2025 Recording gear update: To Mac or to PC?

[superheavyfunk]

Windows vs Mac isn’t really a thing anymore. Any sufficiently powered machine will get the job done.

The biggest things to consider are your budget, number and type of I/O you need, available RAM, and your DAW of choice (Logic, for example, is only available on apple devices)

I do remote recording on a windows machine, and I use a Mac Studio in my actual recording studio. To move tracks to/from either machine, I simply use a Samsung SSD. I’ve found that this was the best setup for my needs, which are many and varied, when it comes to doing recordings.

 

[SunByrne]

As you can see, what used to be one of the great religious wars on the internet is now... not really a big deal. You'll be fine either way.

The new M4 Mac Minis score pretty well on bang-per-buck, to be sure, but if you're invested in Windows I'm not sure that's enough to justify it. On the other hand, if you're not, then that's a really solid choice. Could use more ports, but hubs are cheap.

 

[DanAdams]

I could add about $100 and get the 512GB SSD upgrade.
glad to know Reaper is playing nice with Macs. That wasn't always the case, but it's been a long time since I payed attention to that.

Reaper has been on Macs for many years.
If I were upgrading a Mac mini, I would put that money into RAM ("unified memory").
External storage is cheap and upgradable, however the RAM amount is locked in.
I don't think you would see a benefit from the Pro chip.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Reaper has been on Macs for many years.
If I were upgrading a Mac mini, I would put that money into RAM ("unified memory").
External storage is cheap and upgradable, however the RAM amount is locked in.
I don't think you would see a benefit from the Pro chip.

You don't get to add more memory without also upgrading the SSD on the Mini. To upgrade from 16GB RAM to 24GB (max available), you have to also get the bigger drive and the cost increase is $400.

So is 8GB additional RAM worth $400 over the cost of the base model? Aside from SSD and RAM, they are otherwise identical.

 

[ctmullins]

I have been absolutely pleased with my first-generation Mac Studio with the base spec, which is the M1 Pro Max and 32GB of RAM. When you spec the Mini with the various upgrades, it approaches the cost of the base Studio, which has more available ports.

The other thing to mention here is Windows driver issues. I regularly read about people having problems with Windows drivers for various interfaces, and/or latency issues. I’ve not had to worry about that at all using my various Macs and class-compliant interfaces. Plug it in and it just works.

 

[DanAdams]

You don't get to add more memory without also upgrading the SSD on the Mini. To upgrade from 16GB RAM to 24GB (max available), you have to also get the bigger drive and the cost increase is $400.

So is 8GB additional RAM worth $400 over the cost of the base model? Aside from SSD and RAM, they are otherwise identical.

you can upgrade just ram for $200. just click the base model, then ad more ram for $200. (32gb ram is also available) Buy Mac mini with M4 chip and 256GB storage - Apple

 

[Krisfield]

If you go with a Mac you could consider using a Thunderbolt to PCIe Card expansion system so you could keep using your very good RME Interface.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[smatanovic]

I am having the same problem with USB on my new-ish MBPro. It is a really bad problem. I have to plug my interface directly into one of the only two USB-C ports actually on the computer. I have not yet found a hub (powered or unpowered) that works with the Focusrite (it's a Scarlett Solo, if it matters). And USB-C hub mfrs seem to lie a lot about whether or not their -C ports actually provide power or not. I'm not saying this is a reason to choose windows - i would never choose windows based on what I've heard about W11 - but dang this has been trouble and you should be aware.

FYI I run my scarlet solo using this hub from Anker and it works great. Provides power and connectivity.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

you can upgrade just ram for $200. just click the base model, then ad more ram for $200. (32gb ram is also available) Buy Mac mini with M4 chip and 256GB storage - Apple

Interesting. As I've mentioned, I can purchase directly through a credit card rewards program using accumulated points. However, they don't offer any upgrades through that program, just pre-selected models. If I go through Apple, I can get upgrades that aren't available through the CC reward program.

The only reason I was even considering it was that I have these accumulated points on a business card. Apple is one of their "reward partners". The others don't interest me. While I could technically pay for it via CC and then apply the points to the bill, the card is a business card dedicated to business use. Granted, it's my personal business (electronics design consultancy), but I'm reluctant to purchase anything not related to my business. The points, on the other hand, are a little more gray in my mind.

