MAC vs. PC

[mraudiommn]

So here's my senerio. Our Station is looking into a ProTools HD1 machine. Of all the pitfalls I could have, the hardest one at this point is not necessarily the price, but THE OS!! I work both MAC and PC platforms on a daily basis. I'm not the problem...my Boss is! Now before we conclude to get rid of my Boss (not an option at this point), I need some real users who've experienced ProTools on both platforms. My Boss and those who maintain our computer systems in-house are very "Anti-Mac" and the reasons are very, very lame (IMO), but that is that. Anyway, I need real reasons why I would choose MAC over a PC based DAW. I believe one major stumper is availability of plug-in's....any others?? And B.T.W., we have 2 AVID's in-house, both runing Express and really want to use this DAW to full advantage with the 2 non-linears. These 2 AVID's currently run NT. We do alot of music production, running typically 16 to 24 track M20 ADAT's. Thanks in advance!

[dmann]

You can get the work done on both right? Now I don't particularly like ProTools but that doesn't matter. I would still rather have it on a Mac. But (similar to the "mother theory") if your boss isn't happy, no one is happy. Since you already run two Avid's on PC I would run Protools on PC too, so networking is easier and no compatibility issuses at all really. Well I guess I'm not really helping your side much am I? But at least there is a point of view to think about.

Dmann

[Audiyoda]

mraudiommn,

I think I'm one of the few people that actually prefers the Windows ProTools interface over the Mac -- dont' know why, but I do. Had both at school and I just liked the Windows system better.

Keep the boss happy, get the Windows system.

BTW, Did you tell him there are better/cheaper/faster alternatives ;)

-Criag
Nuendo fanatic

[Gearjunkie]

If you have already made the decision to go with Pro Tools why not ask Digidesign what they think? I don't know from my own experience(I don't have Pro Tools) but I have heard that they prefer Mac and provide better support. I use a Mac G4 at home for music production/personal computing and a Wintel box at work(Aviation). I use Digital Performer in the studio and love it. After working with Macs I sold my Dell and won't go back. Macs are easier to use and more reliable(in my opinion). However, being in the business world you have another issue. If you don't get your boss to buy into whatever system you get you are screwed. He/she will blame you for every hicup that occures no matter what the reason is and lets face it no matter what system you choose you will have problems. My advice is to build a case on the pros and cons of each system and make a decision together. Good luck!

[cevans]

Unfortunately I don't have any specific examples but I have heard from many people who have tried to use PCs with PT and have hated it. Now maybe they didn't have their systems set up properly, but I have not heard much positive feedback from PC users of PT TDM systems.

I am a die hard MAC fan myself, but I am also a big advocate of using tools that you know and can use efficiently. Also using tools that you can troubleshoot well. If I had PC OS problems I wouldn't know what to do, but I know MAC OS and how to work with it.

Also, I don't think that PTHD has PC support yet.

Good Luck!!:p

[Audiyoda]

Originally posted by cevans
Unfortunately I don't have any specific examples but I have heard from many people who have tried to use PCs with PT and have hated it. Now maybe they didn't have their systems set up properly, but I have not heard much positive feedback from PC users of PT TDM systems.

See that's the trick -- the Mac almost sets itself up while it takes a little more effort in Windows.

While I've never heard anyone say they hate PT on a Windows machine, not configuring the software would be the primary reason ehid such an attitude.

Until Mac prices (hardware and software) come down a whole bunch, I'll keep my PeeCee. Especially with Motorola's 'no-comment' on stopping production of the G4 CPU.

-Craig

[bitwyse]

I would go with the Mac Version and get the OS X version that is coming out soon. With OS X you will not have much trouble connecting to the Windows based networks as Apple made it easy with OS X. Also OS X is a Unix based OS and will far more stable than the Windows counterpart. You will also have a larger variety of plug-ins available to you with the Mac set-up.

[cmchamp]

My two cents:
Hardware for Mac's is extremely regulated. That's why video cards, SCSI or ATA controller cards, NIC's all cost a bit more for because of the stringent requirements. That means troubleshooting and support are stellar. (with the exception of the new MDD's)

You'll have to remember the instruction path on the G4 chip is short, around 7 steps. The instruction path on a Pentium 4 is 20 or 21 steps. That's why their clock speed is so fast.

If I were you, and you're going to be getting a windows machine, get an AMD chipset. Stay away from Intel.

[Hipster Media]

I have used PT on both platforms and bar none.. it just works better on a Mac.
The way I see it is the OS is much slicker and efficiant, and by nature that means the programs running within should follow suit.
I will admit I am and always will be a macaddict. But if your boss is stuck on PEECEE.. I say go with what he says... its easier to make him happy than to piss him off.

[PhiDelta308]

I would go with a Mac. I am a recent convert from the PC world, and although i still love my athlon rig, the mac is just better thought out (accept for the stupid fan noise issue). If you decide to go the PC route, and get an athlon, make sure it is supported by Digidesign. Most of the Athlons are not supported yet, but the newest ones are (I think).

-Chris

[xstatic]

I am a PC guy, but I also believe that yes, Macs are easier and typically prone to crashing less. However, I believe there are reasons for this and are ALL related to PC user error/ lack of knowledge. My PC runs incredibly, all problems are do to my abuse (i.e. TV Card, 3 sound cards, tons of games, graphics and internet stuff etc...) I would avoid pro Tools on PC though like the plague. EVERY person I have talked to has had very bad experiences with windows based Pro Tools. Also, be careful with MAC OSX and digidesign products, there are still many many issues there. I personally used to use Nuendo, but have recently switched to Cubase SX ( I like the interface a little better). I love Pro Tools, but believe it to be far far overrated until you spend big bucks on it, and then it rocks;) But I also believe that the audio apps for PC users have severely steeped up in the last 3 years. They have now fully caught the original forerunners, and with the hardware being so much cheper to buy, I have a hard time reccomending MACS. But hey, thats just me:)

[Justin]

Well, with the announcement of XP support for ProTools LE, I'm sure this view will change. Digidesign's road shows now consist mostly of the 002 and mbox running on PC's such as the Sony VAIO. I know that in the last few month's digi has shown huge leaps in their support for the Windows platform...specifically in ProToolsLE.
What do you guys think in regards to this?

[TeeCee]

Originally posted by arbiter
Well, with the announcement of XP support for ProTools LE, I'm sure this view will change. Digidesign's road shows now consist mostly of the 002 and mbox running on PC's such as the Sony VAIO. I know that in the last few month's digi has shown huge leaps in their support for the Windows platform...specifically in ProToolsLE.
What do you guys think in regards to this?
I'm speechless...:confused:

[xstatic]

Is this the same digidesign that bought Logic Audio and announced that they were discontinuing the PC line?

[TeeCee]

Originally posted by xstatic
Is this the same digidesign that bought Logic Audio and announced that they were discontinuing the PC line?
No. That would be Macintosh. Not Digidesign.

[xstatic]

I guess I was told wrong. Never was a huge Logic fan, and I try not to pay too much attention to Digidesign. :classic:

[sdevino]

Buy what your boss wants so everytime it screws up you can mention how much easier things would have been if you had a mac :cool:

I have both PC's and macs. In general if I have to attach 3rd party hardware (like a TDM system) I will try to do it on a Mac since the interfacing standard are much more tightly controlled.

It seems like I end up returning about half of the peripherals I buy for my PC's because they don't happen to work with that particular brand of PC.

If you do decide to go with a PC find a PC geek to build a custom solution so it will be more beneric and probably a lot more stable.

Steve