PC or Mac?

[ElectricPuppy]

Oh, here we go with the Linux contingent. lol

[liliththekitten]

PC, I prefer MacOS but Windows works fine and there are so many VSTis for it. If I just used hardware synths, Mac. Haven't done Parallels or BootCamp on my Mac cuz I didn't want to buy a separate copy of Windows, maybe WINE will work

[-groovatious-]

anywho.. Windows XP sp2 is the most solid OS of all time... or so far.

 

 

Hahahhahaha

[cheungaryk]

I use both, maybe more on the Mac though. So, mac.

[iblamesummers]

PC.

[TropicThink]

PC, mainly because they're almost twice as good - after all, if you want a kick ass i7 equipped computer then $4,000 buys you roughly two quality component PCs, but only one Mac.

[kilon]

I want my workflow simple , fast , efficient and stable. So mac is my only available choice.

But I have windows pcs at work and I am typing these words , from inside my UBUNTU acer aspire one netbook.

My 22 years experiences with using , programmig , and messing around with computers shown me that the iMAC will be the closet one can get to the best computer ever made. Amiga 500.

Windows are the definition of "crap" , at least windows 7 tries to fix some of that.

PCs, especially laptops will cost a fortune to service. One hp laptop I owned costed 1500 euros to buy and another 1500 euros to keep it runiing for 3 years.Another 2000 euro laptop I owned reached a complete meltdown in 2 years. Almost all my pcs Desktops had problems within the first year of owning them, except my first PC a 486 Mhz DX at 70 Mhz. PCs are too expensive for my needs. And I dont see myself after owning an iMac for the last 3 years with zero hardware and software problems, that I will go back to PCs ever unless they change things substantially.

Bye Bye Pcs.

[mrcpro]

If you drive an Audi or BMW: Mac.

 

If you drive a Hyundai: PC.

 

I drive a Hyundai.

[Tomkeen]

I drive a Mitsubishi. What do I need?

[LostTsunami]

As some one who owns ...

 

32 GB iPhone 4

64 GB iPad

13in MB Pro

27in iMac ...

 

Have a guess what my vote was ....

[pogo97]

I drive a Mitsubishi. What do I need?

 

 

unix

[Dr.Innovation]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I'm curious what you guys like to use for your DAW or software synth stuff...

I'm curious why you are curious to know what
people (who are all creatively and technically different) use
for a DAW?


Why do people *choose* to buy XXX or YYY?
What significance does this have on a person's

-workflow
-creativity
-technical ability?

The only real difference is that a PC is proven to
produce conditions that allow the end user to enjoy the
-lowest latency recorded for hardware audio interfaces
-and can fully utilize 64bits without issue.

On the other hand a Mac has the OSX which limits hardware
incongruities (by using proprietary components) to ensure
the best experience -which is usually void of installation
and compatibility issues....

[Enter: A professionally built Daw] -Windows PC-

For the price I paid for a professionally built (Windows PC) DAW
I got top end components, turn key installed VSTi's, a warranty,
solid tech support (from the actual people who built my DAW),
and a 100% perfectly built system configured around my hardware.

In addition to this Aircraft grade Aluminum encased
i7 2.93GHZ W/aftermarket coolling, 12GB DDR3 1600mhz
Mushkin Ram, Whisper quiet operation and well insulated, dual DVI
fanless video card, 1,000watt PSU, a well engineered push/pull fan
system to keep ish cool, 4 X 300GB 10K RPM VelociRaptors...

*As well as a logitech back-lit LED keyboard...
*2 Acer 22inch Widescreen Monitors
*Cubase 5 64 bit
*Razor Death adder mouse (a must have)

*I could have gotten a stripped down "Mac Pro"
with a severely limited configuration for the same amount of money*

(Without a single monitor, nor the additions mentioned)


-*I* opted for maximum performance per dollar.



Since everyone has different needs (and budgets)
there will obviously be different DAWs formed from the usage of a:
-Mac -or-
-PC
-Or even both.

Provided the end user has a modicum of understanding
in the field of DAW building a cheap, but effective solution can be
built. The same cannot be said of a Mac and you will pay a premium for it!

However consider only a Mac can run Logic Pro.
A powerful and intuitive DAW program most Big name
professional composers use and rely on day in n out.


As long as it gets the job done WGAS what you run?

[cresshead]

Atari...or linux...actually "whatever gets the job done"

o/s is just a file system to launch apps from.

[gregwar]

botom line:

mac for laptops, pc for desktops.

[Dr.Innovation]

botom line: mac for laptops, pc for desktops.

 

 

This isn't true and if it were true it would depend on

the person's usage.

 

If I get an M-audio fast track ultra paired to any

halfway decent Window's laptop I can get

down to low low latency, exceptional mic pres

and quality/solid drivers for little money.

 

I have an i5 Gateway laptop (as value as they come)

and it works fine for audio recording without pops, clicks, driver issues...

And I'm using a Steinberg MI4! USB 1.1

 

Firewire would be a no go sure, but USB 2.0?

A PC-laptop can easily suffice.

[Mediterranean]

Chando, get SP3 man. Especially if you use your comp to buy stuff online, etc.

[Mediterranean]

The poll question says what one prefers, not what one has. I have PC. I prefer Mac.

PCs are like the Toyotas of the world. Macs the Rolls Royces. Why so expensive?

