POLL: Is your main computer a Mac or PC?

[nobuffalo]

I was a pc (windows and rarely Linux) user up until last year when I got an iMac to learn how to use OS X, pretty much everyone here in the photo/film industry uses macs. It's a bit old but was a huge upgrade over the XP era laptop I had and currently does everything I need. I run XP on it when I need to use an old scanner.

I was recently given a PowerBook G4 and use that for internet, email, invoicing and whatnot. I'm kinda interested in getting something newer so I can actually watch YouTube videos and edit photos on the go, could be a macbook.

 

[Luminis]

When I want to play Windows-based games, I boot up Windows 7 on my iMac.

Simply not worth the hassle, for me. I'd be booting up Windows more often than I'd be running OS X. If I really wanted to have access to OS X, I'd set up a Hackintosh and run it on a my current PC so I don't have to go with whatever hardware Apple sees fit.

Neither solution seems worth it to me, though. My employer's PCs run Windows 7 and most of my work is done with Excel, Access, Powerpoint and VBA. I don't do anything in terms of video or photo editing that can't be done with something as simple as GIMP. I have literally nothing to gain from running OS X - aside from doing it for the hell of it. Which would make a Hackintosh the most interesting project, for sure

 

[GBO Possum]

@Luminis, my employer's PCs also run Windows 7, and most of my work is done with Office, especially Excel and VBA. When I work at home, although I could use my employer's PC, I choose to do this work on my Mac using Office 2011.

What I gain is an improved experience, spending less time in computer management. I get really good performance, no virus checker to slow me down. Backups are automatic and non-intrusive with OS X's inbuilt Time Machine from which I can recover (and have) individual files or the whole darned system. No defragging. Just the occasional software update, from which my Mac reboots with all my apps in the state I left them.

Even Excel works better on a Mac. You can have individual windows on individual screens in a multi-monitor setup. While this is possible on a PC, by running multiple instances of Excel, it's a pain to have to do so. My iMac has three screens and this simplicity makes a big difference for me.

For me, Windows is "not worth the hassle"!

 

[Luminis]

To each their own, of course.

Can't say that I have to wrestle with a lot of computer management (unless I want to, that is). My rig's been pretty much running perfectly since it was first set up in January '13. Haven't done any software-related maintenance at all, nor have I had to restore my system. Then again, I'm running a somewhat custom version of Windows 7. The regular version Microsoft's actually selling might have not done so well. Who knows. What I do know, though, is that my rig has been running like clockwork for the last 17 months, without me doing anything but installing game after game after game

Don't quite know what you're talking about in regards to Excel, though. So far, I've been either using multiple sub-windows within Excel itself and in some cases I just ran another instance of Excel from a Virtual Machine.

 

[Danoff]

@Luminis
What I gain is an improved experience, spending less time in computer management. I get really good performance, no virus checker to slow me down. Backups are automatic and non-intrusive with OS X's inbuilt Time Machine from which I can recover (and have) individual files or the whole darned system. No defragging. Just the occasional software update, from which my Mac reboots with all my apps in the state I left them.

Even Excel works better on a Mac. You can have individual windows on individual screens in a multi-monitor setup. While this is possible on a PC, by running multiple instances of Excel, it's a pain to have to do so. My iMac has three screens and this simplicity makes a big difference for me.

For me, Windows is "not worth the hassle"!

You make a good case for not using Windows 98.

 

[JacoJa]

Mac... But I wished I bought a PC instead. I'm eagerly waiting for this thing to die now.

 

[F1GTR]

OS X has a few small things that make a big difference in day to day use, which is why I prefer it over Windows. For example:

- While Windows has indexed search results, it doesn't have as much functionality as spotlight in OSX: if I want to make a quick calculation in OSX I just press CMD+Space and type in a sum, in Windows I have to press WinKey -> Type in Calc -> Launch the app and then do my sums. But I don't actually use spotlight as there's a really useful program called Alfred that's Mac only, and it's basically spotlight on steroids. It means I don't have to spend as much time mousing about and I can use it for launching workflows

- You can have separate desktops on a single screen (I think some Linux distros have this), I usually have separate desktops set up for web searches, file system display, Photoshop, and Lightroom and I can quickly switch between them with gestures. One thing that I miss from Windows is window snapping, although there's a program that addresses that

- Touchpads in Macs are more responsive. I often find myself using the touchpad more even if I have a mouse, it's that natural to use

- The typography is a lot nicer. Kerning is just about right and there are few (if any) awkward looking bits of text in OSX

Windows is perfectly usable though, but it isn't as well suited to the way I work. Sometimes it messes up too, for example last month it decided to forget that my mobo had built in sound despite having the correct drivers installed. I can't even remember how I managed to get it working again.

