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Ok, here's the big question. I just sat through a very very impressive demonstration of the new Apple Macintosh computers and the very robust operating system OS X. Personally I don't dislike PC's but after the demo, I can't see why in the world anyone would want to continue to use PC's and MS Windows. I use two PC systems, one with Win 2000 Pro, and the other with Win XP pro, so I'm pretty current with what a PC can offer. My question to all of you is very simple. Which do you prefer and why? Do any of you Mac users ever have Virus troubles? Software trouble? Instability? Neither Roger or I have to worry about using Sign Lab, or obtaining drivers that will enable us to use printers or vinyl plotters. I do mostly graphics design work, and communication, while Roger handles mostly communication, and some business management tasks. I'm thinking that some nice new powerful G4 Macs with Virtual PC ( windows XP pro loaded) would really free our hands and let us take advantage of both worlds. Any good logical advice would be greatly appreciated. Cost is not the factor here just facts.
Thanks everyone.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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For me it would be simply a compatability issue... I trade file use, with so many other people in business, that I couldn't deal with it. Even though conversions are at hand for many uses, there is still so many incompatabilities. Possibly considered if they were for in house and internet use only, but most of them look like they came out of a happy meal....
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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If for no other reason I would consider the possible software available for each platform.Make a list side by side including cost.Realistically there is only one cost effective solution for your needs both present and future.
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have both platforms & use both. I do all my work on a PC and do large format printing for Agency's from their supplied disks from the MAC. Quark Express is a big reason we why we purchased a MAC. 99% of the files we receive are in Quark format. I have Quark on my PC also but the font issues make it difficult to work with doing cross platform files. I haven't upgraded to OS10. I would say if you are sign shop doing large format printing, vinyl & edge work you need both.
-------------------- Bob Boyd A C Display Studios Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 54 | From: Atlantic City, NJ | Registered: Nov 2001
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Quark is woefully behind the curve, when it comes to Mac OS X. I'd suggest giving Adobe InDesign 2 a look-see.
As for new Mac towers, I'd hold off until July. The next MacWorld Expo is coming up and Apple may be updating the tower line. Granted, if you aren't concerned with the latest-n-greatest, Apple has some nice discounts on their current towers and displays.
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zero virus problems in 18 years of Mac ownership and use.
that said, if i was starting out new... i dunno. it used to be a lot cheaper to go with the PC... but i'm now running Photoshop, Illustrator and Vinyl Express all on my 2-year old iMac. i use the three year old G3 tower to drive the plotter. Macintosh got a lot easier to deal with once they added the USB ports. my next computer will probably be another iMac (those flat-screens have great color rendering, and the things look cool).
the only thing i'm missing is EstiMate. no, i'm not willing to run a Windows emulator on my Mac. Ick. Its like taking a shower with your clothes on.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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I bought a Mac when they were first introduced. I've had several more over the years; Macs and iMacs. They have all been trouble free. I switched to a PC a couple of years ago, due to driver availability for my laser engraver. I've been happy with the PC, as well. I'd try and find someone who has a Mac with similar software to what you will be using, and give it a real world test drive. Good luck.
-------------------- Eric Barker Rosewood Design LaGrande,Oregon Posts: 107 | From: La Grande, OR | Registered: May 2002
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Stability problems: None. Worked on macs only for over 6 years. Not a single call to tech support. Funny thing is, when I first got into this computer stuff, I knew zilch about computers, and so, I'm sure I did all sorts of stuff wrong in the beginning, with no ill effects.
Virus problems? I know there's some viruses that macs can get, but they are few and far between, and I personally have never gotten a single one.
Software problems? None, ever. But, like Timi says, if you need to have 6 sign programs to run your equipment or if you want to go to Best Buy and pick up a copy of "computer gardening" or "dress barbie", or some of those thousands of other useless programs they stock to keep the grandparents and the kids happy, you'll likely be outta luck.If all you need is to run graphics programs, plotters, printers, do your accounting stuff, get on the internet, etc, then you'll be a happy mac owner.
The main difference between macs and pc's is that macs were designed mostly for doing graphics, and pc's are designed mostly to try to be like macs. Posts: 4084 | From: ... | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Bob Boyd: I have yet to receive one INDESIGN file in 5 years of large format printing.
That may be due to the fact that InDesign 1 had some problems, coupled with the fact that sign shop folks are loathe to upgrade their technology.
For large-format, I use CorelDRAW 10 (available for Mac & PC) coupled with Photo-PRINT (also available for both platforms). For vinyl, I use CorelDRAW 10 coupled with CoCut (also available for both platforms). Granted, Scanvec-Amiable and Eurosystems are behind the curve, i.e. no drivers for OS X, yet. My Summa cutter also needs OS X drivers. Still, all of these should work fine, in emulation (OS 9.2) mode.
Granted, I am hardly the norm when it comes to sign shops; I would rather gargle glass shards than work with Illustrator.
quote:Originally posted by Daniel Craig: [QUOTE]Originally posted by Bob Boyd: [qb] I would rather gargle glass shards than work with Illustrator.
You must get a lot of sore throats.
I use Illustrator and CorelDRAW quite extensively and they're so similar I dont see what the hub-bub is all about. It might be because I took the time learn em both, and know 'em both like the back of my hand so I can switch between the two seamlessly.
If I had to rely solely on either one, I'd be one unhappy camper. Alone, neither program covers all the bases but together they can do just about anything.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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