in that case, you should probably calculate prices of the software+plugins you'd have to buy, add that on top of the MacBook cost, and THEN compare against Windows laptop alternatives,
speaking of Windows laptops, I think biggest disadvantage is power efficiency (which directly relates to power draw, battery drain, thermals, noise), if you want laptop because you don't want desktop, then it's up to you how much value/cost you're willing to spend on those "advantages" in relation to just on-paper performance

 

Smart Phone:
Small display, small keys, Portable minicomputers, Phone

Laptop:
Medium display, much is not replaceable, Portable for on the go

Desktop:
Proper keyboard, Everything is replaceable and upgradeable. Little heat generation, monitor size is freely selectable, Not portable

Operating systems by users (estimated): 73% Windows, 15.4% macOS, 4% Linux

The biggest advantage of PCs is that they are often cheaper. Since there are so many PC manufacturers, you can find a wide range of devices at different prices. Only the most powerful and expensive PCs come close to the price range of Apple products.

 

any serious (and affordable) music production : desktop pc. i heard many times that macs last for a decade. so was my last hp pc. and, mac users always cue up for the very next model as soon as they come out. we, pc users we just swap out the cpu/mem/fans/nvme's/gpus in 5 minutes. there u go

 

Last edited: Jan 27, 2025 at 1:17 PM

Thanks for everyone's opinion. You guys helped me a lot in making the decision. Look like sticking with Window is the most suitable option for me now. I'm still happy with Window OS. Maybe my FOMO leads me to the Macbook. MacOS not for now, might be in the future i guess

 

My last two iMacs lasted ten years each. I also have an Air, currently. It's about six to seven years old, but isn't healthy. It's only just hanging in there, lol. Certain components are slowly breaking down (battery, keyboard, charging port.) I expect it to die any day.

 

windows for sure..

 

I'm OS agnostic, as whatever tool gets you to where you want to be and helps you realize it is all good with me. Since I've been at this for too long a time it seems, most audio work has been macOS(or previous nomenclature from os7-9/osx etc), and I'm still blown away by the power of apple silicon 10 months later or whatever after my last purchase, but hey, as I said, I'm used to that ecosystem, so that made sense for me, as I can get, or have everything for the most part I need for it, have bought a lot of stuff over the years that are all good with it, and was fortunate enough to get it at a great price, and every Mac I've had has had a long life and whatnot... but I'm not a apple fanboi or anything. Just has worked for me, as other options have worked just fine for others.

And hey, if you are more familiar with Windows, and that's how your previous work has been done... sure... all good...

I hope you enjoy your new system with whatever choice you have made.

 

i'm still blown away by the power of my ryzen 5000 system with only nvme's and tons of ram. and now they're at 7000 or 9000 with ddr5 , cant follow. i can literally run hundreds of uad plugins and tons of vst3 instruments at 64sample buffer size.

 

In the mid-2000s, I could record a metal band and mix with plugins and everything was fine. In the mid-2020s, I can do the same thing. What should be happening in the mid-2020s is, my computer should be birthing human fetus'.

 

Ain't nobody got time for that.

 

what else do you expect comparing 8 threads vs 32 threads?
once you compare single core, Ryzen 7950X3D is on par with latest iPhone chip LOL

 

OP said he needs a new laptop, you can't have the performances of a Macbook Pro anywhere else at the moment.

. Look up how Apple's cooling system works
. Look up how Apple's unified memory works
. Look up how Apple's silicon processor works
. Take a look at an Apple's retina screen

Writting this on my mid 2014 MBP so I can attest of the build quality.
Changed the battery for the first time in November 2024 and had everything cleaned, works flawlessly.
I have this machine since March 2015.

If you need a laptop for music production in 2025 and you don't know what to choose, you are uninformed about what a M chip can do.
The subject is music production, Single-core performance is what matter and there is no contest. Multithreading is excellent anyway.

It's powerful and robust
Laptop PC's are unable to be dead silent like a MBP.
Most importantly, it's very efficient at using all of its resources an make the power available to you, laptop PC's just can't to that correctly.

I don't like Apple as a company, it's irrelevent.
A M4 MBP is the best tool available for the job at this moment in time.

 

Both are perfect tools for what we do.
PCs will be cheaper and allow you for more tweakings, more apps etc, but also a lot more headaches and problems that come from abundance
Macs allow you to go plug and play. You buy it and you just focus on doing audio, the lack of choices will drive you to that. Less choices but also less problem.
Ultimately nowadays they just both will allow to do audio perfectly. The differences are in the details of how you wanna proceed on doing your thing. If you already have a stable workflow, know which tools you(re gonna use and have those tools on macos, might be the least painfull path.
If you wanna test stuff around, all the daws, the tools etc, PCs will probably be more fun

 

Those are the reasons why I hesitate when choosing between mac and window. However, my workflow (and budget also) is more suitable for window and cracked plugins now. Thanks for sharing. Gonna give Mac a try soon

 

Your post says it all, you need R2R's blessings. Go for Windows.

 

As for me it doesn’t matter what you’ll choose. My first and “best” tracks were made on Atari STE. In current times both systems are capable to make music in pro level. Buy what will be more practical for you, which is expandable, serviceable and crackable more.

 

Couldn't agree more. Now, all we need is the hardware manufacturers and software developers to get on board so that Linux isn't a desolate landscape.

* I've debated this once before, so I'd like to add: If the companies develop for Linux, people will pay money. The idea that because “it's Linux, it's open-source and free, there's no money to be made” is not true. MacOS is free too, and Apple is one of the most successful companies in the history of the world.

 

That's an individual decision

I prefer macOS
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