PC vs MAC | Flash MX 2004

[markL]

After debating on switching my G4 1.25GHz out for either a new Powerbook or an IBM T40. I decided to put things to the test. I took today to run all the tests I had lined up for both platforms (PC and MAC). After running through all the tests, boy what an extreme let down. Here are the 3 computers I ran in the test:

PC(Desktop) - 2.0GHz 2400xp AMD, 1GB DDR ram, ATI 9600 pro 128MB, XP PRO
PC(Laptop) - 850MHz Pentium II, 256MB PC100 ram, ATI Rage 128 16MB, XP PRO
MAC(Desktop) - 1.25GHz, 1.5GB PC100 ram, GeForce2 MX 32MB, OS 10.3.3

First I wanted to note all 3 systems received fresh installs and needed updates. The PC(Desktop) obviously took the crown, but the laptop actually too a solid second place. When using Flash MX 2004, the laptop seemed to blast through tools, palettes and navigate just about as fast as the desktop. When the MAC stood up to test the performance of the application was quite a let down. Selecting the hand tool or using the spacebar was extremely slow on the MAC. The Laptop slaughtered the functionality of the MAC with Flash MX 2004 by ten folds.

Here's a classic example: After exiting a test movie, and clicking on the timeline or certain tools in the toolbar. The MAC would actually freeze up for about 5 seconds before letting you move on. This can be a major headache taking into consideration that a lot of flashers will swap between the source and test movie many times. Say you're working on a project and need to test little changes made, this can happen over 50 times during each session of using Flash (or even more lol). Add that up and you could waste an easy 4 plus minutes waiting for the beach ball to stop spinning.

The Verdict is in folks -

It's pretty sad when you have an old 850MHz laptop walk all over a newer G4. It felt like I was using an old 233MHz machine when using Flash MX 2004 on the MAC. Keep in mind this was an exclusive test for Flash MX 2004. This doesn't mean the laptop was a faster computer, just faster when using Flash MX 2004. I did run a few Photoshop test and I will say the laptop was 200% slower than the MAC in most cases applying filters. So in the end I firmly believe it's a trade off. If you're a Flash developer and care about getting the work done and being super efficient, the PC wins hands down. If you are a hard core Photoshopper and are only a weekend warrior with Flash, then I would suggest leaning toward a MAC. As always, can't compare apples to oranges, but when it comes to Flash I know what Platform's in my toolbox.

P.S. I ran this benchmark mainly to decide what laptop platform would suit me best. I needed a nice desktop replacement that could deliver a punch on the road and still keep up in a desktop environment.

[CyanBlue]

Thanks for sharing information... :)

I won't be any help on giving you advice, but I am writing because of... Um... this...

I have AMD 700/256MB/32MB for Video/W2K...
Well... I did download the FMX 2004 Pro trial last time and did some test to see how buggy it is... I don't normally do animation... Most of the times, I just code from the ActionScript Editor... But the test was really disappointing... I write something like trace("hello"); and press enter... I type whole lot faster than what I see on the screen and I see the next line about 2 seconds after I press the enter key... If I open up an existing FMX file, I click one line in the Editor and I need to breath in real hard to see the cursor moving to that point...
It's really funny to see that happening since the system requirement for the FMX 2004 is 600 machine... Oh, well... Some day, I'll get a better computer... But till then, I am really happy with what I have since I do not have any problem running my FMX... :)

[markL]

Yeah perhaps that extra 150MHz makes a subtle difference. Just curious are you using a Duron or Athlon chip? What's the make and model of the PC? Reason I mention that I have a few AMD processors laying around, and I am getting cluttered lol. Private message me your address and I'll send you one of the 1.4GHz T-Bird Athlons laying around.

[Colin Campbell]

I have a 2.4 GHz P4c, and 1 GB of RAM. Flash runs really well on my PC. Looking into possibly purchasing a notebook though, thanks for the info :) When I clicked this topic I said to myself, "Oh no... not another Mac vs. PC thread!" but it actually turned out pretty good ;)

[mrfluffy]

I haven't done any benchmarks but my 500Mhz G3 PowerBook (384MB RAM) is about the same as my piece of crap 900Mhz celeron with 128MB RAM at work when using Flash MX. The only big differences are that MX crashes a lot on the Mac.

[CyanBlue]

WoW... Are you serious about the CPU??? Thanks a bunch... :)
But I am not sure if that will fit into my computer or not though...

I've got Athlon 700 and the PC is from HP which I sorta customized at the time when I bought one... One funny story to share... I ordered that PC over the web and a couple years ago, and they sent me AMD 600 or something machine which was lower than what I have ordered... I didn't have time to open up the box on that day, so I just left it in the doorstep... Guess what!!! I've got another PC on the next day from HP... I had no idea what's going on since I ordered just ONE... They mistakenly sent me TWO... :D
Here is the really funny part... I called them and they said that they had no record or sending me two computers... Hehe... Stupid people sometimes do what they are not supposed to be doing... :D
Yeah... I was naive enough to send one back to HP though... I didn't want to be the bad one there... :)

It's strange to hear that FMX crashes on Mac quite often... I used FMX on Mac for several months when I was at school, and it never crashed on me... ;)

[mrfluffy]

Maybe flash just doesn't like me. And your Athlon is probably 50% more powerful than mine, the main problem with the celeron is everything about it, no cache, wtf where they thinking?

