SWITCHOFF: Freelancing…Mac or PC?

And wheres the argument of Linux? I’m an ubuntu user and of the opinion that ubuntu kicks the ass of Mac and Windows royally.

I would have to say the system that is the current best choice for freelancers is an Intel Mac and I stress the Intel part of it. I’ve always love Macs but used Windows for a good many years before we decided to jump into the Mac world full speed. A good part of my work is web development and web design and until the powers that be settle on a standard I have to use both OSX and Windows to check my work. They are some applications and files I receive from clients that are Windows only like Publisher and Access files, etc.

I personally use OSX about 90% of the time. I just love the environment. It’s easier for me to get my work done with out technology getting in the way.

I would have never seriously considered a Mac if they had not gone to OSX from OS 9. I like OSX because of the Unix like underpinnings which allows me to do all kind of things that I otherwise would have needed Linux to do.

I wish OSX was not exclusive to Apple hardware but on the flip side I do like Apple hardware and have had less problems with Apple hardware than any Windows box I have owned. Apple stuff may cost a bit more up front but in the long run I think you are actually ahead depending on what you do both in terms of time and money.

I also do a lot of work in Adobe applications. If Adobe ever ported over to Linux and Linux became more like OSX then we might have a game changer. At least for me.

Everyone forgets Linux from the equation…

I’ve been using windows my whole life until a couple of months ago when I switched to Mac.
That was the end of my Windows life. Sayonara!

It should be noted that a PC covers a much broader spectrum than just Windows. This debate is becoming even more fuzzy due to the fact that one can now run different operating systems on a Mac as well.
A more appropriate title for this debate would therefore have been “Mac OS or Windows.” However, most of the arguments provided in this discussion would also be valid for a debate about “Windows XP or Windows Vista.” New games for the Windows platform, for example, often only work on Vista. Some software that used to work on XP doesn’t work on Vista anymore, and so on. I bet the same goes for different versions of the Mac OS.
From a freelance point of view, I think it is more relevant to know what effect a certain operating system has on your productivity. For example, on Windows you might be spending more time on protecting your PC from harm, while on a Mac you can start your work right away. On the other hand, there might be more professional software that you need for your work available for Windows, while on a Mac you will have to resort to less professional software.
And then we haven’t even taken all varieties of Linux into account.

@Tam and @Jake

As a tech guru, I’m all about Linux as well. I’m curious for your opinion, but I still think Linux (even something like Ubuntu) isn’t yet easy enough to use that I’d say it’s a mainstream OS. I know, it’s on Dells now, but there’s still a pretty steep barrier to entry. I don’t want to start an OS war on the comments section, but just FYI–Jack and I chose Mac and PC because, for the vast majority of freelancers, those are the two platform options for them.

i am a mac since years… know pc’s well… but on my mac, the problem that persist even today is finding a really good invoicing/money software for my company, something like QuickBooks for mac for canada. And I like the way Outlook is on pc, having the email, contacts and calendar tabs all in one software opened. (But of course, other than that i prefer mac way)

ok here’s how i describe my relationship with these 2 OS. have tried both and have both.
i consider windows as my brother and mac as my best friend.

Computers have been in my home all my life. It started with the Commodore 64 and then we had PC boxes running Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 to 98 then I went to college with a machine running Windows ME. That was a nightmare that required me to reboot my computer at least once every 5 minutes (and that is NOT a joke.) Luckily XP was just around the corner. So that increased my use-time between reboots dramatically to at least a whole day between reboots (I was amazed) Needless to say when I began taking graphic design classes the labs were full of Macs. While initially awkward and in my opinion inferior with OS9, that soon changed when I got my hands on OSX. Then I immediately sold my PC and went out and got myself a shiny iMac G4. And so, since 2002 I have been a Mac guy.

I view computers much like seats on an airplane. Windows PC are like coach. Cheap (both cost-wise, and quality wise) and are the majority of seats on the plane. Macs are like First class, there are less seats, and they cost more, but the quality is superb and everyone else is jealous.

