foxgonz wrote:Hi All,
Probably a stupid question but couldn't find the answer even after searching though the forum.
Yes, your suspicions are correct; the topic has been covered here extensively. However, since phpBB's search function sucks humongous cock, you wouldn't know it, so we can't blame you for asking again.
Is there a performance difference when using ableton on a Apple and on a PC, on similar hardware?
I always hear that Apple is more pro and they code their apps differently than in windows, making them more stable and blablabla... but I have a hard time believing that.
Many tests have been done on mac hardware running windows bootcamp'd... by far the most reliable test of pure software performance. The results seem to be that ableton on windows performs slightly better than mac, but windows usually runs into problems with lower CPU load -- that is, you can push a mac to higher CPU levels before running into dropouts or crackling.
Regardless, the actual difference between the two is virtually impossible to tell in normal studio work.
I also heard that Logic, since made by apple to only run on apple, needs much less CPU power and stuff todo the "same" thing that if you had to do in ableton. Hard to test, I agree... but in case you guys have something to say on that, I'd be very grateful.
Logic is damn CPU intensive, and it got a lot more so with logic 8. The UI elements of Logic 8 use up a lot more CPU than live does, but I would expect these to be better optimized in software updates within the next half year. However, I've found that I can push logic
really hard, especially on older mac hardware. My poor little g4 powerbook can barely run logic 8, but it can keep it going without dropping a beat for a good hour or so with sustained 70-90% CPU usage.
Reason of those question is that I plan on buying a new comp, asap, but I don't know if I 'll switch to Mac or not.
I've been using pc's for 20+years now, and honestly switching to Mac is not easy for me, I just don't want to waste time learning all the basics again (although VISTA doesn't really attract me at the moment... but I haven't really tried it either).
Also, i don't want a machine only for music, I need to play a game once in a while and do some other stuff as well, but priority #1 is music, for sure.
And last but not least, I'm afraid if I go for another PC, I won't have the chance to try Logic (sorry, not appropriate forum lol. Just saying this because I would love to try it because I'm pretty sure that I could combine it with my ableton knowledge and that could be useful. But getting rid of ableton, never!)
So, tough call.
IMO, I prefer macs for audio processing work, because CoreAudio and CoreMIDI are much more fluid and easier to work with than windows' Audio/MIDI drivers. Having the bulit-in IAC drivers and network transport is a plus, too. However, I'm also a programmer by trade, and my biases are deeply rooted, as are yours, probably.
That being said, if I were you, I wouldn't switch just yet. You've got a working setup, and you know what you're doing.... so why waste a bunch of time and money on new hardware and software? Granted, you're going to buy new hardware anyways, but with PC's, you can at least recycle a bunch of your old components, whereas with a mac, you're looking at a much higher upfront investment. If I were you, find a pal who's got a mac setup and logic, and mess around with it. If it lives up to the hype, then start saving your pennies... otherwise, why change a winning team?
