Looking to get a new computer - help!

[DirtDog]

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

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?

Right on! Have fun with it!

I’ve found that Apple is really good at pushing security patches and for the longest time, MacOS was not a big target for hackers. Might not be the case anymore. I used to run McAfee on my PCs and that’s soured me to anti-virus. I use a VPN solution…not antivirus specifically, but offers other layers of protection.

Like mentioned elsewhere, the Logic Remote app for iOS is handy for when you want to hit the record button but are not standing next to your keyboard.

I supplement the MacMini storage with an external TB SSD. I also have a six port USB hub that expands my connectivity - and moves the connections from the back of the MacMini to somewhere more convenient.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Right on! Have fun with it!

I’ve found that Apple is really good at pushing security patches and for the longest time, MacOS was not a big target for hackers. Might not be the case anymore. I used to run McAfee on my PCs and that’s soured me to anti-virus. I use a VPN solution…not antivirus specifically, but offers other layers of protection.

Like mentioned elsewhere, the Logic Remote app for iOS is handy for when you want to hit the record button but are not standing next to your keyboard.

I supplement the MacMini storage with an external TB SSD. I also have a six port USB hub that expands my connectivity - and moves the connections from the back of the MacMini to somewhere more convenient.

Thanks! Yeah, I have McAfee on my PC and all I can say is, “never again.”

Which port hub do you use? I also think we’ll get an external SSD to expand the memory.

 

[KohanMike]

Any thoughts of antivirus software?

DO NOT put any active anti-virus software on a Mac, there are no viruses, but there is malware if you're not careful and open fake browser links or visit illicit sites often. You only need Malwarebytes, not installed active, but to run every-so-often just in case. I've been a Mac user since 1986 and for 10 years after I retired from being a propman in the movie studios, I did independent Mac IT work, retired from that now.

 

[DirtDog]

Thanks! Yeah, I have McAfee on my PC and all I can say is, “never again.”

Which port hub do you use? I also think we’ll get an external SSD to expand the memory.

This one: https://www.amazon.ca/Vilcome-6-Port-MacBook-Surface-Notebook/dp/B085TJ6B78

I keep my audio interface, Presonus FaderPort 8, my USB keyboard controller and my webcam permanently hooked up to the port (using one of the USB ports on the MacMini). Then I have my external 4TB SSD permanently hooked into the other USB port on the Mac Mini. And still have a couple of USB ports to spare when I need them.

Only thing I wished it had was a built-in SD/microSD card reader, but I've got another USB adapter for that. Just sometimes a pain to find and connect that adapter when I need it!

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Malware Bytes - I don't see any need for the non-free version.

I have cleaned some seriously compromised Macs with it, though a bit of common sense also goes far in not getting infested.

Anti-virus as such - oh heck no. But if you want to buy a virus, Norton sells one by calling it an anti-virus. Great way to ruin your computer until you take it off again. And waste $

[for that matter, once MS finally pulled their heads out dark and smelly places and started doing Windows Defender, I don't suggest Anti-virus purchases on that side of the world, either, though you might want to remember to manually check your update status even if you think it's automatically updating, because it's none too reliable about that aspect.]

My 2011 has the card reader slot built in, but trust Apple to remove useful features. I'll guess without shopping to confirm that someone sells a card-reader and usb hub combined.

MacOS has pretty good backup software baked in (time machine) - get a big external drive for that purpose. Doesn't have to be fast, just big. If you want a fast SSD external for working purposes, you're gonna want room to back that up, too. Old-tech spinny disk is fine unless you have money you don't want to keep. For us paranoid (or is that experienced) folks it even supports more than one backup drive, so as to be redundant. One of my backup drives also has some extra USB ports so it can serve as a minor hub.

Most folks seem to be into fancier software, but I find Audacity works perfectly well for my recording needs, since the package I used to love (Sonicworx Artist) did not survive the OS9 - OSX transition. For writing/editing music, MuseScore is great (and fully Cross-platform). Outside of music, LibreOffice can open all the office file formats and does everything except support macro-viruses and other VBA "features." Gimp means not having to buy Photoshop if your picture processing needs exceed what Photos/Preview can do.

 

[KohanMike]

I neglected to note my Mac Mini 2018 Intel 3.2 GHz 6-Core i7 with a 2TB SSD, to which I added 64GB of RAM, two 19" Dell monitors that rotate vertical, and two OWC 4 port NVMe boxes with four 1TB NVMe drives in each, plugged into Thunderbolt 3 port 1 and 3 (buss A and B) that I RIAD-0 to get 8TB of 3000MBs Read/Write speed. (My 2011 MacBookPro 17" with 32GB of RAM and 2TB internal SSD ran at about 400MBs.) I also have three backup drives using both CarbonCopyCloner and Time Machine.

I use it for editing videos, recording music with Garage Band (and recently bought Logic, which I still have to learn with help from my nephew, who is a film music composer and Logic expert), graphic design, photography, and pretty much everything else in my life. I sync my Apple TV 4K, iPhone 8 (soon to be an iPhone SE2), iPad Pro 4 12.9" (exclusive for my music charts) and iPad 5 for Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Movies, Bookmarks in Safari, Keychain passwords. I gave up paper many years ago.

 

[patrickhowell]

Thanks! Yeah, I have McAfee on my PC and all I can say is, “never again.”

Which port hub do you use? I also think we’ll get an external SSD to expand the memory.

There are lots of options available for combination USB hub / SD card reader / hard drive enclosures that match the Mac Mini really well. Here’s one from Satechi:

Type-C Aluminum Stand & Hub for Mac Mini

 

[pie_man_25]

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

Were it not for the desire to play some games I'd agree %100, I'm not too sure how much gaming can be done on a Mac - and that's not a knock on Mac I'm just not sure if the situation has changed on gaming with a Mac.

I will say, though, that I've got an older core i5 with what was at the time a pretty middling graphics card and it's held up to my standards pretty well over about seven years now.

 

[waver]

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.

Others have listed good reasons to buy a Mac. You can also do just fine with a PC for less $.

I’ve been using computers for business and for music ever since PCs were invented. (Really!) For several years almost all 45 people in our company have used Microsoft Surface laptops for business (with docking stations and multiple screens at home and office), and I use a Dell desktop at home for recording and playing music through my sound system. (And I use an iPhone.)

You can go on Dell’s website and find many choices of preconfigured desktop systems. Some include previous-generation chips at good prices. That’s what I bought several years ago, and it has worked great for years in my home recording studio.

 

[waver]

Just saw the post that said you bought a Mac. Great, have fun!

 

[fdeck]

Not a Mac user, but this might be interesting:

A Practical Guide to Securing Your Mac

I think you don't need a subscription if you view fewer than X articles per month. Also, most of the items mentioned are applicable to Windows or Linux, even if the details are different. Then I would add one more thing, which is to install ad blockers. I like Privacy Badger and Ublock Origin. In fact, I've learned that a lot of techies don't even realize with the Web looks like without ad blockers running.