What PC or Mac?

[SteveR750]

christech81:SteveR750 - Your friends / family are pro photographers, what Mac software do they use ?

How'd you work that out..?

and even if they were, they never use excel / word etc.

 

[DavieCee]

SteveR750:
My initial conclusion from friends / family who are pro photographers

He possibly got the idea from that Steve????

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks DavieCee, I thought I was going mad.

Sorry SteveR750, I thought your post from 10-06-2010 2:39 PM was stating that your friends / family are pro photographers so was interested to know what software they were using to edit their pictures.

As an aside I'd also be interested to know the type and quality of the pictures (i.e RAW format (TIFF based?), average sizes), don't worry if it's too much trouble.

Not exactly sure where Word or Excel come into the equation (both good products on Mac and Windows by the way), with regards to that software you must be mistaking me for another poster.

"Thanks for all the repolies....

@JD - no it doesn't *have* t be anything in particular, but it must have:

- Calibratable (is that a word?) screen - doesn't matter if its stand alone, i.e. PC or laptop with a separate screen etc. I know that an iMac has the advantage that the screen is suitable for image processing.

- Software to edit MS Office docs, e.g excel, word etc.

- As a music source I will be connecting to an external DAC, ripping all of my CDs with EAC to an external hard drive library, and streaming spotify.

I would prefer it to be:

- Portable

- Cheap (including any additional software costs, a new PC would require a copy of MS Office for example, what does an iMac need?)

- Reliable

My initial conclusion from friends / family who are pro photographers would be to get the mac because of its ease of use and screen quality, but I wanted to check whether a latest gen PC/laptop solution might be comparable at a lower price. I am currently using a basic Fujitsu Esprimo laptop that comes with my job, and is loaded up with lightroom etc. 2nd hand value of any machine is unimportant as I don't intend to sell it, but I will need to factor in depreciation (which is or traditionally has been high with a PC)

EDIT - just want to add that I want to keep using Lightroom, its superb. I know Capture has the edge on the image processing certainly with shadow detail, but most people won't spot that, and the other features make LR brilliant. I don't use, and don't intend to add photoshop.

The other progs I use are all window based - usual MS office including project, I have added quite a few additional bits of software that I use regularly that are probably available for OSX also. "

 

[SteveR750]

DavieCee:SteveR750:
My initial conclusion from friends / family who are pro photographers

He possibly got the idea from that Steve????

Oops I had a internet paranoia moment!!

 

[SteveR750]

christech81:
Thanks DavieCee, I thought I was going mad.

Sorry SteveR750, I thought your post from 10-06-2010 2:39 PM was stating that your friends / family are pro photographers so was interested to know what software they were using to edit their pictures.

As an aside I'd also be interested to know the type and quality of the pictures (i.e RAW format (TIFF based?), average sizes), don't worry if it's too much trouble.

Not exactly sure where Word or Excel come into the equation (both good products on Mac and Windows by the way), with regards to that software you must be mistaking me for another poster.



Sorry Chris, not sure what hepened there, serious attack of brain fade...

Anyway to answer your Q's:

One is using Capture 1 and photoshop (CS3? whicever is lthe latest one).

I think my other friend is also using CSxx Both are wedding photographers, and both use iMacs (and Canons as it happens not that that is relevant).

All of my images are shot in RAW, saved onto a separate hard drive, which also contains the Lightroom archives. I convert the edited images into .jpg at max quality. The camera is a 40D, so the file sizes are between 8-12Mb, the finished ones around 5Mb. The only reason for considering a Mac is the screen quality and colour rendition, which is critical of image processing, but its possible to buy a separate screen of similar quality to use with a PC.

Excel and word compatibility is important as I have lots of files in MS office that need to be just as functional - I run my household budgets, bike training diaries as two examples that are complex spreadsheets that have evolved over time and I don't want to have to redesign them. I also need to be able to manage Office files for interaction with other users and occasionally work. From some of the previous posts, using Office software isn't as straightforward as it is in Windows (and I'd be surprised if it was)

 

[DavieCee]

Back on track, if you are archiving your original RAW files that sounds like a good (as in similar to mine) workflow.

People save their edited files but I don't see the point as what I can do now processing wise is better than I could do 2 years ago so I would rather start with the source.

I got a Macbook Pro as at the time it was the best screen on a laptop and as I travel, a separate screen was impractical. If you can use a screen of your choice, more power to you.

I use iWorks and while it may or may not be the best I can still import/export "ALL" Office files. I don't see how Office for Mac could be worse but I haven't tried it as I don't see the need (my needs are low though).

If at all possible I would recommend a trip to an Apple store with some RAW files and some Office files and see for yourself. Anyone else's opinion is just that, only an opinion. Follow your own road.

 

[John Duncan]

DavieCee:I don't see how Office for Mac could be worse

It doesn't currently support VBA, so macros are stripped out...

 

[DavieCee]

Not a problem if you don't use them though.......

Different usages, different requirements and all that.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, the best value option is of course Linux

Gets the best of both worlds, with deadly reliability, lots of applications included, latest in GUIs without being resource-hungry etc.. But if must have Lightroom, your hands are tied to Windows. Maybe look briefly at Digikam and Gwenview, just in case they will do what you want - they work for me (RAW stored, processed to jpg for distribution and to png and webp for web usage). Colour management is handled in the OS, no specific monitor required.

There are a number of companies who will supply big brand laptop hardware preconfigured with Linux, or companies like Novatech who will provide one sans operating system.

Couldn't let a thread of this nature pass by without making sure the best option got a mention!

