Mac or PC for someone working in the industry

[mrcog]

Hi everyone,

 

Right, just to briefly outline the situation. I'm currently looking at getting a new laptop to replace my current one and am therefore coming to you for some advice! Basically, what I would love to know is different peoples views on the whole mac/pc debate... Which is more popular in the industry? Any OS specific software that people use? Is the extra price really worth it to go apple? Any software that doesn't work on either of the OS's?

 

So basically to give me a real life opinion on what people prefer, and in this industry which is more likely to benefit me.

 

Cheers,

 

James

[Mr Steve]

First, I'm an amateur not "really" in the industry, so I use my Mac laptop to various things rather than being tied to just sound or just video. From my point of view I would recommend a Mac - I love the ability to grab bits of video / images, and chuck them straight in to iMovie or Keynote and have smooth and reliable playback of them for use on external screens / projectors etc. All of the 'base' apps on the Mac are integrated tightly making workflow easier than on Windows.

 

However, you haven't really said what your intended use is.

 

If you just want to use iTunes for example to play back sound effects, then this is available on either platform so it doesn't make much difference.

 

I use Logic, which is an Apple product for recording. It's style of operation is very similar to other 'Pro' apps from Apple such as Final Cut / Soundtrack, so it's very easy to move from app to app with a consistent interface. Again, as Apple software is quite integrated it's very easy to export one project in to another app (hope that makes sense).

 

I'm not in to evangelising, or Windows bashing - each to their own, but if you cost a similarly spec'd Windows machine against a similarly spec'd Mac, then the costs are very close. Factor in to that, that the bundled software is actually useful and the Mac choice makes sense.

 

For your Windows needs, you can either dual boot Windows, or install something like Sunbox and run other OS's a virtual machines - again it all depends on your intended or most common use.

[Tom]

What do you intend to do use it for?

Which bit of "the industry" do you intend to work in?

 

Without this information this is a meaningless question.

 

:P Oh - just to add that if this turns into a basic PS's are better than Macs contest I'll close it as we don't do computers on here

(and anyway - everybody knows Macs are better)

[mostlyharmless]

Do you use any kit specific software. Ie. remote cross over networking etc etc

 

Too many variables to decide with..

[CharlieH]

I've had my Mac about a year and wouldn't ever look back at Windows! It has only crashed once, and that was when I tried to run Windows software on it (don't ask :P ). I, like Mr Steve, use Logic and I love it! Having said that I haven't had enough experience with Cubase, Protools, Ableton to really compare.

 

Again, it entirely depends on what you want to do but I would just add that my dad pushed me to buy a Mac instead of Windows, and I am so glad he did! It is just a much nicer and streamlined OS and is SOOOO much more reliable than Windows.

 

If you desperately need to run Windows programs then I would recommend VL Fusion (I think thats what its called) as we have that on the family iMac and it is so seamless between then two operating systems! We can run Windows Movie Maker on the same screen as iMovie, and drag and drop objects between them (assuming the object is compatible to both programs, of course!)

 

So in conclusion, Mac all the way! <_<

[Matthew Robinson]

There is, of course, the third option: Linux. It works better than Windows, and it's MUCH easier to customise because it's open source. You could strip out anything that you don't need in terms of programs running in the background (although you can do this in Windows, not sure about macs), and there are a lot of open source programs to do just about anything (or, if you're a decent programmer, you could write your own).

[smalljoshua]

Having spent the last week wrestling a local Youth Centres iMac into submission, I've come to the comclusion that I personally prefer some of the finer points of Windows.

 

Personally I find OSX to be great for the "end" user, someone who wants to connect to WiFi and check emails. It isn't an OS for a tinkerer. It's so much easier to get good freeware for a PC than a Mac and I find that what freeware there is for a Mac normally (I know there are some exceptions) isn't as "polished" (even if the Aqua UI is nicer looking) functionality wise.

