will getting a mac solve my pc problems?

[Peter Shaw]

quote :

Example, just installed Illustrator and other programs decided to open at will while using illustrator.

This is abnormal behaviour. Why not sort this problem out rather than spend loads replacing your computer? Loads of us can use Illustrator without this happening. What other problems are you having?

[David Rowland]

Ok i keep it short
PC anyday..

1)will it run my Roland cutter, laserjet, Gerber Edge
(no serial port on the back, have to get a solution then again a new dell doesn’t carry serial/parallel these days, only USB). Edge is Parallel + Serial if i recall, LaserJet is also Parallel unless on network, Roland cutter is serial? Lots of USB > Serial/parallel converters I suspect.
2)will Signlab run on it (do I need to upgrade it/how much)
Dont think so, its a PC prog i think
3)will it run my future Mimaki JV3
John C is Mac man and JV3, but his rip is PC so i understand, Shiraz is the only RIP I know (and i use) that will run on Mac.
4)will it really be more stable than my PC (DEll)
Computers dont lock up, other software around your main software does like drivers, spyware programs and not having at least 1-2Gb of memory in there.
5)can you add more usbs (adaptor)as thay don’t seem to have many
Yep, Mac and Dell comes with quite a few USB sockets, each can have hubs on them.

Biggest question, as I also own Adobe creative suite, are you prepared to trade in Illustrator PC for Illustrator MAC (if possible)?

Im my view, Mac is ideal if u deal with Litho more often then sign making, PC however is a sign makers tool. Illustrator is identical on Mac and PC.

Oh yeah, Networking Mac and PC… fun and games that, they both have different file system formats so tricky one, you have to plan that if you gonna do it

Short reply
Dave

[Les Woods]

Macs are mainly used for design, artworking and illustration. The problem you will have is getting drivers for your printers – a lot of machines now come with Mac drivers but the gerber etc may have a problem (especially if you have software that requires a dongle to work).

I would advise against getting a G5 – if you were going to get a mac I would advise you get an Intel Mac which uses an Intel processor instead of a motorola processor.

What does this mean? Well, because new macs use an Intel processor, you can install Windows XP on it and run it via a free mac application called ‘Bootcamp’. This gives you the choice to boot into OSX or XP – whichever you want.

You could get Parallels Desktop from http://www.parallels.com which will let you run Windows (or Linux etc) inside OSX with no problems. I have an Intel Mac Pro running XP alongside OSX and it works a dream.

The only thing you’ll have to check *first* is that the drivers/peripherals will work on the Intel Mac. A lot of drivers do, but it would be advisable to check first though – go to http://www.apple.com and check the support section and you can ask your questions there.

The latest macs are a lot more flexible with PC networking (unlike old Mac OS9 macs) so that shouldn’t be a worry for you.

[Dave Bruce]

Thanks guys, looks like I’ll stick with Dell then.

Peter, I always seem to be sorting out problems, I posted recently about Signlab doing strange things, quite often the computer locks up when using Corel. I have had it checked and nothing found. This computer is used mainly for sending files to print. My other computer works great most of the time but throws a wobbler every now and again for no reason, I run with 2mg memory on main computer, 1mg on other.

Just need to spend more time making signs and not fixing problems.

Dave

[Peter Shaw]

Over the years I’ve found that most PC hardware problems that are not component failure, have been memory related caused by incompatible memory sticks, fussy motherboards etc. It may be worth running a stand-alone memory diagnostic overnight to see if any errors occur.

If this is OK why not start the machine again. Reformat the hard drive, regen XP, get all the updates and see what happens. At least you’ll know there are no viruses etc and that all the software has been reloaded properly thus eliminating any corruptions.

If you are just using the machine to send print files out, you don’t need much memory. You could try reducing the memory (if you have multiple sticks) and see if that helps.

[Rod Young]

quote Dave Rowland:

2)will Signlab run on it (do I need to upgrade it/how much)
Dont think so, its a PC prog i think

Correct. SignLab is a Windows application, so you would need to have like Les Woods mentions (i.e., one of the new Intel macs, with Mac OSX and the Boot Camp application http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/).

quote Dave Rowland:

4)will it really be more stable than my PC (DEll)
Computers dont lock up, other software around your main software does like drivers, spyware programs and not having at least 1-2Gb of memory in there.

quote Peter Shaw:

Over the years I’ve found that most PC hardware problems that are not component failure, have been memory related caused by incompatible memory sticks, fussy motherboards etc. It may be worth running a stand-alone memory diagnostic overnight to see if any errors occur.

