Hi All,
Im considering purchasing a copy of ZBrush but have just noticed that it seems you have to pick an OSX or Windows licence? Is that right?
Other tools ive been looking at (Silo, Modo etc) grant you a licence for both platforms.
Im currently using both operating systems and am not sure how id pick between the two 
Anyone else had to choose or are there any compelling reason to go with one over other? Im very indecisive lol 
Ill vote for OSX. If you are well versed on both OS, OSX is known for better performance and less affected viruses. The only reason not to use OSX is when you dont know how to operate it.
I use both OSs all the time. As far as ZBrush, they both work great now that 3.12b is out. OSX does have better performance with very similar specs, for me any ways. It remains smoother at higher subdivision levels, and seems to make better use of the RAM. The Mac is newer than the PC though, so that could be invalid in actual benchmarking.
Think about the compatibility of other programs that will be in a pipeline with ZBrush. ZBrush will work fine on either, and the updated features in 3.12B will be implemented into ZB4 shortly.
I personally prefer using the Mac. There’s a ton of general navigation and file management features that are just nice to work with. Most Mac users don’t even know how to really use all of the features of the OS. That doesn’t matter much once ZBrush is running though.
Pixologic has a history of warm and cold with the Mac platform. Also Zapplink and some other tools don’t work on OSX.
The Mac version has some features that won’t be available on the PC version until ZB4 in August. The PC version may have problem with RAID drives, while the Mac does not.
Overall, I have been better pleased with ZBrush on the PC platform over the long haul (I use both platforms routinely.) ZB 3.12B has likely quelled most of my recent issues with ZBrush Mac.
You’ll probably be fine with either platform, but I pretty much tell my students to use PCs when it comes to 3D apps. While it doesn’t make much difference for Zbrush, other 3D apps (Maya, C4D) tend to perform better on Windows and others (Softimage, Rhino, 3DSMax) don’t operate at all on a Mac except in a Windows emulator.
I think the bottom line is to pick the platform you think you’ll be doing the most work on. In terms of cost/performance, I can’t seriously recommend Macs anymore, but the differential isn’t that big compared to your time.
Lastly, there will almost be inevitably more 3rd party and shareware stuff for the PC platform. Many will get ported to the Mac eventually (UVlayout, xNormal) for example, but if you need those kind of tools, you may find yourself waiting and wanting.
-K
Buy both and you get a discount! I have both and use them.
Thanks for the replies guys, I think at full price I may have swayed to OSX although I did realise that currently (and probably always) my PC is much higher spec than my Mac.
I have however manged to get a cheaper Windows licence (pending the transfer) which was enough to convince me in the end.
I wasnt aware of a discount for buying both though? Do you have to buy them both at the same time?