Updating computer.....

[xrekcor]

Ok this old chestnut..... I'm about to upgrade my computer for my home
studio which I want to build into a semi professional level eventually....

So basically what is the go with Mac v PC is it true PC's are now very
competitive when it comes to running DAW's. I've been a PC bloke
for as long as I have had computers. But I have never seen (apart from
to odd home studio) PC's being used in more professional situations
it always been Mac's but then again I haven't been around the recording
scene for a awhile.

I understand how PC's are much more flexible when it comes to upgrading
and also a lil cheaper. more plugins are written under windows than Macs
...etc...etc.... more interested in what will like deliver now and into the future.

What I really want to know Mac to me has always been a much more solid
system than PC's can be..... they crunch the numbers better and apt at
running powerful software.... such as DAW's. But I'm hearing PC's aren't
that far behind these days and people/studios are starting to move in that
direction.

I'm looking at laptops only as I want the system to be mobile as possible.
please post your thoughts I am very interested to hear. I'm not biased one
way or the other except for what will give the best output in the end.

[musicman691]

Laptops for the most part are a crap-shoot for audio work. The hardware is but part of the story unless one pays attention to all the little bits & bobs when ordering/specing the machine. Speed and storage tend to be at a premium. If you're doing a lot of work with vi's then you'll want a separate drive for samples to go along with a separate drive for PT to record to. Some of that can be alleviated by getting a large ssd as the system drive - forget using a spinner.

Let's not forget the audio interface as you don't really want to work with/rely on an internal interface. Sure you could use headphones but do you really want to work with them all the time?

A lot is going to depend on how portable you really need to (want to) be. There are people here doing great work on MacBook Pro laptops. Configure with a large ssd as system drive and max out the ram - 16 gig from the get-go. You've already found out that 4 gig is part of what's holding you back.

PC's versus Macs - properly configured each can do the job. But getting a decent Windows machine ain't easy. I've used both and have been part of the Mac ecosystem for these last few years. My previous Windows machine was a Toshiba Satellite 1955 laptop 2.53 GHz Pentium 4 with I think 2 gig ram. I spent a lot of time getting the Windows ram load down to just about 100 meg - that's how much bloatware that was on there. The system I'm running now which is in my profile has a LOT more power/speed but it isn't portable.

And that last point bears repeating - how portable do you really need to be?

[xrekcor]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for your reply.......

I don’t own any guns but I sure as hell love blowing stuff up..... powder monkey in a former life.....

Initially my idea was to build a system I can plug into either the venue or the hired sound system that may be there to do live recordings..... but then having worked in that environment I’m prolly going to get a lot of push back from whoever might be the soundy....... so I’m buying my own PA (so prolly a desk as opposed an audio interface)....... anyways that not what my Q is really about.....

I got a fair idea what I need..... just more deciding whether to go with a windows machine or and Mac to run the DAW side of things........ lappy would be more portable (if I was to build a plugin system) but building a desktop tower into a roadcase would be just another roadcase.

So getting back to my original Q..... and an issue which you touched on Windows seems to load a lot of BS onto its system..... mostly as eye and machine candy and crap to help you navigate their sys taking away processing power..... they tend to be a lil less stable than Mac or at least they were in the early days. Is this still the same today?

But then I just thought of a simple test.... their seems to be much more chatter in relation to Macs than Wins if you were to go by posts. Like I said I’ve been a pc user never own a Mac but I’m not bias either way.... just want the better performer at the base and can build the extras from there.

I appreciate your input.

Cheers

[The Weed]

Have a look at www.pro-tools-pc.com. Custom built PCs guaranteed to work reliably with Pro Tools.

[Bob Olhsson]

Music and motion picture post are mostly Mac but broadcast is mostly PC and they've got bigger budgets than the first two.

[YYR123]

I believe it comes down to a few things.

If you don't want the hassle of setting up a highly specialized rig, and don't mind paying quite a bit of cash for your return.....Get a Mac.

If you can do the homework and build a computer, be detailed enough to optimize the system stay on top of it, if you desire the latest gen hardware available and don't mind tinkering.....Get a PC.

[xrekcor]

Thanks folks for your input and feed back so far......

Weed: never knew such a site existed...... thanks for sharing.... definitely will checking that out. Building a system into a racked roadcase would work really well for me in my studio and still be mobile.

Bob: my thoughts too and pretty much and what I have always believed. But I feel I have to consider what Daniel raised as this could effect things down the road.... not sure if I really want to commit to buying a new Mac every few years or so. So that system would need to pay for itself, but that doesn’t present a deal killer for me. Where as PC’s.... well I have built a few in my time they would be much more flexible to adding/changing/updating as required...... just that Win 10 doesn’t impress me at all..... would be great to build a new PC loaded with Win 7.

I still have a couple of months or so to consider things, that why I’m looking for feedback now.

[musicman691]

To me the major thing with choosing whether to go Mac or PC is how much system maintenance do you want to do? I mean each system has their own quirks and things to take care of but which would be more in tune with your current knowledge and/or the capacity and time to learn. Money does have a good bit to do with the choice but factor in the time spent getting a working system that suits your needs.

I can get around on either system but at this point in my life and temperament I just don't have the patience to deal with a Windows system. Not saying OSX is a walk in the park but it's a stroll I can deal with a lot easier than Windoze.

[xrekcor]

I have no problem with either, never used a Mac but have no problem spending time to get my head around it if Mac is the better tool for the job then that what needs to be done.... actually have been chatting with a few different IT mates about what they would used with currently available tech. Some didn’t even know what a DAW was until I explained it. PC’s weren’t even a thought it was all Mac mostly their arguments were related but not all was the amount of resources each systemed used and the potential for stability issues.

I am leaning toward Mac have been from the beginning, even though I have always been a windows user all my life. The system I get will be dedicated to the job meaning it won’t be used for anything else..... prolly won’t even be connected to the net.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by xrekcor

..... prolly won’t even be connected to the net.

Yeah that’s not realistic anymore...they always get connected for Something