Seems Mac is the way to go, but to make it worth it how much do you think I’d have to spend? maybe 5 grand? I have an off of an alien ware computer dual Intel processor (will probably replace for AMD), 6 gigs of RAM (omfg), and a nvidia geforce 6200 graphics card with Turbo Cache for around 1 - 2 thousand. I dont like to spend money were i don’t have too.
Cheers, Isaac
Well it depends on the config you want. Just goto the Apple site, click on store, click on MacPro and configure to suit. Currently Apple has some pretty good deals on RAM and they will be parity matched for optimum performance if you buy at once. The price for the mid-level machine and 8GB RAM in only 4 slots leaves you options. The graphics cards are impressive to say the least, but remember Zbrush is more memory than graphics, so it just depends on what you are really going to do with the system.
Now a maxed out 17" MacBookPro loaded with 3GB RAM and with an external Firewire 800 drive or two would allow you to almost grab a 30" monitor to go along! I use the laptop myself for almost verything it is an amazing machine. I use it on set, off set, in meetings, for pipeline code, development, stories, spreadsheets, everything. Replaced my desktop system and is in a much smaller foot print.
The choices are yours. You will need a copy of Parallels for the Desktop, like $100 for your Windows apps or you can dual boot. 
Life is full of choices.
But do not forget that a few things are different in the pc and the mac archtiecture. Even if it says intel, it does not mean it’s a PC chipset…
The memory in my Power Mac is MASSIVELY faster in throughput than my dual opteron. Much to my demise… But it is also more expensive. Actually… regardless where you look, it’s the most expensive. Then the Alienware rig will make noise like a vacuum. The PowerMac says NOTHING. Absolutely quiet. I always forget to switch that darn thing off…
Are the additional Mac benefits worth the higher price? THAT depends on the wallet of the beholder…
Lemo
You switch 'em off???
As for the cost, yes more and with good reason. However it is each person’s call and it depends on you doing something with it to make the cost worthwhile.
It’s a PC habit 8).
Lemo
Macs cost too much. I can pop down to my local computer store and pick up a decent component (which will run fine for years) for almost nothing compared to what Apple are charging, and pop it into my PC. If something dies (and things do with computers from time to time) I’m not at the mercy of a Mac repair man to get it fixed. I can hunt around for the best bargain and do the job myself without too much grief. With a PC, you can get all of your components at prices that make Mac costings look abusive, and mix and match both old and new components fairly easily. Want to pass on your graphics card and motherboard to a family member’s old PC when you upgrade? No worries with a PC.
If you don’t want to have that kind of control over your computer, or you just can’t be bothered learning, buy a Mac. Mac’s a great for people who like to use a computer without knowing much about what’s inside the box, or who have a lot of disposable income If you want control and the ability to build a computer to be exactly what you want, buy a PC. There are pros and cons to both Windows/Linux and the different Apple OS, so… I think when it comes to being either a Mac or PC user, each is best depending on how much control you want out of it.
Side note: Alienware are like Apple for PCs.
Reactor… You’re about 5 years behind with those statements. Check out an Apple store and play with one. You don;t have to buy one but just have a look at OSX and the hardware prices on the web at stores like macmall.com. All you noted was valid before OSX came out. Times have changed rather drastically in the Apple Camp.
Cheers
Lemo
Prices have improved, but I can knock a ton off what they’re charging. I know what I’m talking about… I did the maths when people on Cgtalk started harping on about the pricing when the Mac Pros arrived.
Sure you can. Memory is a big cost in mac’s. But the reason for that is speed and error correction. On a hardware level it is difficult to compare a regular PC with a typical chipset and the common memory and the Apple which usually pulls out all stops. My Dual Core Opteron 280 is about 40% slower than the MacPro running XP and rendering the same scene with the same environment. That’s a lot based on simple architecture differences. But 2GB of memory cost about 5-600$. And that’s already a third party source and not the holy Apple Shop… Sighhhh.
Lemo
Mac’s are still expensive just have a look and compare the laptop prices for example. Also you don’t have any choice… you can have a white one and a black one… but the black one is 200 dollar more lol :lol:
lemonnado, I’m no hardware expert, but you can’t just talk about ‘memory’. What type of memory are you talking about? Also, the motherboard you choose will also make a huge difference, so it’s not all just about ram.
I’ve used both Macs and PCs on the job, where cost wasn’t the issue. What works was. Macs simply work better. The OS is better, period. Windows has always been behind the curve as an OS since 3.1. It’s never been as good as any Mac OS. To be blunt, it’s a cheap bloated knockoff of the Mac OS and always has been. Recent reviews of Vista state that this is still the case.
When you buy cheap, usually you end up, paying more. Replacing cheap parts over and over.
The most valuable commodity you have is your time. Digging around in the guts of a computer, searching for parts, driving to get stuff ends up costing more than it’s worth.
Say you place a $100/hr value on your time (time, to me is priceless), just going to the local mall three times in a two year cycle to fix or replace hardware ends up really not being worth the value you think you’re getting. Add to that, the time spent taking the box apart, finding you need to get something else, etc and putting it together; you could be out several hundred dollars, if not thousands.
