We're finally making our case to get MacBook Pros and widescreen monitors for graphic design at our company on Thursday. Here is the ROI/justification notes I'll be using. Please feel free to add to the list and play devil's advocate. Hopefully, this can serve as a future discussion for others to make their case for adopting Macs.
Keep in mind, these are my personal notes and are not intended to be given in printed form to the people we're presenting to. (They're a little scattery)
Thanks!
Business Case for Macs:
The primary reason we want MacBook Pros is speed. Weve been taking on more and more work this year, and a more efficient machine will help us become a more efficient department.
Part of the speed comes from our background as designers were more familiar with the Mac OS and therefore quicker on it.
Part of it comes from several advantages of the OS X user interface:
Quickview can highlight an item on the desktop and preview it by hitting spacebar (images and Microsoft Office docs)
Exposé Can easily switch between open windows and programs with a key command or mouse movement.
Trademark symbols The keystroke to add these on the Mac OS is significantly quicker than on Windows.
The OS X user interface is far superior for users who run multiple programs and have to switch between them. It is not uncommon for us to have InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Email, Multiple browser windows, and multiple finder windows open at the same time for the same project.
The processing power needed to run these programs simultaneously (especially when working on a large file) is insufficient even on the small Macbook. Because of the visual nature of our jobs, a computer with a dedicated graphics card is favored.
New Monitor:
Having multiple program windows open requires a significant amount of screen real estate. Our current displays are insufficient for our purposes.
Many of our projects involve creating pieces that are wider than our current monitors. A 24in. Monitor would allow us to view two 8.5x11 pages side by side at 100%. Most of the product brochures we create are this size. This allows us a better more accurate preview and requires fewer printouts. In addition to brochures, we are also responsible for creating numerous large banners for tradeshows and company conferences.
Secondly, our current monitors are frankly pretty cheap, and thus do not allow accurate color calibration.
Keep in mind, these are my personal notes and are not intended to be given in printed form to the people we're presenting to. (They're a little scattery)
Thanks!
Business Case for Macs:
The primary reason we want MacBook Pros is speed. Weve been taking on more and more work this year, and a more efficient machine will help us become a more efficient department.
Part of the speed comes from our background as designers were more familiar with the Mac OS and therefore quicker on it.
Part of it comes from several advantages of the OS X user interface:
Quickview can highlight an item on the desktop and preview it by hitting spacebar (images and Microsoft Office docs)
Exposé Can easily switch between open windows and programs with a key command or mouse movement.
Trademark symbols The keystroke to add these on the Mac OS is significantly quicker than on Windows.
The OS X user interface is far superior for users who run multiple programs and have to switch between them. It is not uncommon for us to have InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, Email, Multiple browser windows, and multiple finder windows open at the same time for the same project.
The processing power needed to run these programs simultaneously (especially when working on a large file) is insufficient even on the small Macbook. Because of the visual nature of our jobs, a computer with a dedicated graphics card is favored.
New Monitor:
Having multiple program windows open requires a significant amount of screen real estate. Our current displays are insufficient for our purposes.
Many of our projects involve creating pieces that are wider than our current monitors. A 24in. Monitor would allow us to view two 8.5x11 pages side by side at 100%. Most of the product brochures we create are this size. This allows us a better more accurate preview and requires fewer printouts. In addition to brochures, we are also responsible for creating numerous large banners for tradeshows and company conferences.
Secondly, our current monitors are frankly pretty cheap, and thus do not allow accurate color calibration.
