$800-1000 budget for new desktop

[grouse789]

I have used Studio One on my “shared” MacBook Pro for a few years now. It’s great and all but. Sharing the MB Pro with the wife doesn’t work out well for music editing sessions.
Sooooo I began looking into a new Mac, $$$$$$ oy! Meanwhile my son built from scratch a hot rod gaming PC for about the same money as my budget. He did all the assembly himself as well as program installation.
He told me go PC instead if Mac and save a lot of money.
From what I gather a PC dedicated to music doesn’t need as much horsepower as a gaming computer. Although I would also use it for video editing in the future.
OK gurus. Can I get a laundry list of parts or some specs as to what I should purchase? Is that budget doable? I have keypads and monitors already.
I will install a new Studio one on the PC.
Thank you in advance

 

[Tosh]

If you're asking for an opinion (based on experience) I say stick with Mac. You can still get an Intel-based Mini for under $1000. Use a TV set for a monitor until you have the cash for something better.

BTW you still need substantial CPU and RAM for a DAW. The thing gamer's need, that you don't, is a powerful GPU.

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I built 6 PC's for DAW use. They all cost me more than $1000 once the audio I/O was installed (first one was in 1992, which means it cost about $4000 in today's money). The last one, built in 2000, actually worked. That price tag was $2000. My first Macbook was $900, with digital I/O built in, and it worked perfectly from the first boot-up. I still have it running after 12 years of service

The only reason we have a Windows system in this house is for my wife's work (I built that one too). When she's done with it, it will be re-configured as media server running Linux. No more Windows for me!

 

[DirtDog]

I got lucky and bought a used mid-2011 iMac 21.5" for $600 about five years ago. Aside from it topping out at High Sierra, this thing runs like a champ. Knock on wood. Is able to run Studio One and Logic Pro X no problem. Screen real estate is more than adequate even with my aging eyes.

From what I see these things, you can still find deals under $1K for more modern iMac. Look for ones that are about 5 years old, max.

I have a new 13" MBP. Damn thing was close $2K CAD. I use this for mobile recording and when I'm on the move, but man, that small screen is tough to deal with when working in a DAW...for me....so I migrate all my recorded tracks to the iMac and do my editing/mixing there.

Update: if I had to replace my iMac today, there's one listed locally - 2017 iMac 21.5" 8GB RAM 1TB SSD...$700. I'd be all over that. That's in Canadian moolah.

 

[grouse789]

If you're asking for an opinion (based on experience) I say stick with Mac. You can still get an Intel-based Mini for under $1000. Use a TV set for a monitor until you have the cash for something better.

BTW you still need substantial CPU and RAM for a DAW. The thing gamer's need, that you don't, is a powerful GPU.

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Is that Mac mini enough though?
I have an external 5tb hard drive to save live performances on "Capture"
Here is my sons Horsepower. Just curious if this is enough or not.
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8 core 3.60GHz
Installed RAM - 16.0 GB RAM
260 GB SSD drive
2T Hard Drive
B450A Pro Max mother board.
Gforce rtx 2070 super GPU card
If going PC what would you suggest other than the above?

 

[Tosh]

Those specs for the AMD-based system are better than the specs of the Mini, true. However if you 'roll your own' then you could be rolling the dice on use-ability as a DAW. It's easy to put a lot of parts into a chassis, but it can be difficult to get them to all work together at peak efficiency. Apple has already done all of that for you.

A decade has passed since I was keeping up with PC component hardware, so I'm not an expert on the subject, but here's some advice:

Ditch the hungry high-octane video card and use integrated graphics.
Get a motherboard from a well-established company (I like MSI or Intel - had great results with both).
Look for USB-C expansion.
Windows (X) Pro, not Home.
Don't forget you have to buy your OS separately from building your PC

 

[seamonkey]

iPad is about the same as a 10 year old powerful PC
And the apps are a lot cheaper.
You're not going to get Studio One on IOS (yet) but Garage Band, Cubasis, FL Studio, Bandlab, just might fit your needs.

On the PC versus Mac, if either is dedicated to music, they both are really equal as far as Studio One. Until maybe the M1 native apps get going full bore

 

[Frank Tuesday]

I have a 7 year old desktop (i7 4790 w/ 32GB RAM.). Spent about $400 on the whole thing. It is plenty of computer for most DAW use.

DAWs don't use that much processing or RAM. Computers from the early '90s could handle 24 tracks of digital audio. What you need RAM and CPU for is plugins (FX, virtual instruments and sample libraries).

 

[monsterthompson]

Since MBP and Mini’s have been mentioned, it’s worth noting the new generation of M1 chip units are reported to be blazing fast and they are cheaper than the previous Intel models. That said, the chips are new and have some software compatibility issues (one of my friends has issues using Native Instruments products).

The Mac Book Air with an M1 comes in at $999. Mini is $699, but you gotta add a monitor and peripherals.

 

[DWBass]

Macs are way more stable for music recording purposes. Just my opinion.

 

[Aloe]

I have an Intel Mac and a Windows PC running same Studio One projects with the same Thuderbolt audio interface and plugins. it mostly works, but Mac allows significantly lower system load with the same latency, albeit Windows machine on paper should be much more performant.

iMac is a terrific machine, but new one is slightly above your budget. you likely want a 8th or 10th gen Intel CPU, a minimum of 16G RAM and a hefty SSD if you don't use an external drive to keep your projects and sound libraries. also don't forget the display is also included in the price (a decent not pricey 4k display is more than 400$ in a PC world).

 

[grouse789]

Thanks for all the information. I’m now leaning toward a Mac mini with the M1 chip, 16 ram and 512 storage, 5T external drive.