Our love story began, like many, amidst the tumultuous, coming-of-age years of high school. Me, a wide eyed, optimistic 16 year old kid with a lanky, awkward build. I stayed out of trouble… choosing books over beers, and enjoying the simplicity of a life-before-adulthood. She was different. The new girl on the scene. A wide-bottomed goddess, pear-shaped to perfection, milky-white and miraculous. The talk of the town, if there ever was one. Her name? iMac G4.
There started my relationship with Apple products. Back then the majority of my time was spent listening to illegally downloaded MP3s, and making websites that showcased my angsty, school-aged poetry. However, like a lot of people I would imagine, I was hooked on Apple products. The beautiful and inspired designs surpassed only by the effortless functionality. Installing a new printer? That’s a simple as plugging it in. There was no messing around with drivers…. Things just worked.
It’s that functionality that brought Apple with me through the next decade as I carved out my niche as a photographer, eventually leaving my corporate life to go full time in this business.
Apple products aren’t just an integral part of my workflow, they are weaved directly into the life of my family and my friends. My wife and I currently own three iPads, two iPhones, two 2015 Mac Book Pro laptops, and a 2013 iMac that serves as a psuedo-backup server in our basement. I’ve documented thousands of photos (and hundreds of hours of video) of my family and personal life using the ever-more-functional camera on my iPhones through the years. My iPhoto serves as an album from the entirety of the second half of my life. I’ve documented every moment from hanging out with my friends in college, to holding my son in the hospital just moments after he was born. Which is why it pains me to admit - my eyes have started to wander. For the first time in over a decade, I am on the hunt for something better.
Beating a Dead Horse
PC versus Mac. It’s been done, many times. I don’t want to rehash that, but I think it’s important to talk about it. I realized that I hadn’t evaluated the PC market in over 10 years. The last time I had a Windows-based machine I was still using a CRT monitor to edit my 640x480 digital photos in Adobe Photoshop 7.1 Academic (that I downloaded from a friend of mine). It’s not really fair of me to base my opinion on non-Apple products off of when I last used them. Sure, in my cubicle life I had a Dell machine at my desk, but with XP installed as the OS and most of my work done in Outlook and Excel, it wasn’t really fair to pull from that experience either.
This is Not a Review
The thing about this article, is that I’m not actually reviewing anything. If you want to look over the technical specs of different computers, laptops, and tablets you can do so very easily online. There are a lot of people out there who are much more qualified to be reviewing electronics than I am (many of them write for Fstoppers). I’m coming at this from a slightly different perspective. I’m trying to hash out why myself, and so many others, are so brand-loyal to a company like Apple.
Like I wrote above, I think most people came on board years ago. Back then, Apple products were the gold standard. It’s what all the biggest filmmakers, photographers, and graphic designers were using. Having an Apple computer on your desk meant that you were operating at the highest level. You were one of the big boys, and you weren’t messing around. Apple knew this, too. They released product-after-product, and update-after-update that spoke directly to the professionals using their products.
This was pre-iPhone. Before the time when the battle for dominance in the mobile world had even started. The idea of a "smartphone" was a Blackberry that could get sports scores and email updates using data that was paid for by the minute. Apple, like many tech companies, was still in the business of making computers. Yes, they sold iPods, but they were still accessories to their core line of computers. Often times, they were bundled in with iMacs as an enticer to leave your PC and move to Apple. Things were just… different.
So, What Happened?
Well, a lot of things happened. On February 25, 2007 Apple released its first-ever commercial for this thing called the “iPhone.” The new smartphone hit the shelves a few months later. That was in 2007. The statistics on smartphone usage are widely available, and absolutely astonishing.
In 2010 about 62 million people in the United States had a smartphone. That number is estimated to hit about 223 million by the end of this year. This is why companies like Apple are innovating more in the mobile market than ever before.
It’s Not You, It’s Me
Even with all of that said, I realized something. It’s not Apple that’s the problem. Apple has been serving me well for years. I built my business with them. I make my living using their products. I’m typing this on an Apple product right now! See?
The problem is me. I have expectations of Apple that are based on a world that hasn’t existed in 10 years. Why should Apple care as much about the professionals using their products as they used to? Yes, we were there early, but the world is different now. There aren’t 263 million professional photographers buying a new computer every 18 months.
We live in a mobile-driven world. Just look at the usage stats from my website:
Almost 60% of the people who viewed my website last week did so on their phone. Be honest, when was the last time you even left your house (on purpose) without your phone? It’s more likely that I would forget to wear clothes, before I forgot my phone. It’s a physical part of me now (That’s kind of sad).