I use Linux every day. Blender, Inkscape, Python, KDE, Kate, gcc, Jack, Ardour, Rosegarden, QSynth, ZynAddSubFX, …… everything installed via apt, of course. Apt (or adept or synaptic) IS the reason I won’t change OS anytime soon. If anything, mac.

I also use propietary software sporadically, mostly via Wine or Qemu.

I use Kubuntu 7.10 (the final version will be out on 18 October)

There really is no barrier for the Mac user today. Any argument that claims an advantage for the Windows platform just doesn’t apply anymore, especially with the Intel processor and applications like BootCamp, Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion. And even without running Windows on OS X, the Mac can run business software, open and process Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents, and basically do anything a Windows-based machine can do.

I’ve installed Windows on my Mac using Fusion, but I’ve only ever found it useful for testing web pages in Explorer and running QuickTax because Intuit suddenly stopped developing for the Mac. Otherwise, I can’t find anything practical to do with it that isn’t just easier to do in OS X.

@Bas: As much as you want to present a balanced view between platforms, I’m not sure what you mean by ‘more professional’ software on Windows and having to ‘resort to less professional software’ on the Mac. There is no shortage of professional-level software for OS X. Dare I say it’s probably the opposite.

@Rene: You can try iBank and iBiz from IGG Software for the Mac. I use iBiz for my freelance business and it’s quite good. As well, Microsoft Entourage as a part of Office for the Mac has email, contacts, calendars, tasks, notes and projects all in one program which can be interlinked just like Outlook (maybe even a better implementation), so there you go. Problem solved.

So, I’d really like to hear from someone an argument for a clear advantage that Windows has over OS X in terms of what you can do in one that you can’t in the other.

I am not sure about Linux, since I have no experience with it. I was a long time Windows user too until I switched to Mac and OS X, and never turning back.

Workflow is faster and more fluid with Exposé, I can see all my windows and click on the one I want. Spaces in the upcoming Leopard OS X 10.5 looks very promising too, allowing you too divide your desktop into 4 different virtual workspaces. In Windows, having to click through all the window tabs at the bottom of the screen gets very tedious.

If you are a designer, the OS X interface and icons gives you enough eye candy to spur you on your next artistic endeavour, added to the fact they work well. Windows just looks tacky. However, Windows does get more support in terms of drivers and updates, meaning I cannot use some cool and useful peripherals on my Mac. I guess I just learn to live without them.

Windows seems to have a richer looking colour pallette than OS X, and the mouse feels more ‘draggy’ on OS X, but things on OS X feel more ‘smoothened’… I don’t know how to explain it, but in comparison, Windows looks harsher on the eyes.

I would not push someone to just use a Mac (yeah right), but would love it if they end up using one. I guess it’s just down to preference. I miss A-list games on OS X though.

In closing, this argument makes me think of another topic that might relate to freelance musicians: Analogue or Digital. This topic seems to bring up as much heat as PC vs. Mac. Hmm… another thought: Pen or Pencil. Ok, I think that’s enough Have a good one!

@Gary: Basically, true unix underpinnings. As a rails developer/designer, I have my local deployment that is almost exactly like the FreeBSD server to which it will deploy.

Not a benefit or detraction, but the free/shareware market on mac seems to be 1.) less filled with crap and 2.) more streamlined than it’s windows counterpart.

At the end of the day tho, it’s a tool. If you can’t get anything done with it, it’s not worth using.

Regarding viruses for OS X:

Can someone provide me a single example of an in-the-wild, active, spreading virus for OS X? I really can’t think of a single example. There were some proof-of-concept programs written in the past year or two by researchers, but nothing that’s actually running amok. Spyware is a bit more prevalent – I seem to recall an OS X version of the infamous Sony “rootkit” – but still, nothing *near* the levels present in Windows (for various reasons of course – limited userbase, Unix-based OS with privilege separation, etc).

In the end, the best computer is the one you’re most comfortable with and that runs the programs you need.

On that note, here’s my philosophy: Why should I drop $1700+ on a Mac + $80 for parallels + $240-$400 on Windows when I could just spend $1000 on a PC that includes windows and does everything I need? CS3 runs beautifully on a PC and I’ll never miss GarageBand. (My 2¢.)

