[superstoffe]

Im moving to Sydney in a couple of months to get me a Bachelor of Graphic Arts. I will stay there a couple of years.. So I need to get rid of my old (almost new actualy) PC and buy me a laptop, although cant decide if I should stay PC or go Mac ..

I've never owned a Mac before, heck .. I've barely even used one. I've been looking on a Powerbook 15" for a while now, but Im not sure. Is it really worth it? The gap between them are smaller these days, and the advantages of a mac are getting slim - even though the compability may be better.

Im lost - help me!

[pgo]

Originally Posted by superstoffe

the advantages of a mac

And those are?

Seriously, just go with what you're familiar with and what you like best. There's no difference between Macs and PCs except there's more software for PCs, they're still quite a bit cheaper, and if you want a beast of a computer, PCs are the way to go (the best PC desktops can still outpace the best Mac desktop).

Macs are better designed and probably more durable and probably last a little longer - and certainly safer in terms of spyware and viruses (not that a PC is all that vulnerable unless you do absolutely no maintenance whatsoever and spend all your time looking at porn, downloading warez on some P2P app, and clicking every link that shows up in your "Spam" folder). Compatibility isn't a huge concern anymore, either. I do have some trouble opening ZIP files made on a Mac, but that's no big deal.

You might consider the fact that you're going to school for graphic arts, so you'll probably be forced to use a Mac at some point. Art schools are biased towards Macs because they used to be the only serious option for anything graphics-related. That's no longer the case.

Personally, I stay away from Mac because of the attitude of most of its users (the so-called "cult of Mac"...they'll be coming after me shortly ), the excessive price, the fact that I am something of a gamer (I need a computer that can handle the latest 3D games without paying $3000 for just a tower, and I'm a fan of non-proprietary standards/hardware/software (yes, even though I use Windows). But that's just me.

I'm actually going to be looking for a laptop in a few months, myself. Probably going with some variety of Dell Inspiron 6000.

*Ducks to avoid frothing at the mouth Mac users*

[lyndon]

Check what the school use as their hardware standard - mac or pc.

if you go the pc route - for fuck sake don't buy a hp laptop - terrible systems, personally I would shoot for a Dell with an advanced warranty.

[pgo]

IBM are also good, but a bit more expensive than other brands.

[superstoffe]

Ye PGO, I've been thinking in the same line as you. Thanks for the comment, it actualy helped me!

Lyndon .. they are using Mac, so I guess would be a argument for taking a Mac .. but Im not sure the compability still is a problem, like PGO said. I rather stay PC to be honest since that is what Im used to .. at the same time as I would love a mac too (for some strange reason).

As for the brands I would either chose Dell, Acer or IBM. The new Toshiba looks good too though.

Hmm, ah well Im still not sure so keep the arguments coming

[Alexanda]

Mac laptops always look the part when you bring em out at client meetings. I'd use what the course uses afterall you dont want to be a billy-no-mates in your new class, you want to fit in with all the other aussies.

[leotardster]

Mac

[gray]

new powerbooks are out

[superstoffe]

say what, gray?

[gray]

the powerbooks have been upgraded and are released now
thanks apple (again)
higher resolution, brighter screen (wow)

[superstoffe]

oh! when did they come out?

[dubmeister]

damm those powerbooks are sweet.

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

But still expensive!

[pgo]

Originally Posted by cantona

Mac laptops always look the part when you bring em out at client meetings.

Also a good point. There's an expectation in the industry that designers use Apple computers.

And if your school is Mac-based, you might do well with one of those. So long as you can afford the extra cost of buying a Mac and are willing to learn a new OS. Compatibility with PC software shouldn't be a problem in 95% of cases.

I've considered a Mac laptop as well. But I'm sticking to my guns for now.

[zedman]

Originally Posted by dubmeister

damm those powerbooks are sweet.

http://www.apple.com/powerbook/

But still expensive!

4 us here in south africa! week rand!

any donations? mail me.hehehe

[leotardster]

Originally Posted by pgo

I've considered a Mac laptop as well. But I'm sticking to my guns for now.

You use Guns?

[zedman]

Originally Posted by leotardster

You use Guns?

???

[leotardster]

Originally Posted by zedman

???

He said he is sticking… oh nevermind.

[superstoffe]

bring on the bazookas - yay!

[adam c]

I'd stick with pc.
I've always used a PC, even through Uni when practically everyone else had a mac.
Clients are always shocked when I tell them I use a pc, but they forget about it once you've started to produce the work and they see there's obviously no difference in the finished work.

[andrewparker]

Like PGO said, the bottom line is that there is really no difference in what they can do or what you can do with them, but if you're eventually going to be looking to work as a graphic designer in an agency then I'd consider the fact that many, if not the majority use all Mac set ups.

I'm not sure I support the theory that clients are impressed when you pull out a Mac laptop. Sure they look nice but I'm sure you can get nice looking PC laptops too. It certainly isn't a factor you should base your decision on!