Why Do Artists Use Macs?

Macs are the tool of choice for artists in varying media.  Since Macs became popular in the late 1980's professional graphic designers, photographers, tattoo artists, musicians, video producers, game developers, architects, print publication firms almost exclusively use macs to create designs.

In the early days of Mac and PC, when PhotoShop was adapted from OS to Windows, the Windows operating system would crash while working on a photo.  The system couldn't handle the demands required by the PhotoShop.  Today, the new Macs run Windows giving the best of both worlds.  PC software options with OS stability.

Viruses, spam, malware and spyware are mostly made for Windows programs.  Though more hackers are making these critters for OS, approximately 95% of the malware is programmed for Windows.  Mac aficionados can surf the web without worrying about loosing their artwork to malware attachments.  Though virus scan programs are made for Macs, the likelihood of being infected is much lower than with a PC.

Artists need reliable computers that are not in constant need of repair, program DLL sharing conflicts and other PC related idiosyncrasies. When a deadline is due, the customer will go somewhere else to finish the job and you may never see him again. PC's require far more upkeep, repair, program synchronizing and upgrading. Macs have a much better track record as a stable operating system than Windows, according to Consumer Reports.

Many of the industry standard artistic software such as Maya, PhotoShop, InDesign, QuarkExpress, Final Cut Pro, Studio Max, Sound Forge, CakeWalk and other media industry programs began with Mac, so the studios and freelance artists stayed with the platform.