[CyanBlue]

Hehe... I know... That's pretty much how they market to make more profits... :(

[stealthelephant]

ma pb runs fine with MX2004, ma ono complainin bout it is a touchpad N'stead of a proper mouse
(and the fact that i am still learning the mac shortcutts)

stupid horrid finder performance on Mac too

[markL]

Hmm, not exactly sure if that would work... Your chip has a bus of 100MHz, and the few I have laying around have 133MHz. Might not work on a HP mobo. But if it does it's yours =)

Well I just ordered my IBM T41p Thinkpad from IBM with the sxga+ (1400x1050) screen. I went to the store that carried IBM Thinkpads today and tested one out. Then headed over and tested the new powerbooks at the Apple store with Flash MX 2004. They didn't have the T41p on display but one of the employees had the older T40 Thinkpad and installed the Flash demo disc I brought with me (very cool). His procressor was the 1.3MHz Pentium M chip and 512MB ram. I can tell you this right now, the T40 was much faster and snappier than the PB with the 1.5GHz(new model) running Photoshop.

I also won't be buying anything from the Apple store again after what the clerk said. I told him I was shopping around and why my needs were. He starts off "Oh the new 1.5GHz powerbook will slaughter that 'Stinkpad'", and laughed like I was an idiot for even thinking of an IBM notebook. So I tested the 15" PB (1.5GHz) and after about 30 seconds of use I made my decision. I told the salesman the PB didn't meet my needs, and boy he started flaming IBM Thinkpads. Then making a few inane statements how IBM's not a PB, it's not as high quality build and blah blah blah. My GF was floored and couldn't believe how arrogant and ignorant the salesman was at the Apple store. Sure I will agree OS X is a very solid OS, but no need to have slander the company that made the G5 processor possible ;)

[stealthelephant]

yeah, i woulda never switched to mac if it werent for the os cos mac heads in general tend not to know what they are talking about and dont say anything positive bout pcs when merit is due

[mrfluffy]

although 'mac heads' tend not to know what they're talking about, PC users are all M$ whores and *nix users are spotty geeks who need a girlfriend.......

(hint: it's not a good idea to generalise)

[markL]

So since I use both platforms are you saying I'm a geeky dude in need of a woman?

*nix users are spotty geeks who need a girlfriend.......
(hint: it's not a good idea to generalise)
Isn't that statement the pot calling the kettle black!

[mrfluffy]

my post (apart from the last bit) wasnt supposed to be serious

[boyzdynasty]

*aye*
I have been thinking about getting a PB for over a year...still didn't get one. This only discourages me :( ...that and the price ;)

There has been talk about the G5 pb...will wait for that and see how the performance is like. I'm in no rush.

[stealthelephant]

flash is just 1 app though so dont base it on how well that app runs on a pb, my pb is faster than my AMD 1.500 (1800+) at 1.25
from my own benchs with flash it runs flash slower, but benching on encoding movies it gets 44 fps with mencoder vs 35 fps with mencoder on the linux box

[CyanBlue]

I have been thinking about getting a PB for over a year
Uh??? I thought that you already have enough problems... Why do you want one more??? :D

[boyzdynasty]

Uh??? I thought that you already have enough problems... Why do you want one more??? :D :p and [place picture of sticking tongue out here]

[Colin Campbell]

Don't hate Macs, if you love them, they'll love you back! :(

[CyanBlue]

Don't hate Macs, if you love them, they'll love you back!
Oh, don't get me wrong, Coline... :) (Long time no see btw...)
I said problem because you guys are keep saying PB which sounds like an abbreviation of the PROBLEM... So, I was just joking around... :)
(Yeah... I know I am bad at that... :D)

Just to let you guys know, I am not the Mac hater... I am planning to get one sometime later when I have enough money... :)

[markL]

Well I think that goes for both platforms... I do enjoy knowing my MAC is pretty safe from worms, viruses and all other bugs. It's a great and innovated Operating System, but for some reason Flash runs a bit sluggish. But then again perpahs it's Macromedia's fault for not speeding up Flash. Have to remember this is what I do for my day job (flash developer), and I need all the speed I can get. When you have to use Flash 8+ hours a day and would have to wait a few seconds here and there, trust me I would rather flip burgers lol... Well I take that back...

[annexion]

How cute.

[boyzdynasty]

How cute.what's cute? me...? aww shucks :o

back to the topic...hmm...not mux to say :confused:

[Korona]

its all down to the fact that MM producs are all ported to MAC - MX2004 was developed on windows (i imagine with VisualStudio), making thier products work on MAC's is more of an afterthought.