Core77

[bepster]

I'd take OSX before windows any day.

every time am forced to use Bootcamp reminds me of that.

[o8dawgs]

I think it depends on what you want out of your computer. I had a mac during school because they had PCs for me to use. Looking back, I think you'll get more bang for your buck if you buy a PC. I recently purchased a PC with i7 920 processor, 9 gigs of ram, and 890MB video card. This was all stock for about $1200. This might be overkill, but once you get into doing CAD and renderings, you'll be thankful you got one. I found the basic Macs just don't cut it unless you add more than the standard. Unless you have the money, get a Mac Pro with more memory and video card power. Even running CS4 on a new imac can be slow.

[Cameron]

I found the basic Macs just don't cut it unless you add more than the standard. Unless you have the money, get a Mac Pro with more memory and video card power. Even running CS4 on a new imac can be slow.

Do CS4 and new macs really not get along like this? I hope not. I have a two-year old Macbook w/ 2 gigs ram and I run illustrator/photoshop/indesign/safari/itunes simultaneously with no issues. I'm looking to upgrade soon to a Mac with heavy 3D power - I was thinking iMac or Mac Pro, as well. Unless you're only doing Rhino/Hypershot, which works on my machine even.

[o8dawgs]

Ya, I find that CS4 isn't as fast as it could be.

I would not use Rhino on the new iMac. Actually, I take that back, it all depends on how much Rhino/3d work you want to do. I have a 3.06 core 2 duo, 4 gigs of Ram, nvidia geforce gt 130 (512MB mem); and I find that it doesn't do a good job with Rhino. Especially when you're building complex forms the rendering of the part goes out of whack when you're trying to build. It renders fine (slow though) but when you're actually trying to make the shapes, it's terrible.

To sum up my feelings about 3D work on an iMac: Yes rhino works, but not to what I need it for.

If you have money, get a Mac Pro, with A LOT more graphics capabilities. I did not, so I got a PC, which I love for my 3D applications and renderings.

[firenzee]

I'd go Mac all the way. The only thing that my MacBook Pro struggles to handle is Alias (and by that I mean it simply takes a while to load up and can be a little slow at times), but then it is a couple of years old and I could do with upgrading the RAM.

I had my old Mac for four years before the USB ports finally packed up and I was forced to replace it. It stood me through 4.5 years of university, and I could still run everything I needed on it (unlike my friends on PC's who were forced to swap out at 2-3 years). Although I was too short of cash to run virtual PC so I had to use the university computers for all 3D programs.

I still find it interesting how passionate people get about the PC v Mac issue...

[bngi]

Just upgraded my 3 year old mbp with a 7200 harddrive (from 5200) and from 2 to 4 gigs of ram, so hopefully it holds out another 1-2 years atleast.

Worn torn and with loads of patina



Never had any major issues working with alias on it (dont know how complex my stuff is compared to the rest of you though). Nor any other of the standard 3d software. What is a bit more annoying though is that windows usually go a bit ape-S**t after 1-1.5 years. I really want to try out alias on the osx platform, to compare a bit.
Sure, sometimes cs4 can get a bit slow when working with more than one of the programs at the time or just with very heavy files. But to me it seems that this is one of the side effects of cs3 to cs4, just a bit more demanding, especially to my old faithful.

Did i mention thats it the best €2000 ive ever spent?

Edit -> added Disclaimer:
I dont want to sound like a apple-fan boy. Apple of course also have their flaws, but for my usage they have been a lot less annoying then my last laptop (dell) and custom workstation.

[bngi]

Maybe this or a similar thread should be stickyfied in the software/technology forum.

[Ross Jovi]

Id personally always go for the PC myself. Its easier to upgrade and has a larger quantity of software available for it, and probably most importantly having just one mouse button!? The fact you have to hold it down is really annoying!

[Cameron]

Id personally always go for the PC myself. Its easier to upgrade and has a larger quantity of software available for it, and probably most importantly having just one mouse button!? The fact you have to hold it down is really annoying!

This was my complaint before I realized you can use any mouse on one with full right-click functionality. Plus, the new Magic Mouse has right click functionality, too.

Honestly, the only reason I'd go back to PCs at this point would be if 3D programs weren't working on OSX versions, or Jobs died and Ive couldn't replace him as the ultimate brand protector.

[jada]

For a portable workhorse I'd go for a macbook pro 15" (in fact I did, and then again). Cheaper windows alternatives tend to be old tech in my opinion (for instance the $500 less HP in the beginning of this thread; oooold ram).

For a serious CAD desktop I'd build a windows box. That can get you a lot of bang for your buck. Still I'd probably hate it just as much as I hate CAD at times...

[monizee]

Just an update from the original poster:

I ended up going with the Mac and I'm really pleased. Of course I'm just starting out so it will be a long time before I really test it out. The vast majority of kids in my program also bought macs and it's nice to be able to seamlessly learn from each other.

Thank you all for your input, I'm sure this thread will be helpful to other students as well.

-monica

[yo]

Anyone have any dirt on that mac Tablet? Me want!

[savage]

i just picked up the new HP pavilion dv7. Its quite nice, its has a very elegant marble finish to it with a subtle series of dots running through it. Thanks Apple for raising the bar for everyone else.

I know the macs are great but I simply couldnt justify the extra $1400! for a machine with less specs. The difference is more than i paid for the HP. One shouldn't have to pay more than double for good design.