iMac 2.4ghz or PC core 2 quad 2.4ghz

D

devilry

Member
Hey guys,

I'm debating whether or not to get an iMac (for the first time) or get a new PC computer again. I was hoping you guys could help me decide which computer would be the best:

iMac for $2000

CPU: 2.4ghz core 2 duo
Memory: 1GB ddr2-667mhz (pc2-5300)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 2600HD PRO 256mb
Harddrive: 320gb
Monitor: 24"

PC for $1200

CPU: 2.4ghz core 2 quad
Memory: 4GB ddr2-800mhz (pc2-6400)
Graphics: NVIDIA 8600GT 256mb
Harddrive: 320gb
Monitor: 22"

There's some other stuff i didn't add from the PC setup like the motherboard, power supply and what not that's included in the $1200 price. But, what do you guys think? What's better?

I was also wondering, if there was any special hardware i needed to buy to properly view/edit/capture HD footage on the PC.

Appreciate the help guys, thanks!
 
PC's, Macs, they are tools, when you are dealing with editing software, its all the same, they are just tools to get the job done.

However, on a daily user basis, I prefer macs, for web browsing, etc.

If you save 800$ go for it, but understand that macs have good things that PC's don't necessarily have.
 
I would love to own a mac, but it's the price that kills me and i only have so much cash to spend. And i completely agree with you that, editing software is all the same.

But, i'm curious to know what PC's don't have that mac's do, aside from FCP.
 
Mac all the way!

Mac all the way!

I've been a pc man for a very long time. Currently have 10 self custom units built in my office which work fine.
I have over the years struggled to get a PC based video editing package I'm happy with, (tried most), and at the end of last year went for a Mac with PCP.
As an overall editing suit I think it is outstanding, the mac (with 10.4) is extremely good. Very stable and well set up, its enabled me to go back to my roots and play around again with a unix type system.
Adding up the cost of manitaining a pc based office with virus protection, Vista at $500 a shot, office at $800 at shot etc. makes an all Mac option very attractive, especially as now you can dual boot to windows if you have too. Generally Mac hardware is very good and the software outstanding.

As an overall hardware, sex appeal and editing software (color alone makes it worth it) - go for a Mac!
 
One thing that bugs me from getting a mac right now are 2 things. The CPU and the RAM.

With the iMac example i gave above, it only comes with a 2.4 core 2 duo and ONE gig of ram. To buy more ram, it costs about $130 for ONE gig more.

But with the PC example i gave above, it comes with a 2.4 core 2 QUAD and FOUR gigs of BETTER ram. Not only that...it's cheaper.

I guess it could be a decision between wanting stability or power.
 
Keep in mind that the Mac generally uses high quality components that are well tested.
You can always upgrade the memory etc. at a later date. I ran with 1gig for quite a while on FCP and 1080 with the HVX without any major problems. You only really notice a difference once you start on effects etc. I'm now running 3 Gig and do a lot of colour correction. A fast hard drive is more critical with the DVCPRO HD stuff and with firewire 800 you can get a fast external Harddrive set-up. Also keep in mind that the range of software you get with FCP would cost a hell of a lot more on a PC.
FCP
Motion
Compressor
Color
DVD
Title
etc...:laugh:
 
Final Cut Pro has the sweetest suite for $1299.00.

FCP 6x, DVD SP 4.2, SoundTrack Pro, LiveType, Motion, Compressor, Cinema Tools, and a previous >$2K major league COLOR app.

That's hard to beat.
 
Last edited:
nicholasraeburn said:
Ummm stability.:bath:
Click to expand...
Could you elaborate?

In contrast to a PC, how can you determine it is stable.

Rendering? Have you rendered using the same application , same file on different Operating Systems?

Userbility? When does the PC becomes unstable ? I know this one , but want to hear it from MAC lovers.
 
I have built and used pc's since Adobe Premiere 4.0. I could build them for much less than store bought, plus with higher performance. Last October I made the switch to Mac with a 24" iMac. Last month I purchased a 17" MacBook Pro. Worth every penny more than a PC. There a many editing jobs I can do with iMovie 08, but I do have FCP Studio 2. Hugh learning curve. I went Mac, and won't go Back! Just kidding, I still have 4 Windows machines running in the house(5 if you count XP running in Parallels on the MacBook Pro).
Bottom line...go for the iMac, it's only money..you won't regret it.
 
I had a speech prepared, but I decided I'm sick of talking. iMacs have that glossy screen which is a little obnoxious for accurate grading, but then I grade video on a monitor not a computer display. I'd go for the Mac because they're solid and pretty, and FC2 is a monster- it's the whole enchilada.

Both are fine though, if completely different.
 
Ahhh! The age old debate between PC and Mac!

Seriously! Are you editing right now? On a PC? On a Mac? As the new adage says: Stick to what you know! If you are changing platform, you must not only learn the new editing software's workflow, but the OS also.

