Are Macs really necessary for "creative" work anymore?

My friends that are into desktop publishing and graphic design are very pro Mac-centric when it comes to their work. They tell me that Macs are better than PCs (with Windows) when it comes to developing their work.

That may have been the case in the past, but Macs are not really necessary for that line of work anymore. Many applications are now more readily developed for Windows based PCs. On Windows, you get the whole Adobe Creative Suite, many audio manipulation programs superior to Garage Band (i.e. Ableton), and other neat applications. The only thing Macs have over Windows is the excellent Final Cut Pro, although Premiere is more than competent.

Many musicians have been noted to be avid Mac users. However, major pop music producers such as Timbaland and Lil' Jon now develop their music under a Windows-based platform.

Is the Mac necessary (or worth it) for doing this type of work other than the sheer chic and hip factor of Macs?

 

To get fair answers, I would suggest posting this in both the Mac and Windows sections.

Greg

 

I never thought they were worth it. but it is good apple exsists as it keeps microsoft on there toes once and a while.

 

Wow, I just can't get over the amount of trolling (created by OP's that are Windows lovers) that gets posted on the Mac forum. It's insane. Get over it OP, the Mac platform IS the preferred system for musicians and I would love for you to prove that those mentioned musicians are really using Windows only, if so I pity them. If that's the case, they are amongst the millions of musicians that use Macs.

That's beside the point that you can get a lot of the same software in Windows as you can in Mac, it doesn't mean people want to use Windows. A lot of the Windows designed software isn't desirable. I'm a musician myself and I can tell you all of my colleagues use the Macintosh because not only is it the preferred platform but we want to get work DONE and Windows is too high maintenance to deal with when we are doing recordings.
I just love your ignorance too, Garageband? Do you really think that's the only music production program on Mac? You mentioned Abelton (on Mac), Pro Tools (on Mac) Reason (on Mac) and Cubase (on Mac). Hmm, why stop your business on a Mac just because you can use some of these programs on Windows? Musicians aren't looking for the cheapest bang for the buck when it comes to their music, unlike the PC forum members here.
The enterprise world may be "owned" by Windows but the recording industry is MAC ONLY. Get over it. Are you jealous or something? Is that why you created this post?

 

Touche !!!!!!!

 

A lot of the good Mac-specific apps are basically grandfathered. The reason someone uses a Mac for audio work now is because they've BEEN using a Mac for audio work for 15 years, or they know someone who has. Could a very high-end audio production app be made for Windows? Sure. Is there a market for it? Not really.

Desktop publishing has sort of broken the grandfathering over the last few years as apps like Photoshop have become popular outside of the professional realm. Like with the audio, nothing was ever stopping Windows from being a good graphics publishing platform. The focus was just on Macs, since the professional graphics publishers owned Macs. Once you had 15 year old kids that wanted to play with these apps on their PC and were willing to pay for it (sometimes), the Windows versions appeared and have matured.

 

Got it in one. Macs like chic and cool. Music producers want to look the same, even if their music isn't. A music producer can work just fine using all three majors platforms, all that really matters is the producers talent and imagination. Anyone who says you have to use Macs are just talking out their blowhole.

 

yeah you should place this in the windows section all your going to get is apple is the best get over it fanboys like HLdans

 

Here's my take on it. I've owned both, I was raised on Macs, but I've owned/built several high end PCs. Although I'm actually in the process of replacing my old PowerBook G4 with an HP Dv7t. I'm majoring in IT, so one would hope that by know I know a fair bit about computers, Windows, OS X, Unix, Linux, etc.

Anyway, it really comes down to what type of person you are, art or tech. Nearly everyone is one or the other.
Art people tend to greatly prefer Apple. Why? OS X is copyrighted by Apple to ONLY be installed on Apple machines. I REALLY like OS X. Here's why: Its simple. That is why I assume musicians and other artists prefer Apple/OS X, no bs, they can work on their artsy stuff. My brother in law is a musician who (rather obviously) has no clue what he's doing when it comes to anything electronic. He's been primarily recording most of his stuff at home on his iMac the last few years. OS X is so simple even someone who doesn't know a freaking thing about computers can work one with good results, definitely preferred for the "artsy" people that don't want anything to do with technology, but need it to excel nevertheless.

PCs/Windows on the other hand, no matter how "simple" they try to make it, there's still technical aspects involved. I need this driver for this, blah blah blah. Obviously, the reason OS X is so simple is because its designed to run on a limited number of systems. I for one have never had any issues fixing anything with a Windows system, but if you're trying to focus on being creative, do you really want to be dealing with that? I love the compatibility of Windows.