P.S. In case you’re tempted by Mac’s multiple workspaces, check out Virtual Desktop Manager from Microsoft that lets you set up multiple desktops (I think up to six) on your PC.

Woohoo! This is gonna be great. My bet is on Windows. Go Windows!

Great comments, all!

@Ryan

Jack and I have already talked about a lot of this stuff, and we’re going to spend a lot of time on price points. He’s convinced Windows has the upper hand, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Bottom line, I think the price difference is a bit overhyped, but Jack and I will talk more about that in the soon-to-come part 2. Sequels are always exciting!

As a freelancer, I am happily using an intel mac for my needs these days. Been a PC girl all my life. Am thrilled to bits to have a Mac that I can run parallels on, which allows me to run the PC side for things like PowerPoint, which works better on the PC than it does on the Mac.

Best of both worlds.

You bet, Ryan! I have just bought Dell Precision M6300 for web development. Much cheaper than MBP and less hastle with running two OS on one machine. Why need 2 OS when 1 does the job?
And the most important – with 4 YEAR Accidental Damage warranty I have a reliability that I need.

@Mona Carol-Kaufman

Try Keynote–you’ll never use PowerPoint again (unless a client forces you to). I’m a presentation software snob, and I find Keynote to be the best of the apps I’ve worked with. iWork ’08 is worth every dollar. Keynote + Pages (which is finally useful, now with better word processing support) + Numbers (which is a really competent entry-level spreadsheet program).

I just switched from PC to mac. I am a coder, a good typist, and a HUGE fan of free little apps to solve my problems. I was an evangelist for using Windows as a developer. I mocked mac programmers.

My main concern was that I wouldn’t be able to find free apps to do everything I wanted.

I have been blown out of the water.

Not only are there are as many free apps for the mac, they ALL ACTUALLY WORK! They are more elegant, good looking, and don’t require configuration (but allow configuration).

Quicksilver is a dream come true.

And TextMate is without peer. I was a longtime user of Scite and Notepad++, and they don’t even compare. I was able to customize TextMate to have all my favorite key commands from Scintilla, and then it’s other features are amazing. Granted, TextMate costs money, but it was the only program that did.

I’ll use any system that does the job with the least amount of frustration and failure, and the greatest compatibility. Currently I use a Mac (my printers use mac, my clients use mac, when I freelance onsite — they use mac). While files typically transfer over with little trouble, fonts do not.

The one thing that gets me about Mac is the price. But for the extra bit on the price tag, if I can work without hassling too much, I’d gladly pay it.

I’ve done it all. Started off with a green monochrome IBM in the pre gui OS days – tried OS2, Windows, Unix, and onwards.

The clear winner OSX on an intel with parallels 3 running and a good copy of xp.

Wrote a post on my move from PC to Mac a few months ago comparing it and detailing how it went.

@Mike K. – you stole my comment! Every time you see this argument, someone concedes that viruses exist for the mac. Where are they? That is a serious question. I’ve looked up and down searched everywhere (hahaha searching for a virus!) and have yet to find a concrete example of this.

Until I see a link with definitive evidence, I will continue to say that no viruses exist for the Mac. I’ve looked. Nothing found to date.

Good discussion otherwise, but ironically the pro windows arguments made me so happy to be on a mac

I’m a Flash animator, and I have a Mac here at work, but I rarely use it. Flash works a lot slower on the Mac.
Sometimes just activating the Dashboard will crash it.
My PC has been going strong for about 8 years now.

The windows argument seems to be very office based. The whole reason I have a mac in the first place. I use so many applications that are not even on windows.

I want a computer that looks great, feels great, and has a great interface that I can use everyday and enjoy. The bonus is that there are a lot of design and creative tools exclusive to OS X and they work great.

I guess that windows will always have it’s place but to say that Macs are not for freelances is naive and at best stupid.

I’m really annoyed that FLS would add more fuel to the ridiculous and mythical fire that is the mac/pc debate. This is an incredibly pointless and wanky discussion that serves no useful purpose for anyone except to give each side a venue for stroking their own egos and pounding their chests like a bunch of idiotic gorillas.

