PC vs Mac

[u8at711]

I have only had PCs, well now it's time for a whole new system, I usually build my pc, so I cram what I think is the best that I can afford and still get discuraged with results.
I'm thinking about an I-book and using fire drives for extra storage.
I would like this new machine to beable to capture Mpeg2 and Mpeg1 without dropping frames. I would like to do editing and dvd burning also.

Is Mac a good choice? or should I stay with PC???
oh I don't play games,,

[The village idiot]

Any laptop is likely to be less than wonderful at capturing directly to mpeg.

[rafaelp]

You will probably be unhappy with an iBook since it has a G3 processor without Altivec. If you want a laptop get a PowerBook. I think the 15 inch model is getting ready for a refresh so I would wait a little bit to get the newest or the older at a much cheaper price.

The newer Powerbooks come with 800Mbit firewire and much faster i/o.

Good luck...


Oops, one more thing. I would recommend that you capture DV. Why would you want to capture to MPEG1 or 2 and then work with media that substantially reduced in quality. Convert to an MPEG after you have finished editing/manipulating. Just buy more and bigger firewire drives

[Dennis1968]

I agree, my friend has a iBook G3 wihtout Altivec and a 4500 RPM harddrive. This iBook is not good for video capture and DVD backups. Get a PowerBook or a Tower.

[Jedi27]

Hi,

I tried digital editing on my PC and it wasn't a great experience. Granted, I didn't have the "best" system, but one which far exceeded any min requirements.

Then, I moved to a PowerMAC G4. With dual processors and a wickedly stable OS, it's been amazing. I dropped an additional 120 GB HD to be used as my editing drive and all is well.

I also kept my PC and set up a network (also easy to do). The network has been fabulous as I can work on my editing projects on the MAC and while they render*, I work on my DVD bmps with Corel Draw/Photopaint 11 and then drop them over to the MAC.

* rendering with dual processors is obviously amazing - a full DVD movie takes approximately 50 mins to render and up to another 45 to burn. When I tried on the PC, it would take up to 7 hrs to render alone (again, I didn't have the "Best" system).

The only regret I have with the MAC is that I wish I would have known about the G5s as I would have waited

Happy Editing,
Jedi27

[LanEvo7]

Then why are you comparing a crappy system to a top of the line one? Its like comparing a Sentra to an Avalon.

[The village idiot]

Then why are you comparing a crappy system to a top of the line one? Its like comparing a Sentra to an Avalon.

Very true. I would pit any dual P4 against a comparable dual G4. I'm sure the times would be similar, assuming that the software and OS takes advantage of multi-threaded programming.


I did however see an ad for a new Toshiba laptop that is sold as a media center machine. It was in Chump Screw Us All's sale flyer. Mega bucks though.

[Jedi27]

Who said anything about a crappy system?

I said not the best system if you read the post properly. I added this so it's understood that I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I guess you failed that lesson in kindergarten And btw, you're probably smart enough to know that today's BEST system is tomorrow's crappier system with the way the computer industry goes.

I just know that using my PC is liking driving my reliable Corolla, but now the MAC is sweet and uncomparable to a Lexus....

Thanks for your feedback.

[yowszer]

I have never owned a mac, but grab a copy of maximum PC's speed trials issue and you can see the numbers for yourself - the top mac is childish to the top pc. I would think a pc would probably be better.

[icoty]

If you want a machine that works with digital video efficiently and with the least amount of hassle, then do get a Mac. I would, though, suggest that you stay clear from the iBook since they have just the lowly G3 processor. If you're interested in getting a laptop, try one of the powerbook G4's. My choice would be to get a Power Mac G5, though...Good to hear that you're considering a Mac.

[LanEvo7]

Long story short, in terms of speed a PC will outperform a Mac if its in the same price range(i.e. $2000 Mac ~ $2000 PC). There are tons of benchmarks on the internet and on hard media by credible reviewers that show this. Anybody who doesn't want to admit this just doesn't want to face reality. I have nothing against Macs, they are great systems, just not worth the money in my opinion.

Regarding stability of the computer, you can argue that, but there are lots of windows xp users(including me) that run very stable systems. Also, PCs can be made by many many suppliers running from a big company like Dell to little internet shops on ebay. Just remember you should get somebody competent enough to build a system. Stay away from cheap parts and pay a little more for quality. People buy $400 systems off ebay stores that uses the cheapest no name parts and they wonder why their comps crash all the time.

Who said anything about a crappy system?

I said not the best system if you read the post properly. I added this so it's understood that I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I guess you failed that lesson in kindergarten And btw, you're probably smart enough to know that today's BEST system is tomorrow's crappier system with the way the computer industry goes.

I just know that using my PC is liking driving my reliable Corolla, but now the MAC is sweet and uncomparable to a Lexus....

Thanks for your feedback.