If this is OK why not start the machine again. Reformat the hard drive, regen XP, get all the updates and see what happens. At least you’ll know there are no viruses etc and that all the software has been reloaded properly thus eliminating any corruptions.

Aside from software issues, the electronics can actually cause the system to freeze up. This is particularly troublesome where there is an intermittent problem, where perhaps a chip needs to warm up before the issue occurs. To solve this sort of problem takes time because you need to swap out "questionable" components with known working components.

As an alternative to getting new system, perhap remove extra components that are not necessary for "mainly sending files to print."

Something else. Do you leave the computer on all the time? Perhaps shut it down at the end of each day and see if refreshing the system prevents it from having opportunity to lock up?

Cheers,

Rod

[David Rowland]

exactly rod.. there would be clues.. first one is Blue Screen of Death with a stop code on the screen, then there is the mouse is frozen with computer issue.
Some computers just need hoovering inside!

[Nicola McIntosh]

quote Dave Rowland:

Some computers just need hoovering inside!

:lol1: :lol1:

nik

[Peter Normington]

my windows pc has never locked up or crashed for well over 5 years
I seem to remember the blue screen in 95, 98 and 3xx but never ever seen it in xp

most problems are with mickey mouse software, and silly stuff over the net. if you avoid dudious stuff then no problems.
And the only time it caught a virus (detected and sorted) was when Nic Rowland used It! 😀

Peter

[Dave Bruce]

quote Peter Normington:

I seem to remember the blue screen in 95, 98 and 3xx but never ever seen it in xp

most problems are with mickey mouse software, and silly stuff over the net. if you avoid dudious stuff then no problems.
And the only time it caught a virus (detected and sorted) was when Nic Rowland used It! 😀

Peter

My Dell got the blue screen in XP within the first month turned out to be a faulty hard drive.

Peter, my home laptop never used to have antivirus, I used to add all sorts of free software to and it has never crashed once, my work computer only has genuine software and Antivirus, go figure.

Rod, I used to leave it on all the time, but now switch it off, just wonder if all the windows updates are causing a problem. My home laptop never gets windows updates, and no problems. I have started and restarted, Antivirus checked and defragd but still can’t get this signlab print sorted out.

Dave

[Peter Normington]

Dave I’m sure your stuff is genuine, but by
Mickey mouse I was refering to cheapo/free/shareware type stuff. A lot of it finds its way onto computers, and in the past I have had problems, but since only installing progs that I know are good, have not had any issues.

Just my experience

Peter

[John Childs]

quote Peter Shaw:

If this is OK why not start the machine again. Reformat the hard drive, regen XP, get all the updates and see what happens.

That’s why I use Macs Peter. Never have to bother with any of that nonsense. 😀

I appreciate that PCs are better for some jobs, and that this is probably one of them, but they are just so much hassle. I’m a signmaker not a computer technician so if I switch it on and it doesn’t work I am unhappy.

[David Rowland]

i am still at a loss with the issues.. describe one please davebruce, dell are well reknowned on quality of their computers, what sucks is their support lines.

Mac isn’t as targetted as PC’s but more virus’es are appearing now as MAC became popular again, again if a faulty memory chip, board, powersupply these can all happen to a MAC John and cause random instabilty.

[John Childs]

quote Dave Rowland:

again if a faulty memory chip, board, powersupply these can all happen to a MAC John and cause random instabilty.

Yeah, I know they can Dave. But my point is that it so very rarely happens. There’s about eight Macs here and in eighteen years I’ve had something like four failures. The last one was a lightning strike so we can’t even count that one.

Anyway, I don’t want to get the Mac/PC thing started again so I’ll leave it to you PC boys to sort it.

By the way, networking and file sharing is not a problem these days. 😀

[Rod Young]

quote Dave Rowland:

exactly rod.. there would be clues.. first one is Blue Screen of Death with a stop code on the screen, then there is the mouse is frozen with computer issue.
Some computers just need hoovering inside!

Good point! Begin by merely cleaning the machine out to see if static had been causing problem.

Would not use vacuum cleaner because of potential static on the vacuum wand attachment. Instead, use an air compressor to blow the dust out, or get a can of compressed air from your electronics shop. Just don’t blow the dust out in your main working area (or living/lunch area). Safety glasses recommended.

Cheers,

Rod

[Aitor Asencor]

quote Dave Rowland:

Mac isn’t as targetted as PC’s but more virus’es are appearing now as MAC became popular again, again if a faulty memory chip, board, powersupply these can all happen to a MAC John and cause random instabilty.

Sorry, I haven’t seen a mac virus since some years ago, and I’ve been working with mac since 1988….