The fact is, today choice of computer platform is almost totally irrelevant. Use what you prefer. All the more popular software that is widely used is available for both platforms, and conversion issues are pretty much a thing of the past. Viruses and spyware are almost a non-issue these days, and unless you are a complete fool, you likely won’t ever be affected by one. Price simply comes down to what you are willing to pay for the platform you want. The only really strong point that exists in the debate is the relative ease with which people can DIY repair pcs, vs having to send macs out for fixes, but even that isn’t a big deal when you consider most computers – mac or pc – are pretty damn reliable these days.

This “us vs them” mentality that people try to breed in the industry pisses me off to no end. It’s false, it’s distasteful, it’s insulting and most of all, it’s a complete waste of time. If you hang your hat on your tools and not your work, you have bigger issues than which platform you are using.

I was a windows user, then I switched to linux. I used Macs a couple of times, OS 9 and OS X. Now I’m using Ubuntu Feisty with Compiz-Fusion and a slick theme, and sitting in front of a Mac doesn’t impress me too much. Sitting in front of a Windows machine doesn’t impress me at all
I find linux to be easy to install, mantain and use, and its current state as an operating system isn’t behind Mac or Windows at all. In my opinion, the only problem comes with proprietary applications.
I use Gimp 2.4, Inkscape 0.46 devel, Scribus 1.3.4 and Blender for the majority of my design taks in Ubuntu (when I don’t need CMYK Gimp and inkscape are fully capable for my needs).
So I use free software mostly, but many people prefer to tie to proprietary pro apps for their freelance design work. It can’t be denied, it’s a real need.
There are already some solutions (Virtualbox or VMWare for linux do the same that parallels for Mac, and you can get most of the Adobe software running on it if you need it), so the gap is getting narrow every day.
Anyway, you can’t blame an OS for not having commercial software titles available for it. You should blame Adobe and the main software makers and Hardware vendors that don’t have a wider platform support.
Imho, the only advantage of windows is only the amount of software and hardware manufacturers developing products for windows exclusively. But it doesn’t make it necesarily a better operating system.

I use VMWare Fusion on my intel Mac to test sites in IE6. If it weren’t for the need to see how IE breaks CSS (inevitable), I wouldn’t even bother with Windoze at all.

Haha, nice article guys. I actually just bought a MB Pro so I’m definately rooting for the Mac. Good read, Thanks.

John: I would love to start using Keynote – but can it be easily translated back to PowerPoint if a client ultimately wants to use that as their medium for presentation?

@Mona

It can be–you can save (as well as open) PowerPoint presentations. It’s definitely not perfect (I’m still buying Office 2008 in January to ensure maximum compatibility), but I think it’s good enough. It’s also perfect for your own presentations. There’s a 30-day trial if you want to test out the compatibility options, as well as the other programs in the iWork suite: http://www.apple.com/iwork/trial/.

Haha…hilarious. Great post guys – although the Windows guy is so full of shit that his eyes are greenish-black.

Sorry for playing the Linux card, but I’d love to see an article on using Linux/open source software for freelance work. I recently switched to Ubuntu as my primary OS, and I’ll admit that it’s been an absolute chore to get a good workflow going. I’m comfortable with Photoshop and didn’t want to take the time to learn GIMP, so I’ve been having to deal with Photoshop in Wine, which has been far less than ideal.

The coding side has faired much better, however. Linux offers many solid text-editors, including Bluefish, Eclipse, and Gedit. In fact, the standard text editor in Ubuntu (Gedit) does syntax highlighting and tabs. Coming from Windows, this was pretty cool.

Good article overall, although its descent into petty bickering was a tad boring and cliche. More debates like this on more non-commonplace issues would be good.

Mave’s comment pretty much nailed it. There aren’t any really compelling reasons for a competent user of either platform to switch platforms (or for that matter, to limit themselves to a single platform in the first place). Both have significant strengths, and both suffer from minor shortcomings.

I love FSw, but this looks more like Digg bait than it does like a serious contribution to the discussion of freelancing.

