Pc V.S. mac

[s0ze]

Im looking into getting a laptop to do most of my home recording so I can edit on the go. I had originally planned to get a something that runs a version of windows, maybe and HP or a dell, when an mac notebook was suggested.

I was told that the mac notebooks were better all around for recording music, and since I a newb at home recording any input you guys can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

[noisewreck]

Well, yeah, there are some people who're still stuck back in the Windoze 98 days. These days there's really not that much of a difference between Windows XP and Mac OSX in terms of functionality or stability. Instead of asking Mac or PC, you should be thinking about what programs you want to use. Some programs will automatically dictate the choice. If you decide to go with Logic, there is no choice, you'll have to go with Mac. If you decide to go with Sonar, again, there is no choice, you have to go with PC. Cubase and ProTools are dual platform, but Cubase runs better on PCs and ProTools runs better on the Mac.

Same goes for audio editors. Peak vs. Wavelab or SoundForge for example.

So, I'd recommend you concentrate your research into the software first, and then see which OS they run best on (or are available on).

 

[Monkey Allen]

PC's when set up right can be just as good as MAC. MAC likes to cultivate an aura of strength in the sound and video department. PC can do it all too.

MAC are a good option for virus prevention. We use them at work...but let me tell you, they can be buggy and not without their problems...just like a PC

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

Hmmm... good posts.

I have both PC and Mac laptops. As much as I LOVE my Mac (solid, runs better, feels better, more stable....costs more) right now there isn't much hope for the aging G4 system to compete with a tricked out PC. If you could by a G5 laptop that might be different, but... you can't.

-C

 

[crunkthanamug]

Its all about performance!

Mac hardware cant compete with PC hardware...thats the bottom line in my book.

 

[jonnyc]

As far as laptops go, until mac gets a g5 version then yeah pc's are going to be better even though the os is a nightmare. I have both a mac and a pc. I use both everyday, once a week my pc has a problem, and in its 2 year life has needed hardware replaced going on its third time. I have cubase on my pc and it runs bad, some of its probably user error but I constantly fight to get it to work right. My mac on the otherhand is like that kid every babysitter wants to watch. Its a dream, always runs the same, never crashes, never bogs down, no problems and its going on a year and a half. I've poured 4 thousand dollars into my pc, and have only spent the initial cost on the mac. PC's may have superior hardware, but Mac's use a superior OS and if I had to choose I'd pick a superior OS over superior hardware, after all if the pc can't get up and running because of its os then the hardware doesn't do much good.

 

[noisewreck]

Mac will not get a G5 laptops. IBM has been unable to provide a version of G5 that runs cooler and drains less power than the ones used in the desktops. Same with being unable to provide with 3GHz processors. These are the two main reasons of Apple switching to Intel starting with 2006.

 

[altitude909]

Yep. If your hell bent on a mac laptop, wait till next year when the intel based ones are out.

IBM/Apple was dissolved because big blue wanted bigger volume customers (namely MS and their xbox 360 - Inronic eh?) and would not give Apple the terms they wanted. Which is actually a good thing since there has been a x86 version of OSX under wraps for a bit now (according to some ppl I know at Apple) and with multiple core pentium Ms coming real soon, OSX based laptops performance will be up to par with everyone else.

The only difference between the OSX and XP (now based on the same hardware) would be the maintence level. XP is high maintence while OSX, not so much. If you have limited computer skills, then OSX all the way. The trade off is in the amount of software available for each. XP has a mountain of software going back years. I still run 16 bit programmers for few of my synths with no problems. OSX wont have that reverse compatability and their updates break certain apps pretty regularly (apple - Grr)

The metaphor I always use for the Mac and PCs is the Mac is an off the lot high end sports car while the PC is the customized muscle car, the latter requiring a fair amount of knowledge about components and upkeep. Saying one is better than the other is purely opinion and personal preference since most DAW software is available for both and indentical on each platform

 

[legionserial]

From mine and my friends experiences, I personally don't trust Microsoft or Apple. OSX may appear to be more stable than XP on the surface, but once you get underneath its got just as many holes.

At least if you build or buy a pc you know its only your operating system made shoddily by a huge corporation who don't give a toss if theres anything wrong with it. Whereas Apple are to blame for your entire mac from the hardware to the OS.

I especially don't trust Apple since they started putting irreplacable batteries in their I-Pods that only had a life of 13 months..ie 1 month after the warranty expires. And then telling people to buy a new I-Pod. For that, they will never see a penny from me.

 

[dgatwood]

I especially don't trust Apple since they started putting irreplacable batteries in their I-Pods that only had a life of 13 months..ie 1 month after the warranty expires. And then telling people to buy a new I-Pod. For that, they will never see a penny from me.

Irreplaceable? It takes five minutes to find the batteries with a google search, and even less time than that to pop the back off, cut two pieces of Scotch tape, unplug the battery connector, plug the new one in, replace the two pieces of tape, and snap the back on. A monkey could do it. I actually had somebody stand there and watch while I replaced one once. It's a freaking breeze.

Oh, and most of the "battery problems" were fixed by installing iPod updater 1.2.6.

 

[Sirnothingness]

They've since taken care of those problems. Apple, unlike other companies, does listen to their customers complaints. And I pesonally have both a Mac and a Dell PC and I can't believe how stabe my Mac is compared to the PC. You can say what you want, but the truth is that the Mac is more stable.

 

[wx3]

I have a Music XPC C3 PRO PC, and it's the most stable computer I've ever used. It runs much smoother then a custom made computer my friend has with much higher specs.