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My reasons for moving away from apple
  • http://skiboblog.skibovision.com/?p=15

    I have done the best I can do put together a truthful and factual post. I am constantly finding myself explaining my decision why I don't use apple products and often my explanation end up being helpful for the people who hear it in making hardware decisions.

    If you find anything inaccurate in this post please let me know and I will correct it. Otherwise take it for what it is, opinion. You may disagree with me and if you do I welcome a discussion on the matter

  • 40 Replies sorted by
  • Not sure how much of the Mac Pro languishment can be blamed on Apple as the Intel Sandy-Bridge CPU's have only been released in limited numbers in March. And when available, the lowest price I've found for the processor from a reputable dealer is $2000, which would make a top of the line mac pro around $6500-$7000 in which case people would be bitching about how expensive the Mac Pro's are and how Apple is ripping them off.

  • Then you make different machines at different price points.

    The fact of the matter is the Mac Pro could have upgraded its internal storage capacity, PCI slots, and stock I/O within the last 2 years.

    Ever since davinci resolve was released for Mac people have been trying to find a way to fit the combination of video card/display graphics card/GPU acceleration graphics card/Raid Card/ and in some cases Red Rocket into their system.

  • Let the new apple parody's begin. The oldies but goodies.

  • I stopped reading at the beginning, after this sentence:

    There have been follow up reports such as the one listed here http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-to-update-mac-line-at-wwdc-2012-6 that we might be seeing a mac pro refresh in the near future, but that is speculation at best.

    Actually not seeing a mac pro refresh in the near future is speculation.

    If you can't tell reality from fiction you shouldn't give advices...

  • "As previously reported, the MacBook pro will get an update with a high-res display and thinner body. The MacBook Air will also get a high-res display. It's also possible the Mac Mini or Mac Pro will get an update with faster internals.

    We are currently unsure whether or not the Mac Pro or Mac mini will be the fourth Mac updated at the conference, but both Macs are due for a refresh, especially the Mac Pro. The Mac Pro has not seen an update in a couple of years, and as Apple’s Pro desktop, has not even seen a refresh with Apple’s next-generation Thunderbolt I/O system."

    as you can see here @rikyxxx it is said the macbook pro and air WILL get updates and its POSSIBLE (hence I say speculation) that the mac pro or mac mini will get one.

    if you read the rest of my article you would have seen that I do not necessarily say the mac pro is finished, only that if it turns out to be finished it would fall into a pattern of behavior by apple. I also say that even if they do release a new one the time between updates has been increasing exponentially and who wants a system that you never know when youd get an update

  • @peterosinski

    "As previously reported, the MacBook pro will get an update with a high-res display and thinner body. The MacBook Air will also get a high-res display. It's also possible the Mac Mini or Mac Pro will get an update with faster internals. We are currently unsure whether or not the Mac Pro or Mac mini will be the fourth Mac updated at the conference, but both Macs are due for a refresh, especially the Mac Pro. The Mac Pro has not seen an update in a couple of years, and as Apple’s Pro desktop, has not even seen a refresh with Apple’s next-generation Thunderbolt I/O system."

    Give me real Apple announcements, not such bullshits, and maybe I'll go on reading your article.

  • @subco

    My reason for moving away from Apple: I like flexibility when working (and control)

    You have the right to use PCs and be 100% happy with them, but let me remind you that Macs are not iphones/ipads: you don't find IOS limitations in osX, that is even posix compliant ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/POSIX#Fully_POSIX-compliant ) and has nothing less flexible/controllable than Windows.

  • @rikyxxx I think you are missing the point of the article. There are a lot of people who want new Mac Pros but people are upset because there hasn't been an update in 2 years. As a result of this there are a lot of people (17,000 as of me writing this) who have become part of a facebook page asking for info https://www.facebook.com/MacProsPlease .

    The problem is that Apple doesn't usually release info on updates until they are about to ship, so we could see a new Mac Pro tomorrow or never.

    We have NO information, time doesn't stand still, and people need to make choices for investing in hardware.

    My article points out a history of increasing neglect towards the pro market and a trend of increased time between updates. Technology is moving so fast they should be decreasing time between updates to keep up.

