Mac or PC for music production?

Discussion in 'Mac / Hackintosh' started by Dave McBoof, Nov 6, 2020.

  1. Dave McBoof

    Dave McBoof Newbie

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    Hello,

    I am having a huge dilemma over which laptop I should buy. I have saved up a good amount and I'm able to work within a 3k budget so it all comes down to: do I buy the xps 15 (8 core, 32gb ram, 1tb ssd) or a macbook pro 16 (8 core, 16gb ram, 1tb ssd)?

    I have been with pc/windows my entire life. I'm in college now and I am planning on transferring a majority of the files I have on my pc right now to the new laptop so that I am able to be mobile with music production because right now I am locked down with a desktop. The only reason I'm really considering switching is because I heard Macs are supposed to be extremely good with music production as well as video editing and other creation based work.

    Please help me out. I would love to hear opinions on macs and pcs and recommendations on what I should do. Especially from those people that have used both systems and especially from those who made a switch from one to the other. What was a deciding factor?
     
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  3. Dave McBoof

    Dave McBoof Newbie

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    Hello,

    I am having a huge dilemma over which laptop I should buy. I have saved up a good amount and I'm able to work within a 3k budget so it all comes down to: do I buy the xps 15 (8 core, 32gb ram, 1tb ssd) or a macbook pro 16 (8 core, 16gb ram, 1tb ssd)?

    I have been with pc/windows my entire life. I'm in college now and I am planning on transferring a majority of the files I have on my pc right now to the new laptop so that I am able to be mobile with music production because right now I am locked down with a desktop. The only reason I'm really considering switching is because I heard Macs are supposed to be extremely good with music production as well as video editing and other creation based work.

    Please help me out. I would love to hear opinions on macs and pcs and recommendations on what I should do. Especially from those people that have used both systems and especially from those who made a switch from one to the other. What was a deciding factor?
     
  4. Roject

    Roject Audiosexual

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    "Mac is better for making music or video" is a mit.
    I'm working on a mac few months and nothing special. For me was same as Windows but less apps, less possibilities for mac newbie like me. Windows for me is like open book, on mac I was feel little greenie and uncomfortable all the time. Also sometimes same problems like on windows. App freezing, problems with drivers etc.
    If You using Windows all life take xps 15. Much better choice :wink:
     
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  5. Roject

    Roject Audiosexual

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    "Mac is better than pc for production" is a myth.
    But iOS vs Android for music production isn't.
    Android sucks. This isn't a platform for production but
    iOS is great for music production. So many great apps and exclusive only to iOS like for example Pure Acid by JimAudio or refreshed ReBirth RB-338 By Propellerhead :wink:
     
  6. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

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    Mac or PC also heavily depend on which software you like to use.
    Studio One for example performs less good under macOS .

    macOS looks and feels more polished visually and workflow wise than Windows.
    Alone the default systemfont of windows makes me shiver. Or the tiny Ribbon icons fonts, ugly as shit. Fider with its transparency is much more clean imo
    the macOS Finder has the ability to show foldersizes inline which explorer can't, besides many other tiny features
    Easy portable custom icons in finder
    ech finder windows remembers its last position ... try that on windows :)
    Cloning macOS is much more reliable than under Windows
    macOS' Email Client is 'better'(imo) than anything avaiable under Windows
    macOS has no white glitches in dark mode
    macOS has Quicklook etc build in , under Windows you need to install separate apps to add the functions
    Less Virus worries.
    In general macOS Software has a better visual more concise look (depends on taste of course , some prefer windows xp)
    macOS feels less snappy than Windows
    Some DAWs perform better under Windows
    Much easier App De/Installation
    No Windows Registry !

    Years ago I had to make the same decision but I had previously a iBook which died exactly after one year. So I was frustrated with Apple and bought a Dell Notebook just to show Apple my middlefinger.

    So I got the Dell and it has coil whine all the time, and its hardware quality felt less good even than my iBook. I returned the Dell and bought a MBP but It had some Hardware errors either in future :)


    When buying either of them , please make sure that you can return it if you don't like it !
    Or buy both an compare them :) I dislike Apple policies that you pay high prices and get just one year warranty but I like macOS for looking better. Make sure to test all software you liek to use and how it performs and if it suits your need
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  7. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

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    That's a myth when it comes to most things except games maybe.
    On Windows we need stuff Like Powertoys , Quicklook which is already build into macOS itself.(less waiting on boot :)
     
  8. keygen.exe

    keygen.exe Producer

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    If you are using pirated and cracked programs go with PC since all the releases are windows releases. And like what Roject said is true, it's just a myth.