You said it was not the best system. So whats not the best? Pii, piii, p4, athlon? It wasn't a dual processor system right? So why are you comparing a single processor system to a dual processor system? The price of the your Mac probably was higher than the price you paid for you pc to. Gee whiz, I wonder why there is such a difference in performance...

[/quote]

[Jedi27]

geez louise boyz....i wasn't trying to get into a PC vs MAC discussion. I was just providing feedback on my experience and whomever could take it for what it's worth (which, i imagine in your opinion, isn't very much).

You raise very valid points about the cost of PCs vs MAC. I agree there. I paid a pretty penny for my MAC, but like a lexus..it's well worth it.

I don't know about a PC outperforming an equal MAC because Apple seems to have nailed down the video editing world (ie. X-MEN 2 was made on a MAC as are tons of other movies/music videos etc...). MACs are what pros use....so there has to be a reason for it, unless it's just the 'in' thing to do. I guess the PC vs MAC debate will go on forever just like the debate about whether or not the Rolling Stones should give up or not

It's been fun, but now I have real work to do...

Happy editing...on whatever type of system you use...

[likwid8]

(ie. X-MEN 2 was made on a MAC as are tons of other movies/music videos etc...)

Well damn... I didnt know you wanted to do that much rendering on your computer. Bottom line is they're both amazing machines. You should stick with what you know best. Im thinking for the stuff you wanna do (like most of us here), stick with a PC, my 2 cents.


Sure a lexxus is worth its penny.. But in the indy 500 they use Ferraris, so does that mean you wanna upgrade your lexxus to a Modena-360? :P

[Heavensent]

pc or mac THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

pc's got better in the last few years, so today there is no point
buying a mac because its "better".

the pro world uses macs because they got used to it,
macs had an advantage over pc's in the old days.
and dont forget that pro software was made for the mac
that you just cant run on a pc.

but that was a long time ago, today you have pro software
for pc's, and it works very well.

the main difference today is that a mac OS is more stable
than any windows OS.

but you can allways switch to linux and solve that problem

the pc runs solid as a rock with a good linux system.

[FL350innh]

Or you can Use what the REAL Pro's use... Cray, 6 Terra bytes of ram, 62 processors.... you know Jurasic Park, ect..... Mac's, Yep good in there day for video, Amiga was better. Now PC's are, I dare to say, standing on the playing field with just as much ability. Take it from someone who owns both and works on both professionally. My Macs are nice, But Adobe runs better on my PC's now. Imovie was fun, but $$$ for $$$ my PC's can do more for less. IMHO, there is a lot more available in the Intel world then in the Apple realm. I will say this, If you want to open a box and burn a DVD quickly then the MAC with Imovie is a good choice. BUT, If you want to have a wider range of tools (freeware too) and choice PCs are the way to go. This comparison usually gets the cult of MAC pretty riled... But look at it objectively for what you want to accomplish and the answer should be pretty clear. No matter which way you go DONT skimp... Buy more then enough computer power to do the job. If somene tells you it's good to have 256 of ram put 1Gb in. It's always easier to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it....

[Redd]

User Preference is what to base this decision on. If built right, they’re both good machines. What's the whole point of this thread anyway?

[tgpo]

You can capture/edit/and burn DVDs with the free programs what come with the computer.

People who say that OS X has no freeware havn't looked then. There are plenty of *nix programs that are being ported over to the mac, plus many more that are being written everyday. Just look at http://www.versiontracker.com Plenty of great software for the mac platform.

[FL350innh]

You can capture/edit/and burn DVDs with the free programs what come with the computer.

People who say that OS X has no freeware havn't looked then. There are plenty of *nix programs that are being ported over to the mac, plus many more that are being written everyday. Just look at http://www.versiontracker.com Plenty of great software for the mac platform.

TPGO, You are correct as I stated this before, Out of the box you can create DVD's.....

I NEVER said there was no free ware available YOU did!... I said

I will say this, If you want to open a box and burn a DVD quickly then the MAC with Imovie is a good choice. BUT, If you want to have a wider range of tools (freeware too) and choice PCs are the way to go. This comparison usually gets the cult of MAC pretty riled... But look at it objectively for what you want to accomplish and the answer should be pretty clear.

Please read the entire post, I said to look at the objective for what you want to accomplish and the answer should be pretty clear. I give MACs credit for what they are. Both machines have there place. But IMHO (in my humble opinion) You have a wider array of options, hardware, programs, service providers for PCs. If I'm wrong prove it..... I still have a Lisa in my attic. I work repairing MACs all day in the Cambridge are of Mass and there are alot more PC resources then MAC. Like I said "But look at it objectively for what you want to accomplish and the answer should be pretty clear."

Sorry to get testie, But this is not politics or religion, it's a computing platform nothing personal... Or should I get out the Pengiun ware and start preachin! LOL