5 Reasons To Buy A Mac; I’m Still Not Convinced

Friday, November 16th, 2007

Categories: General Web

Some time ago, I wrote one of my more popular articles detailing why I design on a PC instead of a Mac. I’ll follow up with today’s article where I play devil’s advocate. Without further ado, here’s my list.

1 - To Fit The Designer Stereotype
The common stereotype is that if you are a designer of some kind, you’re using a Mac. Sometimes, when I mention to a client that I’m using a PC instead of Mac, I get a strange look, a look that associates me with an amateur. Not good especially if in the service industry, your reputation means a lot. Of course, I can lie and nobody would know the difference, but that’s not something I want to do.

2 - iTunes Runs Like Trash
I have an iPod. I’ve looked around for non-Apple resources that allow me to transfer MP3’s onto my iPod and the one’s I looked at either didn’t work with updated iPods, didn’t look credible or cost money. (If someone could help me out here, I’d appreciate it). iTunes simply runs better on a Mac for reasons that are likely obvious to everyone.

3 - Font Management
When multiple people, some using Macs, are working on the same project. Fonts become extremely important. I’ve come across many occasions where the client’s branding consisted of a font not available in PC format and I had to find different work-arounds to get the project out the door. Macs support most font formats.

4 - Desk Space
I have a cluttered desk and occasionally I get the need to be a neat-freak. The iMac takes care of a lot of the issues and even frees up some space on the ground. It’s a trade-off I might have considered making instead of getting the Mac Pro.

5 - Apple Motion
AfterEffects is a lot more advanced, but for me, that’s a disadvantage. For the light-weight movie work that I have needed and wanted to do Motion would have made my life easier.

That’s it. I’ve scratched my head, but just can’t think of any other reasons. These simply do not make it worth my time or money to go out and get a Mac. The advantages of designing on a PC by far outweigh the advantages of being on a Mac.

If you have any additional reasons that don’t include:

Being able to carelessly download and browse the internet
Being able to dual-boot
Superfluous operating systems features

I’d love to hear them.

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8 Responses to “5 Reasons To Buy A Mac; I’m Still Not Convinced”

Geironimo Says:
November 16th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Well I have always used a pc for my designs up until a year ago when I bought my first Imac… Now i have given away my pc and bought a second Imac for my office.. I love the not taking for ever to start, virusfree, spywarefree and lets not forget all the freaking phone calls I got on a daily bases from all my friends with a PC always having problems I had to help them with.. Now I just tell them, get yourself a Mac :o) And the ones that actually have listened to my advice on that has never called me up with a computer problem since they got themselves a Mac.. But in the end I really dont care what other people prefer, its them thats missing out not me :o) I got my x-box and playstation for games and my IMac’s for designing.. After all my life up until a year ago of using pc my only regret is Why did it take me this long to find out! :o( I feel I have wasted to much money upgrading, countless hours in running virus/spyware scans, reinstalling windows, updating windows and helping out friends with their pc problems to have anything good to say about the pc.. The most anoying thing is that just months before I bought my first Imac I got a brand new pc with all the works for 4000 $ … What a waste of money :o( But I’m giving it away to a good cause… Enjoy your pc’s everyone :o)
tanya Says:
November 17th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I prefer Windows Media Player too and recently got the nano. I found MGTEK Dopisp for syncing the iPod to WMP (via Lifehacker). I’m still on the 30 day trial but it works like a charm and is totally worth the $14.95.
Patrick Burt Says:
November 18th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
Geironimo, I’m a safe user, and that’s why the appeal of a virusfree/spywarefree environment doesn’t appeal to me, because that’s what I currently have. For those that aren’t so tech-savvy, I agree. Mac’s are the better system. But they’re right there beside Linux.

Tanya, thanks I’ll check it out for the 30 days.
Richard Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
MediaMonkey is not a bad alternative to syncing to your iPod from windows. I use this instead of Windows Media Player for music.
Patrick Burt Says:
April 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Thanks for the tip Richard.
Gaurav_M Says:
June 12th, 2008 at 2:49 am
There are few reasons that will help me to stick on PC.

But still Mac UI experience is much better

Won’t you jump into discussion there..

Mac vs PC? Be Honest
http://www.komodomedia.com/blog/2008/05/mac-vs-pc-an-honest-evaluation/

I am getting mixed reactions though for BOTH.
Patrick Burt Says:
June 12th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
In all honesty, MAC users tend to be a more visual users. Myself, I know computers inside and out, so UI experience/visual experience, doesn’t favor one computer over the other. Whenever I jump into a fresh install, I remove as much visual fluff as I can. (Drop shadows, shadows, fades, genie effects, etc.)
Jake W Says:
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
A great alternative for iTunes that I use is Sharepod. Its free and lets you copy songs to and FROM your iPod. http://www.getsharepod.com