And the PC/Mac debate rages on.

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

And the PC/Mac debate rages on.

MOST RECENT POST I MADE IN THIS THREAD TO KEEP YOU ALL UP TO DATE:

ok so u have made me even want a mac more, the quesiton now is, which to get.

What I am going to use it for: Mixing producing. meaning ill have traktor as well as ableton in there.

LIGHT gaming: pretty much just starcraft 2…ill run bootcamp if i want to play maybe team fortress 2 (steam) but i DOUBT ill play any more than 3 games

I can convince my parents to let me get the macbook (900$ with the student discount…and a free ipod touch that i can sell fo $150) and i MIGHT (<-bigg ass might) be able to push as far as the cheapest 15 inch macbook pro (core i5 2.4 ghz, 4 gigs, 320 GB hdd) which would be 1550$ new (after the 100$ student discount and selling the free ipod touvh for 150$)

but the wuestion I have now: do i really need to go as far as that macbook pro? or will I be fine with a 13 inch macbook (which uses core 2 duo) or even the regular macbook?

thanks again, ill provide additional info if needed

-Gianmarco

OP:

I need opinions on the two, I am going to get a new lappy this summer. Wanting to mix and produce isnt really the driving argument I am throwing my dad as to why I want a powerful laptop. It is more telling him that I want something durable and dependable.

I am looking to improve my mixing and to start producing.

Pick one of the options, and, if you would, please tell me why I should get the option you chose. Also, please specify any certain brands of configurations of your choice (i.e. If you schose PC: what brand(s) would you recommend and specs, if you chose mac: would I be ok with just a Macbook? or go straight for a MBP? etc.)

I can push for a 15’ MBP (cheapest configuration) if that is what some of you are asking ($1550 new through student discounts WITHOUT the tree year extended warranty).

But $1500 or so is the capping point.

PS: Assume I will take ridiculous care of it.

2

Well you have two options.
If you want something cheaper, but same quality computing power go with pc.
I really think thinkpads are great pc laptops. Great durability/build quality. Solid computer, no bullshit.

If you want something that looks pretty, and is built on a more stable kernel, go with a mac.
Seriously, you can get the same computing power for half the price in a pc. It’s your choice really of preference.

3

I think you might be right about that. :smiley:

4

I know all of this, and I am currently using a 4 year ols Lenovo thinkpad with a celeron M processor, sure the processor is ancient and anything other than basic applications runs slow as HELL. It takes a good 10 minutes at least to fully boot

All I want is sometihng DURABLE and RELIABLE

gianmarco

5

Ok, so you don’t want a big headache then??? I would say go for Mac if you want what you stated above… Simple!!!

6

Well, if you already knew the pros and cons of each. Then why are you asking us?

7

That is not what I meant, I have experience with PCs, but I have had this lenovo for a year after my dad used it for 3. I do not know the pros and cons of each.

I want peoples (in this case producers and DJs) take on the matter

8

Build an I3 desktop for around $800, buy a PC laptop for $500. Kill two bird with one stone. :slight_smile:

9

and you support this for music production/mixing because?

10

After seeing this argument time and time again in my relatively limited time on this site I think I can save you some time…

If you are fairly PC/ windows literate and understand the inner workings of what you need to do to get the lappy working at its best rate for audio then go for the pc as you will be able to get into the workings if something isn’t running correctly (ie audio drop outs, things working against you behind the scenes on your system etc) and will have which ever software you want to use working properly. This will enable you to save money to spend on other things in your set up.

On the other hand (like me) and you aren’t that good with the workings then I would head Mac (and Mac book pro at that) as I bought the 2.56 processor, 15’, 4 gig of ram, dual core which for the Pro’s is the base model (i know the i5’s are out now but mine is still more than enough)and have had no probs what so ever running traktor and will be moving into some production later on. It’s stable and runs like a dream with no prior set up(for audio) quibbles.

Mac prueists will argue stability, solid hardware inside the mac to start with (no adding to your pc after sale), industry standard (imho) and they are pretty freakin awesome from my point of view!!!

PC’s users will state that with a bit of knowledge you can get the same results with pc’s (which don’t doubt is true), cost is better, added functionality.

I hope this helps? Anyone else who can add to this be my guest?
-:side note, have you thought about reconditioned Mac book pro from Apple as mkay be cheaper than a new one and still same qualities especially now i5’s are out?

