Question:
Apple vs. PC
I'm looking to do high-end video editing in college (film major). I have researched the MacBook Pro, but so far have been mostly unsuccessful in finding a list of comprable PC-based notebooks.
The features of the MacBook Pro that I need most are its memory and CPU (2GB of RAM, at least 2GHz Intel Core Duo or comprable CPU).
Harddrive and optical drives aren't important to consider. I will have an external harddrive, and the college I'll be attending will have DVD burners if/when the need arises.
Screen size is of mixed importance to me; on one hand, I'd like 17" for video editing...on the other hand, the jump from 15" to 17" with some manufacturers can be less economical than others.
Thankee much.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
Easy to find a PC with those specs, but I would just go with Mac. I believe they have better, easier software to use than PCs for video editing.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
I would check out the HP nc8430 and Dell D820 because you can get higher resolution screens than with the Mac if that matters. But I agree with INEEDMONEY I would probably go for the Mac for video editing. If you really want a 17" you can get a PC with similar specs for a bit less money than the Mac. Maybe look at the Asus W2J for a 17".
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
Just out of curiosity, is there any compelling reason for the Mac besides its software? Software isn't really an issue with me; I have a lot of experience with both PC-based programs and Final Cut, so no worries there.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
Well in that case...
Compal HEL80, Asus S96J/Z96J, HP nc8430, HP dv8000t
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
I would go Mac, especially if warranty is important. AppleCare is excellent and if you are near an Apple Store, it is the easiest warranty solution out there. And it is not terribly expensive for a student.
Comparable PC's would be like an Acer 8200 (15") or the hp mentioned above. Both of those are 15". I would say there are no comparable 17" PC's due to the Apple being by far the most portable 17" available.
As for the media stuff, I think you can get most of them without tuners, and MCE is just a program that can be turned off. Media center is the way everything, including Apple, is going. Vista is going to be much more into media.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
Just out of curiosity, is there any compelling reason for the Mac besides its software? Software isn't really an issue with me; I have a lot of experience with both PC-based programs and Final Cut, so no worries there.
Well the Mac has the flexibility of booting both OSes so no matter what software the college uses, your covered. The Macbook Pro is a little overpriced but its made of aluminium (not cheap plastic), is very light, only an inch thick, and has features like an integrated webcam and a backlit keyboard that cheaper laptops usually miss.
If you're looking for pure value, look elsewhere, but if money is no object then its a very good buy.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
Yeah, the main advantage of the mac is that it can run both OS'es.
Once upon a time, Mac was *the* choice for anything graphical/media. Today, I believe the PC has pretty much caught up... You're the one studying in this area, so you probably know more about it than me though. :)
The main thing that differentiates the Mac is its software. That, and hardware quality/warranty and such. Which can go both ways. There's been a lot of issues with the MacBooks, so you might say a (good quality brand of) PC is better there. As for warranty, I've heard mixed reports of that too. They're not exactly eager to acknowledge manufacturing defects.
But they still have an overall reputation for good quality, so supposedly some people don't have any problems. :)
For me, the main thing that's tempting about a Mac is the flexibility to run virtually any OS I can think of.
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
be careful when you emphasize software though guys, mac's fairly recent switch to intel surprised many software developers and although macs are reknowned for having good design software (i considered getting one for a VERY long time as an architecture student) most of that good stuff remains best on power and ibooks. you cant even run photoshop w/o the emulator which shows loss in speed.
in a few years, mac's will probably be very popular for professionals but as of now, advanced native software is hard to find
i dont think running complicated stuff on rosetta is very efficient and if ure gonna use mac windows for the job, save some money and buy a pc
hope that helped
Answer:
Re: Apple vs. PC
The Macbook Pro is a little overpriced but its made of aluminium (not cheap plastic), is very light, only an inch thick.
The MacBookPro has an aluminium chassis which is not as strong as the magnesium ones found in most business notebooks...but it is slightly lighter. The outer casing is made entirely out of hard plastic. The quality is pretty good but I cannot say it is better than some of the comparable business machines out there. If anyone has had a titanuim PowerBook in the past you are not going to be too impressed with the quality of the new MacBookPro. If you close the lid and look how it sits on the base of the computer you will notice its not flush at all...the middle touches the deck but the rest of the lid will look like it is pulling away from the base. This is not to say that I do not like the MacBookPro. It would be my choice for video editing.