The right equiptment for my studio: which machine should I choose?

[Beaumaines]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this...

But my boyfriend and I will be moving in together soon and we need a new computer. He's a musician, so he wants one he can compose music on. I'm an artist, so I'd want one that can handle graphics and 3d animation programs with ease.

Well, while I was trolling about a favorite message board of mine today, I saw some discussion on the old PC vs Mac argument. Many people said they were just the same and it doesn't matter which you have, but a couple people said that Macs are much better for artistic pursuits.

So, as experienced artists who have probably tried both, can anyone tell me if the PC vs Mac debate will make a difference in my future studio? And will a Wacom tablet be usable on a Mac if I get one?

[Fireflights]

Wacom tablets work on both PC and Mac systems. I have a Mac and PC, and I actually unplug my tablet from one computer and plug it into the other if I want to, with no problems.

I've heard of the Mac vs. PC debate before, and having used both systems, I'd have to agree that Macs are better suited. I could be wrong in this, though, but I have heard that PC's have more/better software available for 3D animation (don't quote me on that!).

What you *could* do would be to get an Intel-chip Mac, that can run both Windows *and* OSwhatever. That way you'd have the best of both worlds. :)

One tip, though - do NOT get the type of flat-screen moniter where if you aren't facing the screen right-on, the colors of the screen change. I'm on an iMac right now, and let me tell you it's a pain in the ass to figure out colors when I'm drawing...the top of the screen, due to its size and the fact that I have to look at some parts at an angle, is either darker or lighter then the rest of the screen. Subtley so, but noticable when art-ing. That's the main reason I have to switch back and forth between my PC and Mac - for color checks.

[Beaumaines]

Thanks for the reply. Macs are sounding better and better all the time. :}

Lack of quality 3d software wouldn't be a problem, as I'm a complete novice at such things. And yeah, I hate those colour-changing monitors too. :P

My boyfriend's intent for our future computer is to use it for music writing and composition. I know this is an art forum, not a music forum, but would anyone know if there's any performance difference sound-wise?:bashful:

[Orban]

For music anything recent with a GOOD pro sound card AND lot of ram should work (lot = 2go for some virtual instrument, or big project). A good sound card (external, firewire) can be find at 200$ I think (Presonus 1394 for example). There's lot of good music app on Mac, there's even one with any new one, Garage Band. Otherwise there's Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools...

If you begin in 3D - and it's not your main occupation, go the mac way without regret. But well, not a Mac Mini, the graphic card is kind of a let down.
So - wait one month or so, and the pro line should be Intel too, or go the way of the Macbook Pro (sorry, the macbook non pro has the same crappy graphic card as the Mac Mini).

[aprat]

PC's are generally cheaper, if that's an issue.

[Beaumaines]

Price isn't an issue and I was never interested in a notebook, but after looking on the Apple website they really do look interesting. Thanks for the graphics warning; my big peeve with my current machine is the lowly graphics card it came with. =P

Anyway, I'll be checking out the Apple store nearby to try those things out. If anybody has any reason to warn me away from the Macbook Pro, or any other specific model, please let me know. If not, thanks everybody for the help! Much appreciated. ^_^

[Negafen]

For the "more expensive" thing, when he says cheaper, he means much much less expensive.

For context I built myself a system with apple, and a system with a local store, the pc is a tiny tiny bit more powerful (perhaps 5%) and the prices are...

PC: $1400
Apple: $5140

Apples are great systems, and you're guaranteed to have a GOOD experience with one, but you're going to pay (apparently) nearly quadruple for that guarantee.

[Orban]

Erhmm... do you compare your home built PC with a full Quad G5?

I don't know how you can built a dual dualcore opteron for less than 2000 bucks. And at this point I only take into account the motherboard, ram (2go ECC) and the two dualcore Opteron. You still on your own to get the alim, the hd (serial ata, at least, if not scsi) and so on.

Stop preading bullshit - comparative Dell prebuilt cost the same as a Apple these day...

[Negafen]

PC - $1399 (From my favourite local computer store)
Intel Pentium IV D950 Dual Core (3.4Ghz)
Asus P5LD2 Motherboard
Intel Pentium D 840 (3.4Ghz) Processor
2GB DDR RAM
320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
256MB Asus nVidia GeForce 6800GT Video

Powermac G5 - $3,779 (Macs online site) This time I've made it noticeably weaker, rather than the same.
Dual 2.3ghz (Quite a bit lower clockspeed)
2GB DDR (Same)
250GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
256MB nVidia GeForce 7800GT (just a tiny bit better, but won't make up the extra horsepower os x munches)

So, a considerably slower system from Apple themselves, or a prebuilt system from a little shop.

I don't understand how numbers straight from the stores are bullshit, but clearly I've offended you.

[Orban]

Erhmmm... compare the G5 with a dual Opteron. Or a Xeon for workstation, not a PIV.

And it's not the same DDR, it's ECC memory, the motherboard is cost too a hell lot more.
And a 7800GT cost lot more than a vanilla 6800...

So well, you compare a pro workstation with a consumer product. It's not logical...

You can compare a consumer level PC like with and Imac. Cost the same price... or nearly.

[GriNGo]

go for MACS. they don't have computer games, so your mac will be essentially a creative one, not a time-wasting one. They are pretty powerful as well, and they don't have viruses! I'm a PC user i'm telling you, & macs are becoming more & more interesting as the days pass....