Why Do you use MAC?

[jonny_2010]

hi

 

We are thinking of investigating having a mac suite.

 

So, What do you use macs for?

what are the advantages of having a mac suite?

 

thanks

 

jon

[Carter]

OS X & not Windows would be the #1 advantage When it comes to Windows & Mac, in most cases you can get software for both platforms. It's a matter of taste. One thing is the ability to boot multiple OS'x like OS X, Windows, etc. What kind of programs are taught at your school.

 

The killer with going Mac or Windows is Windows only applications.

 



[clareq]

We've just put in our first Mac suite. It is used primarily for Media classes, so to get value for money from the kit we've dual booted them, so they run Windows as well. The mac side authenticates against AD, and all work is stored on the Windows servers. We get a lot of comments that the mac suite looks good. I'm not sure what couldn't be done on the PC though.

[London_Geek]

Our Mac's are mainly used by the Art, Design, Media and Music departments, along with the Reprographics and Publications Departments. Each department using their specialised software to teach their lessons, be that Final Cut, Adobe CS5, Sibelius etc...

It was decided a while back that we would try to get the students using the equipment that they could expect to find within the relevant industries for each subject, and Mac's allow us to do exactly that. They are widely used within the "Design world", and as such, we should be providing them with the tools that they will need to learn for any potential career they may have in the future.

[jamesmay]

ilife!

[Roberto]

hi

 

We are thinking of investigating having a mac suite.

 

So, What do you use macs for?

what are the advantages of having a mac suite?

 

thanks

 

jon

 

We purchased them for editing with final cut pro for our media department's classes. Our Art dept. also make use of some of the rooms as we also have Adobe CS on them (as we do on all the Windows machines).

 

Without wanting to be rude, it sounds like you're doing this backwards - surely you identify a need then identify a solution, but it sounds like you're doing it the other way around.

[wizzard]

I use a mac in case it's raining

 

*I've already got my coat, just waiting for the taxi*

[srochford]

The art/design/media areas are often mentioned as reasons for using Macs but there are other places they're used.

 

I work in a university and we have lots of people using Macs in Maths and Physics (and elsewhere but that's the bit I know!) Some of them use them because they want pretty toys on their desks but mostly they're used because the user needs Unix but wants a rock solid platform and the Mac gives them that.

 

They cost more than a PC running Linux but the price difference is tiny compared to the cost of time which could be wasted if the Linux machine doesn't work properly.

[Robbocop]

As a consultant I come up against this a lot. I agree with roberto that it does seem odd to say that you are thinking of adding Macs without knowing first what you want to use them for. Still, I think it's commendable that you want to let your students experience more than one operating system. That can only be a good thing for their IT skills development. In the commercial sector, Macs are the preferred tool for art, design, music, video, and the like. Windows is still dominant in CAD and in 3D design for games and film work. There's no specific reason for this, and clareq is right that most of these disciplines could be taught on either platform. The fact is there are preferences in industry and that these tend to filter down at University too, so it's right to teach those subjects on the preferred platform rather than risk disadvantage to your students. You can teach cricket using a tennis ball, but that doesn't make it right

[Disease]

I use a MAC so Steve Jobs earns enough money for more organ transplants, should any fail.

[maark]

It is good to expose students top different operating systems though macs work out expensive.

I think most music studios use PCs - Cubase essentials is good. Most art/design stuff can be done just as well on PC's - the video editing stuff - imovie,final cut is good on mac.

[Robbocop]

I use a MAC so Steve Jobs earns enough money for more organ transplants, should any fail.

 

Heh! Rumour has it that his body is just a terminal now and that his brain is actually housed in a call centre somewhere.