pc? mac?

robbmasters · Post by **robbmasters** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:49 pm

marcelus wrote:i don't agree. audio IO seems to have higher priority under OSX than under XP (with RME CoreAudio vs ASIO) (+ they won't usually crash with well written drivers)

this means less crackles when overloading on the Mac, but UI less responsive..... it's a detail i know but i wanted to point it out

For an audio machine, XP should be configures to prioritise background services (Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance -> Advanced). This would probably make it more "Mac-like".

This is one of the very useful tips on http://www.musicxp.net

gaspode · Post by **gaspode** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 2:51 pm

And is there anything better than being comfortable in your own working audio environment?

djadonis206 · Post by **djadonis206** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 3:48 pm

They're both computers and o the same thing

I used to have a PC and sold it to buy a MAC - I like the MAC more (it just has a more solid feel and easy flow) my PC worked fine, running Pro-Tools but it just didn't feel that solid (I built it myself) but it never crashed or anything like that so...

Close your eyes, flip a coin and break the bank -

In my opinion though, I'll never buy a PC again - you just have to use a MAC to know what I'm talking about - that is, if you've had a good experience with a MAC, not everyone has...

djadonis206 · Post by **djadonis206** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 3:48 pm

They're both computers and do the same thing...

I used to have a PC and sold it to buy a MAC - I like the MAC more (it just has a more solid feel and easy flow) my PC worked fine, running Pro-Tools but it just didn't feel that solid (I built it myself) but it never crashed or anything like that so...

Close your eyes, flip a coin and break the bank -

In my opinion though, I'll never buy a PC again - you just have to use a MAC to know what I'm talking about - that is, if you've had a good experience with a MAC, not everyone has...

forge · Post by **forge** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:11 pm

I have to say, since getting my Pismo upgrade back and being able to use real apps on it and fairly comfortably too, and having the first mac I've ever owned that can actually do anything other than midi, I'm getting more and more attached to it

I've decided when the G5 powerbooks come out I'll take the plunge, but not until then

Personally I really just don't get what's been keeping apple on the performance front. So they've just realeased the dual 2.5 at long last - great - excellent even - but surely it doesn't need to take this long - the whole world are getting portables, and as more places like train stations and cafes and Joe the shoe man get wireless access points that's going to increase more and more so why the hell are they still only on a G4 1.5??

I would have thought it would be a priority

drush · Post by **drush** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:29 pm

it's more a ibm/motorola issue than apple
and keep in mind that a ppc 1.5 is roughly equivalent to a p4 2.7 (...assuming the code in the app you are using is written to take advantage of the architecture)

astromass · Post by **astromass** » Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:26 pm

i've used both pc and mac, and my pc was a computer...my mac is my studio and a good friend.

+()Dd

futureproof · Post by **futureproof** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:01 am

rajcoont wrote:I love everything about running OS X, with the exception of being woefully underpowered for live (and most audio apps i use).

hmmm...well I think you pretty much summed it up there!

I was always a mac guy until about 6 months ago when I felt the same way (and consequently felt like a jackass). Sitting in the cafe with my beautifull MAChine with its beautifull OS that basically didnt let me do shit musically without hitting a wall in five minutes. I dont agree with the porsche /ford analogy at all. I WOULD agree if the porsche always stopped one mile away from wherever you were going and you had to walk the rest of the way. thats a more accurate analogy IMO.

Vercengetorex · Post by **Vercengetorex** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:40 am

There is no Mac PC performance gap. Abletons performance limitations on the Mac are just that; ABLETONS. Keep this in mind kids...

Winterpark · Post by **Winterpark** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:09 am

posted on may 7th....

Anonymous wrote:now i know that the pc is able to handle ableton more effectively, but how do the two match up with other software?

I am looking to be running reason 2.5, native instruments reaktor session, pro tools 6.4, ableton live 3.0.2 etc on a laptop-

either an apple g4 1.5 ghz 17" powerbook w/ 2 gig ram or a sager 4870 17" with 3.2 ghz 2 gig ram

ill prob end up upgrading my digi 001 to a digi 002 or digi 002 rack so i'll be using firewire to my audio interface

i will be using this system at school this year in my appt

i know that the powerbook will cost me about an extra $700- $1000... but aside from that which is a better machine?

i also am aware that this is a heated debate, but i'm just looking for a general consensus-- preferably from anyone who owns both pc and mac for music production use

thanks alot,
ryan

so ryan.... which have you ended up getting?