This Is Still Not a Review
I started this article by jokingly saying I was looking for a mistress. Maybe instead of blaming Apple for its lack of products that I desire, or it’s lack of functionality that comes with eliminating every usable port on their laptops, I need to look at myself. I’ve been loyal to Apple for a long time… probably too long.
I think it’s time I give a real look at Apple’s competitors. Is there a company or product out there I don't know about? If you're not editing on an Apple, what are you using? It’s been 15 years of fun with this polished aluminum line of products, but it’s time to move on. I love you Apple, but it’s clear we’ve grown apart. Let’s stay friends? We need to, for the kids.
Wanted the new MacBook Pro for so long, just ordered full spec Dell XPS 15, sorry Apple, maybe a gen or two down the road I will be back. p.s, will keep my old MBP13 for the love of the thing.
Tbh just use what works for you. Personally I do the main part of my editing on a custom built rig. However planning to upgrade it quite soon to something like:
i7
GTX 1070
32Gb RAM
500GB M.2 SSD
But really I'd love a Macbook to use when traveling. Or an new Dell XPS 13
16 year old me won't apologize, I've got punk rock CDs to listen to.
@Brigham No, piracy is just an excuse Adobe used to go subscription only.
I love seeing Mac zealots get bent out of shape from articles like this. They read 'em just so they can't get pissed and rant. Clockwork.
Why does that amuse you? Nothing wrong with valid criticism of products from any company.
Not talking about criticism, I'm talking about knee-jerk defense.
What knee jerk criticism?
I didn't say criticism.
Meant to write knee-jerk defense. So what knee jerk defense are you referring to?
In my long experience with Mac users most are not "zealots." Most are actually well educated and objective individuals that were able to see the value they were getting in a Mac over a Windows PC.
It's always amused me how Apple could include selective amnesia and religious zeal with most sales they made. Otherwise thinking people who said "I've never had a problem with my Mac" less than 5 minutes after having an hour long frustration fixed. The "it just works" mantra repeated after the Apple device came back from the authorised repair shop, having been out of action for days or weeks. "Apple doesn't have viruses" after we discover Apple just patched a known security vulnerability, months after it appeared.
Apple seem to be making decent products like they always have, but somehow they appear to be gradually losing the ability to ship the selective amnesia and religious fervour with their products now.
"Apple seem to be making decent products like they always have,"
Seem?
That is simply not true. I gave numerous examples of why that is no longer the case elsewhere in the comments, and it certainly was not a comprehensive list.
Well, I didn't say that Apple products "seem to Peter Brody" to be decent, did I? It may come as a surprise to you, but my world does not revolve around you or your opinions! You may find I'm not the only one...
Your response is not a logical response to what I wrote.
My questioning your "seem" comment is something I often do when someone uses that word. The reasonable thing to do is to be sure of what your position is before throwing out an opinion that either condemns or praises.
And again, if you are interested, I listed numerous *factual* examples of Apple not being what it used to be.
It's ok, I'm not. Maybe you could submit all your Very Important Facts to Fstoppers as an article, and I'll make some more popcorn as I sit down to read the comments under that one, too?
You're not interested in facts but you'd stick around to read the comments regarding them?? That makes no sense.
Having read a few of your comments now, I find myself unsurprised you couldn't make sense of it. Good luck on writing that article!
No one can make sense out of nonsense.
What difference would it make to you if the article would be well written or not? After all, you said you are not interested in what I have to say on the subject.
Nice article! Apple lost his spirit with Steve Jobs. They are doing a good job as company, but they lost their unique spirit of innovation. The "Apple Lifestyle" was the reason for their success, this lifstyle is slowly dying. The time of blind trust and love for Apple is over.
Hey guys can you just stop talking about PC VS MAC. MAC are PC for a while.
And please stop thinking PC = WINDOWS.
Great article indeed. I've had the same feelings for quite a while now. Apple does not need the professional creatives anymore, they don't care – being the biggest company in the world, why should they? Want some proof? Still no iMac with a matte screen that can be calibrated, the MacMini has left us completely and the new mobile Apple computers still can not cover the Adobe RGB color space. For a while, I've been observing Microsoft – their surface pro may develop into a really great tool – although that screen does not cover Adobes RGB color space, either – for now. But I seriously think that Microsoft has been a much more creative company than Apple after Steve Jobs, very sad. One day, Apple will pay a the toll for neglecting their most loyal customers ...
Interesting thoughts in your article. And I'll admit I've read 2 replies before heading down to the comments. Why? Because I get a sense of where it'll go. I could be wrong, my loss then..
