Get a Mac and you *really* won't regret it. iPhoto handles all 4000 or so of my pictures beautifully. Adobe designs their software for Macs so you know Photoshop/Elements will run well. The mini comes with Quicken and iLife and all sorts of good toys, plus you can use your current monitor!

You'll never have to deal with viruses, malware, and other bad stuff that slows down your machine. And there are plenty of Mac users around here who would love to help you out Tutorials are the same, just remember that the screen shots will look a little different and you might have to hold down the Apple/Command key instead of the Control key sometimes... just a little trial and error and it won't be a problem. Since professional graphics people use Macs, you should be able to find plugins galore. And with the new mini, they're NOT overpriced! Remember, your time is money and every time you have to install camera software (iPhoto works with almost all consumer digital cameras) or reboot or check for viruses you're throwing time down the toilet you could have spent scrapping!

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Yup.. use a mac if you are really only intested in using the computer for photo manipulation, graphics editting and desktop graphics editting.. if you want to play any of the latest games, use the myriad of PC programs out there... stick with a PC. Macs are great.. they just don't have the widespread usability to only use a mac. If you have lots of money.. get both!

Otherwise.. I still feel that PC's offer the most flexibility. As for viruses etc.. yes - Macs tend to be a bit more immune.. but just get yourself the proper protection software and you'll be fine. Really... I think people make so much more out of viruses, addware and popups then really needed. Just run a virus scanner, adware program and firewall and you'll have problems very rarely...

Thanks ladies for the good advise! I have already invested a bit in software for the PC and so I decided to go that route! I am happy to say! Dude I'm gettin' a Dell! It is ordered and hopefully on it's way soooooooooon!
April

Just to let you know that with virtual PC for Mac you can run any windows programs on the mac ...something worth thinking about.....

I still haven't made my ultimate decision but I am leaning toward the iMac G5........I'm still intrigued by the mini but have flashbacks to the mac cube they came out with a few years ago that went belly up in a hurry.

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Michelle (aka chellouise)
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Yup.. sorry.. but I just can't buy into the whole MAC scene.. I mean - only 3% of the world use a MAC and even though with virtual PC (more software), you can run windows programs.. you certainly can run things like 3d games. Besides... nothing like trying to run down the local staples when you want to buy some software or a cable and whoops.. sorry.. we don't sell MAC stuff. So.. a run to a compusa where you'll pay inflated prices.. blah blah.

No thanks.. I strongly advise sticking with a PC.. Dell is a nice choice.. their customer support has been very very bad lately.. but their PC's are not bad at all.

Good luck!

I too am cvonsidering a G%..can the Mac users out there tell me if there would be that great a difference in the speed of processing...I currently have a toshiba satellite with a 17" screen, 3MHZ, 1GB Ram and a 75G HD.....this thing is pretty fast...and i have never had a crash....btu I keephearing a lot of great things about the G5...and I LOVE that virus issue that is non existent with them....which is a big sell for me....

But if the speed is not that much better I will save my moeny for now....what other great points are there that I may not be aware of?!?!?!

Thanks in advacne!!!!

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Jill
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Jill, I don't know if you're still shopping computers, but the thing I really like about my mac is the OSX interface. There are just a lot of little things that once I've figured out how do to them, I think are just the coolest. Try going to an apple dealer and just mess around on the operating system for a few minutes and it might grow on you.

I primarily use my computer for design and internet applications, so gaming or other software availability isn't an issue for me.