[MuzikB]

I have preferred Mac since 2002. I took a bat to my PC in the backyard of my then townhouse in Bury St. Edmunds, England after a month of music use using a G4 Titanium Powerbook.

 

A life changing historical event for me.

[kilon]

Why so expensive?

Because with hardware good things cost. If you want top build quality, slick design and harware closely integrated with software then be prepared to pay the extra money, because when it comes to MACs , it worths it till its last euro.

I would not compared my 1300 euros iMAC with any pc out there, even if it claims it may offer more in half the money. Because my experience with my iMAC had been simply priceless and worth every single euro. I would settle even for half the hardware for the same money, because not to be pissed off by software or hardware is a huge plus for me.

For me MACs are dirty cheap. And so are synthesizers like my 2000 euro Andromeda. Price is something purely subjective based on the criteria of a person.

But in the end I could compromise with a pc and windows. Its not the end of the world, I hate windows yes but they are still a very usable os. And I can completly understand people who cannot afford a MAC. I wish that they will one day able to afford, but I dont see myself superior just because I use MAC.

My belief is simple, MAC are slick , beautifu, cool, easy to use, powerful , reliable but in the end of the day they are not the holy grail, just a computer that works properly and looks cool. Great thing can be done in all Operation System and even the oldest computer. I laugh at people that need the latest RAM , the most GBs, the 32 cores and 100 TB hard drive to compose good music.

They are searching for the excuse not the solution.

I hugely love people that constantly kick my ass , by posting great music made on crappy old computer, they put me back to my place and my iMAC looks so much smaller.

So yes I love my MAC, but I dont take this show too seriously.

Use whatever you want, but most importantly use it well and be special.

[projectwoofer]

Atari ST!

[wwwjd]

i don't care who uses what for what.

 

but my cheap $800 PC outruns my friends' macs that cost 4 TIMES that amount. come on.... buying a brand name badge maybe? I sit at home and bang out things on tracks with ZERO issues, instantly... I hate working with THEM anymore, it is non-stop techincal issues, slow downs, locksups, reboots... YES on high end macs.

whatever works for you. macs don't, from what I've seen

(yes, I know macs can work fine, just tossing out my local experiences)

[Fisnotigut]

I can tell you that until the hard drive died, my Mac never crashed and never got hung up. The hard drive, btw, was an IBM.

 

If they weren't so expensive, I'd go Mac 100%. Windows IS getting better though.

[liliththekitten]

I don't think Mac hardware is any better, maybe better than the average PC. I've owned:

Desktop Mac QUADRA: brilliant, lasted forever. eventually the hard drive went. I cant remember when Apple actually made their own drives, they were always IBM, Toshiba, Hitachi like PC OEM drives

Sony Desktop PC: still have, the "MAT{censored}A LOL" optical drive died

G3 Powerbook: complete lemon, so many troubles after about a year, useless

G4 Powerbook: good, hard drive died once, replaced, eventually power supply went

Panasonic Toughbook: brilliantly engineered, what Mac fans think Macs are. still have. still blew a bank of RAM once. Also I BSOD'd it once (my bad)

Toshiba Netbook: no problems after a year

MacBook: no problems after 6 mos, was used, previous owner had to get the cracked chipped case fixed. Pre-unibody MacBooks were known for this

[Dr.Innovation]

I don't think Mac hardware is any better, maybe better than the average PC. I've owned: Desktop Mac QUADRA Sony Desktop PC G3 Powerbook G4 Powerbook Panasonic Toughbook Toshiba Netbook MacBook

 

 

Mac Hardware (that has been hand picked) to be used puts

the entire system in a better position which means a better

user experience, coupled to the OS which most people say "it just works."

 

However lets fast forward to "the now" where people

have a much better selection of parts for a Window's PC...

in the end makes it a better value, but not a better system...

 

Pound for pound, and dollar for dollar a Window's PC will be

cheaper (than a Mac) in the end, even more so if the person is duped

into buying accessories or other hardware at their obscene price schemes!

 

I find if the DIYer doesn't know wth he's doing he is liable to run into:

-latency issues

-driver issues

-incompatibilities of hardware due to user error and poor selection

 

..whereas buying a Mac you take out the guesswork and hardware

will run if it is Mac approved, which btw, doesn't automatically

give credence to the misconception that a Mac *IS* better than a PC

-because it does not, not at all.

 

If a person is indecisive between a Mac Pro and a window's PC?

Get one done, assembled, tested and warranted from a reputable

and professional DAW builder -is my suggestion unless you need

Logic Pro.

 

Superior support, better performance/dollar ratio.

[Metrosonus]

Macs have always been built on the same technology that PCs use. They are made by the same companies in the same factories in China. The only difference was that in the 80's and early 90's Macs used primarily SCSI as opposed to PCs that used ISA and then IDE. Up until now they used the RISC processor and now they use the same ones that PCs do.

You pay a premium for

1. industrial design

2. so called "user experience" which is just really a branded experience.

You stay off the warez and 4chan and PCs "just work" too. If I had any advice to give about PCs it'd be to buy one from a reputable company such as Dell, HP etc. rather than build one yourself.

Putting a PC together from components guarantees that you will lose a HDD controller, MOBO or something within 3-5 years. I've lost too many and seen my students have the same problems. I think component companies figure they got the kids (gamers) in a corner because when something fails, they want to upgrade anyway. So I'm very certain that component hardware is designed to fail after so many years.




Anyway, as allways, just use what lets you work your best, but don't pat yourself on the back about it.