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PC to Mac - Advice needed and welcome

I was talking to Diabolus.

Connecting a Mac to a wireless network is so easy my dead grandmother could do it. Printing is the same way.

Third-party memory will work fine provided you buy the correct type. I bought 24GB of Hynix memory for my Mac Pro for $155. The 16GB of memory I got from Crucual for my MacBook Pro works fine too. There's no "fudge" here anywhere.

Though I do disagree with you about USB v FireWire. Latency is higher with USB.
 
You say it twice, but provide no reasons why.

As with any computer ( not a tech but have enough dealings with the IT guys at my job) hard drives are so fragile that you never know what someone did with a computer before you get it. One thing to buy used instruments and gear, but anything that has a spinning hard drive is so easily damaged that I would advise against buying a used computer.

Plus as I said, after countless hours of recording, editing, and using my Macs for photoshop/corel painter-for my art-the computers just star to run slower. Like any other machine constant use takes its toll.

Not to mention Apple has become such a pain with their updates (worse than microsoft) support is more and more difficult to get for anything. For instance, most new software wont even install on an older mac.
 
As a person who used to work for Apple, the most happy Apple customers had way too much money so they could buy all Apple stuff to work easier. Once you throw in a Linksys router and an HP printer and try to use them wirelessly is usually the worst scenarios. The amount of people who would **** bricks because they bought a computer just to browse the web and print e-mail and their $3000 Macbook won't connect to anything that their $200 Dell connects to with ease. Apples will fudge up if you put in 3rd party RAM, well they tell you this so you buy their considerably more expensive RAM that actually isn't different but 3rd party RAM can actually cause issues in some situations. On the plus side, you can bootleg everything (OS, iLife, etc) for free on Apple, since Apple does not support their OS/programs on anything other than their own computers they do not feel the need to put serials and licenses. There is also a certain amount of ease when it comes to using external things like an audio interface. Also, if you get a Mac Mini, you must upgrade the RAM (You will also need a USB/BT mouse and keyboard). Trust me, I am running one right now. You need a ton of RAM because Apple uses **** video cards, so if you have 4 youtube videos open it is slow as molasses, unless you get a Mac Tower then you can slam a killer card in there.

+1
I would advise against the mac mini-in the end you spend too much money upgrading you could buy a 1TB imac for the same money.

+1 3rd party ram sucks for macs.
 
I have been working with computers since I was a child, and doing so professionally for over 20 years. My experiences in no way resemble yours, whether its regarding hard drive fragility or computer slowdowns over time (Windows 95/98/98SE excepted).

Apple updates their OS approximately every year, just as they've been doing since the original release of OS X.

I'm not sure why your systems slow down or what pain you have with updates, but I suspect the issues lie with you.

Read the OP's post again. Are you seriously recommending a Mac Pro to such a person?
 
Let's not badmouth other people's choices. I'm a mac person, although I've also used most other operating systems over the past ~30 years.

The question is, why do you want to switch? You should generally decide on the basis of the software you want to use. If you just want to record simple tracks, your PC should work fine. On the other hand... The new version of Logic costs $200, and is an absolutely incredible deal. Much easier to use than previous versions, amazing drum editing, MIDI plugins, a large collection of high-quality virtual instruments, and a HUGE sound library. If you're serious, that alone might make it worth it to switch.

I'm on a 27" iMac, and I couldn't be happier. Big beautiful display, takes up basically no desk space, nice and fast.
 
+1
I would advise against the mac mini-in the end you spend too much money upgrading you could buy a 1TB imac for the same money.

+1 3rd party ram sucks for macs.

I disagree. I bought the cheapest Mac Mini on the market in March 2012 for $600 and threw in 8 gb of 3rd party RAM. Works like a champ and quick.

That said, I am frustrated with issues using 3rd party products and software. My printer doesn't like it (a newer HP all in one), Apple won't allow Verizon FiOs apps to cooperate and give the same streaming abilities as PC users, emulators run buggy, game controllers act up, etc.

As others said, any interface for recording I've tried did work without a hitch though. Pretty much plug n play. I can't say that for my Win. experiences.

At this point, I don't have a preference for PC vs. Mac. Each has their own merits. I'm planning on buying a new laptop soon and think I'll get a PC so I have each.
 
The new version of Logic costs $200, and is an absolutely incredible deal. Much easier to use than previous versions, amazing drum editing, MIDI plugins, a large collection of high-quality virtual instruments, and a HUGE sound library. If you're serious, that alone might make it worth it to switch.

I mentioned this earlier, and I think it bears restating. I love Reaper too, but Logic is not really a great deal more expensive (assuming you're going to actually BUY Reaper and not just keep using it past the trial deadline), and it is LOADED just as smeet says.
 