This has all be very helpful, though!

 

[Norm Nelson]

FYI I run my scarlet solo using this hub from Anker and it works great. Provides power and connectivity.

Thank you! I tried a near-identical hub (with power-passthru and all) and it worked great! Until one day it just stopped. Wouldn't listen to the focusrite any more. Otherwise the hub worked fine, and the focusrite worked fine when plugged into a USB port *on* the laptop, so I have no idea what is up with that. Anyway, I guess my message is more like get a Mac with lots of ports so finding a hub that works is a less critical problem.

 

[bullshark]

I'm considering upgrading my now 13yr old Lenovo Win7 PC running Reaper and a RME Fireface 400 or SSL2+ interface with something new. I would like to consider some of the UA plugins and an Apollo, or I might upgrade to the new SLL18. I really like the SSL2+ for most of my everyday kind of listening/practicing/goofing off needs, so I'd keep that operational. The RME FF400 still sounds great, but it's a pain dealing with the long-defunct firewire and PCIexpress card. The old Lenovo is still doing pretty well, but it's 13yrs old and it's getting harder to find tools that work with Win7.

My goal is to get back to remote recording again. I used to do it and had good success with the old setup, then I got involved with more live studio work and less of my own recording. That live studio work isn't happening as often, so I want to get back to remote work. I've used Reaper for 15 years, and I don't have a lot of reason to not use it, but I'm open to other options like Logic. I'd like to get back into some synths and sequencing, which I've not done for a long time.

So, starting over in 2025, is it worth going the Mac route over PC? I should also state that I have some CC reward points that'll get me about $670 in cash at the Apple Store, so I could get a pretty decent discount on a Mac M4 Mini, Mac Pro, iMac, etc. Then again, I can get a pretty decent PC for less than the cost of most decent Macs minus the cash reward.

What say you?

Have you ever used a Mac computer? Because, as a lifelong Windows and Linux user, trying to do anything at all on Mac OS is an exercise in frustration and futility. I spent more time swearing than achieving anything, it is the most unintuitive system I've ever used, and I finally gave up.
I hear the newer ones are pretty decent computers, but the OS is simply not for me, so I suggest you find somebody who has one and try for yourself to see if it is something you might want to use on a daily basis.

 

[ctmullins]

Have you ever used a Mac computer? Because, as a lifelong Windows and Linux user, trying to do anything at all on Mac OS is an exercise in frustration and futility. I spent more time swearing than achieving anything, it is the most unintuitive system I've ever used, and I finally gave up.
I hear the newer ones are pretty decent computers, but the OS is simply not for me, so I suggest you find somebody who has one and try for yourself to see if it is something you might want to use on a daily basis.

I could have written the same about Windows. Operating Systems are apparently almost as polarizing as modern politics, so I'll just stop right there....

 

[bullshark]

I could have written the same about Windows. Operating Systems are apparently almost as polarizing as modern politics, so I'll just stop right there....

Why I suggested the OP try beforehand. Loads of people seem to like Mac OS, while for others it's a nightmare. Same goes for Windows and Linux.
What you don't want is to spend a bundle on hardware, only to find out later that you hate it with a passion and dread using it.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Have you ever used a Mac computer? Because, as a lifelong Windows and Linux user, trying to do anything at all on Mac OS is an exercise in frustration and futility. I spent more time swearing than achieving anything, it is the most unintuitive system I've ever used, and I finally gave up.
I hear the newer ones are pretty decent computers, but the OS is simply not for me, so I suggest you find somebody who has one and try for yourself to see if it is something you might want to use on a daily basis.

Yes, I have used various Macs, though it has been a very long time. I'm not too concerned, though - I'm pretty good at figuring out complex systems and software and then working in multiple system environments simultaneously. It's part of my job.

