Hi all,

I need some suggestion, which notebook should I buy? An Apple MacBook Pro or Windows based (Dell M65/90, etc.)..

My work more to graphic designs and interactive multimedia. Sometimes Im doing 3D. Also I want it to surf the Web. Gaming is no no..

Do I need a workstation notebook like the Dell M65/90 ?

Im hoping u pro's here can give me recommendations, budget is 10K - 12K. DVI connection is a must.

Thanks.

depends on your familiarity of the os.
someone people like to use pc when using adobe illustrator compare with mac due to the shortcuts key they use.

how about you? have u consider the training you have to go through again to learn those shortcuts keys and get yourself familiar with how different os work?

anyway, both also can do the same thing. but mac is more stable in multi tasking compare with windows. however stability come with trade off such as you need to watch any IT products you buy compatible with MAC.

Thats the tough part, I would like to try MAC.. but need to learn and familiarize their system and shortcuts.

Software compatibility also the headache, not all windows software are available in MAC platform..

Familiarity, well... after some time of usage, you'll be familiar automatically.
I have to admit.. i rarely use (i mean those intensive usage) my MB after i purchase it.. but still i already got used to it.

So if you use it daily for your work or something.. you'll master it shortly.

As for software, there are counterparts available for MAC.. those more famous software should have MAC version as well...

I heard that Windows can be install onto an Intel based MAC? Is that true? Apple mouse only have 1 button, how it gonna work in Windows.. hmmmm

Apple display is awesome.. really like them.

Yup you can install Windows in the Intel Macs with the help of Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop for Mac.

For your info the Apple's Mighty Mouse is a multi button mouse that works on windows.

So my suggestion is to go ahead with a MacBook Pro paired with an Apple Cinema Display...or you can get the MacPro too...Together with this setup, i am sure you will be a happy man.

same like my posting for ppl whom wanna choose over Mac or PC ...it all depends on your need ..

even i'm not graphic designer or multimedia ppl ...i'm still using mac for my task on UNIX and Linux

for windows usage , why should use windows on mac ..when mac os x already spice our life ?

MBP........BUY IT or regret it. Have 10-12K in hand. dun waste money buying other than MAC.

ok?PM me for pricing..hahahhahaha.................

I am such a lousy sales person.

gotdamsg,
Switching to a Mac isn't as difficult as most people think - it would require some sort of familiarity but u'll definitely get the hang of it pretty quick. The short cut keys for Adobe might be a little different but i been told it's primarily the same, it's just on different platform - at least that's what my Creative people tells me - they haven't had problems switching from Mac to PC or PC to Mac though in the initial beginning they were a little less productive but it's all the same, apparently.

If ur not looking for a 'mobile' unit, I suggest u get the Mac Pro and hook it onto a nice huge screen

for nice huge screen ...more moo-lah...for better peripheral ..ahaks

kevler,
It doesn't seem to me that gotdamsg has a budget constraint like most of us do...

ya.. if i was him that rich, i direct buy MBP..

allvin,
He did mention the MBP but if he's not going to need a system on the go, wouldn't it be better to get the Mac Pro instead?

workstation = macpro.

dude just compare the macpro tech specs with any other existing pc. it will blow your mind...imagine rendering those 3d in meer minutes instead of hours. i use adobe progs like illus, ps, pm, ae, premiere; the only diff for the shortcut keys is the ctrl button for pc. since ur not a gamer, now is the perfect time to get macpro :] if ur a gamer, might as wait for macpro to equip with a dx10 card [:

ezinger, the OP was asking a workstation capable notebook.. macpro is surely not! Anyway, I've MBP, the lowest specs one and I'm happy with it.. though if you need to get the real workstation speed .. surely, don't go for MBP .. go for the real MacPro. I realised that if I play AoE III on my MBP, the fans will go full blast..

yaya.. i think TS knows that. Anyway, he wants "workstation" class of notebook. Maybe he just wants portability

My mistake for not reading carefully. Between the MB and MBP, go for the MBP - now u just need to check which MBP to go for

Thanks a lot for all the info n suggestion.. really helpful.
MacPro is superb man, king of machine.. but portability is the key point here. As I already have a Windows based workstation. I think its time for me to change to Apple machine, just to try how spicy it is..

FYI, my apps are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, Lightroom, Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver and Fireworks.

Colour accuracy are also important. Between Dell LCD and Apple Cinema Display, which one provides the most accurate colour ? Im a photographer also.

Macbook Pro should serve your purpose. But this also depends how much works you'll handle when you're travelling. Most professional will prefer desktop whenever they could.
If you're just handling minor work editing when you travel. I'll suggest you consider the higher-end Macbook. If budget wasn't your consideration at all, go for the best.

Maybe this wasn't the right place to ask this. We have a dedicated thread under the Hardware section. Anyway, I was looking into Dell LCD, so I have found some research, maybe this link will help: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6470175-1.html

Try Apple, n u wont regret. Being a designer myself, shortcuts works so much better in Mac than Windows. The control button in Win is way too far on the edge, there fore need 2 hand to use shortcuts. In Mac most of the shortcuts are designed to key in by using one hand. God bless the friendship between Mac n Adobe!

Finally, I think im gonna take the MacBook Pro 17".. sleek design and sexy. Thanks again for all the input :-)

@gotdamsg,
I'm sure u'll like it. Haf fun with ur new toy .. I oredi find the 15.4" MBP a little too heavy *grins*

Another thing.. 100GB SATA @7200 RPM or 160GB SATA @5400 RPM ?
Some say the 5400 is almost the same speed with 7200 RPM (with perpendicular drive).

Any comments on this..