 

Also, as others have said; look at what Apps you need to use on it. It's no good having a Mac if you've got a WinMo phone for instance. Nor is it any good if you want to use something like Yamaha Studio Editor.

 

Josh

[charl.ie]

I would comment on the reliability issue, in that my aging macbook does sometimes lock up and freeze. My opinion would be that a decently stripped down Windows XP box would be more reliable. Do bear in mind that all the current Macs can also dual boot windows. Some of the newer laptops don't come with a Firewire port, which may affect the ability to capture video or audio. I am also of the opinion that buying the last-gen refurbished macs is a much better deal, although I have never personally used one. It's certainly an option to look into.

[Doug Siddons]

Sweeping statement here but it seems 90% of our industry specific software such as editors and control software, ie studio manager ilive editor podware hercules ease ect appear first (or to be pedantic have appeared first) on the windows platform befor the mac version is released, which leads me to believe that the windows option is probably the better one. If graphics and photo manipulation is your thing then undoubtedly mac is the best option. For recording and sequencing unless you have a specific reason to use logic (which in my opinion is a great package but cubase had it beaten from the start for instant ease of use) then pc is the way. PC scores again for general day to day programs which are more readily available for it and also it is easior to find a pc expert at short notice anywhere than a mac expert.

 

In the real world I have seen more macs go t..s up two minutes befor a band go on stage than pc's and the only real advice I can give you on which one to buy is to consider if you have a real problem with it and your under pressure which operating system could you sort out without help the quickest.

[mackerr]

I would comment on the reliability issue, in that my aging macbook does sometimes lock up and freeze. My opinion would be that a decently stripped down Windows XP box would be more reliable.

 

I am intrigued that you think your aging Mac may be unreliable, but a "decently stripped down Windows XP box" would be more reliable. Is your aging Macbook "decently stripped down" to make it more reliable?

 

Mac

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

Nor is it any good if you want to use something like Yamaha Studio Editor.

 

Yamaha PM1D Editor is only available as a Windows app. Studio Manager and the PM5D editor, as well as the DM2000 and DM1000 editors have been available on Mac OS since they were released. Yamaha has just announced (I don't know if it's available yet) a network driver for Mac OS that will get the M7 and LS9 editors working.

 

Mac

 

A concurrent post has been automatically merged from this point on.

 

How long do I have to wait before responding again so that my responses to different posts do not get merged together?

 

Mac

[Pete McCrea]

Leatherman or Gerber? Which do you prefere or work best with?

 

I prefer OSX. It works, and I don't have the time for dicking about trying to get the damned box to do what I want. 95% of the time OSX does that. Windows does do that, and enables you to tinker if you want or have the time. I don't. But if you do, and want to then maybe Windows is the way forward for you.

 

In terms of the hardware, I think Bryson also posted a while back regarding the cost difference between Apple and 'PC', being that they actually came out very simillar in terms of cost when you did a true comparison.

 

And if you really **need** windows, then you can always run it in VMWare...

 

Did I mention there are no known Virus out there in the wild that effect OSX?

 

Pete.

(Typed on a 5 1/2 Year old PowerBook G4, that has been round the world with me, and is used daily.....)

[simschr]

If you need to run Windows in OS X I recommend VirtualBox it's free!

 

Personally I find OSX to be great for the "end" user, someone who wants to connect to WiFi and check emails. It isn't an OS for a tinkerer. It's so much easier to get good freeware for a PC than a Mac and I find that what freeware there is for a Mac normally (I know there are some exceptions) isn't as "polished" (even if the Aqua UI is nicer looking) functionality wise.

 

I disagree, I think the fact there isn't as much freeware stops your computer getting clogged up with rubbish, which is a major positive.

