Anyone scrap on a mac?

I've suddenly got it into my head that I need a mac... 'cos they're created for graphics stuff right? And those new iMacs are gorgeous - especially the 24" screen!

But I thought I'd ask here whether anyone scraps with a mac and whether it's better than a pc? They are sooo much more expensive! *lol*

What's everyone's thoughts? Pros and cons? Love 'em hate 'em?

Love to hear from y'all

[Robin Carlton]

Oooh Im interested in this too. I've decided I want a MacBook...Mac envy or something. So give us the dish if you're a Mac user!

Robin

Ooohhhh! I'm so interested in this too! DH said he doesn't mind, but before we shell out the $$ for it I have to know it it'll be worth it. I'm more interested in a macbook at the moment, we recently replaced our desktop.

Anyone with any info?

I do! I have PS CS3 on an iMac--the 21" model though . I love it. You'll definitely want CS3 though because it's the first version that's Intel native, meaning the software is actually maximized to run on these macs. It's a beautiful machine, an elegant operating system and all-in-all great piece of work.

I've got my eye on an iBook as well as the new 24", but really, I can't justify it. When I go to digi-crops or teach photography classes, I just pack up the iMac and go. I can't take it outside with me, but other than that or scrapping in bed, it's pretty portable.

I grew up on Apples so I'll admit to being slightly biased. My Dad bought his first Apple when I was in about 3rd grade. He later upgraded to one of the very first Apple 2e computers way back in the day. (Yeah, that totally dates me.) I switched to PCs for years while I worked in the corporate world. We had PCs at home too, but I was so sick of the blue screen of death (and DH was sick of fixing it for me), that he surprised me with this machine 18 months ago. I can honestly say it has had one total crash since then. I restart it about once a month just because it seems like I should. Individual programs will crash once in a while, but since the underlying system is Unix, I just have to force quit one program and everything is hunky-dory again.

(Is that enough convincing? LOL)

I'll check back to see if you have any other questions.

I am using a little MacBook! Love it!!
The only thing is that the screen is a bit small, but it is buyed to use at school (I have the smallest one). Now i got an external (is that the english word for it?) screen which is much bigger!
Got it today so I havn´t tried it yet, but I think it would be very good!


I really love my Mac. The windows-computers at home was horrible to use. Hated them!
And I think Mac is so much easier to use.. (I don´t know too much about computer stuff..)

[CindyS]

I wish I could help, but I've never had a PC! I've been a Mac girl from the beginning and I will never switch. I had an Apple IIe in college--that was the one with the handle! I find it very user friendly, it never crashes, and I'm much safer (although not 100%) from the worms and viruses that get sent around. Right now I'm using a G3, completely ancient, but dh's brother works for Apple and he's going to help us purchase a brand spankin' new machine in October when the new OS comes out. Yay!

Great start guys!

*16323I* Since you have a large screen already (you're so lucky) and CS3 (I'm green with envy) what size do you work on your layouts at? I have a 15" on my laptop and I have to work on layouts at 12.5% (if they're 12" square) in order to see the whole thing. What percentage can you work at?

*CindyS* Erm new OS? I thought they just released the brand new imac 24 - and now you're saying I should actually wait until October for the new OS? Which might make sense... of course they might also reduce the current ones to shift the stock! Ooo What should I do?? Is it like swapping from XP to Vista? Would you wait?

Thanks guys - keep em coming... although I think I'm already converted! *lol*

We went to Best Buy today and they had the largest one for $1800 and I can't remember the size of the other, but it was $1300, clearanced it said.

I can't decide if it's worth the switch. I'll have to buy new software, currently use PSP. Anyone have one they are willing to lend to me for a weekend lol

I switched from a PC in February and am LOVING IT!!! I was drawn in, too, by the 24" screen. It is super intuitive to use and comes with some really fun stuff to play with right off the bat. I was also not great at checking for viruses and all of that on my PC and like that the worry of that is almost nonexistent on the Mac. I don't think you'd be disappointed!

[CindyS]

I can't be sure, but the new iMac MAY come with a certificate to upgrade to the new OS. You might want to ask about that. DH said last night that the new OS is 10.6 or something. At this point in the discussion is where my attention begins to wander, so don't rely on me for product specifications and such. I just wanna know if I can get CS3 and finally be able to type on a path, dangit!

