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Looking to get a new computer - help!

jmattbassplaya

jmattbassplaya

Supporting Member
Jan 13, 2008
11,843
9,860
#1
Honestly, I feel a little embarrassed to even ask this as I once was fairly knowledgeable when it came to tech, but the honest truth is that my iPhone has basically been my personal computer for several years now. I have an old HP that’s close to 8 years old that I took out of the retirement, and after removing unneeded software and defragging the thing it is still slow as molasses. My buddy and I are trying to start recording, and I don’t think it’s going to hold up well enough for it. For example, I get lag just opening up my documents folder. Anyhow…

I really don’t know what is out there these days or what’s worth looking at. I’ve always been a PC guy but I’m not entirely turned off at the idea of getting a Mac. I don’t need anything super state-of-the-art or top of the line, but I would like something that can process recordings quickly and maybe handle some older games like CS:GO of SC2. Otherwise, I’ll just occasionally use it for some light work in Excel or similar spreadsheet software. Would like to stay under $1,000 if possible but, again, I don’t really know the state of the market anymore.
 
#2
As an iPhone user, I recommend you find yourself a nice Mac laptop. It's going to cost more, but the interoperability between the laptop and your iPhone will be a great convenience for you. That, and you'll have a laptop that 'just works' every time you turn it on as well as excelling at recording and multimedia.
Recording on Mac is an industry wide accepted format which will make it easy for sharing and exchanging recordings and whatnot with others.
As an IT guy, I also typically recommend Mac's to most folks who ask because I know they won't come back to me later for support on it. A Windows PC is a jackpot as to if it will work fine or if I'll be getting calls asking for help with the PC I suggested they buy. :)
I like Windows PC's, use them every single day. I'm not a Windows hater or a Mac fanboi, just laying out some facts as I see them.

-Mike
 
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#3
I used to have Android phones/tablets, and Mac computers. When the devices needed to communicate it was a real pain, and I’m really glad we’re all Apple now. (That is to say, if you have/ like iPhone, I’d consider going Mac.)

Agree with Mike that Mac is standard for music and arts. Not that PC can’t do it, but the software availability leans towards Apple. This was especially apparent with music apps on the iPad. Also, like Mike mentions, I have had much easier time running Macs, where my PCs would crash often.

I generally lean towards new, or the newest refurbished I can afford. This way devices last as long as possible before becoming obsolete.

My most recent MacBook Air was this one, though I got it on sale for $899. It’s performing very well so far:
Link Removed

I’ve had good experiences with backmarket.com, bought 2 refurbished iPads. Here’s a comparable model to the new option above, but you can go cheaper by going older (and/or smaller screen)
https://www.backmarket.com/tested-a...-and-7-core-gpu-8gb-ram-ssd-256gb/348514.html

Our other Air is a 2017 and it’s still doing well. Our pro is a 2011 and is sluggish, won’t even open Adobe any more. I wouldn’t go any older than 5 years.
 
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#4
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#5
If you're in no hurry, keep an eye out here: For Sale: Other Stuff (Not bass related).
I'll see a Mac pop up now and then for sale at a respectable price.
I'm not promising a trouble free transaction and a perfect Mac laptop, but buying from another TB'er with a good reputation can take some of the anxiety out of buying used.

-Mike
 
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#6
MJ5150 said:
As an iPhone user, I recommend you find yourself a nice Mac laptop. It's going to cost more, but the interoperability between the laptop and your iPhone will be a great convenience for you. That, and you'll have a laptop that 'just works' every time you turn it on as well as excelling at recording and multimedia.
Recording on Mac is an industry wide accepted format which will make it easy for sharing and exchanging recordings and whatnot with others.
As an IT guy, I also typically recommend Mac's to most folks who ask because I know they won't come back to me later for support on it. A Windows PC is a jackpot as to if it will work fine or if I'll be getting calls asking for help with the PC I suggested they buy. :)
I like Windows PC's, use them every single day. I'm not a Windows hater or a Mac fanboi, just laying out some facts as I see them.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks all!

My buddy actually suggested the Mini Mac. He’s the one I’ll be working with the most, and he’s a software engineer so I have good confidence in his opinion; I just know nothing about that particular piece of hardware.

I think you hit on a good point that Macs are known for their work in the arts. My fiancé is also an artist, and this might be the way to go. It might cost more, but we could look at it as more of a family computer since she was wanting a new iPad awhile back for art work.
 
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#7
Ah, yes. The Mini Mac is a great choice if you know what you're doing in regard to peripherals. I've seen folks buy a Mini Mac, then go el cheapo on peripherals, which I think doesn't do the Mini Mac justice.
For example, you'll want a high quality monitor to take advantage of that Mini Mac awesomeness.

-Mike
 
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#8
If you can handle "neither windows nor apple" installing a linux distribution on your old HP may give it a very considerable new lease on life. And/or, swap the hard disk for an SSD. Both is really nice. But you have to be willing to try...

I do it to both PCs that Windows (pick your number) has made unusable and Macs that Apple has declared obsolete (and stopped software update support for) while still perfectly functional once the last version of MacOS they will run becomes too obsoleted to use. On more than one occasion I've taken in a Windows laptop that the user cannot use anymore (for disposal) and handed them the same laptop which they have gotten years more out of. LibreOffice, MuseScore, Gimp, Audacity all work peachy. For $0...