 

[Solo]

- Touchpads in Macs are more responsive. I often find myself using the touchpad more even if I have a mouse, it's that natural to use.

This a thousand times over. To the extent at which I bought the external track pad over a mouse when setting up my multi monitor system with my MacBook. It's so intuitive with the controls and gestures it makes the user experience so much nicer.

 

[Danoff]

OS X has a few small things that make a big difference in day to day use, which is why I prefer it over Windows. For example:

- While Windows has indexed search results, it doesn't have as much functionality as spotlight in OSX: if I want to make a quick calculation in OSX I just press CMD+Space and type in a sum, in Windows I have to press WinKey -> Type in Calc -> Launch the app and then do my sums. But I don't actually use spotlight as there's a really useful program called Alfred that's Mac only, and it's basically spotlight on steroids. It means I don't have to spend as much time mousing about and I can use it for launching workflows

What? Wouldn't the fastest way to launch a calculator be to dock the program in either OS? Here's what it would look like:

OSX: Click Calculator
Windows: Click Calculator

- You can have separate desktops on a single screen (I think some Linux distros have this), I usually have separate desktops set up for web searches, file system display, Photoshop, and Lightroom and I can quickly switch between them with gestures. One thing that I miss from Windows is window snapping, although there's a program that addresses that

Yea, a lot Mac users like to use multiple desktops for different tasks. That's because macs have a window clutter issue - and that's how they solved it. That's great if you like that, but in Windows you don't need the extra desktops (though you could have them if you wanted). So this does not count as a win for either OS either.

- Touchpads in Macs are more responsive. I often find myself using the touchpad more even if I have a mouse, it's that natural to use

I hate touchpads (and yes, Mac touchpads also). I'm sure they vary by brand. Sony's touchpads are probably different than IBM or Asus. Personally I like the eraser when it comes to laptop mice.

- The typography is a lot nicer. Kerning is just about right and there are few (if any) awkward looking bits of text in OSX

I imagine this is customizable for your particular tastes in OSX, Windows, and Linux.

Sometimes it messes up too, for example last month it decided to forget that my mobo had built in sound despite having the correct drivers installed. I can't even remember how I managed to get it working again.

Sounds like a hardware issue. All operating systems will stumble, I've seen Macs stumble, and I've seen Linux stumble (bad drivers).

 

[F1GTR]

What? Wouldn't the fastest way to launch a calculator be to dock the program in either OS? Here's what it would look like:

OSX: Click Calculator
Windows: Click Calculator

OSX: Press CMD+Space (Option+Space for Alfred), input figures straight away (including scientific functions), press enter to save the result to my clipboard
Windows: Have to take a hand off my keyboard if it's on the dock, or I have to press winkey, type in 'Calc' so the search picks the calculator app, hit enter to launch the program, now I can start my inputs, Ctrl+C to copy the result

Another example of OSX having a neat shortcut over windows: I can quickly preview any file by selecting it and tapping the space bar. Very useful for seeing what's inside a spreadsheet or word document without having to launch a program, much better than just relying on thumbnails. It's great after a shoot since camera file names aren't very descriptive - I can preview HD video by tapping space and scrub through it to see if it's the right clip.

Yea, a lot Mac users like to use multiple desktops for different tasks. That's because macs have a window clutter issue - and that's how they solved it. That's great if you like that, but in Windows you don't need the extra desktops (though you could have them if you wanted). So this does not count as a win for either OS either.

For myself, each desktop acts as a different workspace, so for one desktop I'm culling images in Lightroom, on the next I'm retouching in Photoshop, in another I'm uploading them to the internet. When I was writing my dissertation I had one desktop for writing, another for web searches, and another for journal articles. When I had to refer to two different journal articles I'd place my word processing desktop in between the two (full screen) journal desktops so I could swipe between writing/reading the two articles very quickly. Windows has a different approach to window management where all instances of a program are grouped into one icon on the dock. I just feel that being able to group windows on virtual desktops based on what you're doing with them, rather than what program they are from, is more logical. Having multiple (physical) screens gets around that though (which is what I have at home). Do you know what program simulates the multiple desktop thing on Windows by the way?

