Processing setup
Discussion
Right, the time has come to change the old HP PC. Despite my best efforts at keeping the machine clean, defragmented egularly and hard drives not too full it really is struggling along now with its ageing processor and limited RAM (max capacity already filled). It's done 4 years already now so I reckon that's a reasonable service life given the software and image size changes since we first bought it.
Now comes that age old question PC or Mac for the new machine?
My two key pieces of image software are Photoshop and Autopano Pro. If I were to move platforms form PC to Mac I know I can buy a licence to move platforms for my PS CS3 and I think my version of Autopano Pro I can simply reinstall the Mac copy rather than the Windows copy, if I have to replace that it's not too bad. All other software I'm not too fussed about.
Over to the floor, assume a blank piece of paper, what would you go for and why? My concerns are I'm not wholly convinced by the stability of Vista at the moment and whilst I'm in the US Mac prices are actually pretty reasonable. I've had a look around and can't see many Win XP machines still available that I could simply go for a hardware refresh. Also bear in mind I'm not a techie, I'm reasonably OK with machines but don't really have the knowledge to be digging right into the guts of them.
As with most things there is a budget here, so I won't be going for an all singing all dancing set up but I'd like to buy something good enough for another 4 years of service asuming I don't go beyond CS3 as it does all I need it to and much more.
Chris
Now comes that age old question PC or Mac for the new machine?
My two key pieces of image software are Photoshop and Autopano Pro. If I were to move platforms form PC to Mac I know I can buy a licence to move platforms for my PS CS3 and I think my version of Autopano Pro I can simply reinstall the Mac copy rather than the Windows copy, if I have to replace that it's not too bad. All other software I'm not too fussed about.
Over to the floor, assume a blank piece of paper, what would you go for and why? My concerns are I'm not wholly convinced by the stability of Vista at the moment and whilst I'm in the US Mac prices are actually pretty reasonable. I've had a look around and can't see many Win XP machines still available that I could simply go for a hardware refresh. Also bear in mind I'm not a techie, I'm reasonably OK with machines but don't really have the knowledge to be digging right into the guts of them.
As with most things there is a budget here, so I won't be going for an all singing all dancing set up but I'd like to buy something good enough for another 4 years of service asuming I don't go beyond CS3 as it does all I need it to and much more.
Chris
Personally I'd go with a good spec'd PC, which will probably come with Vista these days. Then I'd format the drive and install XP. Vista is a nightmare and won't be going anywhere near my PC until either a) they fix all the problems or more likely b) when hell freezes over!
The few times I've used Macs I just can't get along with them, but that's probably more to me being a die hard PC user than an issue with the Macs themselves. Also I believe you still have a far wider range of software available on PC, although I may be wrong on this by now.
The few times I've used Macs I just can't get along with them, but that's probably more to me being a die hard PC user than an issue with the Macs themselves. Also I believe you still have a far wider range of software available on PC, although I may be wrong on this by now.
I always was a PC man, I could never really understand macs (working in IT does that for you I guess). All of my friends would rave on about macs constantly, and so I thought I'd give it a go as I was starting to take the photography a little more seriously.
I bought the bottom of the range iMac and I have never looked back. My workflow was reduced dramatically and the Mac was such a pleasure to work with compared to XP.
I would srongly suggest that if you don't have any specialist PC only applications that you rely on day in, day out, to go for the mac.
Now, I would never, EVER go back to using a PC. They're simply too complicated to use and it becomes tiresome (if you're a mac user, you'll understand). It took me a few days to get used to the mac initially however, I can now do things in half the time that it would take on a pc. The mighty mouse is an awesome bit of kit when working between applications, and the 'spaces' feture is superb.
You won't regret buying a mac, just do it.
I bought the bottom of the range iMac and I have never looked back. My workflow was reduced dramatically and the Mac was such a pleasure to work with compared to XP.
I would srongly suggest that if you don't have any specialist PC only applications that you rely on day in, day out, to go for the mac.
