal experience of a Hackintosh but know people who have build one and are happy with it.

https://www.tonymacx86.com/

ot just google hackintosh

But if you just want muscle and speed - and only planning to run Photoshop - stick with Windows.

Good luck!

Ussnorway7605025

Legend

if you decide to go Windows then step 1 is remove automatic updates... after that you should be fine

Szalam

Community Expert

For people in my line of work (motion graphics and 3d animation), Apple machines just don't cut it anymore. An iMac is still a great choice for photography. Macs still offer some good options for other folks, but for people who need real horsepower, Apple offers nothing.

I mean, last year, I built a PC that blows away the most powerful Mac Pro you could buy. And I spent less than $1,000. Even if you were buying a brand new PC and not building one from used parts, you could get one at half the cost of current Mac Pros. And Mac Pros aren't nearly as upgradeable as they used to be, so they don't hold their value like they used to either. Photoshop, Lightroom, etc. can still find a home on Apple products, but if you're heavy into After Effects or Cinema 4D, there is a HUGE movement of folks (even die-hard Apple fanboys) towards Windows because you can get PCs with the specs we need for our work.

Bob Howes

Inspiring

I've used both and have a slight preference for Windows operationally and a big preference for the level of performance you can get for the money.

The one thing I'd say is that as Windows user has to be careful in terms of how he maintains his machine and what he loads. There's more rubbish out there that will destroy the performance of Windows than can happen with Apple. However, anyone serious about doing a creative job isn't going to mess around anyway..

Just Shoot Me

Legend

Used a Macbook Pro for about 2 years 9 months. Sold it just short of the Apple Care warranty running out. That was back in late 2011 to sometime in 2014. At the same time I also used a Dell notebook that cost less than half of what the MBP cost. Still using that same Dell notebook.

I personally will never buy another Apple product as long as I live. No better than other devices, 2x+ the cost for the same thing.

If Apple products were so good and made from better parts why do you have to make an appointment at an Apple store to get them fixed.

The newest Mac Pro is called the Trash Can, for good reason. That is a quote from my brother in-law who is a Mac fan.

This is not really a PS question. I will move this thread to the Lounge.

Best of luck to you.

John Waller

Community Expert

Thinking of making switch to PC for photoshop.

Out of curiosity: What do you hope to gain from switching to Photoshop on Windows compared to the Mac? Sounds like you're restless with the Mac. Anything specific bothering you about it or do you simply feel like the Mac Pro is standing still?

I use both and, for me, there's very little between them once you're inside Photoshop.

What is your current Mac setup? To what Windows setup are you planning to switch?

J

John FormanekAuthor

Participant

I would hope to gain 4.5ghz processor speed, m.2, thunderbolt raid,etc, plus future upgrade capability. Current Mac Pro 4.1 maxxes at I believe 3.45ghz and no posssibility of thunderbolt. Also the upcoming zen 6 core might show some promise In pc

John Waller

Community Expert

So your current Mac Pro 4.1 is a 2009 model and you're looking to upgrade?

How big are your Photoshop files now? Do you think you'll find a noticeable speed increase switching platforms? Or are you looking for something else? You want the Windows experience? Or you want the ability to upgrade components in your next system?

melissapiccone

Community Expert

I love the Microsoft hardware - but I despise Windows. I do love my 27"imac. As cool as my Windows Surface is, windows just sucks. That little thing has more quirks and annoyances!

Just my opinion. I haven't had a Mac pro in forever - iMac is perfect.

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

I think you'll get diehards on both sides claiming each one is better. I've heard that even lately that the Mac OS has less issues that PCs, but with way things are going, that might not be the case in a while, as you mentioned. I've been a PC user, due to cost. I can get more bang for my buck.Rarely had issues with running PS, just a few times when I got crappy graphic cards: avoid intergrated dual cards!!!

D Fosse

Community Expert

Chuck Uebele wrote:
I've heard that even lately that the Mac OS has less issues that PCs

I think if you did statistics based on forum posts here, from the last year or so, you'd come to the opposite conclusion. Some of this is related to the Apple policy re backwards compatibility: there is none. They drop support for legacy APIs and frameworks without notice, leaving customers with no choice but get on the upgrade train and hang on by teeth and fingernails.

You can't really compare. Apple is a complete off-the-shelf package, take it or leave it, while Windows is just an operating system. On good hardware it's a rock solid and intuitive OS, preinstalled on a cheap laptop or poorly maintained system it can obviously be a nightmare. It's up to you to put it to good use.

You need to focus on the functional differences. Do you want full integration, or do you want customization and flexibility?

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

Yea, I like to build a system, and not spend a fortune.

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