Originally posted by: Gurck
About their reputation for being good media editors - what makes them so good at this? If it's the software then, although the reputation may once have been deserved, I'd have to venture a guess that the PC would now have better editing software available due to competiton (programmers don't line up to write software for a platform used by such a small percentage of computer users). Or is it that the chip is just more efficient at it, the way Intels are supposed to be faster video editors than AMDs?
Good god no! The Mac editing software is sooo much better on just about every level, especially for video. Work with Final Cut Xpress and you'll see what I mean. It has just about the same filters for video as Photoshop does for pictures. Macs are better for the video/graphical arts perspective, while Windows-based are better for the average user.
Ease-of-use is another touchy issue. Macs are more user-intuitive to someone who has never seen a computer before. That being said, almost everyone in the world has been brought up on a PC, so naturally a quasi-classic Windows environment (XP) is much similar than OS X is for Mac. That being said, I am fairly proficient at both, and prefer some facts of both OS'. Once again, video editing KILLS on the Mac as opposed to the PC. iMovie vs. Movie Maker 2 is not even funny.
The price is basically the whole Beta vs. VHS debate all over again. Apple doesn't allow others to make its products, so there's no competition or variety. PCs are so inexpensive because everybody and their uncle started up a production company and started distributing PC components. In addition, a lot of the iMacs/eMacs and stuff are commonly compared pricewise with regular comptuers. Anyone who has used a lamp iMac can tell you they are very, very different. Also, the processor speeds cannot be compared straight across.
Macs make shiatty mice, though. Besides the fact that there's only one button, the production quality is absolutely horrible. Ask anyone who's got one of the new black optical mice. Plus, the old G4s used to ship with those little circle things that were atrocious. Luckily, the Mac DOES support a two-button mouse.
iTunes rules. End of story.
There are two problems plaguing the Mac: 1) Brand affiliation and 2)Freeware/shareware. The brand affiliation comes from people who have been using PCs all their lives and have heard nothing but bad things about the Mac. They have no previous experience, and, like all new things, are scared. The freeware/shareware comes in because while there is a decent amount of shareware for Mac, it pales in comparison to the PC. Every decent application for the Mac costs money.
/End long-winded reply.
