PC or Mac for broadcast applications

[dfo06]

I am the production director for my campus radio station and we are in need of a new computer. I'm leaning more toward mac because of all of the built in loops and the fact that there are no worries about viruses and the overall smoothness of a mac. However, I know that PC's are capable of just as much. A few suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[brianbfw]

I have both in my home studio and have worked with both. it's about 70/30 with 70% of the mac, 30% on the PC.

i do prefer the mac, but PC's have closed alot of the gap. I've seem some pretty screaming PC's with 4GB of mem that perform well under load.

i will say i still sometimes get crashes on the PC, where that has not happen on the mac. I would not let the extra's that come with a mac (apple loops) set you on a mac alone. there's plenty of inexpensive but good loops, etc for the PC. rather, look at the applications you will be using, some are mac, some are pc, most are both these days. also consider the fact of other you might be interacting with. will they be on a mac or PC?

you can defintley save some $$$ by going the PC route.

hopefully this hasn't confused you too much.
brian

[tech1]

I think it ultimately depends on (in order):
1. which application(s) you use, and whether or not they only run on one OS, and...
2. which OS you are more comfortable using.

Here are some more detailed thoughts of mine on the subject: http://www.audioforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19510

[aitikin]

I think it's probably more practical to go the Mac route as the prices are approximately the same when you spec things out the same. Only reason not to is if you're going for a mid-tower system for its inherent expandability. Otherwise, I'd probably just go mac. Of course, you could go the Psystar route, presuming they don't go under...

[dpd]

I set up a complete NPR station with PCs and never thought twice about it. Added PC server, ran PCs for the staff, PCs running Broadcast Electronics AudioVault system (full automation from satellite), PCs running ProTools (both LE and TDM/HD). Everything networked together, printers, etc. Never ran antivirus on anything in Operations (the studios) and nary a problem in over 10 years.

Not to fan the obvious PC/Mac flames, but what's the big worry about PCs?

[aitikin]

I set up a complete NPR station with PCs and never thought twice about it. Added PC server, ran PCs for the staff, PCs running Broadcast Electronics AudioVault system (full automation from satellite), PCs running ProTools (both LE and TDM/HD). Everything networked together, printers, etc. Never ran antivirus on anything in Operations (the studios) and nary a problem in over 10 years.

Not to fan the obvious PC/Mac flames, but what's the big worry about PCs?

Nothing, I just hate windows because it crashes all the time on me, even when I act securely. I'm too much of a poweruser for windows and too much of a sound guy to run Linux (anymore), so a Mac is the right choice for me.

The main reason I recommend Macs is I have worked (in a totally unofficial capacity) as an IT guy and everything's easier to fix on a Mac. The errors I've encountered have always been easy fixes (on Mac) but not so easy fixes in Windows. So, I guess I'm saying take it with a grain of salt coming from me.