switching from Window to Mac

[garjac]

I am thinking of buying a new computer and thinking of going form a windows based platform to a Mac.  what drawbacks should I be aware of of if any.  Is this a fairly easy switch?

[tsinsf]

I have not switched myself but did a deep dive research a couple of years ago when I was considering. Here is what I found. The general consensus is that the current crop of PC's software is much better than it was years ago when the Mac OS was definitely better. Now the two operating systems are equally good, just different. The pros of Apple: the computers are more reliable because they are an integrated system, not just a computer of random parts put together. The new Apple chips are amazing and fast. The cons: Macs are more expensive, and are not modular; ie, you can't replace or update components like you can with PCs. I decided to stick with Mac because I just didn't relish the idea of learning a new OS.

[MDL_SD]

I switched from windows to a MacBook Pro in January.  The two operating systems are different and I still find it a bit of a challenge since I have kept a windows machine for printing (there are no drivers for my photo printer under the current Mac operating system).  Overall I really like the Mac.  My 14" laptop is blazingly fast and has great processing and graphics power.  Now, I did buy an M1 max processor, 64GB memory, maximum graphics cores and a 2 TB SSD. 

At the time I ordered my Mac (late 2021) it was exceedingly difficult to obtain any graphics cards for windows machines and I felt that the best way to get a top notch machine was to go with the Mac. 

No regrets, but do be prepared for a transition and identify some friends who are Mac users who can help you out.

[Jonathan Cross]

I switched a year ago from a PC running Windows 10 to a 24" M1 desktop Mac.  I already had a MacBook Air and we have iPhones.  Yes it was a bit of a learning process (there is much on the web to help) and I have Word, Excel and Powerpoint on subscription so it was an easy transfer.  I have LR Classic and Photoshop on subscription also so swopping was easy.  All my images and catalogs were on external SSDs formatted as exFAT so they could just be plugged in.  The same applied to all our other data.  I could then transfer what I wanted to the internal SSD.  My printers just needed new drivers downloading.

The Mac is much quicker. I find the screen really good. I like Time Machine (I alternate two SSDs).  Photos taken on iPhones can be airdropped to and from the Mac or laptop with no hard wire. My cameras use SD cards and I have the Apple SD card reader/writer.  Transfer speed is only limited by the card speed.  I have all my favourite processed images on one SD card (over 4000 and room for double that) so can show them on any Mac or on an iPhone, and the reader and card take up virtually no room. 

To me the Apple SOC has meant that I can get away with less memory than I thought I would need, and the ports on the back are fast enough for me to keep all but my current images on external portable SSDs (Sandisk) or even portable spinning HDs.

We are all different, and this is just one person's view.

Best wishes,

Jonathan

 

[mcbroomf]

You don't mention whether this is a desktop or laptop, or perhaps one of each.  It makes a difference I think.

I updated my Win 10 HP laptop with a 14" MBP in January and the performance difference is very noticeable though the CPU in the PC was ~3 years old.  It also outperforms my desktop with an i7 7*** CPU.  All 3 machines have 64GB and SSDs.  One key thing about the MBP vs a Win laptop is that the MBP does not slow down due to heat.  It runs much cooler and has a better cooling system.. Quiet as well if it does kick in.

If I were upgrading my desktop it might be a different story.  I'd be comparing a Mac Studio with an Ultra chip and 128GB vs a 12th or 13th gen Intel CPU (I want plenty of Thunderbolt ports, so AMD is not an option) and the same memory with a mid to high end graphics card.  Not sure I'd build it myself, but possibly.  I have not looked at recent performance metrics but so far as I recall in the desktop where heat can be dissipated with large sinks the Intel is a closer match to the Mac and the new 13th gen would have to be compared.  An M2 Studio might materialize next year if you can wait.

I don't see any difference in using LRC and PS but I'm still more fluid on a Windows machine and it uses dual screen more gracefully IMO.  I'm not yet sure if that's a dealbreaker for me but unless something breaks I've decided to hang onto my Win desktop for another couple of years until Win 10 updates and no longer coming.

[PeterAit]

I am thinking of buying a new computer and thinking of going form a windows based platform to a Mac.  what drawbacks should I be aware of of if any.  Is this a fairly easy switch?

Gaaack--why? No advantage whatsoever despite what the Apple fanboys say. Just the hassle of learning a new interface and OS. And a hit on your wallet!!

[digitaldog]

Gaaack--why? No advantage whatsoever despite what the Apple fanboys say. Just the hassle of learning a new interface and OS. And a hit on your wallet!!

Well there’s a reply devoid of the question asked.
And you apparently ignored the 2nd post (actual answer) here…..

[vjbelle]

I have had both operating systems for a long time.  Windows for my desktop and Mac for all of my portables.  I decided to update my desktop with a Mac Studio and have no regrets.  Both operating systems work well except for the fact that Windows 11 had/or still does have issues with color management.  I decided to stay with Windows 10 for accurate color.  This is all moot now with my current Studio setup.  Windows differs from Macs in the way they render text with HD monitors.  Windows keeps the text at fixed font size while Macs scale the text which can appear small for some people.  This is easily overcome by adjusting the display resolution to your liking.  I recommend that you check the refurbished Macs in the Apple store as this will save you some money. I have never regretted purchasing refurbished.

Victor B.

[Benny Profane]

Somewhat biased Mac user here since '91. In general, the graphics industry (photography, pre press) has primarily been using Mac for all that time. So, what am I getting at? If you're buying expensive computers for photography organization, retouching, and printing, stay with the crowd, don't fight the tide. There was a time when it looked like Apple would get swallowed up by the Gates/Windows monopolistic practices, but, that's long past.

