Why choose a mac?

[laterDays]

Hey guys, I was just wondering why there is a general preference of Mac computers for artists. Do they handle photoshop or painter software better than pc's? Do mac graphics displays render artwork better?

[Seedling]

They are user-friendly.

[hito]

They handle Photoshop, Painter better on average, the colors are better usually than PC flatscreens.

[Costau D]

Cause Woz is an awesome man, and i support him. I'm gonna be buying my first ibook soon, because i actually do like macintosh and the way everything seems to be integrated into each other. Just a cleaner OS to me. But, I also tinker with computers so I'm not straying away from Windows and linux. I like to have experience with everything. Especially since i work more in 3D and 2D is a close second I'll use it mainly for web design and 2d endeavors.

They make really nice portable computers.

[Elwell]

History.

[Jason Rainville]

They're simpler and easier to navigate usually, but these days their superiority in graphics programs is marginal, if that.

[Unedibleapple]

Buy one because they look cool and you will fit in with all the other artists.

[JAG.]

macs are over-rated. both macs and pcs have their pros and cons. i wouldnt say one is 'better' than the other though.. just a matter of preferrence - JAG

[asoir]

macs are over-rated. both macs and pcs have their pros and cons. i wouldnt say one is 'better' than the other though.. just a matter of preferrence - JAG

overrated? right. remember that pc's hold roughly 90% of the market (citation needed on this, i'm sure its pretty correct anyway)

[Chingwa]

For me it all comes down to price. Macs are no better than PC's as Pc's are no better than macs. They're computers, they do the same things...

except...

for the price of 1 closed system proprietary mac... I can build 2 flexible open system PC's.

[NoSeRider]

Shit, you guys ask the same stuff over and over again.

It's a box with a circuit board in it. Get over it.

[laterDays]

Would it be a good idea to buy a macbook pro to prepare for working as a concept artist?

[el coro]

i heard craig mullins uses a pc.....

[2100]

Macs>PC. over and over and over and over again.

[DSillustration]

Macs make you a better artist.

[Slash]

As dan the man said, Macs make you a better artists.. so you better shell out that cash now dude.


As for me, my personal opinion is that mac osX is damn sexy looking and has some snazzy features, but i cant run 3dstudio max/mudbox in it... (dunno about mudbox tho, it might run that for all i know.) But for what i do, i need 3dstudio max, mudbox and photoshop running in perfect harmony with each other, and windows gives me all that and then some. :D

[Phuzion]

I would say the only reason to go for Mac over PC is the afore mentioned integration of all the software/hardware, but other than that, there really is not much difference. I started on a PC, switched to Mac, then went back to PC when I did computer animation. The main reason Mac has the history of being the "Artist's Computer" is that they used to have a higher built-in color pallette (256 colors) where the PC only had 32 colors, thus the Mac could actually use/display a lot more, thus being better for artists, but that's not the case anymore. They both display 16.7 million colors, or whatever it is now.

However, I am currently on a PC, and I must say the integration after a while starts to get to me. You have to update most programs/drivers manually, and hope there are no conflicts when you do... Mac's don't really seem to run into that problem. But to be fair, I really haven't had many problems with my PC's in the last 7 years of using them... they're a lot cheaper, and that makes a difference for me... plus I can build one myself :)

Basically, if you want a manual-transmission, get a PC. If you want an automatic, get a Mac... but real men drive manual :P

[Slash]

Haha, i beg to differ, real men don't have a driver's licence at all.. Atleats thats my story. :P

But i know how use stick shift if the need arises... :D

[Darkside]

I really don´t understand why people who´s work depends on a machine would still use a pc running any windows. seriously, I don´t refer to that "superstitious" question if wether or not a mac makes your art better, that´s ridiculous. but anyways, they just work :confident

[nicolas]

becuase ALL the "cool" kids use 'em...... doh.

[Brendan N]

This might just be me but I've never ever had a Mac crash on me. PCs however seem to crash on me just before I decide to save or right as I am doing so.
Though I really don't think that makes macs worth twice the price.

[romance]

Macs are better because they cost more. The only reason artists seem to choose mac over pc is because we rich bitches.

[JAG.]

ive had pc's and macs. im tellin you macs dont do anything 'special' thats worth getting. their main plus is that they dont crash as often and have so many program errors. but that is quickly over-shadowed by its lack of expansion or upgrade ability... which i like to do often.

no im on a pc again.. and modding and happy, but thats me. they both do the same thing. again.. its just a matter of preference. - JAG

[Jason Rainville]

This might just be me but I've never ever had a Mac crash on me. PCs however seem to crash on me just before I decide to save or right as I am doing so.
Though I really don't think that makes macs worth twice the price.

Hah, my experience is exactly the opposite. My PC never crashes. Some programs lock up, sure, but ctrl+alt+delete sorts it out. Whereas the Macs at school regularly make my work dissapear without saving, and at least 5 times they really crashed, with a flood of white and black letters filling the screen, calling for a restart. If any program locks up, the program 'shut down function' takes so long that it usually means a coffee break.

Just goes to show the variety in operation that makes any comparasin of the two systems tricky at best.

[hito]

you buy a mac because when the aliens invade, you can hack their network and save the world.

[zeitgeist]

I used PCs for 7 years and just recently switched to a Mac. I think it all comes down to personal preference and experience.

personally i love my mac more than i ever loved my home-built pcs. I only ever miss windows when theres an application that's not mac compatible.

it's all in the eye of the beholding computer nerd.


you buy a mac because when the aliens invade, you can hack their network and save the world.

quoted for truth!

oh yea... and i drive a stick.

[Elwell]

Hah, my experience is exactly the opposite. My PC never crashes. Some programs lock up, sure, but ctrl+alt+delete sorts it out. Whereas the Macs at school regularly make my work dissapear without saving, and at least 5 times they really crashed, with a flood of white and black letters filling the screen, calling for a restart. If any program locks up, the program 'shut down function' takes so long that it usually means a coffee break.

Just goes to show the variety in operation that makes any comparasin of the two systems tricky at best.
I would never compare a computer which is used and maintained by one person to an entire institutional network. To carry on the automotive analogy, that's like comparing your car to an entire rental fleet.

[el coro]

but i heard CRAIG MULLINS uses a pc now..........

[Mitchell]

I heard Rembrandt used a pc as well. what a n00b.

[NoSeRider]

CINTIQ KICKS ASS!!

That's what computers should do.......PC and Macs are just Silicon Graphics/KayPro machines of the late 20th early 21st century. They'll die off like the DoeDoe.

[2100]

Macs are better because they cost more. The only reason artists seem to choose mac over pc is because we rich bitches.

EXACTLY. How are we supposed to project the image of the l33t professional if we don't use the l33t computer?

[Blue]

What a silly topic.

http://www.temion.net/quick/imac_xp.jpg

You buy a mac because you can do everything on it. ;)

[zeitgeist]

fo sho!
blue, i like your little say-hear-see-no-evil monkeys ;)