The Mac wait
by Mark ~ December 8th, 2007. Filed under: Equipment notes, Mac, switch to mac, technostress.
In a previous posting about a month ago, I wrote how I was considering a switch to Mac. I have been a PC user for pretty much my entire computing life, except for perhaps my original computer classes in high school where we worked on Apple IIe’s. (Is that dating myself or what!). But my frustration with the PC world, devices, and the Windows environment is probably at an all time high. I have managed to stabilize my current desktop a bit where perhaps I only crash once a day or so.
However, in some of my research, I learned that Steve Jobs will be making a keynote speech on January 15, 2008 and the rumors are flying that the announcement will be upgrades to both Mac Pro desktops and laptops featuring Intel’s new Penryn processors. I am also watching how some of the software compatibility issues with Leopard are quickly working themselves out, particularly with Lightroom and Photoshop. So I figure in January, I will have all the info I need to pull the plug.
I am normally not one to wait for the latest and greatest computer chips or need to have a top-of-the-line computer - but these new chips are probably worth the wait, and I am hoping there will be some announcements that will also perhaps update the Mac Pro’s video cards. So until then, I will save my pennies, and pray for as few blue screens of death as possible. 
December 8th, 2007 at
i consider buying mac mini 2.0Ghz and 2GB of ram so Lightroom and Photoshop would work pretty smooth in complect with Apple’s 23′ cinema display. Of course, not a pro workstation but still mac and relatively cheap solution
December 9th, 2007 at
Since I am coming from a PC world, I know 2GB ram is barely enough to get by on with Photoshop. I have read that Mac’s use that memory more effectively, but you might still want to think about if you would need more in the future.
December 9th, 2007 at
The only problem with switching is that you’re going to end up spending a fortune on new software. It’s a lot cheaper to try to make work what you already have. It might be your OS that is causing instability. I run Windows Vista 64-bit with 4 gigs of RAM and a 3.4 ghz quad core proc… hasn’t crashed once. But I always say, when in doubt, reformat.
December 9th, 2007 at
Actually I have checked that out and it won’t cost me that much. Much of my software already has cross-platform licensing, and Adobe works with you on their stuff.
Reformatting?? No thanks.
December 22nd, 2007 at
Hey Mark,
I knew you’d come on over. You’ll love it.
FWIW, I have an older G5 imac (3 years), and it only has 2GB of ram - works fine.
Cheers
Carl