I hate touchpads (and yes, Mac touchpads also). I'm sure they vary by brand. Sony's touchpads are probably different than IBM or Asus. Personally I like the eraser when it comes to laptop mice.

This is definitely an OS issue, since in Bootcamp the touchpad isn't as nice to use. Scrolling isn't as smooth and you're missing gestures. In OSX, scrolling is just as responsive and smooth as in a touchscreen phone (Android or iOS), like there's a real feeling of weight being moved with each gesture. I haven't tried W8 to see if that improved on W7 though. I agree with you on the eraser though, I really liked them when I had to use a Thinkpad for a while, but the Mac touchpad is good enough for me.

I imagine this is customizable for your particular tastes in OSX, Windows, and Linux.

It's customisable to an extent in W7, it's just that ClearType in Windows doesn't look as nice compared to whatever Apple's using for their own.

Sounds like a hardware issue. All operating systems will stumble, I've seen Macs stumble, and I've seen Linux stumble (bad drivers).

Oh definitely (actually the family iMac is being repaired at the moment due to a faulty AMD card), it's just that issue seems to have popped out of nowhere: I was using it the night before, then when I got home the sound was gone.

 

[kennylmao]

- You can have separate desktops on a single screen (I think some Linux distros have this), I usually have separate desktops set up for web searches, file system display, Photoshop, and Lightroom and I can quickly switch between them with gestures. One thing that I miss from Windows is window snapping, although there's a program that addresses that

Sorry for the incoming stupid question, I don't Apple. What do you mean by separate desktop on a single screen?

 

[F1GTR]

Sorry for the incoming stupid question, I don't Apple. What do you mean by separate desktop on a single screen?

You know how on Android or iOS you can organise apps into different pages? Just like that, except each 'page' is a fully functioning desktop. You can change the order they appear in too.

 

[Danoff]

OSX: Press CMD+Space (Option+Space for Alfred), input figures straight away (including scientific functions), press enter to save the result to my clipboard
Windows: Have to take a hand off my keyboard if it's on the dock, or I have to press winkey, type in 'Calc' so the search picks the calculator app, hit enter to launch the program, now I can start my inputs, Ctrl+C to copy the result

This is really specific. You want a keyboard-based shortcut to bring up calculator.

So in OSX it's cmd+space
In windows it'd be cmd,c,enter if you don't want to set up something custom.
(^that's because calc starts with "ca" and you're not likely to have a program that starts with "ca" plus a letter lower than "l")

If you set up a custom shortcut (as can be done for any program), it would be cntrl+alt+s (or whatever letter you prefer, except probably not delete).

Another example of OSX having a neat shortcut over windows: I can quickly preview any file by selecting it and tapping the space bar. Very useful for seeing what's inside a spreadsheet or word document without having to launch a program, much better than just relying on thumbnails. It's great after a shoot since camera file names aren't very descriptive - I can preview HD video by tapping space and scrub through it to see if it's the right clip.

In windows 7 this is referred to as the "preview pane" in explorer.

For myself, each desktop acts as a different workspace, so for one desktop I'm culling images in Lightroom, on the next I'm retouching in Photoshop, in another I'm uploading them to the internet. When I was writing my dissertation I had one desktop for writing, another for web searches, and another for journal articles. When I had to refer to two different journal articles I'd place my word processing desktop in between the two (full screen) journal desktops so I could swipe between writing/reading the two articles very quickly.

This is pretty much what I was talking about. Multiple desktops are essential in OSX. Everyone I know who uses OSX uses them. It's not essential with Windows.

Windows has a different approach to window management where all instances of a program are grouped into one icon on the dock. I just feel that being able to group windows on virtual desktops based on what you're doing with them, rather than what program they are from, is more logical. Having multiple (physical) screens gets around that though (which is what I have at home). Do you know what program simulates the multiple desktop thing on Windows by the way?

In the past, this has been a "hidden" function of windows, which you could obtain from microsoft for free. For windows 7, a quick google search suggests that Dexpot (free) is the best program for multiple desktops.

This is definitely an OS issue, since in Bootcamp the touchpad isn't as nice to use. Scrolling isn't as smooth and you're missing gestures.

That'd be the driver - which is often written by the hardware manufacturer.

I'm glad you like your Mac, and it sounds like you've built your work routine around it - which means uprooting would be painful. I'm just trying to point out that modern operating systems generally offer all of these conveniences. I'm mostly focusing on windows with this post, but linux can do anything.

 

[kennylmao]

You know how on Android or iOS you can organise apps into different pages? Just like that, except each 'page' is a fully functioning desktop. You can change the order they appear in too.

