Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
A place to discuss, share, and create stop motion films.
Ad
You are not logged in. Please login or register.
Well, I got quite a bit of birthday money, and because my computer's getting a bit old, I 've decided to save up for a new one. I am thinking about saving up for a PC, or an older Mac model. I've used Macs at my animation club, and I fimd them really good with media and animation.
I would like to hear from someone who has used both. What would you reccomend.
PC or Mac?
a majority of the community is windows so youll more likely lean towards them but if you got an extra penny mac is the way to go imo
Mac is media creation gold. Get a mac.
A very similar thread with this exact same title--capitalization and everything--was locked by another mod soon after it was posted. Be very careful to keep this an advice thread, not a flamewar thread, or it will meet a similar fate.
MAC IS BETTUR.
Seriously, either one is fine. You'd probably want a Windows computer, though, because they're cheaper, and if you have any extra left over, you could buy yourself some more LEGO or some nice software. Heck, even though I have a Mac, I still animate and edit my films (like I've made any films in the past year) 100% on Windows; I'm pretty sure most Mac users around here do. So save yourself the money and get a Dell or something.
I myself use a computer with Windows 7. And from what I've heard, most people who have a mac, use bootcamp to also install windows on it, mostly because the Windows OS has more free animation related software. So if you want to save money, get a PC.
A very similar thread with this exact same title--capitalization and everything--was locked by another mod soon after it was posted. Be very careful to keep this an advice thread, not a flamewar thread, or it will meet a similar fate.
This thread is here because Filmfire wants advice on which he could get. That guy basically just wanted to start a flame war.
Alright time for some advice
Sorry bout that
anyways
I am on a mac and use it only
but if i had a choice id get a windows because you get more software choices and camera compatability is a breeze
its easier to find adivice and its much cheaper
Save yourself some pennies and get a good windows laptop or even get a good tower
Then get a camera and some LEGO if you got extra
I use both a Mac and a PC regularly.
Macs are amazing machines, but you pay a premium for them. I only have mine because I won it. You'll find that it's tricker to get free software for Mac computers, however what paid software there is, is pretty incredible. A big downside to Macs for a lot of brickfilmers is lack of support for the manual controls on logitech webcams. Unless you buy a copy of windows + bootcamp to go with your mac, this makes those popular camera choices useless.
In my opinion, PC is the way to go, especially if you're young and starting out. If you build a PC instead of buying a pre-built one you can save a lot of money as well as get a lot more bang for your buck. There is a lot more free software available for Windows including a multitude of stop motion programs and camera compatibility rocks. If you would only be going for an older model of Mac anyway, you'll get way more from a custom built PC.
So in short, build a PC.
I'm curious, what's your budget?
So in short, build a PC.
I'm curious, what's your budget?
Well, I got about £160 for my Birthday. I know that's not nearly enough for either yet, but I will save up more, just I'm not sure what for.
Anyway, I'm now considering getting myself a used macbook. My friend at school knows alot about macs, and said his dad's mate referbishes them, and then sells them for about £250. I don't mind having to pay for stuff, I've used WMM and SMA now for years, and want to go to the next level. Besides, my old computers on it's way out a bit now, it's running out of memory (not too much of a problem, but all my films have been converted to a smaller size, so I won't be able to make loads more) and also it's got no internet and XP. I don't mind XP, and internets not too much of a problem because I just put it on a memory stick and bring it to our computer downstairs, but I've heard Win. 7 is much faster.
But i don't want to have to pay a £1000 for a computer, and I'm not so sure if I'll be able to build my own (I'd need my dad's help, and he works away sometimes).
This thread is here because Filmfire wants advice on which he could get. That guy basically just wanted to start a flame war.
Be very careful to keep this an advice thread, not a flamewar thread
I'd have to encourage you to go with a PC for the same reason presented by Sean, Littlebrick, and others... as powerful as Macs can be, PCs are cheaper and have a much greater abundance of brickfilming-related freeware. Unless you plan to be making lots of films for a long time, save some coin and go with a PC.
but I've heard Win. 7 is much faster.
It is, I have a dualboot computer that has Windows XP and 7, and my golly, 7 is faster, I want my dad to get XP off the computer.