Thanks gals - your feedback has been very useful Although I'm jealous to hear those US prices... with the pound at half the dollar we should be picking them up for £900... but alas they're more like £1300!

I have decided that I will wait until I return from vacation at the start of November and then I'm splashing out... hopefully I can round up some cash for a birthday/early Christmas present

[Sari]

I am a Mac girl! LOVE my Mac.

I started using a Mac shortly after I began digi scrapping. It's been 2 years now and I don't think I'll ever go back to PC again. I just think things are so much simpler on a Mac.

I have an iBook (laptop).

I scrap on a Mac also. But I've never scrapped on a PC so I don't know how they differ in that regard. But I will say that in general, I prefer Macs to PC. They're a lot less fussy, and while it does take some getting used to once you get one, it's worth it.

[TaterTot]

I've heard that Macs don't get as many (if any?) viruses and spyware like PC's do - but do you still run some kind of software just in case?

What software would you recommend to someone getting a new Mac? I would really like to switch, but I need more ammo to feed to the hubby.

Oh, and one more question - is there a recommended amount of memory to have to run Photoshop? I'm hoping that if I can get a mac that I can upgrade my photoshop also.

[Sari]

I know some people still run anti-virus software on their Macs, but I don't. I just never find the need to (another reason why I LOVE my Mac).

Now, with the Intel Macs that also run Windows, you probably would want to run an anti-virus software if you plan to install Windows on your Mac. I don't know what to recommend though. I'm sure you can find some of that info on the Apple forums as well.

[Paula]

I got one of the new iMacs and I LOVE it!! There is a blog that a fellow digiscrapper friend of mine maintains: http://digiscrapmac.blogspot.com

[Paula]

Originally Posted by 16541I

We went to Best Buy today and they had the largest one for $1800 and I can't remember the size of the other, but it was $1300, clearanced it said.

I can't decide if it's worth the switch. I'll have to buy new software, currently use PSP. Anyone have one they are willing to lend to me for a weekend lol

I had a PC and used PSP X. When we bought our new iMac when they came out last month, I was VERY worried about switching over to PSE 4. We did get Fusion which allows you to run Windows based programs on your Mac, but I had PSE 4 and really wanted to try it. Mainly because I have so many cool actions that I couldn't use on a PC. LOL

I will NEVER go back to a PC!! I LOVE my Mac and it didn't take me long to learn the PSE 4 program as well as the shortcuts. I also really LOVE the operating system!! I dumped Fusion and don't even run Windows on my Mac now!!

It is WELL worth the money!

[Paula]

Originally Posted by CindyS

I can't be sure, but the new iMac MAY come with a certificate to upgrade to the new OS. You might want to ask about that. DH said last night that the new OS is 10.6 or something. At this point in the discussion is where my attention begins to wander, so don't rely on me for product specifications and such. I just wanna know if I can get CS3 and finally be able to type on a path, dangit!

We got a certificate to upgrade when the new Tiger OS comes out.

[TaterTot]

Originally Posted by scrappinmama

I had a PC and used PSP X. When we bought our new iMac when they came out last month, I was VERY worried about switching over to PSE 4. We did get Fusion which allows you to run Windows based programs on your Mac, but I had PSE 4 and really wanted to try it. Mainly because I have so many cool actions that I couldn't use on a PC. LOL

I will NEVER go back to a PC!! I LOVE my Mac and it didn't take me long to learn the PSE 4 program as well as the shortcuts. I also really LOVE the operating system!! I dumped Fusion and don't even run Windows on my Mac now!!

It is WELL worth the money!

So good to know Now to convince the hubby. lol Thanks for all the great info.

Originally Posted by scrappinmama

We got a certificate to upgrade when the new Tiger OS comes out.

Oh no - don't tell me that! I had agreed with myself to wait until November... and now... *lol*

I can't decide if it's worth the switch. I'll have to buy new software, currently use PSP.

I've used a Mac for Desktop Publishing (including Photoshop) for 27 years (!) but had to also run Windows because most of my clients were Windows-based. I really loved using PSP, even though I was a died-in-the-wool Photoshop user.

You don't have to give PSP up. The new Macs can run Windows, and you can run PSP and move back and forth. I mostly use Photoshop these days, but I still occasionally use PSP.

Having had to use both Macs and PCs as production machines, I'd NEVER voluntarily use a PC over a Mac for graphics or fonts.

And yes, it's true, Macs are still not vulnerable to viruses, etc....

Good luck.