[Leica] Experience with Apple?

[melnyk at msu.edu (Steven A. Melnyk)]

I have lived in both environments -- Mac and Windows. I have also been  
a long term user of both systems, including Vista 64 bit.  I am also  
someone who views computers as tools.  Here is my take on things.  If  
you want to play games, use the PC. If you want to write, I prefer MS  
Office 2008 for the Mac over Office 2007 for Windows.  The Mac version  
is easier to use - it does not represent the dramatic transition   
observed in the Windows version.  If you want to do statistics, Mac  
(better memory management - I use STATA).  If you want to do picture  
editing, go with the Mac.  First reason is Aperture -- a great program  
to use and well worth it for most users.  i don't need Photoshop since  
Aperture meets most of my needs.  OS X is also better for certain  
uses.  First, I have fewer problems in configuring network printers  
for it; I also find that it is an easier system for the Internet and  
for communications.  It also less likely to crash. I leave my Mac on  
all the time.  Also remember that OS X is based on Unix.  If you feel  
comfortable with UNIX commands, you can always work directly with UNIX  
using Terminal.

Final observation.  I work with a lot of memory and large amounts of  
harddisk space (my new Mac Pro has 4 harddisks, representing a total  
of 3 TB storage).  I use it for statistical and graphical analysis.   
With the Mac, I have no problems addressing more than 3 GB of RAM. To  
do so under Vista requires that I use Vista 64 Bit.  Now, there is a  
small problem.  With Vista, you can only address 3 GB RAM.  With Vista  
64 Bit, I have found that a number of programs do not work with it.   
Nota Bene (a word processor for scholars) does not.  I have an HP  
color Laserjet 2840 multifunction printer (it contains color printer,  
scanner, and fax).  Guess what. Under Vista 64 Bit, there is no driver  
except for the universal driver. What this means is that my color  
multifunction printer is nothing more than a monochrome printer.

Like others have recommended, try both out.  I use both (in fact, I  
was one of the first IBM PC users at Michigan State University).  But,  
if pushed to pick one, I would pick the Mac. The system does not get  
in the way of my work and that is the ultimate test for me of any  
system.

Steven A. Melnyk
Michigan State University

On Aug 5, 2008, at 9:48 PM, Geoff Hopkinson wrote:

> Lluis, like Tina I have had PCs for a long time and can't get used  
> to using
> a Mac. My wife has a Macbook for its small size for travelling. It  
> is mainly
> used for internet and mail and keeping music and snapshots. It has a  
> nice
> bright and clear screen. After twelve months of part time use of  
> that one
> her next laptop will be a PC again. She can't get used to doing  
> everything
> differently either.
> I think you want a desktop computer, not a laptop, don't you? You  
> want a
> good fast processor, a big hard drive, lots of memory and a good  
> screen if
> you work a lot with photo editing, of course.
> I suggest that you go to a Mac dealer and look and try for yourself.  
> See if
> the operation makes sense for you. Everyone has different opinions  
> and Mac
> users especially are normally enthusiastic. You do see a lot of  
> complaints
> about Vista on-line. You see a lot of complaints about everything on- 
> line!
> It does take some adjusting after XP but you should be able to do  
> everything
> on Vista that you did on XP. Sometimes you need to update the  
> programs or
> the drivers for devices used with the computer (like scanners,  
> printers
> etc). I have had no problems with two Vista machines I have helped  
> with.
> Make a list of what you want to do with your computer and see what  
> you need
> to do that on a Mac. Try a Mac for yourself and ask lots of  
> questions at the
> dealer.
>
> Cheers
> Geoff
> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/e
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/gh/
>
> -----Original Message-----:05
> To: Leica Users Group
> Subject: RE: [Leica] Experience with Apple?
>
> At 08:50 PM 8/5/2008, you wrote:
>> Hi, Luis
>>
>> Wish I could offer some technical insight.  I suspect it is a  
>> question of
>> what you are used to.  I had a PC built for Photoshop and it works  
>> well.
>
> I'm also on the other side of the fence.  I've always used PC's and
> have never had a problem.  My new Dell laptop is blazingly fast with
> PSCS3 and Lightroom and it's so easy to use.  I had to use a Mac on
> one project and it nearly drove me crazy.  I could never find
> anything or figure out how to do anything.  I'm sure that's just
> because I'm used to PC's, but if I you were, I'd try one before I
> bought it.  Many of my e-mail list members have been complaining a
> lot about the newest Mac's breaking down and crashing on a regular
> basis.  They all advise to be sure to buy Apple Care if you get a Mac.
>
> I'm sure the Macnuts will disagree, but I wouldn't want to try to
> convert everything I've got hooked up to my Windows XP to a Mac (or to
> Vista!)
>
> Tina
>
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
>
>
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>
>
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>

Steven A. Melnyk
Department of Supply Chain Management
Michigan State University
melnyk@msu.edu