11

I’m a huge PC nerd and everyone knows it. I’ve NEVER, in a 12-15 year long career in audio engineering, come across anything I needed a Mac for. And it’s been my experience in using both (one of my everyday computers is a MBP) that I enjoy working in Windows more. But the difference between the hardware now is zero. I would base my decision on 3 major factors - OS/software, budget, and access to service.

I personally want zero downtime, and in the PC environment I can achieve that. This is why I built my primary desktop. No matter what happens, I can be back up and running an hour after I get back from CompUSA. Of course with laptops it’s different, but the only scenarios I would need to contact service for would be issues related to the mainboard or the screen. Generally, a PC laptop is easier to service yourself. There is usually more built in access to removable components, and even the more arcane parts are easier to access. Apple laptops typically require a visit to a service center, but AppleCare gives you outstanding coverage and service, even if you do have to end up waiting a week or two for a major issue.

You really need to get your hands on both operating systems and figure out what you’re most comfortable using. I recommend focusing on the OS first, since it dictates the workflow for all your applications as well. Also, look into what software you might want to use. If (for instance) you decide that Logic is your go-to DAW, then you know you need a Mac. In my opinion, Logic and FCP are the 2 biggest reasons to look at Apple, since they’re both amazing programs.

You’re going to get more bang for your buck on the PC side. I have a co-worker that just got a Dell Studio XPS for $1100 using a coupon from NotebookReview.com, and it’s impressive. It’s i7 based, and has 2 years of total coverage built into the price. A comparable MBP is going to run closer to $2500 once you add AppleCare, and that’s only covering you for a year. Of course, you CAN look at older hardware, but if you’re buying a new computer the only way that makes sense to me is if you’ve already decided that OSX is the best OS for you.

12

It’s an effective use of money, and ensures you’ll have at least one computer you can rely on in case of failure. Although with a budget of $800 you could go with an i5 on the desktop as long as you went with a budget GPU. That would get you a mid level Asus mobo, and good solid case with room for expansion, 4gb of Kingston RAM, and might even cover the cost of the OS.

13

you forgot to include the third poll option “both are fine”

14

+1!

15

I don’t know what all you guys are talking about.

I use a Commodore 64. Shit is so cash.

16

get a pc box, run linux, use mixxx for dj software. for a fraction of the cost of a win7 pc.

#justsayin

17

I’ve been a PC guy forever.

That being said, if I was to upgrade in the near future for a DJing ONLY machine, I would probably just spend a couple extra bucks for a Mac and then not worry about things.

Yes you can get a Windows based computer to work really well. But it’s like babysitting. You always have to be on top of that shit, and it’s much easier to just not deal with it.

18

[quote=“TABS, post:8, topic:11500, username:TABS”]
Build an I3 desktop for around $800, buy a PC laptop for $500. Kill two bird with one stone. :slight_smile:
[/quote]If you’re a savvy enough shopper, you can buy an i3 laptop for $500, sometimes i5 for $550-600

[quote=“, post:17, topic:11500”]
…if I was to upgrade in the near future for a DJing ONLY machine, I would probably just spend a couple extra bucks for a Mac and then not worry about things.
Yes you can get a Windows based computer to work really well. But it’s like babysitting. You always have to be on top of that shit, and it’s much easier to just not deal with it.
[/quote]I don’t know about babysitting PCs, but you do have to tweak it a bit: http://www.blackviper.com/
& be more careful of what websites you surf to, use Firefox with Adblock/Flashblock, etc. I only run an anti-virus once every 3 months, & only got bitten 4 years ago when I loaded a bootleged Photoshop. Other than running “Glary Utilities” every month, optimize the HD every 3 months, windows is fine. I find the wider range of software available for Windows (much of it free) offsets the extra work.

Macs are great, I do recommend if you have the extra cash & can’t deal with the drama (esp Firewire issues with Windows-hardware), but they aren’t bullet proof. I’d recommend buying all the hardware & software at once so you can see if it all compatible with each other.
So, I didn’t vote :slight_smile:

19

  1. It’s not a ‘couple extra bucks’. More like 400$ (MBP starts @1200$ you can get a GOOD pc for 600-800$)

  2. simply not true, just make sure you don’t install as much crap as possible. Just keep the computer clean. (which wouldn’t be too hard because the laptop would be ‘for DJing ONLY’)

20

plain and simple i’ve never had my mac crash, get a virus, or just die.

I’ve had my macbook pro for 4.5 years. it runs super fast and smooth. just spend the extra cash on a mac..