Expert: Karl Zick - 9/7/2007

Question
I have been shopping for a new notebook for the past couple of days. I have always wanted a Mac, but have always used a PC. I'm very familiar with computers and I'm not worried about learning a new system, I'm just wondering if the cost and time to switch are worth it.
I am currently a self employed photographer, but beginning to move into the writing field and maybe merging the two together. I have three computers, with my kids using two of them (including my current laptop)and one strictly for business. I'd like a new laptop that is completely my own and that I can use to integrate the old career with the new one. I want it to be able to access the web for research and also work with graphics and text. Will Mac serve that purpose, or should I go with a more economical PC?
Thank you!!

Answer
Hi Diana,

Afraid I can't help you much in the MAC area.  All I do know is that my son-in-law is a graphic designer and my nephew is a professional artist and they both swear by them.  As far as internet browsing, I'm sure the MAC does just as good a job as the PC.  Also, if you use MS Office programs you can get a MAC version of them.

One thing to consider while shopping is the fact that all new PC's come with Vista loaded on them (instead of XP) and most people I've talked to hate it - including me.  Stated simply, it is very clumsy to navigate through and if you use any non-Microsoft programs they probably won't work on Vista.

My last bit of advice in the PC area is DO NOT buy a Compaq, HP, or eMachine brand, and whatever brand you settle on, DO NOT get one with an Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processor in it.  Look for one that has a 64 bit dual-core processor and at least 2GB of RAM (for your photography, video and/or slideshow editing).

For brands, I like Gateways and ACERs - and there is always Dell.