Microsoft Vista

[k19]

When I worked at CompUSA there was a decent markup for the IPod, my 80gig cost me around $306 as opposed to the normal price of $349. I would assume Apple stores would have the same markup as well.

PC-wise I wouldn't go with a Desktop first, $3000 is an expensive gamble. At least with the notebook since I'm familiar with Linux if the wife hates it or it doesn't fit our lifestyle I can use it for myself and spend what I normally would have for a laptop, around $1400-$1500...at least on paper that's how it's supposed to work.

I'll never own another desktop again. If it wasnt for the fact I have so much into the watercooled one I have now it would have been gone long ago. Here it is, the 17" with a few added options
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=MacBookPro

 

[iceberg]

I recently turned.

Not because I hate PCs (love my laptop) but I need a good workstation for video editing and I wanted to give Final Cut Pro a shot. And FCP is Mac-only.

But, it works great.

we do a lot of video production for one of my businesses. well, hope to do a lot. : ) in the meantime the PCs we have outperform the Macs one guy has at work hands down.

the whole "mac is better than pc's for video / audio" is overrated and a lie. i don't know about final cut pro being mac only - that's a decision factor. but adobe and so many more are actually putting better software out for a pc than a mac.

my video guy does it for a living and more than once he's had to borrow our pc / video rig because the mac couldn't keep up or hang. these macs cost twice as much as the pc we built for the job.

as for vista - i run quirky hardware at times and it will take time before vista is "prime time for older pcs" and the drivers need to catch up to the OS. it is different and it's got some great features. if you hate change for the sake of change you'll hate vista cause that's a large part of what it is.

it's also very graphically intense and you'll need a good video card and ram to be happy.

if you're buying a new machine, go vista and don't look back. it's a better OS overall.

if you're on an older machine and don't wanna certify all the parts, go xp.

if a name brand machine, check the website for the manufacturer and see if the PC is "vista ready" or what it will take.

if you have to ask "should i upgrade" you probably don't. XP Pro is a great system with a lot of the kinks out of it.

 

[iceberg]

I'll never own another desktop again. If it wasnt for the fact I have so much into the watercooled one I have now it would have been gone long ago. Here it is, the 17" with a few added options
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=MacBookPro

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0261179

1/2 the price.

look at the hardware in the machines. macs used to be propriatary w/motorola processors. now in the laptops and desktops, they're putting in stuff i can buy at any PC shop and be done w/it.

security updates. i sure get tired of MS shoving 'em down my throat, but ya know what? they do. and they don't charge me.

mac calls it a new system and you gotta buy it.

i've had friends who worked at mac and they've said the way they screw over their customers is uttery amazing at times.

nothing will replace learning the hardware/software and common sense. if you wanna pay more for an OS to hopefully think for you a bit more, fine. i'll take the PC version and know to not install everything that asks me to.

 

[peplaw06]

Ohhhhh, be a man and admit it. You picked 'em 'cus they were white!

I guess I'll never live that down :laugh2:

 

[Kangaroo]

It was garbage in Beta and it still is Vista smacks of Windows ME and yes I used it. I have either windows xp or Server 2003 on my PC's

 

[Dallas]

I recently turned.

I need a good workstation for video editing and I wanted to give Final Cut Pro a shot. And FCP is Mac-only.

But, it works great.

The only reason to ever puchase a MAC.

Music and Video production.

 

[Dallas]

the whole "mac is better than pc's for video / audio" is overrated and a lie.

It is all application and not performance when folks say they are better. You see w/ the Mac Video/Music editing applications, I can have a final product in about 10 minutes where it will take you about an hour w/ the PC version.

Ease of use also. My 6 yr old cut cut a movie together w/ audio and music with just a few dozen clicks.

He does it all the time. I gave him one of my old digital video cameras. He takes it w/ him everywhere and comes home and gets on his little iBook and goes to town.

He can't even come close on my PC workstation doing that.

 

[iceberg]

It is all application and not performance when folks say they are better. You see w/ the Mac Video/Music editing applications, I can have a final product in about 10 minutes where it will take you about an hour w/ the PC version.

Ease of use also. My 6 yr old cut cut a movie together w/ audio and music with just a few dozen clicks.

He does it all the time. I gave him one of my old digital video cameras. He takes it w/ him everywhere and comes home and gets on his little iBook and goes to town.

He can't even come close on my PC workstation doing that.

that explains why such low level software companies <cough adobe cough> these days make their software for the PC first before the mac.

not saying the mac isn't a good machine. today i think they're all good. but it's preference at this point, not an acutal one is so much better than the other.

 

[GTaylor]

Well I've taken the plunge, put an order in and come Friday this will show up at my door. And the funniest part - my wife had to talk me into it, not the other way around. She was drooling all over the new iMacs, no doubt we'll be purchasing one soon. Will let you know how the transition goes for this Windows/Linuxhead.....