Otherwise, as an iPhone user an Apple would be the obvious way to go.

The Mac Mini I'm typing this on is from 2011, stuck on 10.13.6 and so far still usable on MacOS. Which is luck of the draw because I've seen a bunch of issues with the exact era (bad power supplies, bad USB interface, etc.) well before they got to be 11 years old. But this one's doing fine.

Unless they've changed the new ones, you really want TWO monitors to take FULL advantage of Mac Mini Awesomeness if you have space for two. That does require a weird cable for one of the monitors - buy it from Monoprice or somesuch. On the other hand, Apple Keyboards and Mice have become overpriced hunks of fail in recent years (after they perfected the cable fail they have been doing for more than 20 years - you've presumably experienced the iPhone version of it), IMHO, and other brands of monitor, KB/Mouse all work just fine with a Mini for a lot less coin. AND last longer. I like the "chicklet" keyboards when they are working, but a $70 (or more, haven't looked for one recently) stylish keyboard that typically fails in 3 years .vs. a $20 keyboard that lasts more than a decade...
 
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#10
MJ5150 said:
Ah, yes. The Mini Mac is a great choice if you know what you're doing in regard to peripherals. I've seen folks buy a Mini Mac, then go el cheapo on peripherals, which I think doesn't do the Mini Mac justice.
For example, you'll want a high quality monitor to take advantage of that Mini Mac awesomeness.

-Mike
Click to expand...
I've had a Mac Mini for many years, now. Great computer. The monitor I used with it is an Eizo EV2436W.
 
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#11
ElectroVibe said:
Mac or PC.
Click to expand...
mac_pc.png
 
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#13
For Macs, B&H Photo is generally cheaper than buying from Apple - not infrequently, cheaper than buying from Apple with an educator/student discount (when that applied;) and while I've sometimes found things a few cents (literally) cheaper that's often "do I want to give my credit card info to some place I've never heard of before that might not be around next week? For 4 cents?"
 
#14
MJ5150 said:
Ah, yes. The Mini Mac is a great choice if you know what you're doing in regard to peripherals. I've seen folks buy a Mini Mac, then go el cheapo on peripherals, which I think doesn't do the Mini Mac justice.
For example, you'll want a high quality monitor to take advantage of that Mini Mac awesomeness.

-Mike
Click to expand...

Another vote for Mac Mini if you have all the other peripherals already. While a MacBook is fine, the smaller screen gets tiring to look at after a while. Logic is the obvious choice for DAW. “Just works”.

I’m running both an MM and MBP (M1 chip) and Logic. Both are awesome. I use the MBP for my remote recording setup. The MM stays in the “studio”. I also do video editing on it. I added a 32” monitor to my setup. Now my aging eyes can actually see what’s on my screen!

if you want to repurpose your HP and improve its sluggish performance, I’d recommend setting it up with Linux…the Ubuntu Studio distro to be specific.

Complete reinstall of OS, not dual-boot. The DAW there is Ardour. Very capable. There’s a bit of a learning curve with Ubuntu Studio, though, especially with audio drivers and audio routing capabilities. But once you wrap your head around this, it’s actually as capable - or more capable in some ways - to Logic, PT, Studio One and the rest of the usual suspects.
 
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#15
Just tossing this out there for you to consider as a consumer which ever rpute you take. I personally go with PC and Android for compatibility sakes.


My laptop died last year and I can understand tech talk but I'm not into it. I just knew I needed a computer that could handle a DAW. My instant thought was talk to my buddies who are into PC gaming, give them my budget and get some recommendations. I wanted a laptop not a tower so that helped narrow stuff down.
My computer that bit the dust (i think it's actually salvageable at least the hard drive and my files) is an ASUS and It made it for 9years of abuse and traveling.
I decided to stick with ASUS and got a Republic of Gaming Strix G17. Their gaming laptops get top marks and high praise and were in my 1-2k budget. I shopped around best buys and other local stores and found one in stock. Checked it out and asked to buy the floor model.
The store agreed and I bought the floor model for under a Grand instead of in the box for 1800 or so.

Long story short, ask for open box/ returns/ floor models. Laptops probably the worst depreciation of any consumer product so try to buy as heap as you can.
 
#16
I use an M1 Mac Mini and record in Logic. The compatibility of iPhone & Mac hardware & software is really great. You can use an iPhone (or iPad) as a Logic remote to control faders, start/stop recording, play touch piano or drums, and many other things. Logic can also open GarageBand files, so my bandmates can start demos on their iPhones/iPads then AirDrop them to my Mac to finish the project in Logic.
 
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#17
Well guys, I went with the Mac Mini. Amazon had them listed at a nice price that I was able to get Best Buy to price match for me. Got it home, did the setup, and now have all my Apple products integrated. Kind of cool getting texts to my computer :D

Still trying to figure my way around the thing and get some of my preferences configured. I might also want to pickup a Bluetooth mouse to free up one of the USB ports (or get one of those 3rd part docks built for it), and I think I’ll eventually upgrade my monitor to something more capable of showcasing the power of the MM. Otherwise, I’m just excited to have a new computer.

Any good apps to consider? Any thoughts of antivirus software?
 
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