The only advantage you have on pc, is that you have more software in some vertical markets, for example cnc..

Also there are more rips than Shiraz, for example PosterJet.

SignLab is only available for windows, but flexi and some others are available also for mac.

[David Rowland]

well i have seen a ‘real’ virus for a long time…. however I do know there is mac editions of virus checkers etc. Also Firefox now is getting targetted.

[Jamie Wood]

The main reason for Mac virus checkers, is to check emails for potential virus attachments, so that they aren’t accidentally passed on to PC users. I believe that there are currently no viruses for Mac OSX, although I agree that Mac users shouldn’t become complacent.

Cheers,
Jamie.

[pvluk]

If you are having problems with Corel, I’d strongly suspect that first, its not THE most stable software. Great though it is, it is a little like a teenager… with attitude and a mind of its own.

I’d upgrade to the latest version and install ALL the available patches to get the best from it as it has improved.

Stay PC – IMHO they are the choice of business users the world over, whatever your view of Windows, you are pretty much assured of compatibility with your clients, AND you will save £££’s on kit (much though i love the look of the shiny mac’s!)

[David Rowland]

just for your info.. mac viruses
http://www.macvirus.org/database

though not that many!

[Paul Jewell]

Took me less than 2 minutes to fully familiarise myself with all those Mac viruses. Most are from 10 years ago and some getting on to 20 years old.

Couldn’t find ‘pcvirus.org’ I wonder why? :lol1:

Quote from Apple website
By the end of 2005, there were 114,000 known viruses for PCs. In March 2006 alone, 850 new threats were detected against Windows. Zero for Mac. While no computer connected to the Internet will ever be 100% immune from attack, Mac OS X has helped the Mac keep its clean bill of health with a superior UNIX foundation and security features that go above and beyond the norm for PCs.

[darrenbrown]

I use a Mac for everything except the ripping.

PC is networked to the Mac, which is very straight forward. Dump the tiff, jpeg whatever onto the pc for ripping.

The PC never ever ever goes on the internet. Just keep it clean, software and hardware wise, run only known, proven software, and the px should be trouble free.

Plus having a pc in does allow me to open any file given to me, convert it and pass it to the MAC.

[Benno]

I use the same method/setup as darren.
Only a pc for ripping and converting pc files. All other computers are macs.

[Robert Lambie]

Dave i went for the following
with a few custom additions…

System:
http://www.apple.com/uk/macpro/

Monitor:
http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects … leDisplays

I run it soley for video editing using final cut pro, all else i do on my PC’s.. that said, it will be around a month before i began confidently working with the video editing software on the mac.
I find the move over the mac a bit awkward, but i can already see why those working with them find them such a joy… everything seems to have been thought through, everything seems so stable and sleek…
however it is taking time to get used too and at present i dont even have it turned on because i have so much to get on with, with signuk round the corner. 😕
as has been said, software compatibility etc will be an issue, i already found out one of the software’s i have recently purchased for the video is not compatible. 😕 🙄

we run some Dell’s at work. find them really good to work with and great prices, thought their sales team on the phones are a pain in the backside.
they try and sell up all the time… you will struggle to buy what you actually want without sales pressure for more spec.

[Neil Davey]

Same as Darren & Benno.

I run macs, always have, a G4 at the moment and only use a pc for accounting.

My son also has a G3 in his bedroom and we are getting a new mac this week at home instead of a pc.

[Nicola McIntosh]

nice system rob 😀

nik

[David Rowland]

Rob, thats the Apple monitors I got running on my dells at work…. they are fab colour correct monitors 😛

[Robert Lambie]

they are excellent monitors dave, i have the 23 or 24 inch one, whatever it is… is excellent :lol1:
like everything else on the mac its very sleek… picture quality second to none. that said, "unlike the mac" i have a 21 inch viewsonic flat screen that can be added to by another 5 monitors to create a wall of monitors with very slim borders to the screen. it also has very good rez quality and maneuvering its great… slides up and down and the screen spins 360 degrees round or 360 degrees like a car steering wheel… helps me allot when i am working on other comps and need to keep tabs on things on that screen without an upheaval :lol1: both priced about same…

[David Rowland]

well the apple monitors are about £420 for the 20", I dont know what the Viewsonic is but i did study monitors in the class and the apple is almong the top 10 if not the top 5 professional monitors.

[Robert Lambie]

the viewsonic monitor cost me about £800 about 1.5 years ago…
http://www.viewsonic.com/support/deskto … /index.htm

just done a froogle on it and seems to be much the same price today. 😕
http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=viewsonic+vp211b