02-22-2012, 08:15 AM

Hi there! I have been laboring over the decision to buy a new laptop for my freelance graphic/web business. I have a circa-2006 VAIO that has been a good one, but it maxes out at 2GB RAM and pre-dates my need for PhotoShop, and so, just can't keep up anymore.

I am either going to buy a new VAIO (W7, i5, 8GB, 500GB, Radeon 1GB GPU, 15.5" 1920x1080 LED) for $600, and step up to the MacBook Pro.

I have been to the Apple store twice, and asked everyone I know who owns a MBP... and though everyone says "Oh, Macs are better for PhotoShop and graphics," no one can actually tell me WHY they are better.

Just wondering, if I genuinely don't care about having a Mac because it's a Mac... WHY is it worth the extra $1,300? I honestly just want the best and most practical solution for my work, and I am willing to pay the price if it's really better.

Main apps used:
PhotoShop CS5
Dreamweaver CS5
Acrobat
PowerPoint (advanced user... exporting to flash for web)

Thanks or any advice/help.

02-22-2012, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

Hi there! I have been laboring over the decision to buy a new laptop for my freelance graphic/web business. I have a circa-2006 VAIO that has been a good one, but it maxes out at 2GB RAM and pre-dates my need for PhotoShop, and so, just can't keep up anymore.

I am either going to buy a new VAIO (W7, i5, 8GB, 500GB, Radeon 1GB GPU, 15.5" 1920x1080 LED) for $600, and step up to the MacBook Pro.

I have been to the Apple store twice, and asked everyone I know who owns a MBP... and though everyone says "Oh, Macs are better for PhotoShop and graphics," no one can actually tell me WHY they are better.

Just wondering, if I genuinely don't care about having a Mac because it's a Mac... WHY is it worth the extra $1,300? I honestly just want the best and most practical solution for my work, and I am willing to pay the price if it's really better.

Main apps used:
PhotoShop CS5
Dreamweaver CS5
Acrobat
PowerPoint (advanced user... exporting to flash for web)

Thanks or any advice/help.

1) The $1300 differential is overstated . . . do a thread search here and you will see this has been discussed to death.
2) Actual cost difference for similar build quality and specs is around $200.
3) You can run all of your existing software on a new Mac (just purchase and install Windows and you're good to go)
4) The real big advantage though of a Mac is OS X (stability, far less Malware etc)

But, there is a learning curve and if a Windows laptop will meet your needs (especially since you are doing this for a living) by all means get one.

02-22-2012, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

Just wondering, if I genuinely don't care about having a Mac because it's a Mac... WHY is it worth the extra $1,300? I honestly just want the best and most practical solution for my work, and I am willing to pay the price if it's really better.

It's not so much about which platform is "better"...it's about which OS does a user prefer. Some folks like Windows...and some folks prefer the Mac OS. Macintosh's also seem to be better when it come to viruses & malware.

It sounds like you're a "Windows Person" (which is fine)...and if so...then stick with Windows & get that $600 Sony VAIO.

- Nick

02-22-2012, 08:47 AM

Thanks for the reply. The Sony is a clearance (original $1249), and it seems like it out-specs the stock MBP, but I know that specs can be misleading.

In all my research, it seems like "user experience" is the main reason to go with Mac. My husband gave me an iPhone 4 for Mother's Day last year, and I love it on a level I never thought possible for a gadget. Before the iPhone, I probably wouldn't have considered getting a MacBook at all. But, while I'm sure there are dozens of phones that can technically do what my iPhone does, the interface, stability, battery life, and overall pleasure to operate preclude me from considering anything else. iPhone forever! LOL.

I guess I am hoping that someone can tell me that OS X does something inherently different with the way it handles processes and high-demand apps like PhotoShop.

I'm sort of in the "if you have to install Windows on your Mac, what's the point of buying one" camp.

02-22-2012, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

It sounds like you're a "Windows Person"

Why does everyone keep telling me that? It's starting to hurt my feelings.

02-22-2012, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

In all my research, it seems like "user experience" is the main reason to go with Mac.

EXACTLY!

Sounds to me that you either need to purchase the SONY computer...or get more experience using Macintosh computers before making a buying decision. Try a visit to an Apple Store...and "play" around with the Mac's for a while.

If it really comes down to the "dollars & cents"...in the end you will probably buy the less expensive SONY anyway!

Mac's are about the experience, ease of use Mac OS, stability of the Mac OS, and much less problems with virus's and malware. Also remember...many many graphics professionals use Mac's (and have been for years & years)...so when you deal with fellow graphics professionals (who use Mac's)...you will be talking the same "computer language" if you are familiar with using Mac's.

- Nick

02-22-2012, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

Why does everyone keep telling me that? It's starting to hurt my feelings.

