Mac Pro?

[Kevin Camp]

it really comes down to the software you want to use and what you feel most comfortable with.

a lot of software is on both platforms, but some is mac only (like fcp) and some is pc only (like studio max), so if you use or want to use platform specific software you need to get that platform.

if you are currently using one platform and have been for years and feel comfortable with that platform and can troubleshoot that platform or have extra hardware for that platform, then you may want to stick with it. there really isn’t too much different about the platforms as far as ae goes.

for ae, you’d like to have multiple cores, lots of ram and a 64-bit os. both platforms those (you’ll just need to make sure that for pc you are using xp-64 or vista-64). if you currently have one version of ae, (like a pc version of cs3), adobe will do a cross-grade from pc to mac (or mac to pc) for about $20… check on adobe’s site for info on cross-grading applications.

i’m in a mac house here, and i’ve used macs more than pcs. i’m currently using a 8-core macpro with 12gb of ram and i am quite happy with it. but there are a lot more pcs to choose from, and you may be able to better taylor a pc to exactly what you need, rather than choose from a small handful of macs that are offered. but i’d say it largely comes down to what you prefer to use.

Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW