Looks like Microsoft really REALLY hates Apple
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 51,814
Likes: 5
From: par•a•dox
[QUOTE=WestSideBilly,Jul 27 2005, 01:38 PM]What "features" are you adding?
I can get a PC...
Athlon 64 at 2.7 GHz
1 gig CAS 2-2-2-5 RAM
Mobo with onboard 10/100/1000 LAN and 6 channel audio.
Dual GeForce 6800GT SLI video cards (you can get a single 6800 GT as an upgrade on the G5)
74 GB 10000 RPM system drive
RAID 5 controller with 4 160 GB 7200 RPM drives (480 GB logical partition)
16x DVD-ROM
8x DVD-R
Case of your choice, 430 W power supply, keyboard, optical mouse
WinXP Professional...
For about $2200 (the RAID array adds around $500 to that cost, so $1700 with just the the 74 gig drive) using all top-notch components.
I can get a PC...
Athlon 64 at 2.7 GHz
1 gig CAS 2-2-2-5 RAM
Mobo with onboard 10/100/1000 LAN and 6 channel audio.
Dual GeForce 6800GT SLI video cards (you can get a single 6800 GT as an upgrade on the G5)
74 GB 10000 RPM system drive
RAID 5 controller with 4 160 GB 7200 RPM drives (480 GB logical partition)
16x DVD-ROM
8x DVD-R
Case of your choice, 430 W power supply, keyboard, optical mouse
WinXP Professional...
For about $2200 (the RAID array adds around $500 to that cost, so $1700 with just the the 74 gig drive) using all top-notch components.
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 37,188
Likes: 4
From: TN
Originally Posted by KenS2K,Jul 29 2005, 01:21 AM
Graphics and animation are my profession. The more processors the better. A build it yourself PC unit won't cut it though. Nor will Dell, HP, Gateway, etc.... I've used them all and still do at various jobs. It's like having a machete when you need a scalpel. 
To get something that will compete in my field I'd have to get Alienware. If you think Apple is spendy... you should check out Alienware prices.
uch: http://www.alienware.com/ALX_pages/aurora_alx.aspx
I'm just glad I'm no longer stuck needing to have SGI or Sun hardware.
Although, I like IRIX OS much better than WinXP.
Additionally, XP won't run all the professional software I use. ie: Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc. Shake is only available on Linux and OSX. The linux version is $2000 more than the OSX version. Gee... I just saved 2k having Mac hardware.
Even all the Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects) are clunky when running under the XP UI constraints. We haven't even started comparing font tools. The only reason any of the places I contract with use XP is those stuck in the dark-ages using 3DS Max for 3d work. Everyone else was smart enough to switch to Maya tools for professional 3d. Heck, even MS Office is a better application suite running on OSX than running under XP.
Bottom line, hardware is less than 25% of my budget when setting up a workstation. I'm more concerned with professional software availability, compatibility and efficiency. Windows lags behind in all three.
To get something that will compete in my field I'd have to get Alienware. If you think Apple is spendy... you should check out Alienware prices.
uch: http://www.alienware.com/ALX_pages/aurora_alx.aspxI'm just glad I'm no longer stuck needing to have SGI or Sun hardware.
Although, I like IRIX OS much better than WinXP.Additionally, XP won't run all the professional software I use. ie: Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc. Shake is only available on Linux and OSX. The linux version is $2000 more than the OSX version. Gee... I just saved 2k having Mac hardware.
Even all the Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects) are clunky when running under the XP UI constraints. We haven't even started comparing font tools. The only reason any of the places I contract with use XP is those stuck in the dark-ages using 3DS Max for 3d work. Everyone else was smart enough to switch to Maya tools for professional 3d. Heck, even MS Office is a better application suite running on OSX than running under XP.
Bottom line, hardware is less than 25% of my budget when setting up a workstation. I'm more concerned with professional software availability, compatibility and efficiency. Windows lags behind in all three.
Designers Rule!!!
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 88,444
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From: Pt. A to Pt. B via VTEC!!
Anyone want to discuss TCO computing expenses? 
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22738.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&saf...ows&btnG=Search
http://www.newsfactor.com/perl/story/22738.html
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&saf...ows&btnG=Search
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 93,305
Likes: 820
From: Nowhere
Ken, for specific applications (animation/video/image editing and music generation being the two I can think of) I agree that Mac is vastly superior, and has been for a long time. Back when "Pentium" was the latest thing in the PC world, the Mac (G3?) blew its doors off for music generation (I had a bunch of wannabe DJ friends with Macs... pretty sweet for the time).
However, I was replying to your blanket statement that Macs are "cheaper" than PCs. You're paying more for hardware to address specific needs that 99.9% of computer users don't need - logical in your case, completely false otherwise.
However, I was replying to your blanket statement that Macs are "cheaper" than PCs. You're paying more for hardware to address specific needs that 99.9% of computer users don't need - logical in your case, completely false otherwise.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 42,315
Likes: 45
From: Central Massachusetts
By the way, you think this Apple vs. PC debate is something... You should listen to the volume crank up when you start talking about AMD's 64-bit vs. Intel's Itanium. Oh my... And then it turns out that Intel has copied AMD's 64-bit and they call it IA32E... Too damn funny (well, I suppose it's funny if you're me).
The good news for me is I do all of these.
The good news for me is I do all of these.
