MACBOOK or ?

teenage_Drama

Im looking for a laptop,something different something nice,something that already has photo editing programs pre-installed and i am a creative person,though the macbook looks far out of my budget,what would be the next best and similar laptop you'd reccomend?

isofa

You need to decide whether to go down the Mac or PC route. The Mac hardware is more expensive but high quality, you get iPhoto and all the other iLife apps, and these are a good starting point. PC wise you'll get more for your money hardware wise, but remember to compare like with like, a cheapy PC laptop will obviously be a lot less than a MacBook.

Then, you need to factor in software, if you are really creative and serious, then you need to invest in Adobe Photoshop CS. This isn't cheap unless you are a student.

There are "free" alternatives such as Paint.net but nothing comes close to the power of Photoshop.

For PC laptops, good deals can be had from Dell: https://www.dmxdimension.co.uk

-TangleFoot-

isofa wrote: »

...nothing comes close to the power of Photoshop.

The GIMP might... but the user interface takes a little getting used to. Some people use GIMPshop instead.

The upcoming Packard Bell 'dot' series of netbooks will supposedly come bundled with a copy of Photoshop Elements 6, but netbooks aren't exactly known for their processing cababilities.

isofa

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

The GIMP might... but the user interface takes a little getting used to. Some people use GIMPshop instead.

The upcoming Packard Bell 'dot' series of netbooks will supposedly come bundled with a copy of Photoshop Elements 6, but netbooks aren't exactly known for their processing cababilities.

I always omit the GIMP from newbie's because the complexity can be off putting, Paint.net is much more friendly as a starting point

I don't think it can hold a candle to Photoshop CS 4 Extended either, software I use every day of the week... it's in a different league.

Photoshop Elements is fine for learning photo editing and a good starting point, but the full version of Photoshop is much better, but I paid nearly £1000 for my full CS3 suite of apps, so it's not exactly cheap!

Knub

Get a laptop with a reasonable graphics card/hardware spec = job done = half the price.

Seriously unless you work in Graphics design or Media (Seriously, I don't mean I tinker about with pictures, I mean proper proferssional quality work) then I don't know why people buy Macbooks. (Other than the look at me! Look at me! I'm a "cool" apple user)

*dons mac-fanboy flameproof suit*

nomoneytoday

Knub wrote: »

Seriously unless you work in Graphics design or Media (Seriously) then I don't know why people buy Macbooks.

Because of the software, free training and operating system?

Hardware-wise there's not a great deal in it these days

Marty_J

teenage_Drama wrote: »

Im looking for a laptop,something different something nice,something that already has photo editing programs pre-installed and i am a creative person,though the macbook looks far out of my budget,what would be the next best and similar laptop you'd reccomend?

The MacBook starts at £749; find someone who qualifies for a student discount, and you could get it for around £600.

The Apple Refurb Store is also a good way to save money; there's a MacBook in there at the minute for £579.

Knub wrote: »

Seriously unless you work in Graphics design or Media (Seriously, I don't mean I tinker about with pictures, I mean proper proferssional quality work) then I don't know why people buy Macbooks. (Other than the look at me! Look at me! I'm a "cool" apple user)

Because they're really nice computers?

[Deleted User]

What's the budget?

How seriously are you into photo editing?

Preinstalled software; there are probably free alternatives that are better but isofa is right, nothing can hold a candle next to Photoshop.

Personally, I'd want a larger screen for any kind of graphical work and my preference would not be a laptop but a desktop.

Knub

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Because of the software, free training and operating system?

Hardware-wise there's not a great deal in it these days

More software available on Windows/PC platform. Although PC hold mass market so the better software is initially developed for this platform with a few exceptions.

Operating system, "not a great deal in it these days", oh except majority of computers still run Windows and therefore most things are compatible with it. Mac's aren't so guaranteed, although have come a long way in the past 3-5 years.

Hardware not a lot in it....yeah these days thats true. Although a well built PC/Laptop running Windows 7 64b would still out perform a similar Mac Leopard 64b system. |

And Marty J, "because they are really nice computers" isn't really a valid argument why I should pic a Mac over PC or vice-versa

They are seen as "nice, cool, fashionable, smart, etc" because that is the way Apple have marketed their brand. It's a lifestyle choice!
I on the other hand, like to make my own mind up after experiencing both technologies. Rather than go with what a company tell me to believe about their product which is what I'm guessing 90% of Apple users do. (Case in point iPod, iPhone).

At the end of the day you will get more for your money from a PC/Windows laptop than you would a Macbook, in my opinion.

This is MSE, where its all about moulah, so make your own mind up OP

Marty_J

Knub wrote: »

More software available on Windows/PC platform.

Better software available on a Mac. Even Photoshop is better on a Mac than a PC.

Operating system, "not a great deal in it these days", oh except majority of computers still run Windows and therefore most things are compatible with it. Mac's aren't so guaranteed, although have come a long way in the past 3-5 years.

I've never been prevented from doing something because the hardware won't work with OS X. I do have hardware that won't work with Windows, though there are of course Windows alternatives. It's much of a muchness really.

Hardware not a lot in it....yeah these days thats true. Although a well built PC/Laptop running Windows 7 64b would still out perform a similar Mac Leopard 64b system.

That's a rather pointless statement without any kind of qualification.

And Marty J, "because they are really nice computers" isn't really a valid argument why I should pic a Mac over PC or vice-versa

I can't think of a better reason.

They are seen as "nice, cool, fashionable, smart, etc" because that is the way Apple have marketed their brand. It's a lifestyle choice!

Yes, they are seen as "nice, cool, fashionable, smart, etc". What of it?

At the end of the day you will get more for your money from a PC/Windows laptop than you would a Macbook, in my opinion.

OK, find me a PC that you're going to get an integrated suite of photo, music, movie, web, and DVD authoring software with it. It also has to come with Vista Ultimate 64 bit. It has to have a store that you can take it to for repairs, advice, and training on using it. It also has to be able to natively run Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux.

If it could also be reasonably thin and light, and look really good too, that would be a bonus.

4743hudsonj

Knub wrote: »

More software available on Windows/PC platform. Although PC hold mass market so the better software is initially developed for this platform with a few exceptions.

Operating system, "not a great deal in it these days", oh except majority of computers still run Windows and therefore most things are compatible with it. Mac's aren't so guaranteed, although have come a long way in the past 3-5 years.

Hardware not a lot in it....yeah these days thats true. Although a well built PC/Laptop running Windows 7 64b would still out perform a similar Mac Leopard 64b system. |

And Marty J, "because they are really nice computers" isn't really a valid argument why I should pic a Mac over PC or vice-versa



They are seen as "nice, cool, fashionable, smart, etc" because that is the way Apple have marketed their brand. It's a lifestyle choice!
I on the other hand, like to make my own mind up after experiencing both technologies. Rather than go with what a company tell me to believe about their product which is what I'm guessing 90% of Apple users do. (Case in point iPod, iPhone).

At the end of the day you will get more for your money from a PC/Windows laptop than you would a Macbook, in my opinion.

This is MSE, where its all about moulah, so make your own mind up OP

if your looking for a larger macbook pro equivalent(the old one not the new 13"+ models)

then the sony vaio fw series look very similar, but theyre half the price nearly spec for spec but they are great quality

and unfortunately for me they come pre bundled with lots of video and photo editors including photoshop

so i think you should look into them