Has anyone switched from PC to Mac to PC? Was is the right decision?
August 2nd, 2016
I’ve been using the MacBook Pro Retina 15″ early 2013 for almost 3 years now – and the performance in After Effects and the like could be better. In the future, I want to dive into 3D applications like Cinema 4D, Maya and the like.
Current system, which I could sell for $1,000:
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP669?locale=en_US
Would it make sense to switch to PC again in terms of performance, stability and more software? What kind of laptop or desktop would I get for up to $2000?
Because my reference point are these MacBook Pro configurations:
2.2GHz Processor
256 GB Storage
2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
16GB 1600MHz memory
256GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Pro Graphics
$1,999.00 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz
16GB 1600MHz memory
512GB PCIe-based flash storage1
Intel Iris Pro Graphics
AMD Radeon R9 M370X with 2GB GDDR5 memory
$2,499.00
http://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro
I have the feelings that these Apple models are totally overpriced – the first one features a cheap internal graphics card, right? – and still don’t have a good performance when it comes to 3D and more. What say you?
not considering nvidia? i suggest you search more about graphic card, as i know nvidia (compared to radeon) is better in this matter, for 3D modelling, rendering and such.
Yeah, but I generally mean not just a graphics card but about: How much for performance do I get for $$$?
Or am I the only one who thinks that there is a significant gap between Apple’s system configurations and the $$$?
If you are comparing like for like you should be looking at dells precision series and the other vendor equivalents.
With a good pc setup, you can also install hackintosh and get two birds with one stone
I forget if it was stated here or in a news article, but more or less stated that say a 2500$ apple comp is equivalent to a 1500$ PC (Not exact) built with wholesale parts. Checking the specs of the comp, you will soon realize apple charge highly for parts which should be half the price. Id suggest building a PC from parts, and windows, so you then have flexibility in the software you can use, as well as a heap better PC spec wise…
For 3d rendering go for the best CPU that your money can buy as rendering is highly dependent on it.
i use both but I prefer the pc and am used to it and I find it easier to use
What configuration could your recommend – not more than $2000?
Thanks again!
Have to state a currency or country.. If not sure you know, could mean a lot more or less depending…
I mean, not more than 2,000 United States dollars.
What do you think about Alienware?
http://www.alienware.com/Landings/desktops.aspx
What do you think about Alienware?
http://www.alienware.com/Landings/desktops.aspx
Alienware are the Apple of Windows, costs way too much.
HAHAHA… Say this site im linking tries to build you a comp for your budget.. It lists two GTX 980 TIs, personally you dont need that and the link even states it up the top.. These are wholesale prices of parts you have to put the PC together yourself mostly.. Myself id get one of the video cards, and spend the left over money on an I7 CPU, a 1-2GB SDD drive instead of 500mbs, and a better looking case.. The comp will probably play games on the highest graphics possible for the next 5-8 years… Or you can go an Apple, that will need upgrading in 2-3 years and be a peasant comp stat wise comparatively.. https://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=2000&oc=false
Also its better to find a wholesaler nearby where you live and use the info as a guide, such as ive stated with changing parts around..
Edit: Noticed you could also disable cross fire (two GPU’s).. This is pretty much an optimal setup for $1627 With DDR4 ram I7CPU and 1GPU (best rated one at the moment.) A beast of a computer, only thing id change again, is better looking case, and a larger SSD drive.. Doing those two things you will still come under 2k us, and have me wishing for a comp like that …
https://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=2500&oc=false&options=singlecard
Thanks a lot, !
This setup sounds very good. One of main interests would be 3D applications like Cinema 4D, Autodesk Maya and RealFlow. A good gaming PC is automatically a good 3D software PC I guess?
https://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=2500&oc=false&options=singlecard
SSD drives are cheaper these days, so I also guess that a 1 TB SSD makes perfect sense. You could get one for around $250 these days. I was curious just checked once again the Apple prices for the top iMac, you have to pay $700 more when you want to configure the iMac to a 1 TB SSD for example. These are the best components and you could get like 2 PCs from the link:
4.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
32GB 1867MHz DDR3 SDRAM - four 8GB
1TB Flash Storage
AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4GB video memory
Magic Mouse 2
Magic Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide
Accessory Kit
$4,099.00. Crazy price. And I guess it’s a also a bit slower than this one for half the price?
https://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=2500&oc=false&options=singlecard
Im too biased to know to be honest, but id say unless you really need some Apple software that Microsoft cant provide, something like ive mentioned will be much better value and powerful all and all… That comp there with the extras I mentioned is a beast… Even with 4k resolution it wouldnt be a problem, I wouldnt think, but worst case scenario in 3-5 years you might have to add another one off the video cards (dual), or upgrade the card to do that resolution with top game specs… If in the next 5 years you cant see yourself with a 4k monitor/tv screen you cant go wrong… (even if you can, apple comp would have no chance…)
In regards to the 3D software, as long as you used that app on the SDD drive it would be great.. For that reason get a bigger SSD then stated…
Thanks again!
As I said, I would sell my MacBook Pro Retina 15″ early 2013 and would still get around $1,000 for it. I never take my laptop with me anyway and a desktop makes more sense and I don’t want to spend like $3,000 on an iMac and feel ripped-off if you know what I mean.
So this is a very good price for a PC configuration. https://choosemypc.net/build/?budget=2500&oc=false&options=singlecard
I built a hackintosh for $900 and it would have cost $6000 from apple