Mac. All the way.
Golden, maybe that statement would seem more educated if you could prove your point.
I really don't see why people see a Mac as "cool", Is it the two actors in front of a white expanse, one slamming the other about things that really don't show anything about the computer itself? I mean, I wold be scared if my PC came in a sports coat. And most of the commercials end with the nerd dressed actor insulting himself and Mr. Stiff Personality sits there pretending to be wise. All the people I have argued with when it comes to Macintosh versus Microsoft are almost the same, the Mac supporter just says things like "Mac "pwns" PC!" and when I ask them how, they reply "It just does.". Or if they are really smart, they'll talk about things that aren't really arguable, like all the "apps" you get with your Macbook. I really don't care how many "apps" you get, Microsoft makes these things called programs, and they are great. One person I argues with was using a school computer and he was playing with the volume knob on the computer, and when he tried the volume, it didn't work because he had turned it all the way down, and when he got no sound (surprise! surprise!) he started ranting Microsoft.
But the thing is, they are both computers. So if you want a Macintosh, fine, but if you want my opinion, buy a Microsoft computer, I use Dell.
RealBrick just because some of us like Macs has nothing to do with the Mac vs. PC commercials. I doubt some of these people have tried a Mac before anyway. BTW an app is what uneducated people call an application which is the same as your Windows programs your not willing to let go of.
Last edited by Caidan (October 1, 2010 (01:53pm))
It really shouldn't matter, the last Mac user I talked to about the whole Mac or PC (see how I didn't use vs) for creative tasks said that its most important that you are familiar with what you are using.
If you already have a camera that won't work well with Mac a PC would be a good choice, however if you would rather use a Mac get one, they have some cool stuff. Almost every piece of software I use is available for both platforms (but it's not free software) Macs can be set up for very serous video editing, building an equivalent level PC is practically the same price. I built a quad core video eding computer a few years ago with server grade components and it cost almost the same as a Mac Pro. It's awesome for video editing, a Mac Pro would also be awesome for the same tasks. (and as far as gaming goes steam was released on Mac and there are a lot of great games coming to that platform)
Actually you would be suprised what you can get for £160. Ask everyone you can whether they have any spare PC bits / case, power supply motherboard, you might even get a complete PC for free. Easily enough for animating. Buy a book how to build a PC and have a go. If you mess it up you havent lost anything. I tell you its the best thing in the world when you fire up a PC you have built. Even if its not too powerful its yours and then you never have to buy a complete computer again, you just build on what you have. In a few years you will have saved yourself hundreds of pounds.
Your current PC sounds like it only needs a bigger hard drive - about £45 quid and about 10 minutes to fit. Reinstall windows and software, about another half an hour. Memory (Ram) has nothing to do with storage of data. There is probably nothing wrong with the amount you have. Adding internet card about £10 and about 10 minutes.
The only difficult thing to get is a flat screen, but you can pick up a CRT monitor for buttons. I sold a 21" monitor not long ago for £35.
Places to look are:-
Tescos, Sainsburys, Asda notice boards. you might get a complete PC and monitor cheap and local
uk.freecycle.org Free stuff and local.
local computer fairs
I'm not sure how old you are, but if you are at school they must have a computer club. The contacts there should give you a few pointers / free stuff.
Places not to look:-
eBay too many buyers, too many people who know what they have got. Too many con artists selling broken stuff.
Avoid a Mac. They are nice, but are just a PC in an expensive fancy box. They dont run faster, they are not more reliable than windows (modern versions of windows never crash). PCs are easier to work on, cheaper, more support and the software is just as good nowadays. For example Dragon, after effects etc. is available for a PC.
Last edited by martinprice2004 (October 1, 2010 (02:44pm))
Dragon and After Effects have Mac versions.
With that kind of budget, I'd still say you should build a PC.
Check out this guide as an example for building a good value PC for cheap (about £250 I think).
I'm also going to note that building your own computer from the ground up is extremely satisfying, and will teach you some good stuff about how computers work.
Last edited by Siobhan (October 5, 2010 (04:43pm))
Posts [ 1 to 20 of 71 ]