[Rand47]

I’m a Windows person, primarily because I come from the business side of computing and it is what I know.  Since LrC and PS are pretty much identical on both platforms, I don’t see that from that perspective there’s an advantage one way or the other.  I teach both programs at a local, camera club, level and have worked with the programs on both Mac and PC.  There are only one or two things that are “in different locations” in the menus, and of course the cmd/control, alt/option key “distinction w/o a difference.”

One of the things that “seems odd” to me, given the preponderance of Mac users in the arts and photography is how often (compared to the Windows OS) either Adobe or Apple have managed to “break” the color management “for a while” with Mac OS updates.  It seems to get sorted fairly quickly, but it also seems like a real pain in the butt.   I’ve followed this web page for quite a long time now, and it seems like I only remember one instance where there was a similar disconnect w/ a Windows update.  I’m not Apple bashing here, just an observation that has always struck me as odd since for many there’s a lot riding on such things. 

Rand

[Tuco]

A benefit of XDR display Macs is the new HDR ability of Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop.  A Mac only ability for now.  I spent hours yesterday revisiting my raw files, seeing what the extra few stops of display brightness does to my photos.  It was "illuminating" (sorry).  Finally a use for my 14" MacBook XDR display, other than watching a handful of HDR YouTube videos.

Greg Benz demonstrating HDR

[BobShaw]

I am thinking of buying a new computer and thinking of going form a windows based platform to a Mac.  what drawbacks should I be aware of of if any.  Is this a fairly easy switch?

The only drawback would be realising why it took so long to change.
Check that the computer that you buy is expandable. A lot have fixed RAM.

[mtakeda]

My switch has not been easy but very slowly getting there. The current hurdle is that my printer driver is not synced with Lightroom. Any help here is greatly appreciated.
As someone said it is very helpful if you can get assist from the person who is familiar with Mac. As far as the advantage is again the machine is in a complete form compared to windows machine which is made up by many cheap component so the level of confidence is much higher.

[rasworth]

"...compared to windows machine which is made up by many cheap component..."

At last, somebody who has done component evaluations on the universe of Windows machines 🤪

Richard Southworth

[chez]

My switch has not been easy but very slowly getting there. The current hurdle is that my printer driver is not synced with Lightroom. Any help here is greatly appreciated.
As someone said it is very helpful if you can get assist from the person who is familiar with Mac. As far as the advantage is again the machine is in a complete form compared to windows machine which is made up by many cheap component so the level of confidence is much higher.

Well you can build a Windows machine with any quality of components you desire. Yes if one goes to Best Buy or Costco and buys a vanilla windows box…you get what you get…sort of like with the Mac where you have very little choices and with the M chips, no ways to upgrade in the future.

[BobShaw]

Well you can build a Windows machine with any quality of components you desire.

The question is, do you want a computer, or a new hobby?

[kers]

The question is, do you want a computer, or a new hobby?

I agree.. its the Apple philosophy: if you buy a vacuumcleaner , why buy all parts and put it together? while they do it better in the factory.


Having said that : i am extremely happy with my Hackintosh- put together by a person who knows what he is doing. ( AKA pudget systems etc)

I love the 'old' box were i can put everything in that i need : upgraded from 32 to 128gb ram; put in up to 8 harddisks and a raid0 nvme etc etc.
will buy a video card to complete the system. It already runs 4 years and i think another 3 or 4. Not to mention it was much cheaper than an Apple.
Of course these days are over with Apple silicon.

[chez]

The question is, do you want a computer, or a new hobby?

Last Windows machine I spec’d was built and fully tested including loading up all the drivers, it cost an extra $75…well worth the cost. Zero of my time and I got to pick and choose the components.

I see a lot of people jumping onto the M1/2 bandwagon and buying systems with way more ram 64mg than is needed today just to future proof their system. That I see is one of the major issues with the closed Mac system…no upgrade path.

[julianv]

I see a lot of people jumping onto the M1/2 bandwagon and buying systems with way more ram 64mg than is needed today just to future proof their system. That I see is one of the major issues with the closed Mac system…no upgrade path.

The "lack of upgrade path" is a frequent criticism of Macs. It's true, if you are focused on swapping in new internal components after an initial purchase. But many users will special order Macs with enhanced specs (more RAM, more CPU, etc.) for future-proofing, anticipating that they will keep the machines for a long time. I think there are statistics showing that Macs tend to have a longer useful service life than PCs. Perhaps this is a reflection of better reliability, or longer support through OS upgrades. I am writing this on an iMac Retina 5K, 27" screen, from 2014. It has never failed, screen still looks good, and it still provides responsive performance for all my photo editing apps. This machine is not compatible with the two most recent macOS versions (it is stuck on macOS 11 Big Sur), but Apple still ships security-related software updates for it.

I also have a 2021 M1 Macbook Pro. Its only significant advantages over the iMac are the miniLED display, and the M1 chip, which is faster on the rare occasions when I run Topaz AI Sharpen.

Bear in mind that it is possible to upgrade "closed system" Macs by adding peripherals to the (very fast) USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports. For example, I use a Thunderbolt connected external drive enclosure, containing 3 HDDs and 1 SSD, for backups and archives. My primary photo library is in this box, and the access times are, for my needs, comparable to the internal SSD.

[Chris Kern]

I see a lot of people jumping onto the M1/2 bandwagon and buying systems with way more ram 64mg than is needed today just to future proof their system.

Eh?  Assuming the operating system you use supports demand-paging, and you typically run multiple coactive application programs, there is no such thing as too much primary memory.  Modern RAM components perform reads and write much faster than even the highest performance solid-state drives.