Like homescreens on smartphones? Got it.

Windows has a different approach to window management where all instances of a program are grouped into one icon on the dock.

Also, is this what you meant? -> https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5313/14164570146_bf47c6688e_b.jpg
Where two or more Firefox windows are grouped under a single icon?

 

[F1GTR]

This is really specific. You want a keyboard-based shortcut to bring up calculator.

So in OSX it's cmd+space
In windows it'd be cmd,c,enter if you don't want to set up something custom.
(^that's because calc starts with "ca" and you're not likely to have a program that starts with "ca" plus a letter lower than "l")

If you set up a custom shortcut (as can be done for any program), it would be cntrl+alt+s (or whatever letter you prefer, except probably not delete).

In windows 7 this is referred to as the "preview pane" in explorer.

In the past, this has been a "hidden" function of windows, which you could obtain from microsoft for free. For windows 7, a quick google search suggests that Dexpot (free) is the best program for multiple desktops.

Thanks for these tips. The preview pane in explorer doesn't let you preview and scrub through video though, but it's similar enough.

This is pretty much what I was talking about. Multiple desktops are essential in OSX. Everyone I know who uses OSX uses them. It's not essential with Windows.

OSX does do the program window grouping thing as well though. But what stands out for me is that there's a built in provision for multiple workspaces in OSX, and that it basically lets me simulate a multi-monitor setup on one screen. If Windows offered the same thing (a native version, not Dexpot), would you be making use of it? You seem to be quite an experienced user, it'd be interesting to hear any workflow tweaks you've picked up over the years.

That'd be the driver - which is often written by the hardware manufacturer.

Even the lack of smooth scrolling in Windows (which really seems like an OS thing to me)? There's some animation/physics stuff that goes on in Android/iOS/OSX that makes using touch much nicer, like the way they take momentum into account when you scroll more forcefully. That definitely seems like an OS thing.

I'm glad you like your Mac, and it sounds like you've built your work routine around it - which means uprooting would be painful. I'm just trying to point out that modern operating systems generally offer all of these conveniences. I'm mostly focusing on windows with this post, but linux can do anything.

Honestly, if I were forced to use Windows I'd adapt pretty quickly (that's where I came from after all) and most of my main programs are on there anyway. It's like with most tech stuff these days, everything is so good that preferences are decided on the tiniest things.

@kennylmao: Yup, that's what I mean.

 

[kennylmao]

@F1GTR You can change the settings to make it look like this. (Which is what I think you're more partial to)
-> https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14187738835_4ce0e989e8_b.jpg

 

[F1GTR]

@F1GTR You can change the settings to make it look like this. (Which is what I think you're more partial to)
-> https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14187738835_4ce0e989e8_b.jpg

Ah that's more like the pre W7 way of doing things right? In terms of work spaces, I'd say that physical multiple monitors (any OS) > virtual desktops (like OSX, Linux, that program @Danoff suggested) > W7 (default) > the arrangement in your screenshot.

 

[Danoff]

Ah that's more like the pre W7 way of doing things right? In terms of work spaces, I'd say that physical multiple monitors (any OS) > virtual desktops (like OSX, Linux, that program @Danoff suggested) > W7 (default) > the arrangement in your screenshot.

I'd make one minor change but it's not worth mentioning. Your point about multiple monitors is huge though. I'm looking at 3 on my desk right now. My laptop uses two, my desktop uses two, with one monitor overlapping between the two. I wouldn't mind having 3 on one to be honest.

The laptop runs win7 and a virual redhat linux which I use daily. One monitor of the laptop generally has Win7, for the other I bounce between Win7 and Linux. I go linux fullscreen, and then use the windows key to bring the focus to Win7 when I want to open a Win7 program. Then click on Linux when I want to go back. It's almost like just having linux run Win7 stuff (or vice versa). The desktop runs Win7. I have 4 other computers in the house though that all run Ubuntu.

 

[kennylmao]

Ah that's more like the pre W7 way of doing things right? In terms of work spaces, I'd say that physical multiple monitors (any OS) > virtual desktops (like OSX, Linux, that program @Danoff suggested) > W7 (default) > the arrangement in your screenshot.

Yep, just like the old way. I can see the appeal of multiple desktops, since the concept certainly works for smartphones.

 

[Leicht]

Mac... But I wished I bought a PC instead. I'm eagerly waiting for this thing to die now.

Why don't' you just sell it?