Having said that. I am a fairly new Mac user (2 years ago) and now own a Mac Pro with FCS2 and transfered all my other PC licenses to Mac (such as Photoshop, AfterEffects, etc). Some software transitions did not come cheap. But I can tell you that I am very satisfied with my decision. After being an PC user and techie for 18 years, I am fed up with the quirks of PCs. Mind you, as I've stipulated, I was a PC technician, so I say my fair share of problems on PCs. I found using the Mac to be quite refreshing. It does crash on occasion, but it's much less then a PC.

Of course the decision is yours, and yours alone. It's a personal choice, and when it comes to usability and functionality, both platforms will most likely serve your needs.

This is why I say: stick to what you know! Otherwise the cost of transfer and the learning curve might be too much!
 
Ahhh! The age old debate between PC and Mac!

Seriously! Are you editing right now? On a PC? On a Mac? As the new adage says: Stick to what you know! If you are changing platform, you must not only learn the new editing software's workflow, but the OS also.

Having said that. I am a fairly new Mac user (2 years ago) and now own a Mac Pro with FCS2 and transfered all my other PC licenses to Mac (such as Photoshop, AfterEffects, etc). Some software transitions did not come cheap. But I can tell you that I am very satisfied with my decision. After being an PC user and techie for 18 years, I am fed up with the quirks of PCs. Mind you, as I've stipulated, I was a PC technician, so I say my fair share of problems on PCs. I found using the Mac to be quite refreshing. It does crash on occasion, but it's much less then a PC.

Of course the decision is yours, and yours alone. It's a personal choice, and when it comes to usability and functionality, both platforms will most likely serve your needs.

This is why I say: stick to what you know! Otherwise the cost of transfer and the learning curve might be too much!
 
Well, you could also take in the fact that you're effectively getting a Mac as well as a PC for $2000 thanks to Bootcamp that allows you to run both OS X as well as Windows on Intel Macs.

Like someone rightly said in this thread, PC / Mac. They're both simply tools for getting the job done but if you do buy a Mac, you get an AMAZING bundle with Final Cut Studio that gives you so much compared to the other bundles I find in the PC world. However, there are times when I need a PC for certain tasks. If I'm doing 50i to 25p conversion, I prefer using Sony Vegas (PC only) over anything else I've come across so far. I also prefer doing my H.264 encodes using MeGUI and x.264 as I find that it gives me a lot more options to fiddle with than Quicktime on Mac OS X. Finally, I'm from India and it's generally MUCH easier and quite often cheaper to buy PC software here than Mac stuff. I currently use the Windows version of After Effects for all my compositing and grading.

The best part is that I don't need two separate machines anymore. I just reboot into XP on my Mac. Of course, I can't work with FCP and AE simultaneously but I don't mind the 2 minute waiting time when it saves me a lot of money. I personally feel that Bootcamp is a HUGE selling point for the Mac, especially for people in the video world since there are tools on both sides which are very useful to all of us.
 
I applaud the comments in this thread, they are the most balanced unbiased post I've ever read in a Mac vs. PC thread. I guess I'll Chime in too, I'm a FCS2 user with a 2.16 C2D White 24" iMac and I'm very pleased. I purchased mine from the refurb store on apple.com but honestly I would also suggest you go with what you know.
 
If you get the lower end iMac, it's only $1200. Still a powerful machine with a very nice 20" screen and it'll run Final Cut Studio, which is the real reason to own the Mac.

Do NOT under any circumstance buy RAM from Apple. It's easy to add more on your own. Also, you do want to factor in Apple care to your price as it is a must. A replacement motherboard for the Mac costs $800 for reasons that can only be described as pure, unbridled greed.

But you really want FCS. Trust me. You won't regret it.
 
devilry said:
Hey guys,

I'm debating whether or not to get an iMac (for the first time) or get a new PC computer again. I was hoping you guys could help me decide which computer would be the best:

iMac for $2000

CPU: 2.4ghz core 2 duo
Memory: 1GB ddr2-667mhz (pc2-5300)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 2600HD PRO 256mb
Harddrive: 320gb
Monitor: 24"

PC for $1200

CPU: 2.4ghz core 2 quad
Memory: 4GB ddr2-800mhz (pc2-6400)
Graphics: NVIDIA 8600GT 256mb
Harddrive: 320gb
Monitor: 22"

There's some other stuff i didn't add from the PC setup like the motherboard, power supply and what not that's included in the $1200 price. But, what do you guys think? What's better?

I was also wondering, if there was any special hardware i needed to buy to properly view/edit/capture HD footage on the PC.

Appreciate the help guys, thanks!
Click to expand...

Let me preface by stating that I'm currently a PC user. Just built an uber-fast core 2 machine with XP pro and it works great.

That being said......................... my gut feeling is that PC's are dead, dead, dead to the future. MS has thrown all PC users a heavy anchor with Vista. No future there!

Go Mac and don't look back! :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG). The price differential isn't very much and ................... the future belongs to the appleites. :nads:. Just a quick look at what's going on in higher education will show you that Apple will be the dominant platform for the future.

Disclaimer statement: I'm very BIG on aapl and intend to retire on the returns from that pup! :cool:

Regards
JohnG
 
Buy a MAC

Buy a MAC

Buy a MAC, You will work on Video instead of computer troubles.

Buy a MAC, dont look back, you will be sold.

Gordo88
 
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