In short - OS X is on a very small number of computers compared to Vista, that leaves a lot less problems. How much easier is it to fix something on 20 computers instead of 1000's? Very. Leaving the creative people to focus on what they should be doing - Being creative.

 

cant agree more

 

I seriously prefer using my Windows XP-based desktop for Photoshop and Indesign work versus the iMacs that I've been exposed to in my college's creative courses. However, I've noted plenty of subtle differences between Adobe's programs on either operating system, mostly having to do with nifty shortcuts and behaviors unique to each.

I've dabbled in FL Studio and ACID Pro for sound work on my desktop, but after observing my friend who's majoring in sound recording creating tracks in Logic and all of that with all of his equipment, instruments, and gadgets surrounding him... I feel like there is really no question.

 

You know you can always have Windows under Bootcamp if you really needed it for a specific program. That way you get the best of both worlds. Problem solved.

 

As someone who has actually used both PC and Mac platforms extensively to do many forms of creative work, animation, film, illustration, photography, web, etc. I can definitely say while it is technically possible to produce the same level of content on the Windows platform, there will definitely be time lost in working with any version of Windows compared to OS X.

Why? Work flow, creative work is all about having an efficient and consistent work flow, which OS X provides, while Windows really just doesn't. It is the simplest things that can really make someone's work flow better, and OS X not only has more of those things (Quicklook, Exposé, Spaces, well organized and extremely consistent file system, and one of the Number 1 things, excellent support for all types of users. And near perfect support for users looking to help themselves solve their own issues, they provide so many resources on their site as well as an excellent and extremely active discussion board that can usually answer any question thrown at it.

And if you want the same help from a real person, you can go to an actual location and get help from knowledgeable people who are actually excited to help.

For the things that really matter when it comes to creativity and technology, I say the Mac isn't necessary, but you are crazy if you don't think it will make your life 1000 times easier and in turn drastically improve the quality of your work as well as your life.

AND GUESS WHAT. It isn't just the OS that makes it this way, some excellent new open source app out there for Windows only that you think would really improve your work? Then fire up Windows and check it out, or Linux or whatever you want. Easily and painlessly.

If anyone would like me too elaborate on anything I would be happy to explain, or if you have any specific questions on exactly what I do that makes me think this way.

Don't get testy, make this a useful discussion.

(And for the record, people are definitely kidding themselves if they think Windows will be as powerful of a system when it comes to Audio production)

 

why wouldn't it be as powerful of a system for audio production?
also photoshop seems alot different between macs and windows comp.

 

Circa86, I'm fascinated by all the organically smooth functions of OSX and I can't wait to learn about them, but I find it extremely simple to maneuver through WinXP (set to that lovely gray classic mode, of course). The aging system is blunt, easy to manipulate, and not a resource hog like that ridiculous Aero-trotting spawn Vista.

I dunno. I've just always felt comfortable and organized in whatever virtual workstation in front of me sans the MB that I'm typing from which has been seriously abused by my girlfriend (she owns it).

jonhapimp, Photoshop is not so different besides some keyboard shortcuts and the chrome (does that apply to stuff besides browsers?) that surrounds the two versions. Mac operates CS3 in this open enviroment that's sort of borderless, though I haven't found that fact so pleasing... especially when I might have other programs or images open behind the current project I'm working on in Photoshop. It's very easy to accidentally click on stuff behind the project's window. But I speak from my experience with slightly underpowered 20" iMacs.

At home, I built my own rig and operate with a G9 mouse and a 24" monitor. I'm eager to get my hands on a MBP, however.

 

I think the common explanation for the popularity of Macs in the creative industries has to do with Macs and OS X been simpler to use. Installs are often drag and drop, there is a consistent look and feel across programs and especially menus to help productivity, etc. How much of it is real and how much is perceived is debatable, but even if it's mostly perceived, there's nothing wrong with familiarity, and if a generally nice looking interface is what it takes to get the creative juices flowing than so be it.

There might be something to be said about the document centric model used in OS X compared to the the application centric model in Windows as well. As in windows in OS X correspond to an individual document, they aren't generally maximized, you can have multiple documents open in the same app, and it's easy to see, reposition, and interact with multiple documents across multiple programs. In contrast, most Windows programs focus on the application and multiple documents in an application are usually stuck within that apps window. Not as convenient for work flow in some cases and is something Microsoft is actually working on in Windows 7 since it directly impacts how the new Taskbar is designed and used. Since the current MDI format of Windows programs means that often the individual documents in a program can't generate their own thumbnails for the Taskbar previews.

And Expose is really quite useful since it allows parallel interaction of windows, seeing all of them at once, instead of serial interaction in Windows-Tab Flip3D.

 

Of course you dont need a mac for creative work. However it's cleaner, more simple, industry wide, etc to use one.

