Mac or Pc $1300.00 to spend

stpierre87 · Nov 26, 2012

I have been wrapping my head with this for days. I have about $1300.00 to spend, roughly. I've always used a pc but I also like to use my wifes macbook. I use adobe lightroom 4, adobe photoshop, and adobe premeire. The pc I currently have now is about five years old and is starting to have a hard time keeping up with the work flow. It also can't run full HD video in the source monitor of premiere. I mostly only do photos, but once and awhile I like to dabble in videos. So... for that price range, whats everyone's opinion.

Please, and thanks !

bunny99123 · Nov 26, 2012

I use a HP tower with a Dell Hd monitor, but I have used a Mac. My husband is in the printing and graphic field and uses a Mac at work. He has the latest PS, and his monitor resolution is awesome. I really like Apple computers, and hope my next computer is one. I have had my tower for about a year, and it is fine for now, but would have bought an Apple if I had the money. Good luck on your decision

runnah · Nov 26, 2012

If you need a computer with some horse power PC's are always the best bet. If you want something that looks cool at a coffee shop, get a mac.

bhop · Nov 26, 2012

I like Macs... so I guess I vote Mac. I'm not going to bother to justify it because people (such as above) that don't like Macs will just dismiss them as pretty things to be used in coffee shops..

That said.. I don't hate PCs, so get whatever works for you.

runnah · Nov 26, 2012

bhop said:
I like Macs... so I guess I vote Mac. I'm not going to bother to justify it because people (such as above) that don't like Macs will just dismiss them as pretty things to be used in coffee shops..

I like macs and have owned 3, but I am not rich and know that I can get twice the PC for the price of a laptop.

unpopular · Nov 26, 2012

If you like Mac, get a Mac. $1300 will buy a better PC, but IMO, only if you build it yourself, though this is not difficult at all. Another thing to consider is that software upgrades on mac will cost about $30 each, while windows upgrades will cost about $100, but you are eligible for a longer period. So if you skip an upgrade on Mac, you may need to buy the last two versions to be up to date, with windows, if you have one of the last few versions, you're eligible for the upgrade. PCs, especially those which you built yourself, are easy to upgrade. Macs tend to depreciate slower.

I think what it really comes down to is which operating system you prefer. You can use Windows on your Mac, but you can't reliably use MacOS on your PC (though I don't recommend running Windows on a MacBook). Hackintosh generally sucks. Don't even go there.

TheFantasticG · Nov 26, 2012

runnah said:
If you need a computer with some horse power PC's are always the best bet. If you want something that looks cool at a coffee shop, get a mac.

I whole heartily agree.

stpierre87 · Nov 26, 2012

Thanks everyone that has responded so far. The comments I have received are pretty much what I expected. Just to make things alittle clearer, I'm not looking to get a Mac laptop, it would be a Imac. I'm seem to be so conflicted. This is a purchase I plan on having for awhile. Like I had said, the Pc I'm using now I've had for about 5 years and I baby it. Does anyone know if I can upgrade an IMac like you would a PC Tower, such as Memory and Storage ?

unpopular · Nov 26, 2012

memory and storage, yes. I don't think you'll find as many HD bays or memory slots as you would in a tower. But simple upgrades are possible.

Honestly, at $1300 I think you're better off with a PC, especially as you seem to understand how to maintain a PC. Macs don't get viruses, you just don't worry about that sort of thing. But if your familiar with this risk and prevent it, then it's a sort of non-issue. You'll get more power (processor, ram, etc) from a $1300 home-built PC than an iMac. Though, those iMac monitors are nice, and this may be something you'll want to consider.

Will it be sufficient processor-wise for photography? Absolutely.

jamesbjenkins · Nov 26, 2012

On paper, the PC will always buy you better specs for the same money. With Mac, you're paying for the user interface. You say you're already familiar with it, so it seems like you just need to decide which is more important: specs or interface.

For me, I can't go back to PC. I was a PC user for 20+ years until 2010, and then I got a MBP. You might consider a gently used model. About two months ago, I bought a totally spec'd 2010 model iMac for $1600 via FM. I'd have paid over $3500 for a new model with the same specs. IMO, that's a great way to get the best of all worlds (specs, Mac UI, affordable). Obviously, the most important thing is to do your homework and buy from a reputable source. Fred Miranda has a seller rating system that makes this very easy.

Just a thought. Hope that helps.

sactown024 · Nov 26, 2012

PC are like Chevys, you get a lot of power for your buck but they break down after 100k miles and lose all their value after one day of use.

Macs are like a Lexus, you pay big bucks but they last forever and hold their value.

I have had an $1800 PC (i7 Asus laptop) and a Macbook Pro and I would never go back to using a PC, no comparison IMO.

$1300 will get you a really nice used 15" i7 macbook on ebay. Just look for a late 2011 model.

Ive noticed a lot of the people that prefer PC over Mac are the ones that have never owned a Mac and think all us mac users are "fanboys"

2fastlx · Nov 26, 2012

I'm a Mac guy all the way. BUT, with only 1300 to spend you should stay with the pc. However once you go Mac you'll never want to make the switch back.

Nickj54 · Nov 26, 2012

With $1300 you wouldn't be able to get a Mac unless it was used. I use my 27" iMac and my 13" retina MacBook. If I were you, I would wait another month and save to get an iMac or a 15" MacBook Pro.

gerardo2068 · Nov 26, 2012

I think Mac too. You can search on the refurbish section on Apple's website. Most of my family's Macs has been refurbish or used Mac. The refurbish ones have the same warranty as a new Mac and used one never gave a problem. You could get used to anything but as others have point out, once you go Mac it's hard to see yourself going back to PC. As Bhop says I can't just explain a single thing that is good about them because some people don't get it. It is a whole experience, specs takes second place in a certain way. Not that specs are not important, but specs alone don't paint the whole picture... literally.