[neilalexrose]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this debate, there are Pro's and cons for both. As a recent convert to Mac I am currently finding that there are a lot of useful software tools that are freeware/sharware etc on PC, but not necessarily on Mac. Particularly lighting offline consoles - Grand MA, Avo Pearl spring to mind immediately. Also whilst my software of choice is MagicQ, which does run on Mac, there are some options available on the PC version that are missing on the mac (multiwindows for a start). MagicQ does also behave strangely running on mac with the external display plugged in.

 

However from a sound point of view there is a large majority of theatre shows at the moment that use Qlab for audio/video showcontrol - a very good reason (IMHO) to investigate a Mac. People are still using SFX/Gtype/CSC/SCS which are all PC based, but Qlab seems to be winning hands down right now, just because it is incredibly flexible. Yamaha studio manager will work on Mac, but not for the M7 or LS9 I believe, only the older desks ( PM5D 01v, 02R etc).

 

I'll admit I chose to try Mac because my old PC laptop gave up the ghost software and hardware wise. I think the turning point for me was when it had randomly forgotten the drivers for all it's CD drives - which includes my broadband dongle. I was away from home and needed to get online. Couple this with the fact that I also wanted to try Garagband and do some home recording.

 

It really depends on what you want to do with you computer. Bear in mind that with mac you can install and run windows (either with parallel's or bootcamp), to use those much needed windows programs. Codeweavers Crossover is also a useful tool to have - lets you run some windows programs without the need for an OS install. I've had it running all the MagicQ PC windows add ons, the Jester OLE and ETC express OLE.

 

My advice, think about what you want to use it for, what programs you wish to run, and what platform they are on, and whether it is compatible with any existing hardware you have already (my sat nav definitely won't talk to my Mac!).

An example I've just thought of the the similarities and differences between a Podger and Quad spanner. Both do the same kind of thing, they are ratchet spanners with fixed socket sizes. Most lighting technicians will carry a Quad spanner, because they are light, and theatre lanterns have many different types of bolts on them. Most stage technicians won't be far away from a podger on a set get in, and they are heavy duty construction to hit things with or bodge things together. There is a certain amount of crossover between what the two products can do, they are each good at certain things, and can do other things adequately. I know I wouldn't necessarily take a podger into the grid with me because of weight and the large spike on the end, but there are times when I've built a steeldeck stage with a quad spanner and wished I had a podger instead because nothing was aligning properly.

 

In other words, choose the right tool for the jobs you want to do.

 

Neil

[Bobbsy]

This is a common question on the Blue Room and, in reality, it's a sterile debate with no correct answer.

 

Anyone who comes down firmly on one side or the other is talking prejudice rather than fact.

 

If your machine is for use in the industry, all you can do is write down a list of the software you wish to run then by the machine that runs what you need. If you're in the fortunate position of being able to use either, then choose the interface you like best.

 

I'm personally on PC because it suits my needs. I use Audition for recording and mixing and it only runs on PC (at present--there are internet rumours of the next version running on either). I also work with a lot of Yamaha digital mixers and some of their Studio Manager software is also PC only.

 

However, the local theatre has a Midas Pro6 and the off line editor for that is Mac only--and they use Qlab for playback. Same deal. When I work there I use the Macbook that they provide.

 

I'm speaking of sound but I suspect similar things apply to lighting-related software.

 

As for reliability, if you keep your professional machine "clean" and don't clutter it up with lots of rubbish, neither operating system should give you hassles. It's when you install lots of extras (hardware or software) that conflicts start to happen. This is a bigger problem for PCs but, I suspect, only because there is so much more rubbish out there for PCs.

 

So...look at all the software you want to run then take a decision based on that, not the opinion of a bunch of strangers who say that one or the other is perfect. Neither is--but neither is inherently horrible either.

 

Bob

[Dj Dunc]

IMHO get a mac with a stonking big hardrive, and bootcamp windows onto it. That way, you have the best of both worlds. Boot into mac when you need certain things, boot into XP when you need things like studio manager etc. Bootcamp is free with the mac, and is very easy to set up.