Mac Or Windows

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jingleheimer

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I have been using my windows computer for some time for recording and i was wondering why I was using it. (And i know that primarily it is up to user preferance but technically which is the better system?) Should i be using a windows or should i be using a mac? I have heard that macs are easier to recover data if something goes wrong and that they are a stabler system all around but is this true and if i should be using a mac what recording programs would you suggest? Thank you very much to everyone -Jingleheimer-
 
jingleheimer said:
I have been using my windows computer for some time for recording and i was wondering why I was using it. (And i know that primarily it is up to user preferance but technically which is the better system?) Should i be using a windows or should i be using a mac? I have heard that macs are easier to recover data if something goes wrong and that they are a stabler system all around but is this true and if i should be using a mac what recording programs would you suggest? Thank you very much to everyone -Jingleheimer-
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My bias up front. I've been a Mac user for ages, and professionally, I write documentation on how to write drivers for Mac OS X. This both makes me very knowledgeable on the subject, and very biased. Several grains of salt. As always, all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

As a general rule, the more people you have with their fingers in the deepest parts of the OS, the less stable the system will be. That's where Mac OS X really shines, IMHO.

I haven't done any Windows driver development, but here are my thoughts based on reading through some of their APIs a while back:

  • Mac OS X has a modern, highly unified driver architecture that was designed for things like audio from the beginning; Windows has a hodge-podge of different driver APIs.
  • Mac OS X tends to move a lot more drivers into user space (out of the kernel) than Windows, which means less code running in the guts of the system to begin with.
  • Mac OS X has built-in drivers for a lot of common hardware; on Windows, hardware manufacturers generally roll their own.
  • With Mac OS X, the driver model was designed to maximize reusability, so drivers tend to contain less custom code than their Windows counterparts..
  • Because of tight OS/hardware integration, with Mac OS X, you're less likely to start building your system on shifting sands.

It is perfectly possible to set up a stable Windows system for use as a DAW. It just requires careful selection of components.

This is, of course, entirely my opinion, and mine alone. All views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of my employer, yada, yada, yada. In fact, they may not even be my opinions. I may not even be myself. Your mileage may vary. Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. See store for details. Not all drivers may qualify.
 
dgatwood said:
Because of tight OS/hardware integration, with Mac OS X, you're less likely to start building your system on shifting sands.

It is perfectly possible to set up a stable Windows system for use as a DAW. It just requires careful selection of components.
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dgatwood pretty much nailed it.

You can use either. Neither is better in skilled hands than the other, for the most part. Macs have claimed significant market share in pro audio (and video) because they don't require the engineer to also be a computer tech and tend to work better with less attention.

BUT if you're a computer geek and enjoy keeping your machine tuned, an XP (and XP only) windows machine will typcially offer you better performance for the price.

I was a windows guy for years and still am. But I bought a Powerbook for my main recording machine about a year and half ago. Ever since I've had to spend MUCH less time keeping my work machine running and I haven't regretted it for a minute. Even though I know how to keep the PC humming nicely (its part of what I do for a living) I'd rather not have to when it come to my own creative work. The PC is my backup machine and (blush) gaming machine now.

I like OSX way better than XP. It took me a couple days to get used to the differences, but it seems over all smoother and cleaner to me. Apple's stuff is tightly integrated and high quality and I like it. In some ways you get what you pay for and Apple's power line, though expensive, seems to be well made.

You can buy well made PC's and you can definitely *make* XP run smoothly- but what is your time worth? That's what convinced me to try the Mac and I've been fairly happy with it. I'm looking forward to seeing how well OSX runs on Intel hardware next year.

Take care,
Chris
 
The guys above pretty much summed it up.

Just to add something, some programs seem to work better on a certain systems, for example,
I run PTs on a Mac and have no trouble what so ever, but hear alot of guys/girls with PCs having problems
with their PC systems running PTs. Another example is Nuendo apparently works better on a PC than on a Mac. (So i've heard).
Doesn't mean that it happens to everyone thou, just repeating what i've heard/read.

They both have their advantages, I personally like Macs better thou. :cool:
 
Here we go again - let the pissing match begin...

Coke or Pepsi?
GM or Ford?
McDonalds or Burger King?

IT DOESN'T FREAKIN' MATTER!

Anyone who says one platform is better than the other is either a Steve or Bill zealot.
 
Mac's - easier out of the box, requires a little less knowledge to keep running properly, better hardware compatibility (not more, just better).

PC's - just as stable, a little more powerful, more affordable, but much more knowledge is required to bring a system to that kind of perfomance and reliability.

In the end, the best system is the one that you are the most comfortable with (and in some cases the one your software and/or hardware is most comfortable with). Which ever one you feel the best about that still gets the job done is the better system......for you:)
 
Chris Shaeffer said:
BUT if you're a computer geek and enjoy keeping your machine tuned, an XP (and XP only) windows machine will typcially offer you better performance for the price.
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Why XP only? I am running Windows 2000 without any problems. Is Windows XP any faster for DAW applications?

James
 
Is Windows XP any faster for DAW applications?
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No but everything coming out is mostly XP only (alot is XP SP2 only)
 
xstatic said:
Mac's - easier out of the box, requires a little less knowledge to keep running properly, better hardware compatibility (not more, just better).

PC's - just as stable, a little more powerful, more affordable, but much more knowledge is required to bring a system to that kind of perfomance and reliability.
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Is that the definition of just as stable?

tim
 
Sorry Tim, but I am not sure what exactly you are asking. I find PC's to be just as stable as Mac's. The difference is that a PC takes some tuning (from most stock setups) to get it there.
 
dwillis45 said:
Digital Performer or Logic should put you in good company:

http://www.bigbluelounge.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11441
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Hey thank you very much for the tip it will definatly help.




To Everyone: Im sorry if i created a Bill or steve zealot post i was not intending too i was looking more for a technical answer on why it seems most people use windows and perhaps a tip on what programs are good for mac. Thanks to everyone though for the help
 
jingleheimer said:
To Everyone: Im sorry if i created a Bill or steve zealot post i was not intending too ...
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You didn't. This was definetly wasn't a pissing match.
 
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