an unbiased comparison - decent pc vs. mbp

SooTyLaD · 10 Nov 2007 at 10:25

hi guys, i was just wondering if i could have your opinions...

i currenty have a decent spec pc, spec in sig... i was wondering how this would compare to a mbp when it comes to running cs3?

the reason i ask is although the pc should be faster, would the mbp have the edge due to the extensive optimisation that goes on with macs and their dedicated software? or is this just not the case?

would things like the mbp only having a 5400rpm drive vs my pc's 10000rpm rapter start making a real difference?

the other angle is games which is obviously where the pc would shine through, but from what i've read the difference might not be so immense?

WotDa · 10 Nov 2007 at 10:31

I' say that the pc has the edge on games, by a long way. CS3 however will be a little different, and I'd prefer to run it on a MBP over a PC any day.

CocoPops · 10 Nov 2007 at 10:31

The MBP can be had with a 7200rpm drive, but tbh that wouldn't really be that much of an issue.

TheVoice · 10 Nov 2007 at 10:43

would things like the mbp only having a 5400rpm drive vs my pc's 10000rpm rapter start making a real difference?

You'd almost certainly notice the difference there, yes. Similarly for gaming; your 8800 is going to run circles around what the Macs have in terms of graphics options.

I don't use CS3 myself so I can't comment much, but from what I have seen, the PC and Mac versions are functionally identical, and given that your PC is evidently no slouch, I can't imagine it'd be slower than it would be on a MBP.

Energize · 10 Nov 2007 at 12:08

QuiKsiLVeR said:
i currenty have a decent spec pc, spec in sig... i was wondering how this would compare to a mbp when it comes to running cs3?

That pc will run it far better, much faster processor than any mbp.

the reason i ask is although the pc should be faster, would the mbp have the edge due to the extensive optimisation that goes on with macs and their dedicated software? or is this just not the case?

It's optimised as much for macs as it is for windows.

would things like the mbp only having a 5400rpm drive vs my pc's 10000rpm rapter start making a real difference?

Yes. Big difference in loading times due the latency.

the other angle is games which is obviously where the pc would shine through, but from what i've read the difference might not be so immense?

The 8800gts is so far beyond the mbp's 8600mgt it's in another world.

Sic · 10 Nov 2007 at 15:29

Energize said:
That pc will run it far better, much faster processor than any mbp.

It's optimised as much for macs as it is for windows.
Yes. Big difference in loading times due the latency.

The 8800gts is so far beyond the mbp's 8600mgt it's in another world.

pretty much hit the nail on the head there

waso_dude · 10 Nov 2007 at 15:55

Thing with a mac is the interface, using CS3 with a mac is sooo differant.

Ry@n · 10 Nov 2007 at 17:30

waso_dude said:
Thing with a mac is the interface, using CS3 with a mac is sooo differant.

In a good way ? (i hope as i want a macbook)

theheyes · 10 Nov 2007 at 17:50

The PC absolutely blows away the MBP in every way. No matter which way you look at it CS3 is going to run slower. Its not like its going to be unusable however.

WotDa · 10 Nov 2007 at 17:54

Ry@n said:
In a good way ? (i hope as i want a macbook)

I'd say in a good way. I definitely prefer using CS3 on my Mac than at college.

Ry@n · 10 Nov 2007 at 17:57

Cool.
Sorry to post here but kind of on the same subject.

Would you recommend a macbook as a first mac ?
(apart from a mac mini which i cant remember)

WotDa · 10 Nov 2007 at 18:35

I would, yes.

theheyes · 10 Nov 2007 at 18:58

Ry@n said:
Cool.
Sorry to post here but kind of on the same subject.

Would you recommend a macbook as a first mac ?
(apart from a mac mini which i cant remember)

Yes. It is at a good pricepoint. It has a nice screen and a good battery life. Built in bluetooth and webcam. Its upgradable (HD and RAM). And if you really don't like OSX for whatever reason just Bootcamp it and you have a nice Windows laptop.

mdjmcnally · 10 Nov 2007 at 18:59

You are going to struggle to find a laptop Mac or Windows that can compete with a PC as such for gaming.

The criteria for a laptop are mobility, battery life, weight etc

Sure you may find a real high performance Alienware but is it really practical as a laptop for everyday use, or is it a mobile PC that only really works well when plugged into the mains.

SooTyLaD · 10 Nov 2007 at 21:30

the only reason i'm considering a macbook is due to the fact that i cant afford a mac pro, so i'd be looking at imacs... and as far as i can see, they hold very little performance benefit over the macbooks, in fact in benchmarks the imac, macbook and macbook pro all score very similarly (with the macbook only really loosing out noticably for gaming)

so for the same money as an imac, i thought why not have portability too considering i have a nice 22" moniter

please PLEASE tell me if these assumptions are way off the mark...

barnettgs · 10 Nov 2007 at 21:32

Energize said:
The 8800gts is so far beyond the mbp's 8600mgt it's in another world.

Graphic isn't going to make any difference on CS3, its the CPU and ram that will make a difference.

J1234 · 10 Nov 2007 at 21:56

Cs3 runs very quick on my MBP, opens up in around 4 seconds.

Ry@n · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:02

Im decided that a macbook is for me

I like sitting on the sofa with a laptop. I have a desktop and very rarely use it.

Ill hopefully get one around christmas time. I have put some cash away every week and theres nearly enough to buy one. Its surprising how much you can save when you want to.

EDIT. Does anyone know what FSB the macbooks run at ? I have some DDR2-2GB kits here that are 667mhz and would like to use it if its any good.

theheyes · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:07

The new ones are 800mhz, the "old" ones are 667. Macs can be a little fickle with RAM but its worth a shot.

SooTyLaD · 10 Nov 2007 at 22:13

theheyes said:
The new ones are 800mhz, the "old" ones are 667. Macs can be a little fickle with RAM but its worth a shot.

i read that too, but the ones currently for sale on the apple site ship with 667 ram?? yet they ship with the newer graphics chip which was supposed to be part of the same facelift, so its not like the update hasn't happened yet??