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.