Advice Needed... which is better?

Question

Hello...  I am not a computer 'genius", but not a complete "computer idiot' either.  I have a question, and then I will give my reasoning, because maybe it matters in the decision.
Which is better, a PC (Gateway) with 6GB Ram, i5 processor, 1.5TB HD  or an Imac 4GB Ram, i3 processor, 1TB HD??
Basically, I have had a Dell 2GB Ram desktop for 7 years, which suited me fine. I ran CS3 on it with no problems.  I recently had a virus, and had to swipe my computer, and when I re-installed Adobe, my Premiere Pro will no longer allow me to edit properly (audio plays fine, while video lags and skips around during viewing).  I know it is time to get a new computer either way, and a few friends have told me that I really shouldnt be running Premiere Pro on 2GB of ram, and suggested at least 6GB.
I found a Gateway for $650 on bestbuy site with the above specs... but then someone I know, told me I would be better with an Imac with the specs above.  Is that possible that a 4GB mac would run better than the 6GB PC?
also..  will CS3 work on the Windows 7 PC, but if I get Mac system I will be using CS5.
I use Photoshop, and Premier Pro for simple music video editing (5-6min videos).  I do not do anything major..but want to at least be able to view what I am doing.
thanks

Answer 1

While I don't agree that Macs are as inferior as some here claim, for your purposes an i5 iMac is certainly inadequate. The i7 quad core iMac is something else again; it can take up to 16GB of RAM, which is plenty for most applications. The particular i7 CPU in the iMac is also quite capable with a number of performance enhancing technologies on board. The big problem with the iMac, though, is that it comes with only one internal HDD; there is an added SSD option, but in my opinion it's still too expensive. For video you should have at least two internal drives and preferable three or four, as others here have said. External drives are generally slower, even if you use a FireWire 800 port. Sometime this year Apple may add a Thunderbolt port to the iMac, as they have to the MacBook Pro. This will be a game changer for external media, with unheard of flexibility in connectivity and the performance of Fiber Chanel at an affordable price. There are already external RAIDs coming to market with Thunderbolt connections. However, there is no date certain for such an iMac refresh.
For even semi-serious video you need some heavy iron, whether Mac or PC. There are some great Mac Pros available now with up to 12 cores on two 6 core Intel Westmere processors; however, even though I am a Mac fan, I'm sure you can build or get a BTO Windows PC with comparable specs for less. I suggest a minimum of four modern CPU cores to handle multi-threading and multi-tasking chores. At least two fast internal hard drives, four is preferable. And, of course, the more RAM the better, though this too will raise the price. You may not get the maximum RAM right away; the important thing is that the motherboard be able to support substantial RAM upgrades so that you can grow into it.
The challenge, even with PCs, is that a number of core technologies are changing right now. SixGb/s hard drives are becoming available but it would take a high-end and relatively new motherboard to support them properly. So, besides the question of which computer to get, you have to consider when to get it. If you need it right now, that narrows your choices somewhat because you cannot wait for these new technologies to come on line.
The most important thing to consider, though, is not to cheap out. Presumably you will be doing some real work on it, so think of this computer as an investment in your own future. Buy the most computer you can afford and a little bit more. Oh, and there is a new Version of Final Cut Pro coming out soon that will be Intel only and 64 bit capable, so Apple is moving ahead on this front, too. Remember, not all of Adobe's CS apps are 64 bit yet either. It's just one more technology in transition.
One point I will concede, however, is that Windows has better video drivers than OS X. Even on a Mac, running Windows in Boot Camp delivers better video frame rates than the Mac versions of the same apps running in OS X. So, for reasons of cost and better video support, a Windows PC is probably the way to go. PCs also have it over Macs in the number of options available. If you are not a techie yourself, I agree as well that it is probably a good idea to have someone who is built it custom for you. Of course, with a custom PC you won't get the kind of warrantee that comes from Dell or Apple, but the person who builds it for you will probably be able to service it as well.
Ultimately, of course, your budget is likely to govern the kind of PC you get more than your preferred specs. But even with Windows PCs you get what you pay for. A cheap PC is just that, a cheap PC. Inexpensive PCs are affordable because they use inferior components. Keep that in mind.