Mac Question

[centex]

I am considering switching to the Mac platform.

I wanted to know Mac will work with PSE? I am not a power user. I don't game or work with video. Just photos, email and light word processing.

My photo work is color correction, light balancing and light duty photo restoration. Mainly clean-up and improve my digital photos.

My form of multi-tasking is listening to XM while working on photos.

I did not know if the Mac Mini would be enough or the entry level laptop hooked to an external monitor.

Your input would be appreciated.

[way2close]

Any Mac will work with PSE, however, you will need version 4.0 for the Mac. If you have version 5.0 for Windows, it will not work on your Mac. Don't worry that you will be giving up anything by going from a higher version number to a lower version number because the numbers are simply different for Macs and Windows. You'll get most of the same abilities you had with Windows, some more, a few less, but mostly not to worry.

As far as which Mac, I have little advice, except to be sure you have enough memory and disk storage space.

[ufauxreal]

I have both a Mac Mini and an iBook. Both have Elements on them and they do work. I would suggest getting at least 1gig RAM. My Macs only have 512mb's, and while they both work, they can be a bit sluggish while using PSE. I have the original PPC Macs, not the new Intel Macs. I am not sure if Photoshop is universal yet on the Intel Macs, so it might run a bit slow. Perhaps someone on here who has the newer Macs would know.

Joan

[bnk1953]

FYI - it is anticipated that the mac minis will be discontinued. Depending on your need to be portable (laptop) - you might consider the iMac. Even tho it is a desktop - many of the mac people here thoroughly seem to enjoy theirs. I have a old G4 Mac Tower (circ 2000) that is still running well but I also have a macbook which is a joy. Both have PSE 3 on them and work well (i only do odd number updates to keep costs down - so I'm waiting on either 5 or 6 depending on which number they use for the new mac version - assuming that Adobe is actually going to give us one.
~bruce

ps - good luck with your decision.

[jimbu]

I have a new Intel Mac and use PSE-4 and it performs wonderful. GO FOR IT!
Jim

[Wendy]

Hi ...

It works just fine on my husbands Intel iMac too ... :)

Wendy

[Teacher617]

The idea of possible discontinuation of the Mac mini comes from most of the Apple rumor sites and has not specfically been stated by Apple, although the company is famously tight-lipped about such things. Even if the mini were to be around for a long time, I would still recommend against its purchase now because of its processor. It is an Intel Core Duo ... one rung down from all of Apple's other processors which sport the Intel Core 2 Duo, which is faster.

Based on your description of the things you use a computer for, the iMac sounds like a great choice. If you happen to have an Apple Store near where you live, I would recommend a visit. You can just play and get a feel for the machine, and ask questions of the staff there.

FYI - if you are used to using a 2-button mouse, no problem. Any USB mouse will work on a Mac. All Macs ship with a single button mouse, but that doesn't mean you have to use it. ;)

Tricia

[bnk1953]

I believe that all iMacs and Pros come with mighty mouse - which actually I believe has 4 programmable buttons hidden w/in it's outer skin plus a scroll ball.
~bruce.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Yes Macs are now shipping with the Mighty Mouse :)

Wendy