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Added on March 8, 2007, 2:03 amalso, Its difficult to find 3G datacard for ExpressCard slot..

This post has been edited by gotdamsg: Mar 8 2007, 02:03 AM

On the 3G datacard with ExpressCard slot .. there is none that I know off at the moment. Currently I'm using a Linksys 3G router (you could get the compact version for around RM200 according to an advert in the last InTech).. No use when you're outside though .. but I'm using an inverter and could use mine in or around my car (or wherever you could find a power source).

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Added on March 8, 2007, 9:22 amAnd hopefully you'll fun with the 17" .. I'm alright with my 15" with an external Dell's 19" TFT at the moment. Two OSes (MacOS + WinXP/Parallels) running side by side in full screen mode ... one for work stuffs and one for my fun stuffs.

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Added on March 8, 2007, 9:27 amI was wrong .. It seems that manufacturers are now flocking the expresscard version to the market .. but no idea when it will reach our shore though.

This post has been edited by wiraone: Mar 8 2007, 09:27 AM

There is no doubt, Apple machine are for us to use. Not for comparing.

Novatel Wireless Merlin XU870 3G HSDPA 3.6/7.2 Mbps ExpressCard
http://www.mobileplanet.com/p.aspx?i=141035

For Hard disk, which one should I go? 5400 RPM or 7200 ?

also, celcom offers USB HSDPA modem for those notebooks without PCMCIA slot. (google for 'HUAWEI USB') priced around RM1400 and locked to Celcom line. Go check that out.

btw, i ditch my iMac and go for HP notebook itself. haha. Reason? money lah i dont care OSX or Win, i just care of my work, thats all as long as i can meet datelines and deliver outstanding results, i will never mind pc, mac, linux, ancient pc or whatever rig.

OT:
I wonder how a designer can deliver "outstanding results", when the screen deliver incorrect colour cast, unreliable system that crash now and then. And how to meet tight deadline when the machine can't perform up to par & slow on performance. To create an excellent artwork require excellent tools. Much like a great artist can't paint well without the right brush & paint. That's my believe.

so u need a 'reliable' rig. yes its true that u need a screen that deliver correct color cast, system that not crash and all. thats y i've said in my previous post, as long as the rig can deliver 'oustanding results' its fine for me. no matter which camp.

PC or Mac, if you working on correct color profile and match with your printer's and saperations side, u wont go wrong.

i keen on PC is because my 3D Studio Max only comes on PC. so thats about it.

my point is simply things wont matter between PC or MAC. all compartments mostly comes from same manufacturer (intel, ati and such) right?

This post has been edited by apisgogo: Mar 9 2007, 11:55 AM

yeap... that's my point too. not trying to point finger at you. that's why i never quoted your post. cheers. not all reply are meant to "bad feedback". there're agency that work solely on PCs. There's not a problem, as long as they're working well.

no la bro, i know u not 'point-finger'. i just wanna clearly state to TS that it dosent matter between PC or MAC thats all. im sorry if my post sounds like flame to some..



btw, im still using old PowerMac G4 at office running on OSX Panther. Solid and stable as rock i must say.

TS seems like loaded. So 17" Macbook Pro is one of best among the laptops I've seen. Else he can get the Alienware workstation lappie.

Hope to get his hand on feedback once he got it (for sure). But that fella is really huge n heavy... so heavy that you wouldnt want to go far with it. backache is a sure thing.

Ok TS, you should take consideration on 7200RPM drives. Look into this report: barefeat

This post has been edited by wei: Mar 9 2007, 12:45 PM

ok, if u may, halt ur purchase until leapord.

sure go for 7200RPM. It's alot faster. I got old hdd (5400) and the other new hdd(7200). Both using IDE cable. When copying files, it's alot faster for the new hdd

OSX Leopard - when do you think Apple going to release the beast?

aiduh.. It will be in spring.. This topic has already discussed so many times

aduh allvin, im new in apple/mac stuff.. dont know much maa..

so far i hadn't noticed the difference between the 7.2k rpm drive and the 5.4k rpm drive, like you I work on a lot of illustrator work, doing my coursework u see for school (like college la), I'm using a 15.4" Macbook Pro, never had any complaints from it. It is much faster than macbook and the shortcuts and everything are so much easier to use. Whenever I go into school and try and use the PCs with Illustrator on I always do the mac shortcuts by mistake! lol, they are so much more intuititive than the pc ones. some software is a bit more difficult to find la, im still waiting for CS3 and final cut express (cant afford ori... need *cough cough choke choke* version)

when you copy file to that hdd, you will notice the speed. I mean big file

hmm, dunno why this 1 month+ old thread appear again.
just found this interesting hack. Install a second HDD into your Macbook/ MacbookPro/ Powerbook and strip RAID to get double performance

definitely will try this if i get my hand on a lappie later.

Fantastic, gotdamnsg.

Good to know that you're going after a 17" MacBook Pro. Bully for you.

Now, for that 7200 vs 5400 RPMs. Well, regardless of how you handle your HD. It's not much of a problem. Unless, of course, if you're using all those softwares you've mentioned before. If you don't want laggs, I suggest to stick with 7200.

Besides, what with HDs going down in prices nowadays you can always run FireWire on your apps.

The big hunking kitty (Leopard) is coming by October. That's what I've read.

Finally, get a hard case for your MBP. You'll understand why soon.

I am sorry I could not give you the links/prove but I've read somewhere the benchmark about the HDDs.

100GB SATA @7200 RPM vs 160GB SATA @5400 RPM

The 160GB SATA @5400 RPM will perform as fast as 100GB @7200 RPM.
This is fact. You can try to google it.

that's a good choice....get macbook, get everything..