I need help to choose new machine

[panagiotissourvas]

Hi to all,

 

I'm considering to buy a new machine for architectural visualization and i have a question. If i choose a mac instead of a Dell workstation T3600 will it be ok to work with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, 3dsMax design and Vray? I'd love to have an iMac with an i7 quad core and 16Gb RAM but i don't know if it's 100% compatible with the software i use. I know for some software i need to run it in Bootcamp but in terms of speed will it be ok? Any suggestions from someone who knows the facts please.

Thank you.

[Jason Matthews]

Unless something has changed, AutoDesk products do not work with Mac unless using bootcamp or some other windows emulator. I do not believe Vray does either.

[panagiotissourvas]

I know There is AutoCAD for Mac but for the rest I have to use Boot Camp. My concern is the speed of the software when in Boot Camp.

[zanderadrian]

Unless you have some other reason for choosing a mac i would suggest building a pc. For the same amount of money you will almost surely get better performance and a customizable configuration. Bootcamp on mac, kind of defeats the purpose of having a mac, except for the physical design of the machine.

[Dimitris Tolios]

I know There is AutoCAD for Mac but for the rest I have to use Boot Camp. My concern is the speed of the software when in Boot Camp.

 

Geia sou re Panagioti...στήν πόλη σου γεννήθηκα, Βέροια μεγάλωσα.

 

There is absolutely no reason to get a Mac in order to run Autodesk products.

If you have to use Bootcamp, you have to expect performance penalties and even incompatibilities , just like with any emulating software.

 

Ppl that do have Macs and want to run 3DS etc, usually opt for distinct Win installations. This works much better as far as 3DS goes, but then you will run into serious workflow issues if you will need to PP with adobe etc stuff licensed for MacOS. Rebooting back and forth between OSes is a pain. Have witnessed that too many times with my co-workers and school colleagues trying to use their MBPs. Those who are not budget constrained and Mac-stubborn-fans end up buying 2nd PC laptops.

 

In a generalized example, it is unwise to buy a gas car to convert to diesel, and vise versa: choose what you wont to do and get the right tool for the job to begin with.

If having the Mac is your priority, then think the posibility of replacing 3DS for C4D.

Acad versions exist for MacOS.

 

If 3DS and Revit are your focus, go PC all the way.

 

As ppl said before me, with the amount of money you would spend on a 27" iMac with a low power quad i7 and an OK laptop grade GPU, you can get the same 27" 1440p panel screen (LG makes em all), a 6-core i7, a 2-3 times faster GPU, more upgrading capabilities, more speed and spare some change. Won't look as good, but...its a tool, a uniform you need, not a pretty dress/suit to go shopping primarily for looks...

 

In general I am pro building your own workstation, and not getting a ready made Dell. Those usually come @ a great price premium.

Most greek shops will jump around from excitement and help you build a proper workstation with actually better warranty that what Dell gives you (most parts come with 3-5y warranty, while Dell will give you 1y and charge you a lot more over the over-inflated original price for extending).

[panagiotissourvas]

Geia sou Dimitri. Thanks for your comments. I guess I'll have to buy a PC for work and a Mac for pleasure then ;-)

[panagiotissourvas]

Thanks of all your comments guys.

[Slinger]

Dimitris, LG is not the only manufacturer of panels. Samsung and Panasonic also produce IPS panels for computer monitors.

[stevenarnold]

Hello Friends,

 

AutoDesk products do not work with Mac unless using bootcamp or some other windows emulator. All-in-one (AIO) PCs are not supposed to be masters of all things, they are slimline entertainment boxes. We all know that they are usually weak in the processor and more importantly the graphics department, but that doesn't mean they need to hide from the limelight. This all-in-one proudly struts its credentials, this is a 23-inch entertainment system that boasts a 1080p resolution and a Nvidia 3D-ready screen with Blu-ray 3D support. There is absolutely no reason to get a Mac in order to run Autodesk products.

 

Thanks And Regards

Steven Arnold

[Dimitris Tolios]

Dimitris, LG is not the only manufacturer of panels. Samsung and Panasonic also produce IPS panels for computer monitors.

 

I know that Chris, but I do believe the vast majority of 27" IPS 1440p panels out there are LG, including models from Dell, HP and Apple (Cinema Display and iMac 27).

[matthewspencer]

Boot Camp is not an emulator!

 

This is vital to understand. Current Macs can natively run Windows. Boot Camp is merely a utility that helps install Windows in a way that makes it easier to get it up and running with Mac hardware drivers. You will get full compatibility with any Windows application.

 

Where it falls short are in some general usage oddities...some parts of using a Mac just don't make sense with Windows (e.g. strange mouse, "CMD" vs. "CTRL", etc.) Also Apple sometimes chooses hardware for their machines that don't enable the best Windows experience (some iMacs can't use certain GPU based renderers, e.g.)

 

I have a relatively seamless workflow with my side-by-side Win7/OSX installs on my laptop. Both OS's feel natural.

 

That being said I still agree that it's pretty pointless to get a Mac unless you absolutely love the build quality or need the ability to pop into OSX sometimes. As others have said, the hardware you can get on a PC build is just incomparably better for the price.