    You say the information I posted is "bullshit" but it is simply the only information out there. Apple is a secretive company so we are forced to make choices based on rumors. If you think it is better to just wait for Apple to announce something officially then that is fine but you might be waiting a long time. If you choose not to read the post then that is up to you

    @subco I don't think they need to release one every 6 months or on any specific schedule really. I do think they need to make updates when new and relevant tech is available. I personally think it is ridiculous that iMacs and Macbook Pros had thunderbolt first, or at least that fw800 is the fastest stock connection on the mac pro. Also people are finding that they need breakout boxes for extra PCI cards. They could have updated the capacity for cards and then hard drives while they were at it. I don't think they should simply be waiting on new processors.

  • I felt this way strongly at the release of CS5. But now, i am likely to buy a new IMac (new ones maybe at WWDC) and try FCPX. I feel more confident now that they will keep working and bringing in new tools. The price is the strong point. I wouldn't wait on Mac Pro though. I'm not sold on the Cloud model with Adobe and i'm not impressed with the Suite updates across the board.

  • Hackintosh > MacPro for me - never going to splurge 4k on a Mac tower again

  • I don't understand all of the arguments regarding OSX = 0 customization. This is just not true. There is loads that you can do with the Terminal, just Google anything you need to change.

    Other than that most people that complain about the state of the Mac Pro are not going to go out and buy the 'new Mac Pro' tomorrow anyway... I suppose that what is really going on is that people are scared of the state of the Pro in Apples future.

    The truth is (without sound too much like a fan boy) that what is "Pro" has become so many things now. Everything is specialist. And at the end of the day, large installations will need "Bespoke" solutions (custom code that links their pieces together). So if you wanted to use FCPX- some guy in the IT department (ok- probably a brogramer but hey...), would make sure that you can export what you need with 'script x'...

    Personally I don't care that much about the state of the Mac Pro, would be better if they came out with something else... like the cube but usable. I think that it could be done. Especially with todays hardware.

    Ymmv

  • Looks like some Apple fanboy is arround here.

    OSX 10.7 is IOS bullshit!

    Apple is takeing all controll options of the user, e.g mouse acceleration: try use a really good mouse like a gameing mouse with 10.7 for professional Photoshop work, you will freak out. And the option to change the acceleration curve was disabled in 10.7.

    Apple doesn't support wide gammut monitors any more. Now try to do colour correct print jobs (on anything else than an Apple display).

    First viruses appear for OSX, but Apple covers that information with bullshit and gives the next security update weeks later.

    Even with 10.6 Mac users have never used that much "hacks" and littel programms to disable OS settings, because there are no options any more to change things.

    What you get with 10.7 is fancy bullshit. Wait till 10.8 is out, most professionals did not update to 10.7 for a reason, but when they have to make that step...shit will hit the fan.

    With 10.8 your computer turns into an app-store frontend. You have to update all programms in the appstore.

    I have used Macs for 15 years now. I loved the very good OS along with quality hardware and a very very long product cycle (the support for older hard and software was just amazing!). Now Apple desided to go the opposit way - the iPhone and iPad way and doesn't give a shit about professionals any more. My MacPro still running 10.6 and will probably be my last Mac (and I am very sad about that, there is/was so much really good about that OS and concept).

  • Looks like some Apple fanboy is arround here.

    Very, very stupid beginning made by someone just looking for "flames" (and the rest of post is not better).

    Apple is takeing all controll options of the user, e.g mouse acceleration: try use a really good mouse like a gameing mouse with 10.7 for professional Photoshop work, you will freak out. And the option to change the acceleration curve was disabled in 10.7.

    Serious about Photoshop? Try a Wacom.

    Apple doesn't support wide gammut monitors any more. Now try to do colour correct print jobs (on anything else than an Apple display).

    False and probably impossible too: can Apple "boycott" a monitor (that just needs a profile to work properly)?

    There used to be some problems with apps that doesn't handle color profiles.

    It's been months since I've last heard about it (maybe the issue has already been solved but I'm not going to check, I've already lost enough time...) however Adobe suite DOES handle color profiles, so print jobs with wide gamut monitors have always been OK with 10.7 (that's my job).

    First viruses appear for OSX, but Apple covers that information with bullshit and gives the next security update weeks later.

    False again and OT.

    With 10.8 your computer turns into an app-store frontend. You have to update all programms in the appstore.

    200% false (again).

    1) the whole thing is about updates NOTIFICATIONS, not updates

    2) http://www.anandtech.com/show/5545/mac-os-x-mountain-lion-developer-preview/4

    "Local notifications using the new API are available to third party apps regardless of their distribution model (they don't need to be in the Mac App Store). Push notifications on the other hand currently require that the application is distributed only through the Mac App Store."

    ...rest of post...

    Nothing serious said.

