Q about Mac vs PC

[Guest]

Hey - I have a real, actual question about how Mac's stack up to PC's.

I've consistently heard that "Mac's are better for graphics", and in various and sundy places, heard that it is because of an insanely precise floating point.

I am wondering several things... Is there an actual difference in the output of programs like Photoshop, or in 3d development, between Mac's and PC's? Are Mac's actually a better choice when producing high quality graphics is the only factor? Or is it that any Pentium of AMD chip can produce the same results? Is it the graphics card that makes the difference in any output, and neither chipset has an advantage (disregarding the higher MHz of the pentium/amd chips)? Or is there no difference in potential output, period? Is the difference in the time it would take to produce the same high end images?

I am simply wondering, as I have never actually seen a step by step comparison of the graphics developing capabilities of a high-end no costs-barred Mac vs PC. I honestly don't know whether there's a bit of difference between the two; perhaps software is more important than processor, or having the right video card more important than under what processor the image was produced.

But perhaps not, and I was just wondering if anyone who actually has experience with both types of computers or has any helpful links could let me know?

In case you wondered, I am interested as I am "an artist", and quite enjoy the wonderful little PC I've built for myself - and wondering if I might actually be missing out on something.

Thank you muchly.

(please do not just say that "PC's are better than Mac's" as I quite agree with you allready)

 

[Guest]

Hum... if we look back in time, a few years ago the mac really was more powerful than a PC in any kind of graphic application. But with the advent of the pentium and later the pentium II, the PC gained back what it lacked in processor strength ( FPU and interger). But it's not only a question of the processor itself but rather the type of processor. because you see, RISC cpu's are beasts. Terrible, terrible beast that have tremendous power, but lack of low cost implementation while x86 processors such as intel's processors or AMD's are powerful, yes, but lack the brute strength of RISC. If you are interested in the matter, I suggest that you forget everything I just told you and read what mister Paul Demone wrote on the subject at this address: http://www.realworldtech.com/page.cfm?ArticleID=RWT021300000000

This is unfortunately a very techy article so be warned! 😉

Hope that helps