 

[John Duncan]

DavieCee:
Not a problem if you don't use them though.......

Different usages, different requirements and all that.

Yes indeed, but somebody who sends you a spreadsheet may have done and it won't work, that's my point.

 

[SteveR750]

JohnDuncan:DavieCee:

Not a problem if you don't use them though.......

Different usages, different requirements and all that.

Yes indeed, but somebody who sends you a spreadsheet may have done and it won't work, that's my point.

Nail, head.

I *like* the idea of a mac, but it appears that its practical vfm is not as high for me as a PC.

 

[Anonymous]

Macs OS isn't that different (In terms of usability). They've just organised your important shortcuts into a dock, and made My computer into 'Macintosh HD' which has quick access to your 'My Documents' etc. The only thing that really takes getting used to is going to the little apple icon at the top left corner to access System Preferences (Control Panel) and 'About This Mac' which is sort of like System properties but a bit more in depth.

Another cool thing they did was combined the changing folder permissions menu with your properties option when right clicking on a file or folder.

Once you wrap your head around the OS is easier and quicker to navigate IMO. As for speed you can't go wrong it just runs so much cleaner.

It's a bit daunting but I'm yet to meet someone that has regretted the move over to Mac. I changed over about three years ago for music production purposes and haven't looked back.

 

[SteveR750]

Have done a bit more research and caomparsons, and now am about to decide. I think my initial budget was unrealistic, so have narrowed things down three potential machines:

Dell Studio 15 http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&fb=1&kc=NRS15352&l=en&oc=N0055803&rbc=N0055803&s=dhs&vw=icon

Dell XPS 16 http://configure.euro.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?b&c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&kc=NRSX1604&l=en&oc=N00X6501&rbc=N00X6501&s=dhs&fb=1&vw=icon

Macbook Pro

First choice is the "budget" option at around £900 with office bundled, I5 processor/3MB cache, 1GB graphics , 2x2MB dual channel, 320Gb HD

The XPS looks a monster - I7 processor with 6Mb cache, bundled office + adobe acrobat, same graphics card, same memory, but a faster spinning 500Gb HD. However, the real fun is a 16" RGB LED screen, 1920 x 1080 screen. I wouldnt bother with a separate IPS panel with one of those given the level of my photography. All in at £1460 ish

Macbook pro + Office for mac 2008 £1450 ish from Dixons, but my biggest reservation is still Office compatibility.

Overall I like the idea of a Mac, and I really think I shold want one, but I just don't have that yearning so the whole aesthetic part of ownership is missing...I'm never going to get excited about any computer, but I am still leaning towards the less hassle of windows compatibility with a pc...plus buy now pay later has a certain appeal.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve,

The Mac is a great machine and mine works very well in a Windows environment. They are releasing Office for Mac 2011 next Tuesday and the reviews are all saying how much the compatibility has improved. It even comes with Outlook!

They have also lowered the price on the office suite so 2011 is miles cheaper than 2008.

My work laptop is windows but I do all my work on the Mac and transfer my presentations etc to the windows machine when I go to meetings etc.

Let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[SteveR750]

OK Im about to hit the buy it now for a 2.66GHz model with the core i7 chip and 500Gb with office 2008 pre-installed all for £1275 sir....gulp, I hope i've done the right thing! Its slightly used bought for business use, but didnt work with their proprietry software, so are selling 10 of them. £1100 if you pay by bacs. I can post a link if anyone else is interested, but only after I've bought mine!

 

[Anonymous]

Wow thats a beast of machine!

 

[SteveR750]

I hope so. I am fed up of listeining to the fan howling away on this cheapish lappie that I use (its nmot mine, its a business machine) but after about 2 years I find windows just clogs up and everything just slows down to a crawl. That's despite being careful about managing softaware, disc space, defragging, cleaning etc etc. I'm sure OS isn't perfect, but I am looking forward to a high speed experience. OK, anyone want a hardly used just about burnt in CD6SE 2009 spec?

 

[Anonymous]

please could you post the link? I want to see what else they have..

 

[John Duncan]

See if you can get fifty quid off not to install Office, and install NeoOffice instead

 

[SteveR750]

Link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190457196014&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_620wt_1140

The seller does not have a verified account, and paypal is not practical so they refunded my payment. I have decided to cancel the purchase and buy a different one (the standard 2.4GHz version). So I can follow your advice JD - any links? how much?

 

[John Duncan]

Not really - if I was spending that much on a laptop, I'd be buying from Apple or John Lewis.

Apple have a refurb store here, which may contain stuff of interest...

EDIT - I think I misunderstood - you mean NeoOffice don't you. It's free, and it's here.

 

[SteveR750]

Yes! the link to neoOffice...

I have found a high street retailer selling the 2.4GHz version for £1350

 

[John Duncan]

Link fixed.

 

[SteveR750]

Thanks John. I am assuming here that to connect to my hi-fi I'll obvioulsy need a DAC, and can connect with a USB cable (I know the DACmagic has a USB connection). What other options are there with a mac? I *think* though its not that clear from the apple store that the h/phone jack is also a digi optical out?

 

[DavieCee]

Options.

Your h/phone jack is dual use analogue/digital optical. You can simply hard wire connect to your amp or stream wireless. I use Airport Express so I can listen to music in the "sweet spot" while editing photos. I am thinking of upgrading to Apple TV to also stream video (the price difference is so small that if I was starting from scratch, that's the way I would go). Other options will be available. There is also the Airfoil App for streaming other applications than iTunes but I have not tried that yet.