Now, I would never, EVER go back to using a PC. They're simply too complicated to use and it becomes tiresome (if you're a mac user, you'll understand). It took me a few days to get used to the mac initially however, I can now do things in half the time that it would take on a pc. The mighty mouse is an awesome bit of kit when working between applications, and the 'spaces' feture is superb.
You won't regret buying a mac, just do it.
Edited by Scope on Tuesday 16th September 19:13
Thanks all for the opinions so far
Cople of answers / comments
a) Build my own - honestly is it that simple? As I said I'm not a PC expert and don't have the contacts here. It really would have to be pretty much an out of the box type solution
b) The concern about Vista thing is just me doing lots of reading around. Is it really fixed and stable? My XP machine is very stable but just so slow now. When I was working with much smaller files and no big panorama stitching it was fine but now is creaky. Think making and drinking a cup of tea whilst the machine crunches some panoramas. Not earth shattering but more a general annoyance.
c) Somehow the one set of discs I no longer have from my old machine are the XP and other systems discs I got when I originally bought the machine. Don't worry it's 100% legit, the discs have gone walkabout in the move. So even if I had the knowledge just buying a newer faster box and installing my old XP seems like it might not work unless I could just copy my old machine to my new machine?
d) The Mac interest comes from using them in the lab years ago and also the seem to be very widely used in the creative industries. Now I suspect some of that is because they look so nice but some of it must be due to sheer function.
Chris
Cople of answers / comments
a) Build my own - honestly is it that simple? As I said I'm not a PC expert and don't have the contacts here. It really would have to be pretty much an out of the box type solution
b) The concern about Vista thing is just me doing lots of reading around. Is it really fixed and stable? My XP machine is very stable but just so slow now. When I was working with much smaller files and no big panorama stitching it was fine but now is creaky. Think making and drinking a cup of tea whilst the machine crunches some panoramas. Not earth shattering but more a general annoyance.
c) Somehow the one set of discs I no longer have from my old machine are the XP and other systems discs I got when I originally bought the machine. Don't worry it's 100% legit, the discs have gone walkabout in the move. So even if I had the knowledge just buying a newer faster box and installing my old XP seems like it might not work unless I could just copy my old machine to my new machine?
d) The Mac interest comes from using them in the lab years ago and also the seem to be very widely used in the creative industries. Now I suspect some of that is because they look so nice but some of it must be due to sheer function.
Chris
CVP said:
a) Build my own - honestly is it that simple? As I said I'm not a PC expert and don't have the contacts here. It really would have to be pretty much an out of the box type solution
I wouldn't advocate a 'barebones' bundle where you have to bolt stuff together, but mine came complete with all but software. Fortunately I have a couple of friends who are very good with 'support calls' if I get stuck! Do you know any tame IT bods? CVP said:
b) The concern about Vista thing is just me doing lots of reading around. Is it really fixed and stable? My XP machine is very stable but just so slow now. When I was working with much smaller files and no big panorama stitching it was fine but now is creaky. Think making and drinking a cup of tea whilst the machine crunches some panoramas. Not earth shattering but more a general annoyance.
All the feedback I got about Vista (albeit over a year ago) was that is hogged resources and was very fussy about other software, even if it was prefectly legitimate. I want my PCs resources to be processing images, not running the OS. Even so I could imagine panoramas slowing it up if you chuck 20 massive files in and hit 'Go'.Why is your machine slowing down? Maybe time to back up and reformat?
miniman said:
Just out of interest, what's the objection with Vista? Now SP1 is out (which partially fixes the slow network copy performance, which in turn can be properly fixed with a single setting change) I am happy with it to be honest.
My main objection is that to do the same thing in the same amount of time reqires twice as much memory. Ok, so memory isn't exactly expensive these days but the other side of my arguement above is that using the same amount of memory in XP will make things considerably quicker than Vista.(a) I wouldn't bother - I looked into it a couple of times and I can't see how you can buy the parts for the same price that Dell will sell you a complete PC for. And they'll probably chuck in a nice flat screen too.
