[docvino]

I am currently running off of 2 pc's and have been itching to get a Mac, but I believe a lot of the programs might not be compatible with Mac. But I can get over that.

Anyway. Do you recommend switching over or stick with a PC

[dj_stick]

you've got to ask yourself:

what will you be using the laptop for?

what programs on windows do you need?


personally I wouldn't go back to a windows based laptop - i love my air too much

but remember, if there's an application on windows you just can't live without, dual boot

[rychas]

dj_stick is right; it all depends on what you'll be using the computer for. And now you have the possibility to dualboot, so you should be fine with pretty much everything.

MACs are genuinly good at audio and video production, since they don't waste as much resources as PC's, these tasks are generally faster and easier to do. They are generally more reliable as well.

The only reason why I haven't switched over to a Mac is the lack of a 3D Max application for this system; but now with the dual boot possibility my next buy will certainly be a Mac. I'm tired of dealing with all of Windows issues, Mac allows you to worry about your work, not your hardware.

[|2A|N]

Even if you go with a Mac you can still use Windows on it if needed through Bootcamp and parallels. I plan on getting me an Macbook Pro within the next few months, they are really sleek looking.

[Zardon]

Originally Posted by docvino

I am currently running off of 2 pc's and have been itching to get a Mac, but I believe a lot of the programs might not be compatible with Mac. But I can get over that.

Anyway. Do you recommend switching over or stick with a PC

Well there are a few trains of thought on this.

What programs are you using? meaning if you use and pay for CS4 or something, its expensive!

That said, i dont think any pc based laptop is as good as a Macbook (and im not getting into whole hardware package such as using LED screens, metal chassis instead of plastic etc because thats obvious). In my case for example, im running one now with 4 GB of ram with dual dvi out to a 30 inch screen at 2560x1600, so ive basically dual monitor with 1920x1200 & 2560x1600. OSx is in my honest opinion the best OS available right now because of a wealth of little touches throughout it to make my working environment so much more friendly. Fonts are handled better if you use something like Extensis Fusion 2. Dual screen desktops are handled much better by the OS natively (you can for instance have two desktop images and a whole load of other options without having to revert to something like ultramonitor 2 on windows). The built in apple email client is one of the best ive used and with applications like carbon copy cloner you can totally mirror a hard drive within OSx (while using it !) without having to reboot into DOS or go through loops and wait for a few hours.

Before I get flamed for liking macintosh (which I do quite often on DH) I would like to add I have quite a few vista, windows 7 and XP pcs in the house). Most of the work for this site can be done on either my macintosh or PC, so there are no limits to either OS if you know what you are doing.

At the end of the day if all you want is to game then perhaps a PC is a better option, especially if your skill set isnt the highest (I know a lot of PC owners who move to macintosh get very frustrated with their own lack of knowledge of the platform and then blame it for their shortcomings, although ive spent time with a few of them now and they love it). You can however easily dual boot with boot camp or use parallels to run in coherance mode (basically one core for each OS and both desktops on the same screen with icons and full copy options available between them).

hell you can even use crossover games on OSX now to run steam and play most games on it natively without using windows.

Im afraid once you spend a lot of time with OSX and get the applications you need on it, I think there really is no going back for a working or even general environment. The interface and implementation is just so good. That said its hard for me to judge because ive been using both macs and pcs professionally since the late 80s and i would class myself as quite skilled on both platforms. The software on OSX is just generally of a higher standard of coding and no matter what you need whether its newsgroups, or cheap little tools they are available, from iwatermark, unison and even pc based free apps are now natively supported on the platform such as filezilla - if you are an MSN chat user, check out Adium, its basically a better, free version of Trillian on OSX (with support for all the major chat platforms). If you want to see a really impressive looking forthcoming program check out the videos of ilife09 due to hit retail in a few days.

[DJ BIG T]

z i have a uncle that is a big mac fan and tells me all good things about it..some of the stuff your saying is what he told me....so one day i want to get me a mac laptop when i get the money for one... because im a big beat writer.. i would love to have it for audio programs and for my dj midi controller..

[Zardon]

Originally Posted by DJ BIG T

z i have a uncle that is a big mac fan and tells me all good things about it..some of the stuff your saying is what he told me....so one day i want to get me a mac laptop when i get the money for one... because im a big beat writer.. i would love to have it for audio programs and for my dj midi controller..

Well don't get me wrong, im a PC user as well, I just see massive merit in both platforms. I think DJ stick will be the first to tell you how good the mac is for musicians like yourself however. I have to say I tend to prefer OSX as a "work" platform because its just so immensely rock solid. Obviously if you have to buy applications for both it can get costly!

Anyone in here try pages yet? with iwork 09? What a great word processor that is, after using the bloated Word 2007/8 for a while its so refreshing (pages lets you save as a word document however for compatibility with other people).

I am really looking forward to playing with ilife09 - if anyone in here is interested be sure to check out the videos on that program on the apple site, looks brilliant.

[dj_stick]

after using iphoto and iweb alot quite recently, the new ilife09 is looking quite tempting, though after scoring a sweet deal on office, i think i'll hold off on iWork (with pages) for a little while, though I have to say it is quite nice (used it a fair bit during the trial)

DJ Big T - depending on your workflow and applications, you may find it a little challenging moving to a mac. Unless your applications are cross platform (like Live, Traktor etc) you may need to find mac-compatible subsititutes, which can really change the way you work (in my case moving from Logic 5 on Win to Logic 8 on Mac was a big change - moving to an entirely different platform will be much different)

so don't get a mac on a whim, definately try one out (i had access to school machines for two years before I got my own) - try the mac versions of your applications if you can, and do a bit of research - many of your Windows based VSTs may not have a mac compatible VST/AU version - I was stung by this at one stage, could no longer use a rather nice 909/808 freeware emulator.

I'd say you should seriously consider moving over to a mac, if you decide to, post here and I'll see how I can help