    And that XPS laptop that you are trying to get is really good for production, so yea I would say go with the XPS, or the windows/PC side.
     
  9. keygen.exe

    keygen.exe Producer

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    If you are using pirated and cracked programs go with PC since all the releases are windows releases. And like what Roject said is true, it's just a myth.

    And that XPS laptop that you are trying to get is really good for production, so yea I would say go with the XPS, or the windows/PC side.
     
  10. vuuru_keg

    vuuru_keg Platinum Record

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    as a user of both, i jus hate drivers on windows.
    i have both macbook pro and dell XPS 15 7590
    you need to install and update drivers for EVERYTHING its so annoying, i just want to connect an interface and have it working...
    not to mention some drivers might have issues and cause trouble with DPC latency... yucc.
    if i wasnt gaming at all id be 100% mac

    note that if you primarily use pirated software and rely on that, you pretty much have to go with Windows, atleast for now
     
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  11. Moonlight

    Moonlight Audiosexual

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    That not true, most stuff is also available for macOS, and most times it is even less hassle to download if you know where ;)
    no peeplink, no shitty ads, no slow doenload provider with annoying captchas, no money needed ...
     
  12. vaiman

    vaiman Platinum Record

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    First off, he never said either was better. So lets leave that out of this please? No myths here.

    As for the question. I use both and can say they both have their merits, strengths, and negatives.
    I do use Mac way more and here's why. I've invested thousands of hours into Logic. That's it.
    So if you have lots of hours invested in PC then stick with that.

    Only reason you need to cross platform is if you work with other people or studios that require different formats.
     
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  13. vuuru_keg

    vuuru_keg Platinum Record

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    while i partially agree, you still cant compare how many goodies are available on Windows and not on Mac, its still something serious to consider imo
     
  14. Hareesh S

    Hareesh S Producer

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    *Ahem* Serum *ahem*

    honestly though, depends on your needs, personally, if something already works well for you, no point switching over, especially at this moment in time when Apple is shifting to arm and future support for Intel based macs(from 3rd party developers especially) is questionable.
    I've heard VERY good things about the XPS, and if we're being honest, the MBP and XPS are neck and neck. 32GB of Ram would help though, to be fair.

    If you see yourself using Logic, or if you've done your research and have found all the things you use and need are easily available for Macos(both officially and unofficially) then you could try MBP. As much as I hate it(not the device, to be clear!), the truth is, if you're in the US especially, MacOS IS very popular among "Creatives" in a lot industries, just like the iPhone is, and its possible you'll find it easier to work with others or in a studio if that's applicable to you.

    Also, you COULD just use bootcamp if you end up not liking MacOS
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  15. r4e

    r4e Audiosexual

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    If you ask me, go with a PC. For the money you have, you'll get twice the power (hardware related) as you would get from Apple.
    You'll be also more free to customize your hardware (extend disk space for example) as you can put in hardware by any manufacturer
    compared to apple, where you're only allowd to use their overpriced stuff.

    And if you want to try Mac OS, you still can install it on a PC. On a Mac on the other side it's quite hard to install any other OS.
     
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  16. Vader

    Vader Platinum Record

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    Soon Apple have ARM on their computers, making them useless for music production, or any other professional use, so Windows PC.
     
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  17. phloopy

    phloopy Audiosexual

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    A bit religios question imho. I have made music on a PC since way back and I´ve also worked on MACs.
    In the past MAC ruled completely regarding grafics and audio - I agree to that, but.........
    today I would buy a Win10 based PC with the very best "entrails" and save some money :yes:
    Good luck:wink:
     
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  18. Piccolo

    Piccolo Newbie

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    I have used both and although a Microsoft partner I prefer Macs and still use Mac as system of choice. Also it depends on which DAW you are using. If being able to use Logic Pro X in college/university you will have to use Mac. Please be aware from experience most studios use Pro Tools and Logic, other DAW are limited. I hope this helps. Good Luck, stay safe.
     
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  19. Roject

    Roject Audiosexual

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    Other DAWs are limited? :dunno:
    In which way?
    For example. Do You ever use Cakewalk Sonar 7 Producer?
    Can You explain me which things are limited in Sonar 7 comparision to Logic?

    I think Pro Tools is limited compared to other DAWs because don't support VSTs which is basic thing in DAW.


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
  20. Krugen

    Krugen Ultrasonic

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    the problem lies only with compatibility issues. If you're planning to work with folks who use a mac, being on Pc might be a problem.
     
  21. keygen.exe

    keygen.exe Producer

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    It's actually true if you are a member of AN you will be so annoyed by the butt hurt MacOS users who can't get the release for Windows and Mac at the same time and begging for the macOS version all the time under the Windows releases.
     
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