(b) It seems pretty stable to me. I **occasionally** come back to the laptop to find that it has restarted and has "recovered from an error" but it's never crashed when I'm using it.
(c) You can't just copy the hard disk, it simply won't work. If you buy from Dell, they will let you spec XP on most builds if you really don't want to go with Vista.
(d) I'm just used to PCs and can't really get to grips with Macs. Probably would if I gave it time though.
Dell will sell you a great PC for peanuts. They have normally got a 2-for-1 deal on RAM or some other scheme running.
(b) It seems pretty stable to me. I **occasionally** come back to the laptop to find that it has restarted and has "recovered from an error" but it's never crashed when I'm using it.
(c) You can't just copy the hard disk, it simply won't work. If you buy from Dell, they will let you spec XP on most builds if you really don't want to go with Vista.
(d) I'm just used to PCs and can't really get to grips with Macs. Probably would if I gave it time though.
Dell will sell you a great PC for peanuts. They have normally got a 2-for-1 deal on RAM or some other scheme running.
No tame IT experts here I'm afraid. Within my current workplace the one guy I trust seems to work 24/7 as he's the only one that gets thigns done. Needles to say he never has to buy his own coffee. Nothing like a good bit of bribery 
Thanks for the Dell info I'll investigate as that could be a nice option as I have my discs for th other apps I use.
Chris
Thanks for the Dell info I'll investigate as that could be a nice option as I have my discs for th other apps I use.
Chris
if you are not one for upgrading and trying to learn about computers then mabe dell would work.
the only difference with buying a pre built branded machine is they cut costs on the components and mostly this involves cutting anything upgradable.
meaning you buy a whole new machine, rather than just the part you need.
local PC shop will build a PC for you, and will also be on hand should you need anything, rather than talking to an automated phone system.
the only difference with buying a pre built branded machine is they cut costs on the components and mostly this involves cutting anything upgradable.
meaning you buy a whole new machine, rather than just the part you need.
local PC shop will build a PC for you, and will also be on hand should you need anything, rather than talking to an automated phone system.
I use a PC for photography and a Mac for music (both for over 20 years)... it's actually the worst of both worlds as the OS shortcuts are all different - let alone the mouse.
The Mac is much sexier and much more stable than Vista (spit) even with SP1 (I have two PCs with Vista and have spent hours on the MS site trying to fix bugs on both machines) - but when a Mac crashes it REALLY crashes.
If I had to take a laptop onto a desert Island it'd be a Mac... but PCs are so much cheaper... etc.
Steve - typing on a PC.
The Mac is much sexier and much more stable than Vista (spit) even with SP1 (I have two PCs with Vista and have spent hours on the MS site trying to fix bugs on both machines) - but when a Mac crashes it REALLY crashes.
If I had to take a laptop onto a desert Island it'd be a Mac... but PCs are so much cheaper... etc.
Steve - typing on a PC.
Thanks for all the opinions folks, time for me to do some shopping.
Agreed Macs do look so much nicer, they really have the exterior designs down, but whilst that's of some importance, the cruical part is does it function well and do the job? It seems if I can get a friendly geek to build what I want it could be right up my street but I shall be checking out the Macs as well.
I'm not immune from the Apple design grooviness , I got an ipod nano when they first came out but, on the flip side I still have it and it still works just fine. Admittedly my 11 & 12 year old nieces could not believe I was still using such an "ancient" machine.
Chris
Agreed Macs do look so much nicer, they really have the exterior designs down, but whilst that's of some importance, the cruical part is does it function well and do the job? It seems if I can get a friendly geek to build what I want it could be right up my street but I shall be checking out the Macs as well.
I'm not immune from the Apple design grooviness , I got an ipod nano when they first came out but, on the flip side I still have it and it still works just fine. Admittedly my 11 & 12 year old nieces could not believe I was still using such an "ancient" machine.
Chris
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