In general it seems to me that designers and animators favor Macs, programmers and coders favor Linux or Windows, and writers maybe swing both ways (oh those naughty writers!) I personally favor PCs for their keyboard shortcuts and right-click functionality, both of which are very powerful and contribute to a physically healthy work environment.

Cross-platform issues are sometimes buried, but they still pop up as annoying surprises. For instance, one problem with designing websites on a Mac is that the colors tend to look brighter and better than they do on a PC — which means that a beautiful website designed on a Mac will not look the same on the majority of other computers out there. Sharing PowerPoint presentations across platforms is also problematic. I would love it if someday everyone moved to an open-source world (Linux, OpenOffice, etc.) but hey, this is the real world.

**** Mod – please delete previous comment and replace with this one ****

One clear point I always come across in Windows vs. Mac arguments is that the Windows user has absolutely no experience with using a Mac, whereas the Mac user usually has a very good working knowledge of Windows.

There’s one very simple explanation for that, and no, it’s not because Windows is so widely used, it’s because almost every person who has actually tried OS X for a reasonable amount of time, has switched over, and those that haven’t, secretly wish that they could.

I used Windows blindly for 10 years until I switched 3 months ago. I’m amazed I coped for so long. During these 3 months, I have had at least 10 phonecalls from various family members and friends to “fix their Windows” meanwhile my OS X has suffered nothing, and is as zippy as the day I bought it. If Mac do get viruses – I’m yet to meet, or even hear of anyone who has got one of them. And I’m fairly confident that the solution for removing said virus is a little less drastic than reformatting the Windows volume, and almost certainly wouldn’t require the purchase of third party software just to ‘protect it’.

Linux is great for developers and network techs, but I’m a designer and absolutely nothing beats OS X.

And Office 2007? Who cares? The company I work for (all Windows-based) still use Office 2000 (are there actually any new features worth upgrading for?) so incompatibility with Office 2000 seems a bit of a moot point to me. Google Docs and its brothers and sisters will put an end to that vile series of bulky, bloated applications anyway.

Fine, compatibility with some select applications is better on Windows…

That ought to have read, “Fine, compatibility with some select Windows applications is better on Windows…

Want to use Office 2007?

No.

I’ll stick to Debian/GNU Linux. It does everything I need it to do. It’s stable, secure, and free open source.

“But… It’s not preinstalled, and I have to learn new ways to do things.”

Translation, “Waaaaaaah. I want Bill Gates to do it for me. I like having a computer that I actually only lease instead of own.” Have fun with that.

It is fun to read you guys from the nice, cozy, secure and friendly linux machine. And if I ever need any of you, I’ll run you in the VMware window :p

Keep fighting…..

I use a PC because I have to, I use my MAC because I want to!

Definitely MAC is the future: innovation, great design, excellent protection and more. I used Windows for more than 8 years and fall in love with the MAC – and I don’t see so many people having a passion for PCs like the MAC users do for their MAC. I wonder why is that?

I would advice every PC user to at least try a MAC. They can decide after that – as all MAC users tried PCs before, we know better!

That was pretty ridiculous, I mean, the Windows guy just pretty much stuck his fingers in his ears and went blah blah blah any time the Mac guy tried to say anything, and then when the Mac guy had a coherent point that gave him a point towards his OS, the Windows guy called him childish. This has been the most one sided debate I’ve seen since I last tried to justify why I used a Macintosh in college. Hey Jack Knight – take a minute to listen to the guy.

I run Mac OS because I am a Video Editor – the last time I attempted any kind of AV work on Windows I had so much difficulty finding decent apps that could reproduce the quality and pricing of Apple’s Final Cut Studio. It was pretty much a no-brainer for me. But I can see how for others Windows is a more suitable platform, they both have their GIU strengths and weaknesses, and their general platform strengths and weaknesses.

*yawn* this debate is so old. A TRUE designer has no preference and is competent in BOTH platforms. The fighting is pointless and should be left in “Romper Room.”

Ha! Good ol’ debate.

I use Mac everyday, i use Windows if i have to test some web design on the crappy IE. Or playing local online games on my iMac.

K-mon, bring something new to the debate of Mac v.s Windows!
The current matters are olds. Bring up something new guys.