my two cents · Post by **my two cents** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 10:57 am

Vercengetorex wrote:There is no Mac PC performance gap. Abletons performance limitations on the Mac are just that; ABLETONS. Keep this in mind kids...

why do you believe that? can we please stop talking about things we don't have any clue about? i wouldn't blame ableton for the low performance the powerpc had. don't fall for apples propaganda. this is totally crap. they always only pick a small part and hide the whole picture. i never saw hard numbers here from people blaming ableton. when you compare the cpu spec numbers, then live has the same performance on pc as on mac. the g5 is a fast cpu and live is fast on it. the g4 is slow and live is slow. that is the truth.

there are tons of other reasons to prefer a mac like not supporting world dominion; having better timing; more reliability and stability; no viruses; no crappy operating system like windows xp; no silly looking operating system like windows xp and tons more.
there are tons of reasons to hate mac like not supporting blind steve followers; like artifically overprised machines; like no fast laptops and many more...

for only price, go for pc. it is cheap in every aspect.

my two cents

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 2:56 pm

I have decided to go with the sager pc. After some serious thought and comparison i have decided that the pc would be a better machine for me based upon this issues:

- there is a huge price difference favoring the pc
- the present p4 computers seem to be more powerful than the present g4 macs (although this will probably change when/ if apple gets the g5 laptop out)
- just about every piece of software is cross platform so there is no issue with integration

basically it is a matter of faster and cheaper vs better looking

if the g5 laptop was out now it might be a very different situation

thanks alot for everyone's help and input.... i will prob order the laptop in a few days and let you know how it all goes

(i plan to use it for pro tools, reaktor session, reason, ableton 3, and spectrasonics atmosphere... and luckily i can now open everything up inside the pro tools environment)

thanks again,
ryan

forge · Post by **forge** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 5:54 pm

Anonymous wrote: (i plan to use it for pro tools, reaktor session, reason, ableton 3, and spectrasonics atmosphere... and luckily i can now open everything up inside the pro tools environment)

thanks again,
ryan

Ryan - not meaning to go salesman on you, but do you already have Reaktor session? I got NI Komplete recently and used Vokator to upgrade so I'm going to be selling it - I'd sort you out a good price being a live regular an' all!

cheers

anti-banausic · Post by **anti-banausic** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 6:11 pm

Ryan,
Just want to chime in on this as I presently use a Sager 8790 as my DAW laptop. You mentioned the 4780...I think that you might seriously benefit from looking at the 8790. It is a bit more expensive, but there are a few reasons to go with the 8790, which you should check on the spec sheets:

1) The 4780 uses the ENE cardbus for the PCMCIA slot. THis has known conflicts in the past with ECHO products, and may with other PCMCIA soundcards. I am presently using an Echo Indigo DJ with no problems even plugged in, when other people have in the past noticed hum from the ground (not here!). I think I read somewhere that the ENE thing might now be a problem anymore, but when I purchased it was.

2) The 8790 uses dual channel RAM. WHile they both support PC3200, DDR400MHz ram, the dual channel is probably better.

3) the 4780 has known heat issues with the CPU and HDD. While my computer gets warm on the palmrests, the CPU is much cooler than comparable temps on 4780s.

4) Check the chipset as well. I know that Sis chipsets aren't that great with a lot of music stuff (can't remember whether it is hardware related or software).

Just trying to let you in on some of the copious research that I did. The config in my sig is my Sager. I really can't be happier. This thing rocks. I as you wanted to go Mac, but I already use Sonar, and was in need of a big fast laptop, and couldn't justify the switch to Logic, especially as I am going to be getting my PhD, and am therefore not having that much money!

Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 9:14 pm

yes, I do own reaktor-- as of now i'm waiting to round up enough cash for atmosphere, the vst- rtas wrapper, and t-racks...

i just checked out the 8790 and looks like a killer machine.. but also an extra $1k, which i can't really afford

before i was thinking that i would upgrade my digi 001 to a digi 002 and cart that around to use w/ my new laptop and existing pc desktop... but i think i may look into the mbox instead.... this would save a bit of money, and allow me to use hte mbox live w/ ableton with less fuss than a digi 002 or 002rack

since this is primarily for use in my apt, i doubt that i would need the massive i/o and even if i do, i always have my home studio to fall back on

has anyone had problems using the mbox live?

thanks,
ryan

pc? mac?

:)

Re: pc? mac?