Right, well now I know what to buy when I make my millions ;)
I don’t want to go into a big Windows vs. Mac discussion here, but Mac is also, as Rob said, very fast and perfect for having multiple things open at a time (Corona Terminal + Simulator, code editor, graphics programs, and a finder window for project navigation). Windows gets slow rather quickly. IMO, Mac is worth the extra price - it’ll repay it in gained time and usability.
- Caleb
Some more info on my part -
Tried GIMP out when I was getting started. It’s free, but the learning curve might be a bit big. I switched to Pixelmator because the easier interface was worth the $15 (they might have raised the price since I got it).
Also tried out InkScape - I’d highly recommend it, unless weird windows popping up everywhere gives you a headache. GIMP also had it’s share of weird windows, by the way. Personally, I’d say InkScape isn’t quite as good as Sketch, though, also.
Tried out Love2D (also when getting started). It has a few big things going for it. First of all, it’s free, no limits on pro vs. starter or anything. That’s a BIG pro over Corona. Don’t get me wrong - it’s fine for CoronaLabs to charge for their great SDK, but you have to admit, it’s hard to beat “free” for a price. Second of all, it supports shaders/pixel effects - if Corona did that, it would be great… For the pro subscribers. Love2D also has quad support, skewing, and some other things you can do to image objects.
However, the Love2D workflow is a bit of a hassle. You can’t just save a file and instantly reload, plus you also can’t reload when the Love2D window is open - a small thing, but you’d be surprised at the effect it has. The “love.update()” thingy that Love2D does is also not as good as Corona’s, but it’s easy to write a “Corona wrapper” for object creation (add an XY position to each object when it’s created and put automatic object drawing into love.update()).
In the end, I’d say…
[lua]
local function valueCheck(a, b)
if a.value == b.value then
print(“Love2D makes up for it’s quirks with pixel effects, skewing, computer apps (not just mobile), and the free price - Corona, though, is easy to use yet powerful and fast”)
end
end
local Love2D = {
value = 1000000000000
}
local CoronaSDK = {
value = 1000000000000
}
valueCheck(Love2D, CoronaSDK)
[/lua]
So there’s a comparison of a few free things vs. paid things.
- Caleb
@Caleb: This is one of the reasons we are using Corona for mobile and Love2D (if at all) for windows/mac ports 
This is officially my favorite thread, absolute wealth of information. @Caleb cheers for posting some really cool stuff! I’m going to take a look at Love2d. Though be honest I’m still really a “starter” as it goes with Corona (can’t even seem to get my ebook working!) so I’ll have to work my way around a bit before I can dive straight in to do anything massively useful.
As for the whole mac vs windows, I will probably move over to mac when I have the money to spend (I’ll have to sell a few apps first!). Almost everyone I’ve either worked with or am friends with in this sector has apple gear.
M