Are Macs Really Better for Digital Photography, Compared to a Windows Build?

[edub2020]

Mac Vs Windows
I'm confused. Wondering if I can gauge the community opinion please.

I'm looking to invest in next PC, but want to get something that best compliments my wife's new business (Digital Photography).

It turns out that virtually every arty-type photographer on the planet has decided to go for an Apple product.

The thing I don't understand is why?!

On paper, it seems that if you go for an Apple product it looks like you pay double the price for a lower spec machine (compared to a windows self build).

Is there really some hidden magic in Apple products that make them better for photography etc, or is it just maketing genius?

Thanks

[davewebleyphotography]

I have been a Mac user at home for about 4 years now, I still use a PC at work but I would only ever spend my own money on a Mac. You are right when you say they are expensive but like most things in life you get what you pay for. My MacBook is 4 years old on a old version of OS-X and has never crashed once, I think it would be hard to say that about a 4 year old PC.

I see my Mac as a longer term investment so I dont mind paying for it. As far as being better for photographers I guess thats a personal preference as its what your used to. The PC to Mac learning curve is not that hard but the software you run and speed of the machine is more likley to dictate how good it is at processing photos.

I use Aperture 3 on my Mac and as its an Apple product it runs so well and intergrates with other Apple software. I think people like the realiblity of Macs, I love Apple but I wouldnt buy their products just because they look cool - they have to work as well.

In my eyes every version of Windows since XP has just got worse but thats just my view.

Dave

[donoreo]

Macs really do just work. Generally. There are times where things do not, but it is not like in Windows. Photoshop was a Mac only product to start so there is history there.

Yes Mac's cost more, but the overall experience is worth it in many people's opinion. Once you start using OSX you can understand why. Windows, as polished as it is now, still feels clunky in comparison.

I use my Mac for photography stuff, but right now I am typing this on a Linux desktop. My main desktops at work and home run Linux.

[James Blonde]

I'm a happy Windows user, always have been.

I cannot justify the price of the hype, when I can get a perfectly good reliable high spec PC system for a fraction of the cost, and build my own for less. It will reliably run all of the software I need it to. Personally, I'd suggest that the screen quality of the Mac systems is probably one of the major plusses, but you could just as easily buy a decent quality screen for a PC, which would obviously bump the price up.

Even then if you want a Mac, you could arguably look to install a madified and unsupported version of OSX on a home-build PC and I would imagine get exactly the same experience as on a native Mac.

However, I can and do support my own systems. Apple customer service and support is well renowned, and software tends to cost less.

My 2p's worth.

[donoreo]

One other thing to consider with cost. The last two versions of Mac OSX have been $30 CDN (20ish in UK). How much have the last to versions of windows been? Over the length of the life of a Mac the cost does balance out quite a bit.

[WOODYR]

I have had a Macbook pro, for the past three years and would never go back to windows now.

Once you get used to them, they are far easier than Windows. Yes they are more expensive, but i would also say more reliable.

I have only had to have a new battery for mine, apart from that, no problems at all.

I also think that the screen resolution on a Mac is better, i use Photoshop CS3 on mine

[OldBoy]

A few years ago Mac's were better for graphic programs as PC's were underpowered and very slow. Today the difference is very small as most PC's are very powerful and will handle anything you throw at it. Most Mac users will negate this with a religious zeal while, us older PC's users just get the job done.

[jet_kit]

I agree with Oldboy. The thing with a PC is that when it breaks you can fix it yourself, but not with a Mac. My sister-in-law swears by her Mac - but I'm afraid I would be swearing at it. It always seems to be at the Apple shop being repaired.
It's like asking people whether a Jag is better than a Merc - You'll never get an answer you can work with.

[donoreo]

Comparing to a Jag and Merc....gee which is in the shop more often, that is hard call with those two

[Cathus]

get a PC and spend the stuff left over for a Mac on photography gear