One advantage of C4D is that it *will* run on your Mac, and you’re PC is really underpowered–especially in the RAM department. I’m not thoroughly familiar with Max, but I know that it has no equivalent to BodyPaint or Sketch & Toon (3D painting/NPR rendering). I guess Particle Flow is roughly equivalent to Cinema’s Thinking Particles. Reactor is a better dynamics engine than Cinema’s Dynamics module. The Studio Bundle comes with unlimited NET rendering–not sure about Max (don’t think so). Max is probably stronger in the character animation department. Max comes with Shave for hair rendering, while the Studio Bundle doesn’t come with Maxon’s Hair module, but the latter isn’t that expensive and it’s a lot nicer than Shave. A *lot* nicer. 🙂 Cinema is generally more stable than Max, IMO. Cinema has better connectivity with AE, PS, FCP, etc. Presumably Max has a better connection to Discreet’s compositing apps.
I have a strong preference for Cinema’s workflow, but that’s a matter of taste and familiarity.
hth