Discussion When to use apple

[GraySenshi]

Basically I was wondering what is the primary use of a Mac. When should you get one.

Hardware wise is seems like a joke to go with Apple when you can get 6600, 950, 16gb ram, and have plenty left over for a m.2 ssd. And if it's just work station get a i7 with 6 cores and ditch the gpu. Unless I'm missing something. Because Windows doesn't seem to have all the problems now like before. also the software isnt Mac exclusive like before and you can also go with a open source OS.

So it makes me think it's because of the OS and maybe what people are using it for.

 

[warhead0]

10 years ago you could argue it was for 'productivity' and 'editing' but these days it seems to be more personal preference.

There is no real advantage anymore, some people will argue Final Cut is the best reason, but once again that's just personal preference.

 

[camdoz86]

It is quicktime, and all it's functionality and various forms that make macs a must have for video production professionals. Sure I can get Adobe Premiere or Avid on a PC, but unless I have a specific video workflow set up for that system that will be the same EVERY TIME for EVERY SINGLE CLIENT I work with (yah right), I will run into problems AT SOME POINT with quicktime codecs and quicktime functionality. I don't know if you know, but the overwhelming majority of video formats are quicktime based, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some cameras like the 5D shoot H.264 quicktime files, which is really sort of a mastering format and is kind of limited. Many cinema cameras for commercials or TV shows shoot Prores quicktime files, which are robust and open ended and optimized for editing. Point is, even on a poorly configured or older mac you can run into trouble converting, manipulating and mastering the multitude of quicktime codecs you come across, and making them all work across various video software for editing, FX work, audio work and transcoding/exporting. On a PC you would have all sorts of trouble if you need to be able to handle whatever format comes your way, and do crazy shit with those formats in all kinds of software, converting it various ways throughout your process, unless you are sticking to a specific workflow all the time, or doing massive conversions on both ends. Sure you can play a quicktime file, like an AVI or a MP4 on your PC using quicktime player or FLV, but taking a bunch of native quicktime files and transcoding them, manipulating them, testing new software with various formats, good luck, not ideal. The mac OS and it's software are optimized to work with just about all of the current mainstream digital video formats that are getting spat out of cameras in fast paced professional production environments. There is also the most important thing of hard drives...if PCs and PC oriented video software went the extra mile for all quicktime format support through and through, and if all video, graphic and sound professionals switched to PCs for TV or Film production, we could all use PC drives and share the enormous amounts of media that we need to share constantly, but the industry can't rely on PCs for fast paced all inclusive video production, they all use macs, and if you went PC you wouldn't be able to share their workflow and work together, you'd be screwed. Mac for professionals is definitely not just a personal preference...I hate having to switch from my powerful gaming PC to my Mac drive on my hackintosh to do everything I need for work. Maintaining that hackintosh alone is a pain in the ass, and a comparable mac to my pc hardware...well doesn't exist, and the next best thing for a real Mac would cost be $5,000. And screw Final Cut, Apple killed it when they redesigned it, it's a joke and no entertainment professionals use it.

 

[jammer33]

personally i like the look and feel, simplicity of OS operation and navigation. intuitiveness, specifics such as drag and drop. Plus just the overall durability, resale value etc. *special note: i'm still using my 2007 macbook 13" and it works just fine.

 

[Wups]

To be honest, everyone uses it for different reasons; Web design, web development, design, browsing, some find it easier to navigate around. I use it for support, it depends what you want to use it for.

 

[grimakis]

Several Reasons:

1. Luxury Good - Mac's are perceived as luxury goods. Much like a Rolex that keeps time not even as well as a Timex, it's the design, craftsmanship and branding that draws people in.

2. Operating System - macOS is a very good Operating System, and legally the only way to get access to it, is to get a Mac.

3. Final Cut Pro

4. Xcode

5. Resale Value - Macs hold their value very well compared to PCs.

6. Useful Life - In my experience, Macs have longer useful lives than PCs. Due to software optimization for the hardware, macOS maintains full compatibility for older systems. Right now I think Sierra fully supports many machines built in 2009, and runs well.

 

[jsmithepa]

Hardware wise is seems like a joke

If you are asking this question, right out of the gate it's not for you, you probably have better choices.

I recommend Macs for soccer Moms, they just want an appliance, they don't want to know how it works, what to do if blah-blah, they just want to start the car and go.

 

[jsmithepa]

macOS maintains full compatibility for older systems.

By systems you mean hardware.

One thing I don't like about OSX is (I have several gripes) Apple seems to issue an update every year, and you are almost FORCED to do this because the newer Apps would only work on the new OSX version, hope you have saved those older versions Apps you liked. OTOH, if you don't like W10, no prob, your Apps still work for W8, W7, heck even XP, maybe a little slower but they will work, you are not forced to upgrade.

Apple is majorly annoying this way, they want so much control they force you to do certain things, and I fight. I like some of their stuff but don't force me to do nothing.

 

[grimakis]

macOS maintains full compatibility for older systems.

By systems you mean hardware.

One thing I don't like about OSX is (I have several gripes) Apple seems to issue an update every year, and you are almost FORCED to do this because the newer Apps would only work on the new OSX version, hope you have saved those older versions Apps you liked. OTOH, if you don't like W10, no prob, your Apps still work for W8, W7, heck even XP, maybe a little slower but they will work, you are not forced to upgrade.

Apple is majorly annoying this way, they want so much control they force you to do certain things, and I fight. I like some of their stuff but don't force me to do nothing.

Apple doesn't force you to do anything. Unlike iOS, OS X is very open and there are plenty of continuing and open source programs for it. If an app loses compatibility, it's because Apple drops legacy calls from the OS, and the developers are too lazy to update.