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Are Macs Really Better For Graphic Design?
Choosing between a Mac and a Windows PC has been simpler. It is a matter of personal choice that so much of what we do on our machines is browser-based and cloud-based, and because software applications that were only designed for one platform are now built for both.
For several years, Macs were favoured in the design community, while PCs running Windows ruled the company world. When comparing the two for graphic design jobs, the focus is on the handling of images, colour and type, software availability, and general ease of use.
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PC vs. Mac
If you have prior experience with any platform, you can generally stay with the one you use the most. Both options have the necessary software and hardware power to produce graphics. Both enable you to use peripheral devices such as styluses, laptops, and personal assistants to make your job simpler.
A novice consumer may do what they like regardless of whether they use a Mac or a PC, but they should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of both. Macs are usually more costly, but they place a premium on compatibility. PCs provide more tech options, but Windows lacks the streamlined system functionality seen in Apple’s macOS, iPadOS, and iOS.
Adobe Photoshop was created on a Mac.
About 25 years ago (1988), John and Thomas Knoll created the first edition of Photoshop on a Macintosh machine since it was the only computer with a colour monitor and the processing power to manage the software they were creating. In 1990, it was published exclusively for the Mac (a Windows version followed over two years later). The Knolls pitched Photoshop to two Silicon Valley firms, Adobe and Apple… What happened after that is history.
So, what does this have to do with the Mac vs. PC debate?
The explanation many designers gravitate toward purchasing a Mac and are shunned in the industry if they don’t is mostly due to custom, rather than substance. Most industry veterans with 20 years or more of experience choose Mac because, for a long time, it was the only choice, and in their eyes, it still is. Apple has been generous to them and their lives, and they believe it works, but they stay faithful.
This culture has been passed on to their “disciples” and they admire their mentors’ knowledge, which becomes their experience as well, and the loop begins.
You can also keep in mind that, until recently, technology was a mystery to those who used it. Most machine users, no matter how sophisticated, had no idea how it worked under the hood, and plenty certainly don’t. They simply know how to use them to complete their tasks.
PC vs. Mac Graphic Design Now
Because of improvements in how consumers perceive and react to technologies, many graphic designers now use Windows-based PCs to complete their job. I use both a Mac and a PC and find that if the technology on both computers is identical, there is very little change in my ability to get my job done.
Part of the reason for the change is that many programmers are also gamers or video editors who want to take advantage of the opportunity to configure their hardware and get more control for the price, something they can’t easily do on a Mac.
As a result, more designers are abandoning their preference for Mac, having gained some degree of control about the components and hardware they choose, as well as having more choices depending on their budgets.
Apple Is Designed to Work with Graphics, Colour, and Type
A graphic designer’s work includes a considerable amount of managing images, colour, and form. Since Apple has a long tradition of being the designer’s machine, the company concentrated on improving its colour and font handling, especially when moving from screen to file to print.
If you were to pick between a Mac and a PC based solely on this aspect, Apple has a slight advantage. On a PC, moreover, the same findings can be obtained. In terms of web architecture, neither is superior, but you do have connections to all operating systems in order to compare the pages on both platforms.
Software: All platforms have what you want.
Both platforms’ operating systems are strong. Touchscreens, window control, and Cortana are both used in Windows 10. While Apple lags behind in touchscreen technology, Siri is available on desktop and laptop computers.
Microsoft 365 rendered the world’s most common Windows programmes open to Mac users. In terms of game applications, Windows PCs have an advantage. Although Macs had an early advantage of music with iTunes, GarageBand, and the Apple Music service, the playing field was balanced as iTunes and Apple Music were accessible on PCs. Both have access to the cloud for storage and communication, but third-party video editing software for macOS is more efficient.
In terms of graphic design applications, there is no discernible distinction between Mac and PC options. All main apps, including Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, are designed for all systems. Since the Mac is also seen as the designer’s gadget, there are several useful resources and programmes that are only available on the Mac. Overall, more software is available for the PC, especially if you are interested in a specific field, such as gaming or 3-D architectural renderings.
Conclusion
It may come down to whether you are more comfortable with Windows or macOS. Since Apple builds its own machines, the output is relatively good, and the computers are reasonably priced. Microsoft Windows operates on both large and less powerful machines. A Mac is overkill if what you need is a device for email and web browsing.
The price of the Mac used to be a disadvantage, but if you want a Mac but are on a tight budget, consider the consumer-level iMac, which is powerful enough for graphic design tasks. In the end, particularly if you’re just starting out in design, you’re probably better off with a PC running Windows 10. You can get a strong unit for less money than a Mac if you buy wisely, and you can use the same design tools on it. The result of your job is determined by your imagination, not the expense of the machine.
