cannot decide between OS X and Vista

this question, really, is pivotal in my decisions as to what computer i should buy next.

i cant decide between a lappy and a SFF like a iMac or Shuttle either, but thats for a different time

i have the strong urge to try something new, OS X for example, i like it. but given some of the software i use, and that i wouldnt mind the odd game here and there im not convinced its going to be a good choice. afterall whats the point in buying a mac if your just gonna run windows all the time.

programs ill be using frequently and at the moment all work on XP are....

photoshop CS2
Dr DivX/DivX converter
MS ActiveSync for my Dell Axim x51V
Pocket DivX encoder
Unigraphics NX3 / NX4
solid edge
Matlab
word, excel, outlook etc
opera
VLC, WMP 11,
Canon Zoom Browser and other related bunff to do with my SLR
the odd game such as company of hero's, command and conquer 3

im not sure im going to be able to get all those working on OS X, will i have to boot windows alot if i want to use all of them? will some run in parallels ok? ( i guess matlab and word would)

also i have office 2003, Photoshop CS2, Dr Divx...thats alot of software to replace

i have heard good stuff about vista, and the upcoming santa rosa has that "robson" memory thing (either 512 or 1gb wired to the mobo so that boot files can be stored there and the lappy can start up quick) but i cant help thinking that its just going to be more of the same with some late to the party cherries on top.

 

It sounds to me like you'd be better off going with Vista unless you have a really compelling need to switch to OS X. I wouldn't switch to either from what you're using now though just for the sake of "something new" though; Vista or OS X, you're going to have some hurdles to jump through.

The reason to go with OS X in particular is if you really like it and want to use it. Just because it is new compared to what you're used to by itself wouldn't really be a great reason to switch.

And your Photoshop CS2 license doesn't transfer to the Mac side, so you'd need to buy a new CS2 (or a CS3 license) license, for example. The costs would start to add up.

 

stick with windows, it will cost way to much to switch

 

OS X is by far the better OS imo, but use the OS that supports the programs you need...

 

Vista will be better for you.

 

You got a hell of investment there. Stick to Vista.

 

ok i see the consensus is stick with windows...thats kinda what i was thinking.

really its not being able to test drive either without having to pay to do so. my current computer just isnt up to running vista, and well even paying for a mac mini to try out osx is a daft idea, because even thats £400-500 quid.

so for now, ill say im going vista...that brings me neatly on to my next question

a fully stocked Shuttle XPC SD39P2 or what ever quality "santa rosa" Asus number pops out next. i can pack in 4Gb of ram into the XPC, plus a humongous hdd and rapid graphics (8800GTS/HD2900XT) but in doing that...im losing this magical portability ability that i may or may not find useful.

 

Hrm... Neither. Like others have said, getting new licenses (and you would need to get CS3, not CS2 in an intel mac) would really add up. However, I would recommend sticking with XP if it's between that or buying a new copy of Vista. IMO, Vistas way too problematic right now, at least, for most people I know who have it installed.

What you could do, is try to find a used mac mini off ebay or something. Those are decent little guys if you want to play around with OS X.

 

For me the problem with trying to compare anything OS to OSX is that your forced to compare Hardware as well. And the Options with a MAC are very slim with compared to PC's.

I myself plan to get a Mac based on the fact that I can boot all three OS's. OSX, Windows and Linux(Ubuntu). Even if I don't spend most time booted on OSX, it's still better than not having it.

Personally my favorite media programs change all the time. VLC player can play on OSX, Windows and Linux. I use Winamp mostly on Windows & Amarok on Ubuntu.

I also use ActiveSync w/ Outlook for my Smartphone and PPC. You WILL NEED WINDOWS for this. It also works if you use Windows on VMware in another OS.

If money is not your main concern, I would advise to get a MAC and dual boot with XP.