Linux? Stable for editing?

[Shion]

mac os x crashes less often than linux, i.e. absolutely never at all.

Not true. We purchased two brand new G5's running FCP 4.5 at the place where I used to work. One was crashing constantly, and required several reboots a day (often needing to be physically turned off then on again). The other generally did not crash completely, but had its share of glitches and would often require one or two reboots a week. (Both machines were shut off daily.)

Now, our situation may have been the exception, not the rule, and it could well have been software/hardware conflicts causing the faults- unlikely, given that these were both built and tested by a reputable editing systems dealer, but not impossible. But I've heard many people claim that modern Macs do not crash at all, which in my experience (not limited to those two G5's- I've had iMacs crash on me before too) is simply not true.

-Bon

[christoph]

Not true. We purchased two brand new G5's running FCP 4.5 at the place where I used to work. One was crashing constantly, and required several reboots a day (often needing to be physically turned off then on again).

this almost always is a hardware conflict (most often bad RAM).. careful troubleshooting should eliminate the offending part (and run the hardware diagnostic CD).

that said, yes, macs do crash sometimes as do all computer that do more than write letters or serve email.
++ christoph ++

[mattias]

mac os x crashes less often than linux, i.e. absolutely never at all.

Not true. We purchased two brand new G5's running FCP 4.5 at the place where I used to work. One was crashing constantly, and required several reboots a day (often needing to be physically turned off then on again).

that must be a hardware problem and it would most likely have crashed at least as often had you installed linux on it. i've had such problems with my ibook when i've had bad memory modules installed, and sometimes i hear cards can slip out of their slots in shipping, which causes the same thing. a crash per year or so is the most you should accept with a mac os box, or you should send it back.

/matt

[Shion]

that must be a hardware problem and it would most likely have crashed at least as often had you installed linux on it.

I wasn't defending Linux, nor did I even mention it, although I acknowledge that it is the topic of this thread.

But yeah, Linux is at least as prone to crashing as OSX, in my experience. In fact, I found it (Linux- I think Red Hat was the distro I used) to be a joke when I last gave it a serious try about 3 years ago... so buggy and poorly designed (in terms of GUI and applications) that I couldn't believe people were trying to promote it as a serious alternative to Windows. I'm sure it's improved since then, but I'm in no hurry to give it another try.

this almost always is a hardware conflict (most often bad RAM).. careful troubleshooting should eliminate the offending part (and run the hardware diagnostic CD).

i've had such problems with my ibook when i've had bad memory modules installed, and sometimes i hear cards can slip out of their slots in shipping, which causes the same thing. a crash per year or so is the most you should accept with a mac os box, or you should send it back.

Thanks for the info. I have heard that memory modules can be a cause of problems. I no longer work there, but I did suggest that the company send the worse of the two machines back, and they may have done so by now.

I'm contemplating purchasing a Mac (ideally a Powerbook, but likely something cheaper), and would likely order some additional RAM with it. Do you guys recommend getting Apple's official stuff, or are there less expensive third party brands that are acceptable?

Cheers,

-Bon

[lunni]

I'm contemplating purchasing a Mac (ideally a Powerbook, but likely something cheaper), and would likely order some additional RAM with it. Do you guys recommend getting Apple's official stuff, or are there less expensive third party brands that are acceptable?

It's really important to to use recommended RAM modules with PowerBook. I know a guy who grilled his motherboard with cheap memory card and that was quite expensive for him in the end as PowerBook warranty was void because of using non-supported RAM module. I'm using recommended memory on mine...

/henri

[Nigel]

My old old old iBook--SE Clamshell 466G3 would crash with 9.2.2 and was always a bit touchy. Right after satrt up it would hold/freeze for about 20 seconds before it would be ready to move.

Since I made the switch to OSX(10.4.2 on the iBook and 10.3.9 on my G4 tower) I have been loving life. I was really quite scared but have never had any issues. After all I was so used to the Classic space. I knew my Mac inside and out. There is much more I need to learn to feel as comfortable with UNIX. I think Apple was really wise to make the switch to Darwin. Although the MacTel switch I think is a huge mistake.

Good Luck

[christoph]

I'm contemplating purchasing a Mac (ideally a Powerbook, but likely something cheaper), and would likely order some additional RAM with it. Do you guys recommend getting Apple's official stuff, or are there less expensive third party brands that are acceptable?

while i think that the computers are good value, one thing that I (and others) have been criticicing for years if apples pricing for RAM, it's outrageous (maybe it's getting slightly better now, but i bet they still charge too much)...
generetic *quality* RAM of the same kind will work perfectly allright for nearly half the price.. just dont get no-name cheapo RAM.
++ christoph ++