Yeah, but you know your way around computers. But the day or so you just blew on getting your PC back up and running can’t ever be retrieved. And if time is not a premium for you, then have at it. BTW nobody has plenty of time.
I can’t AFFORD the hassle of fixing a cheap PC, it’s just too expensive. My time is more valuable to me.
While you were futsing around with computer innards, wasting precious time, your competition was creating another masterpiece with ZBrush on a Mac, that doesn’t crash.
Having a machine that rarely ever breaks and is easy to use is why Apple still sells Macs and is gaining market share.
No offence willbrown1, but if a home made PC on the cheap is breaking down on you, you need to either take better care of it or put it together properly in the first place. My PC hasn’t had an issue in years, and I have quite a few cheap ‘no label’ parts in it. On the flipside of the coin, I’ve read about Macs breaking down left, right and center… not more so than your average PC- about the same, depending on who’s using it.
Add to that, the time spent taking the box apart, finding you need to get something else, etc and putting it together; you could be out several hundred dollars, if not thousands.
Seriously, this does not happen, unless you’re a total idiot.
The OS is better, period.
If you say so. I know many people who’d disagree. I agree that Windows is far from perfect, but it’s flexible and doesn’t give me too much trouble. All of my 3D apps work time and time again without an issue, unless there’s fault with the app itself, and that’s something common to both PCs and Macs.
It’s 667MHz fully buffered and error corrected memory inluding special heat sinc so you do not need high fan speeds. Zero noise is the result. The front side bus speed is also faster than in any PC board I have seen. So throughput is higher even with the same clock rate. Really, can’t compare PC’s with Apple’s running XP. But for a small render farm, there is nothing better than a pile of cheap PC’s.
This year will be interesting with the dual quad core PC’s coming. But then one has to buy and run MS Server software as XP Pro ‘only’ supports 4 procs.
But 8 fast CPU’s… render preview here we come!.
Lemo
PS:Of course the PC mainboard is a factor. But with the highend OPteron Boards… there is only Tyan. So no real choice either.
Reactor,
Look, I’ve never owned a PC. I’ve used them at work and they’ve been mostly crap.
My point is that I’m not interested in wasting time fixing cheap junk. The Macs I’ve owned over the years have performed extremely well with very little time spent on fixing them. Just software installs and upgrades. Oh yeah, I put a audio capture/midi card in one and replaced a hard drive. Took me five minutes.
I’d be an idiot if I owned a PC. No offense meant.
After reading all the posts I think the real question is is whether it’s gonna be worth it to make the jump to Vista x64 or make the jump to Leopard.
This currently my quandry.
I’m going to buy a new machine here in the next few weeks and am either going to buy a fully loaded MacPro or a Boxx 8300.
Currently the Boxx 8300 is the ONLY company selling Intel Dual Quad machines which is what I want.
However, my problem is that I’m frankly sick and tired of Windows crashing all time the way it does and am not too impressed with some of the complaints about Vista.
All in all I want a 64 bit machine to run Zbrush 2.5 and Maya 64 bit together.
I know the beta testers can’t talk about 2.5, but any clue as to how well Vista x64 handles Zbrush and Maya together would be greatly appreciated.
This is a large chunk of change to fork out and need some advice.
So you know I’m looking to get the following rig:
Intel Dual Quad 2.33 Ghz
8 Gigs Ram
Nvidia 4500 512 Mb
Thanks in advance.
F.
I’d be an idiot if I owned a PC. No offense meant.
LOL… yep, no worries 
I don’t like Macs myself, but everyone should use what they like best.
PS:Of course the PC mainboard is a factor. But with the highend OPteron Boards… there is only Tyan. So no real choice either.
Hmmm, yes, very true. I still think that for the cost of that fancy Apple ram you could get a dual dual-core PC and leave the Mac eating dust, but it’s good to know if you’re paying a fair amount for a Mac at the very least aren’t feeding you bad components.
But 8 fast CPU’s… render preview here we come!.
FreddyFish, my advice is: wait for a while longer. Make sure that when you make the decision, it’s based on solid research (such as people saying, “Yes this works well on that system.”) and then go for the one you enjoy using the most, knowing your apps will work solidly. There are pros and cons to both PC and Macs, so take the time to look into things carefully.
EDIT: One other thing…
This is a large chunk of change to fork out…
When I’m putting together a new system, I try and aim for cutting edge (if I can afford it) and not bleeding edge. The reason why is because, although 8 gigs of ram and quad quad-cores would be nice, computers devalue like crazy. Aiming for more established technology (that’s been around and tested for a little while) is often the wiser choice, and doesn’t make you feel quite as bad when you realise your $5000 computer just got beat by grandma’s laptop from the local computer store Yes, it’s a lot of money, and that’s why I feel cutting edge is best.
Reactor… That’s why I’m posting this.
I know this is all bleeding edge info, I’m looking for the word as it comes in to be able to make my call.
I just don’t want to buy the Boxx machine and then regret it 6 weeks later.
(If and when that’s when the Dual Quad MacPros come out.) 
Heh… well, in some way or another you’ll always feel as though you’ve made the wrong decision. So, just buy what you think is best, and then hide from the world for the next six months so you don’t see what’s new