NWR: Mac or PC?

[JimHow]

We're buying a new computer this week, most likely a Mac so I can have Garage Band to record the demos for the CD my band is recording.

Does anyone have any advice, thoughts, preferences, recommendations as to which system you prefer?

[Rick]

I have no clue about PC but waiting to hear CD
good luck
rick

[Ramon_NYC]

Never used the Garage Band feature, but I've been a satisfied Mac convert for 6+ years now. Although, it doesn't hurt to have a cheap low-end PC as a 2nd laptop at home.

Looking forward to hearing your band's recordings.

[stefan]

I have used Macs for 20 years but have never tried Garage Band. Mac hardware fails less than other brands and the system is more stable, particularly now that it is Unix based.

stefan

[JimHow]

Thanks for the input. I've never had a Mac but I'll tell you I really like my iPhone.

We've worked about five different versions of "Driving into Nashville," Rick, including a slide guitar version that I think I'm partial to. I've recruited an off-broadway actress/opera singing law student to sing some of the vocals, as well as a couple other lawyer musicians....

[jal]

I've been using Macs since before the 1984 commercial, I just bought a 20" Imac and it is gorgeous. The only experience I have with Garage Band is creating ringtones for my Iphone and that went very smoothly.

[AlexR]

Mac or PC?

Isnt' that a bit like:

- Bordeaux or Burgundy?

- Blonde or bruntette?

- Democrat or Republican?

Alex R.

[DavidG]

I use laptops exclusively at home. Long-time PC user, just bought a Macbook Pro for my daughter, who is fed up with the constant crashes on her PC laptop. Not willing to give Windows 7 a try - I thin that smarmy/geeky PC guy on the Apple commercials got to me. I think my next laptop is going to be a Mac. I am told that 2 gigs RAM is enough, as the Mac OS is less memory hungry than Windows, unless you've got some memory-intensive software that you want to run. Don't know anything about Garage Band.

[stefan]

>>
the Mac OS is less memory hungry than Windows>>
>>

Very true, David, because so much is hard wired. That is proprietary and Windows must accomplish similar looks and operator only with software.

stefan

[johnz]

Jim -- In my experience (and my wife Lucy's) Macs are far superior to PCs -- probably why they cost more. They're more stable, more reliable, and you don't have to worry much about viruses. Good luck.

--Gary Rust

[jal]

I think the die is cast: Buy a Mac. I bought the basic IMac 21.5 inch for about $1200 last week. My only small problem is that the wireless keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad, but that's easily fixed with any USB keyboard.

[JimHow]

Thanks again for the advice.
I'm especially interested in the Mac's immunity from viruses. I have this big fancy expensive super-powerful Dell PC laptop and it suffers way too much from viruses, spyware, etc.

[stefan]

"Immunity" is too strong a word, Jim. Clean living and innoculations are advisable on the Mac, too, even if there are fewer diseases that attack Macs.

stefan

[RDD]

We're buying a new computer this week, most likely a Mac so I can have Garage Band to record the demos for the CD my band is recording.

Does anyone have any advice, thoughts, preferences, recommendations as to which system you prefer?

If you are really interested in recording, let me know and I'll hook you up with a friend at work.
Been doing it all his life. He can guide you thru the differences of a PC/MAC based system or a dedicated multi-tracker (BOSS/Yamaha etc).
I'd save some money for good microphones as that makes a huge difference. Good condenser microphones for vocals are not cheap. Some decent one can be had for 500.00 or so.

I'm only good at running live sound.