Probably because you approached it from a strictly dollars and cents perspective (a valid perspective BTW). No offense at all intended.

But, there are many ways to compute value. Most of us feel that Macs are a better long term value (and in most cases short term as well). The service life on Macs for one thing tends to be longer. And, of course, there is all that AntiVirus software that you don't have to buy.

For that matter, overall software costs tend to be lower.

EDIT: I was typing (though slower) while Nick was posting . . . interesting to me the "Dollars and cents" common thought. Great minds as they say . . .

02-22-2012, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

Why does everyone keep telling me that? It's starting to hurt my feelings.

Originally Posted by pigoo3

It sounds like you're a "Windows Person" (which is fine)...

If you're going to quote someone...please don't edit the quote to the point that the meaning is changed. If you recall...I also mentioned "which is fine".

There are:

- Windows folks...those folks that have always used the Winows OS
- Macintosh folks...those folks that have always used the Mac OS
- Windows/Macintosh folks...folks that use both platforms on regular basis

Also...you are on a MACINTOSH internet forum...don't you think there will be a bit of a "bias" here??? What do you think happens if Macintosh user jumps onto a "Windows internet forum"...they get all "beat up"!!!

We here at Mac-Forums try to be as friendly & unbiased as possible...that's why you've already received two recommendations to stick with a Windows computer if that is what you are comfortable with...and not willing to pay the $$$ for a Macintosh computer.

We are also not here for psychoanalysis...if you feel inadequate as a "Windows Person"...can't help you with that!!!

- Nick

02-22-2012, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

Hi there! I have been laboring over the decision to buy a new laptop for my freelance graphic/web business. I have a circa-2006 VAIO that has been a good one, but it maxes out at 2GB RAM and pre-dates my need for PhotoShop, and so, just can't keep up anymore.

I am either going to buy a new VAIO (W7, i5, 8GB, 500GB, Radeon 1GB GPU, 15.5" 1920x1080 LED) for $600, and step up to the MacBook Pro.

I have been to the Apple store twice, and asked everyone I know who owns a MBP... and though everyone says "Oh, Macs are better for PhotoShop and graphics," no one can actually tell me WHY they are better.

Just wondering, if I genuinely don't care about having a Mac because it's a Mac... WHY is it worth the extra $1,300? I honestly just want the best and most practical solution for my work, and I am willing to pay the price if it's really better.

Main apps used:
PhotoShop CS5
Dreamweaver CS5
Acrobat
PowerPoint (advanced user... exporting to flash for web)

Thanks or any advice/help.

Do you drink PBR?

Serious question.

02-23-2012, 09:48 AM

They are simpler, easier, more intuitive to use and provide a greatly more stable platform much less likely to be subject to malware or virus attack. That the Mac speaks the same language and has the same use appearance as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad is another plus. I have used Unyx, DOS, Windows, Mac and i OS, and linnux boxes. (As Well as TRS 80, C-64, Atari, and all the others in the early days.) I daily use Mac but my work provides Windows machines and they are my spouse's preference so I remain "bilingual."

I am a photographer and value graphics abilities and stability highly.

02-23-2012, 11:30 AM

One word says it all 'you will not be yelling and kicking at your pc, thanks steve' that is what a person's tribute to steve jobs wrote.

02-23-2012, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by plasticspaceman

I have been to the Apple store twice, and asked everyone I know who owns a MBP... and though everyone says "Oh, Macs are better for PhotoShop and graphics," no one can actually tell me WHY they are better.

It's interesting that you bring this up. I saw a discussion recently where people pointed out a very simple fact - for all intents and purposes, Photoshop is exactly the same program across platforms. While OS X may have had an advantage in the past (given that many graphics features were baked into OS X), that advantage appears to have been lost. Granted, I'm not an artist/PS user (I am a self-professed philistine) but it would appear, from where I'm sitting, that you have a valid concern.

02-23-2012, 12:50 PM

I just made the switch to a Macbook Pro yesterday and I have to say that it was money well spent. As has already been stated, if you do enough research, you'll find that many of the same things you do on a Windows based PC can be done on a Macbook, in addition to all of the other points discussed here. If you do decide to buy one, I don't think you'll regret it. Another thing, the price that you listed is overstated and once you start using it, you'll see that it was much more to it than just buying one "because it's a Mac."

02-24-2012, 10:52 PM

I guess I am hoping that someone can tell me that OS X does something inherently different with the way it handles processes and high-demand apps like PhotoShop.

I personally have noticed that all the UNIX like kernels I've used do handle RAM and processes much better than the NT kernel.

UNIX like being Mac OS X and Linux and NT is what Windows uses.

02-24-2012, 11:03 PM

OS X is better than Unix like.