  • From here, it looks like the Mac Pro WILL be refreshed, in three new models.

    http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/05/after-nearly-two-years-without-an-update-apple-to-finally-revamp-mac-pro-next-week/

    Quote:

    "We speculated that it could be the Mac mini due to the newly available Ivy Bridge processors, but now, reliable sources are reporting that Apple will, in fact, unveil a new Mac Pro at WWDC next week.

    Sources have also been able to provide some part numbers and prices to prove this:

    MD770LL/A – K5BPLUS,BETTER, BTR-USA

    MD771LL/A – K5BPLUS,BEST,BTR-USA

    MD772LL/A – K5BPLUS,ULTIMATE,BTR-US"

  • I moved off the system sometime back (I was using it for Audio with Logic Pro) TBH, I found it kinda inflexible (hardware wise), I like to change vid cards occasionally, sometimes a new CPU...or MB when I feel like it, I hated the fact that you had to wait for the new version to come out, kinda like waiting in line and then being spoon fed a particular machine from Aunty Apple (sorry if that offends anyone...I am just talking about the concept). But it has its advantages definitely (reliability out of the box), but overall I decided to return to PC's ...and I havent regretted it, there is a lot off flexibility there (and largely cheaper, more CPU options etc..) so yeah...each to their own.

  • @soundgh2 Yea, why hasn't anyone else thrown the Hackintosh argument out there?

  • Meh! Use what you like. Who cares really. I've been using both PC and Mac for 20+ years, but now I mostly use Mac. I just feel at home on them and they've literally NEVER let me down. Countless sessions over decades and when i go from studio to studio the Mac's are there and all the same and that is a huge issue when it comes to working in different facilities with your project.

    The used Mac market is strong and you always can get a good price for your older machine. The upgrade community is robust as well, but of course there are limitations, but that's why things tend to be more stable. It's not for everyone but then again, MOST people aren't opening up their computers and doing major surgery. Only the tech geeks among us do that and we tend to think that we're in the majority when we aren't.

    I don't always have to have the latest and greatest "PC envy" and change machines all the time, it's not good for business. If you're talking about personal use then I can see constant change. The thing is others have pointed out the Hackintosh option if you want to stay with the same OS. If not then I guess you move on to PC and live happily ever after. I go between NY, Atlanta and Miami, everywhere I go it's Mac. It's been that way for 20+ years and I haven't seen any change. There's just no sense in not working with the system all your other professional brethren are also using. Again I have PC's too, but when customers come in they go right for the Mac's cuz it's what they know. They bring their drives and other peripherals and off they go.

  • @peterosinski

    Eventually I read your article.

    The first replay you got (by @dirque) is IMO the one making more sense: Sandy-Bridge CPUs just came out in March and upgrading the Pro line just for a couple more PCI slots and a Thunderbolt port it's simply not worth it.

    That's the way I see it.

  • Supposed leak confirms three new Mac Pro models, four new MacBook Airs, two new MacBook Pros, and four new iMacs. No real specifications known, although the leaked specs of the 15" MBP, are drool worthy including Retina Display (2560x1600), 16GB of RAM, 4 USB 3.0 ports, Thunderbolt, ATI Radeon 7770M graphics with 2GB DDR Ram.

    http://9to5mac.com/2012/06/06/new-macs-spec-sheet-leaks-out-into-the-internet-pricing-and-names-included/

    http://modmyi.com/content/7880-leaks-allege-new-mac-pros-retina-display-15-macbook-pro-way.html

  • i would say "i told you so" but i was wrong about one thing

    "a new Mac Pro might be just around the corner. If that’s the case then I am sure they will release an amazing machine"

    looks like they decided to give it a slow death by public opinion starvation rather than a merciful discontinuance

  • One again you can't tell reality from fiction.

    You're just wishing for MacPro's death/discontinuance but there's neither prove nor evidence it will happen anytime soon.

  • @Philldaagony got 6 Mac Pros in studios - not buying any more! After some intensive bashing, the overclocked Hackintosh Im playing with is faster cheaper and well ... cheaper ! Zero crashes etc I could go on, its a box it runs Lion - lovely.

  • @soundgh2

    How long did it take you to realize that self-assembled (and overclocked) PCs are cheaper than "put_a_brad_here" workstations?

    Self-made machines can be a solution for some people and very, very few companies; that's why Apple/HP/Dell/... workstations still sell.

  • Nice to see that due to the new laptops 10.7+ should make for some nice Hackintosh's...