 

[Krisfield]

I was using Windows since Windows 3.1, but I switched to Mac in 2016 because I wanted to use Logic and integrate my iPhone using Logic Remote. Mac is a great platform to work on. Very intuitive and I like the ecosystem of Apple products. But what I really like is Logic Pro. It's a fantastic DAW. A while ago I upgraded to a M2 Mac Studio w/ 96 GB RAM and RME UCX II. Just an excellent system for recording and producing music. Recommend the Mac and RME platform any day. I suggest getting as much RAM as you can afford if you want to use lots of MIDI and virtual instruments. I've got a MacBook Air version 1 with only 16GB RAM and it absolutes hates anything MIDI. It's good for recording audio though. Also get at least 2TB of storage. Having experienced a Mac with bare minimum specs and one with good specs, the difference in performance is very noticeable. You get what you pay for with Apple.

 

[JFlo]

I'm OS agnostic. When I bought my last recording computer about 10 years ago, a Windows machine was better bang for my buck. Now it looks like the Mac M4 Mini is the best value for me as a home recording hobbyist. Interface manufacturers have trouble accommodating all the different drivers needed for Windows machines so a Mac is more likely to work out of the box rather than searching for 3rd party drivers and workarounds. Another feature I like is Macs can run multiple interfaces simultaneously.

 

[seamonkey]

I've been eyeing the M4 Mac mini, but I'm waiting to see what they do with the M4 Studio

I used a M1 Macbook Pro with 32gb RAM, and the Unified memory is not a miracle in performance. There are trade-offs as the CPU and GPU share the same RAM. I predict many audio apps with use more GPU in the next few years to speed up performance, so I agree with those who suggest getting more RAM.

If you buy 256GB you'll probably want to upgrade soon. I wouldn't want to hang a bunch of external SSDs off a M4. Just my preference.

Their party vendors have started making SSD upgrades for M4 mini up to 2TB, for example:


You need another Apple Silicon computer to run the DFU, and you'd have to be rectless and brave.
Apple, may come out with upgrades sometime in the future for the SSDs, but not for the RAM, Never know ...

 

[DonaldR]

Unlike audiophile AC power cable snake oil, a four dollar USB C cable is not the same as one that may cost twenty times that amount. There is electronic circuitry built into the connector of the USB C cable. If you are having problems with hubs or peripherals it may be because you thought that it was ridiculous to pay eighty dollars for a genuine Apple USB C cable when you can buy one from Amazon that looks just like it for a couple bucks.

It's because there's two kind of USB-C cables: one is optimized for charging (up to 100w and usually limited to USB2 protocol) and the other one is optimized for high-speed (supporting USB 3-4 and Thunderbolt 3-4-5).

 

[loukash]

Also to consider: modern Macs may actually work for decades. So usually it's a good investment.
At least the older Intel models with replaceable parts, that is. It remains to be seen how long the M-models will last. My MacBook Air M2 is now only 18 months old. But my previous MacBook Pros – models 2008 and mid-2012 – are still in active use for specific tasks. E.g. the MacBook 2012 is being synced daily to serve as one of my backup solutions (it can boot up to MacOS Catalina).

Just last Sunday I had a recording session with one of my bands. For mobile recording I prefer the MacBook Pro 2008 (!) because it's robust like a tank. I can still hook up all of my Firewire and USB interfaces, having in total 18 XLR inputs plus a bunch of line inputs, the oldest interface being an M-Audio FW410 from 2003 (!!), then an Alesis iO26 (Firewire, 2007), and a Roland Octa-Capture (USB) I bought in 2023 but which is backward compatible up to (gasp!) Mac OS X Tiger. And of course my Line6 HX Stomp (USB) which is where my bass comes in, and it also serves as my headphones amp.
The only major upgrade to both Intel MacBooks was a fast 2TB SSD each, because a spinning hard drive is the worst bottleneck there.
The MacBook 2008 runs MacOS El Capitan, thus I'm recording with Logic 10.3.3.
Then I sync the drive content with the MacBook Air and edit and mix in Logic 11.

That said, of course I'm biased, as I've been a Mac user since 1989 or so…

 

[loukash]

I can still hook up all of my Firewire and USB interfaces, having in total 18 XLR inputs plus a bunch of line inputs

^ Speaking of which: One of the Mac "audio killer features" is the Aggregate Device:
Create an Aggregate Device to combine multiple audio devices - Apple Support
I don't know if there's an equivalent on Windows.