I feel the same about Apple products. They're great, but I feel technology produced by the biggest players, isn't magical or really inspiring any more. Maybe I, we, have been spoilt rotten with fancy amazing computers. That said, I believe the market place would accept a new player. An Apple of today. Something fresh and new, who come from a place of WHY they do what they do, not unlike Apple but defiantly something new. My Apple kit is lovely to use and I've been loyal since I bought my 2007 iMac.I can't help but think they're kicking around a bunch of kinda cool ideas but not much that effect me so much. I feel the same about camera manufacturers, nothing really remarkable is coming out of the creative space. I want a company to look 10 years down the road and imagine, through insightful techie eyes, what we would be using, and make steps towards releasing that asap.
I have looked around at some very cool kit, but PC's have they left a bad taste, for me, not for all, and that's cool. But I'm not thrilled with Apple either.
Just my 2 pence worth (which is quite a bit less since Brexit)
Have a look at the Wacom Mobile Studio Pros... if that doesn't give you PC env, nothing will! They're even priced like a Mac ;) !
As a working photographer for more than 30 years I have been where you are and worked through it. I assembled a workhorse PC about a year ago for not quite half of what a fully tricked out iMac 27 inch would provide. I am able to do anything with it and much more than a Mac would allow. I still use an ancient 13 2013 Macbook Pro when I need to be mobile. I have tried different set ups and this is the one that works for me. Once I moved to CC from Adobe the OS needed to run CC became largely invisible. If I need to replace the laptop I would go with a Dell XPS, Asus Zenbook Pro or even a Surface Pro. I actually enjoyed the Surface Pro experience and it ran everything I used Premiere Pro, Photoshop and others but the battery life was extremely poor. FYI I am running an i7, Nvidia 960, 32Gb ram, 4K Dell 27, and put over 10Tb of storage in the machine I put together. It still offers me room for 32gb more ram, any video card my board can handle and at least one more processor upgrade cycle. After a year I have had no problems with the machine. I still love OSX but Windows is not the worst world to live and work in.
Funny I should come across this article as I have a package coming from NewEgg this afternoon with all of the components for my new PC that I'm building this week. Luckily, I don't need a mobile computer... So I'm not limited to having to purchase a pre-built system. This also allows me to get more bang for the buck. :) Having said that... As much as I love apple products, I unfortunately work with other CAD software that doesn't work on Macs. So I've never had the loyalty to an Apple laptop (like I do with the iPhone).
If you don't need to be mobile... Build, don't buy. If you do need a laptop... There are sooo many powerful choices out there now... You won't miss apple a bit. :)
Happy PC user for life.
a MacBook pro 2k res at 2900$ will be easly beat by a 2300$ 4k screen msi workstation ex: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154096&cm_re=W...
its stable, can take a lot of tasking raid 1 of ssd plus 1tb of storage vs a single 512go ssd, card reader,hdmi,display port, some model have thunderbolt.....
Eric, you're handling the angry troll comments like a champ. Kudos.
I think what it comes down to is that Apple used to be the only option that simply "worked. Windows 10 is finally there too, but with a lot more hardware options. For me, it wasn't about loving Microsoft, it was about loving having my own hardware choices with Windows as the only option that gave me that along with compatibility with all the software I needed.
I work in a studio with 3 other creative professionals. We've all owned Macs at different points, and with the final guy converting this past December, we are all now running custom Windows desktops. The reality is that Adobe CC and Chrome are largely identical across both MacOS and Windows, so if you're like us and spend your life pretty much living in those programs the benefits of the Mac are largely lost, but you still pay the big price premium. You can build a stellar Windows Desktop with a top notch monitor for under $1500 easily, and as you need to upgrade over the years you can simply replace the components you need to rather than replace the entire machine. Might be worth looking into, it's not as hard as it sounds!
Honestly, I am a little surprised by how many lifelong Apple users are beginning to consider other options.
In my search for a new photo editing laptop, I have been told time and again that I should "get a Mac"! This has almost become an ad slogan like "Dude, I'm getting a Dell" was in it's day. It certainly is the automatic response of anyone who uses a Mac themselves!
However recently a curious thing is happening. Many of those die hard Apple users who couldn't wait to get their hands on the new MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar are now telling me they regret making the purchase.
Reasons vary, but most have centered around disappointing performance running the Adobe CC apps - especially Lightroom, Photoshop and Premiere!
This isn't too surprising when we actually look at the specs. Let's compare to. 15.4" Dell XPS laptop. Mac: 6th Gen Intel Slylake processor, up to 2 GB dedicated video RAM, 16 GB max system RAM. Not bad, but the XPS has a 7th Gen Intel Kaby Lake processor, up to 4GB dedicated GPU RAM and 32 GB max system RAM. The XPS has other features too that the Mac does not - various ports for dongle free device connectivity, a gorgeous edge-to-edge touch screen display and more.