Oh yeah, i use Linux too (weel it’s Ubuntu) on my iMac. Linux always win over the server side

I’m a windows web designer and have been for years. We seem to be few and far between. Soon I will be joining the other side though. When I was at the Future of Web Design conference last year in London we were asked, by a show of hands, who uses Mac and who uses Windows. Of the odd 1000 people there I think about 10 of us put our hands up when Windows was mentioned. At that point I realized its not just a pretty face, it’s a much better friend for a web designer. It can handle design apps much better than Windows can.

I use both. Most of my application development software is on Windows … so I still use Windows mostly for app. development and accounting. I’m a long time Windows user so I have invested tons in Windows software.

After some kicking and screaming (on my end) my spouse convinced me to buy a Mac … to simply try it for personal use (i.e. “fun stuff”). However, I now use the Mac for most of my web design work.

I prefer and actually enjoy using the Mac OS. For some reason I feel more “inspired” working on a Mac.

PC all the way!!
Mac does not even come close with the price, combability etc all counting against it

Hmm, too bad that the three majour companys could work together on a ultimate operating system were all from the same world! its pathetic, im a windows + linux user, seeing that i cant afford anything apple, and it apple seems too simple, i have used it only at collage for recording, and works great, but just lacked.. stuff.. i dont know how to phrase that lol.
Yea apple and Microsoft should work together, to create an amazing user interface and programmes, with a unix backbone, so that the linux users can create and edit the system. that would be cool =]

Funny article, but I would have liked to get more detailed information I couldn’t get in a normal conversation – because everyone experiences this conservation now-a-days. Like the following:

- am I able to run a software comparable to Visual Studio on the Mac?
- what platforms am I able to install on a PC?
- how can I get companies to convert apps to the Mac OS?

Speaking of which, the most odd thing occurred to me the other week. I found out that a new game for a Mac was only available on the Intel Mac – if you had an Intel Mac you could run Windows, so why would they develop the game only for it?! Very odd.

While Mac and PC fight and argue Linux silently gets all the real work done….

“What PC? You need a TCP/IP stack? My friend BSD has a good one you can have for free.”

“Poor Mac, Safai 0.1 is pretty bad huh? Why don’t you use the KHTML engine I have from the KDE project. Heck you can even brand it WebKit if you want more publicity.”

Has anyone ever considered this: If you use a wizzard on windows XP (whichever wizard, and there are a lot of them) it asks you questions that no home user would understand or at least has to read twice to understand.

Then the computer starts to think and all kinds of activity goes on on the hard drive, it ask for an instalation CD en wants to reboot for changes to take effect.

As you can tell I am an Mac user who finds these things utterly incomprehensible.

The clear, clean and very logical interface on a Mac is sellingpoint number 1.

I’m a Windows-based graphic designer. Yes, they exist. I’ve used OSX for a few years while studying, and no, I’m not even slightly tempted to switch to Mac. Macs, I’ve found, are for people who are reasonably ignorant about computing – arty people and females usually – attracted by the pretty colours and smooth design.

Who needs GarageBand when it’s in the “Windows Movie Maker” realms of simplicity, when we already have our pick of far more powerful music apps? Oh yeah, I forgot, it has smooth gradients so it must be the best.

If you install a virus scanner (avast?), and a firewall there’s no real reason you should ever get a virus on Windows XP. The worst spyware you’ll get will be cookies, which are pretty benign, and most forms where you type important information are encrypted anyway, such as Amazon etc. Macs get cookies too.

I just don’t see where you guys are getting the viruses on mac thing from. There are no viruses (known, uncontained) for the mac (yet). So I NEVER worry about google’s warning that there might be harmful software on the other end…

Btw, for hand coding web designers, nothing on the Windows end, and I mean NOTHING, beats Coda from Panic software. The interface is so smooth, it gives a whole new feel to hand coding. Mac wins hands down!

I use Ubuntu, and design with Inkscape and Gimp, both great tools.
This post reminded me a Katty Sierra one, has pretty funny images, here’s the link.
http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2005/11/passion_is_blin.html
The whole Creating Passionate Users Blog is a great reference.