 

Not only creative but professional work also, haven't you heard? "Change has come to America!":

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13505_3-10148036-16.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012104249.html?hpid=topnews

 

In theory no you don't need to use mac's. But its a bit like saying do I have to run windows for office? no you can run it on a mac too, but some will argue to the death that the pc version (07) is better than 08.
a
ps @ mods....perhaps this should be moved to the software or off topic section

 

Macs are not necessary. If you're a crap designer you'll suck on a Mac just as much as you suck on a PC

 

Predicts this tread, like all that bring out the cool aid drinkers, will get closed.

And to answer your question, No, macs are not necessary for 'creative' work anymore, neither do they increase or decrease work flow, it all depends on the person and their ability in the environment.

For example, we have a Mac fanatic on the level of those seen here in my classes and he is supposedly a professional. When we asked him for some help on some colour correction of an individual in final cut pro, he ended up making the guy look green like an alien, and he seriously seemed to put a lot of effort into trying.

Colour correction is something that I can do in 2 2's and very well in Premiere and Photoshop. This guy has been around Macs for 20 years and daily slanders me on my choice of buying a non mac system to do my creative work. At the end of the day his films and creations have very little impact and another colleague of mine who uses a windows based system and does his editing on Avid ends up having the Local Film Award winning Drama Documentary as well as regional exposure.

So, I have yet to see substantial proof that Macs are necessary for creative work, in fact, everything else has led me to think otherwise. Yes, beautiful things can be done with it, but the same goes for PC.

 

Deathwinger is pretty much right. In the end it all comes down to personal preference. If your workflow is better on a PC then you will be better off using a PC and vice versa for a mac.
There is no right answer here people.

So can we end these daily pointless "PC vs Mac" debates and move back to helping out mac users who have problems with their mac, or posting reviews of mac gear we own, or helping out prospective buyers with answers to their questions?
a

 

hmm,let me say this-mac is not necessary,but....

My example-I wanted to order mac,but on last minute I decided to save some money and get dell m4400....bad idea!I have lots of problems-high temp.,downcloacking,sound(WTH should I remove my DVD drive to get proper sound???????)etc.!

 

You got a lemon

 

it's called sending it back and getting a replacement

 

if you take a look at Dell forum,almost all of our members have similar problem.

 

I'd say if one doesn't like macs then don't buy it, to each their own!

 

Its interesting to see the initial reactions of a Mac vs PC thread. The initial reactions tend to blur the truth though.

This posts makes a fair point that while PC versions of creative design software have closed the gap with Mac versions recently, it was only recently. The creative arts industry is no different from any other industry in that they aren't likely to move to a completely different platform unless it is financially beneficial to them. As a PC users, I will be the first to say your loyalty should be to your pocketbook, not to a platform. If your money is heavily invested in Macs, only makes sense that incremental improvements should stay with the hardware and software you've already invested years into.

Recently though, I still think the Mac version of Photoshop owns the PC version. Expose really makes it simple to visually manage a large number of open photos. The PC version just has nothing to compare.

 

for your last comment, check out windows 7

if price is into consideration for mac/windows variant, windows actually reduces your work time by having a higher spec'ed hardware for the same price.

but again, OSes are just OSes, they don't do the job for you

 

As a web designer who switched in 2001 to a Mac and switched back to a PC 4 months ago, I feel that I could address your question....

Program wise, no. Most software can be found on both platforms and run similarly. Personally, I found myself working faster on a Mac, faster start time, etc. The hardware was comparable on both ends so its not like I was using an old machine.

Anyways, just my .02.

 

30 Posts to his thread, and the OP never even bothered to reply again. Is it just me or some people just don't have anything better to do than start a flaming topic and just leave?

So here's my take on this one. I'm a musician, I used to work with Reason, Cubase and Sound Forge on Windows. I used to hate working. Windows is so high maintenance that it would cut all my creativity down, because explorer.exe suddenly decided to stop working.

Since I moved to Mac (roughly 1 year and a half ago), I've been using the same Reason (which feels way snappier on OS X), Logic instead of Cubase for multitracking and Wave Editor instead of Sound Forge for various wav manipulating tasks.

I must say that I feel way more "into it" and I don't have to save 3 copies of my projects every 5 seconds because I know OS X will not come crashing on them.

The whole experience is just more snappier, prettier and I actually enjoy my work. And switching was my decision and I feel I'm constantly getting pissed on by "fanboys" because of it.

This needs to stop. Either Sam does something about these threads or I'll start an aggressive NBR movement against PC users myself.
I'm sure there are a lot of Mac users who'd back me up just fine.

Just like the profanity filter here on NBR, there need to be RULES against trolling topics and users. With consequences.