The bottom line for creative pros is that Adobe applications and plug-ins require processor performance, available RAM, and a high performance GPU to get the best from them!
I finally have the opportunity to afford a Mac, but I'm seriously considering getting an XPS instead.
Sadly, Tim Cook showed his hand when he announced the 12.9" iPad Pro. He said that device was "the future of computing". It may be for the consumer who only sends email and surfs the web, but for those of us who do real work on our machines, tablets aren't even a consideration. But Cook's comment seems to indicate Apple's direction as they continue to innovate in mobile technology while giving a "lick and a promise" to the Mac line.
By the way, speaking of Mr. Cook's "innovative ideas", please don't forget the "indispensable" $10K Gold Apple Watch Edition! Is he on drugs or what???
Great article. I've been in the same boat as you but my problem is magnified by the fact that I have an entire appare l design team that are all using Macs at this point and we are starting to see a lot of issues with them. The issues are not necessarily related to the hardware as much as the hardware not being able to keep up with the software. Adobe Creative Suite is great software and we do all of our design in Illustrator. Our designs include a lot of lace patterns and we've seen over the last year that even new iMacs with 32gb of memory can't open some of these files once they've been saved. Opening some of these files takes minutes and once they are open, everything slows down to a crawl. When Microsoft released the first Surface Book, I had ordered one for development purposes and used it exclusively with a docking station connected to a Dell 34" wide display. I ordered the top of the line version which is capped at 16gb of ram. When we started having these issues, I tried opening these on my laptop and they opened almost instantly (compared to the new iMacs) and I was able to work on them without any issues.
This made me question whether or not I can continue to justify only using Macs for our design team. When the Surface Studio was released, I ordered the top of the line model and set it up for testing. So far, the Surface Studio has had no issues at all with opening any of our files and I am considering buying a couple more and putting them into our production environment to see how they work.
Being a technologist, I know that not all computers are equal and I know that the same offering from Dell, HP and other Windows desktop manufacturers have not fared as well on stability and reliability (I recently returned a top of the line Dell XPS 15 laptop due to the amount of bloatware that was on it which slowed it down considerably). It seems like Microsoft's hardware, for us, works well.
Apple seems to be concentrating on consumer products at this point and most consumers are not using desktops. The iPad has replaced it for many of them. I see that with my kids' schools and the the apps that they recommend and the websites that they use. They all require either a tablet or a Google Chromebook.
I've changed to the Surface Book for all of my photography work and am very happy with it. It has an amazing screen which is also a touch screen and works beautifully. I've not had an issue with Lightroom, Photoshop or Premiere Pro.
I think many people in the same situation even tho for different reasons; let's say the truth, for many to have a brushed aluminum case with the Apple logo is also a way to stand above the others, then one you get into the ease of use of OS X things get even better than just the look but that era is long time gone, OS X still works well but the recent updates brought nothing new ,sure, Siri... the OS is free but that's been paid along with the hardware many a times... innovations wise I see no competition, the best would be to be able to install Mac OS on a pc platform with updated hardware and a good built, something else Apple got us used too but long time gone, I remember my first Mac, a 667Titanium PowerBook, that was one hell of a computer, I was proud to show my friends I could run a flight simulator smoothly on such a machine when many of them on desktop couldn't not to mention the build quality, top notch! Got a dual G4 PowerMac which still works, at my age can't really manage to move it that easily any longer but it was a really well built machine.
Is there any alternative out there? Linux? What about editing software strictly speaking for photographers? At this moment in time with the almost total switch of the Adobe world on the subscription method there is a ton of alternative software coming our way and I can't see offers with alternatives other than Mac and Windows so what's the option, a cheaper than a Mac PC with Windows 10 and again deal with viruses, driver conflicts, hardware conflicts (maybe they are long time gone, not using a PC since ages) or wait for Apple to get us a 5K (both res and $) iMac which will be almost impossible to access and repair at a super premium price for the wait and look?
Personally have been using a 2011 MacBookPro with an i7 CPU as my main machine, then got a 2009 27" iMac upgraded with an SSD and I have no much pain handling 36MP files but I am no pro photographer at all, I understand for a certain share of people computing power being #1 but then wearing Apple's shoes, is that x,xx percent of users still considered a market share to bring an income or is it going to be like the Concorde or like the Bugatti Veyron, a big loss just to show "yes we can"?
Long life to my vintage Macs and then crossing fingers to buy somebody's used one when they'll switch to the Nth iteration of the iMac with the Xeon CPU they so much need to browse FaceBook...