- I'd argue that FireWire is no longer mandatory...USB 3.0 is rapidly becoming the preferred standard (one reason why it's harder to find FireWire on new systems). FireWire's main advantage now is that its peer-to-peer connection is better than USB's host-based connection, and (in theory) has better latency. The reality is that, while USB 3.0 may need more CPU cycles and (again theoretically) has a higher latency potential, USB's performance is significantly better overall than FireWire when used on pretty much any modern machine.

USB is still unreliable crap in version 3.0. The main advantage of firewire and now thunderbolt is that you have a good chance to get the same data out that you put in.
 
I have been working with computers since I was a child, and doing so professionally for over 20 years. My experiences in no way resemble yours, whether its regarding hard drive fragility or computer slowdowns over time (Windows 95/98/98SE excepted).

Apple updates their OS approximately every year, just as they've been doing since the original release of OS X.

I'm not sure why your systems slow down or what pain you have with updates, but I suspect the issues lie with you.

Read the OP's post again. Are you seriously recommending a Mac Pro to such a person?

Not trying to upset you. Question I have. If you bought a used Intel Imac with a 320GB HD that has been extensively to edit music/artwork/cadd/etc over and over again, the comuter will run as fast as it did brand new out of the box?

I admitted I am not a computer expert, but by judging how my macs slow down (and yes, I know how to use them and I am very carefull) I would not recommned buying a used computer. I am not an expert, so the fact that you are maybe you can shed some light on what I am doing wrong.

And as far as updates go, you cannot add the newest Apple OS versions to older Intel or non-intel macs. Or am I wrong with that too. In fact, I gave my daughter one of my old intel macs when she went to college and Apple told me I had to buy an older version of Office for her because Office 2010 could not be installed on it.

Please correct me if I am wrong. LIke I said, hear so much conflicting inforamtion regarding macs I admit I dont know everything.

Also, no I was not suggesting a Mac Pro-I was half joking but people on talkbass are so quick to spend thousands of dollars on instruments and gear, but seems everyone wants a computer that costs 200.
 
In addition, I might add that I also learned the hard way that used electonics can asl ohave a shelf life and although most can be repaired, it is oftern not worth it.

IE-Bought used Korg M1, X3,Roland JV90 and XP50s that had to have the batteries replaced (not exactly cheap) because although they were mint condition they were obviously powered on for extended periods of time. So sorry if I am a little weary of used electronics.
 
Not trying to upset you. Question I have. If you bought a used Intel Imac with a 320GB HD that has been extensively to edit music/artwork/cadd/etc over and over again, the comuter will run as fast as it did brand new out of the box?

Of course it would. Computer components don't slow down over time. My early 2009 Mac Pro has been used heavily to do all manner of work, and has seen upgrades from Leopard to Snow Leopard to Lion to Mountain Lion and it's still an absolute beast of a machine.

I admitted I am not a computer expert, but by judging how my macs slow down (and yes, I know how to use them and I am very carefull) I would not recommned buying a used computer. I am not an expert, so the fact that you are maybe you can shed some light on what I am doing wrong.

I don't know what you're doing with your machine. All I know is that my experience does not mirror yours.

And as far as updates go, you cannot add the newest Apple OS versions to older Intel or non-intel macs. Or am I wrong with that too. In fact, I gave my daughter one of my old intel macs when she went to college and Apple told me I had to buy an older version of Office for her because Office 2010 could not be installed on it.

What model is it?
 
The one I gave my daughter is -17" Imac-intel from 2006 I believe (I bought it from American Musical when they sold Apple)-All I know is that thing was put through the ringer-photoshop-corel painter-Apple logic-MS Office (student)not to mention all the iphoto and itunes on it and after putting on and removing software-restoring factory settings it is simply not as fast as it was.

Funny see they still go for 250 -450 on evilbay but never wanted to sell because my fear of selling/buying used electronics.

My IT guy explained to me that a hard drive is similar to a pad of paper. Everytime you erase, its like ripping off the top sheet but you can still see the imprint on the page below-and this degreaded the hard drive over time. Not sure if its true-dont believe everything I hear but hes making high 6 figures and has two MS so I tend to trust there is some truth to this.

What do you think> NOt being a smart a&^, just curious.
 
I was talking to Diabolus.

Connecting a Mac to a wireless network is so easy my dead grandmother could do it. Printing is the same way.

Third-party memory will work fine provided you buy the correct type. I bought 24GB of Hynix memory for my Mac Pro for $155. The 16GB of memory I got from Crucual for my MacBook Pro works fine too. There's no "fudge" here anywhere.

Though I do disagree with you about USB v FireWire. Latency is higher with USB.

I was a Portable Computer Specialist, I assure you it is an extremely common issue to have wireless network and printing issues, and take it from somebody that worked for Apple, you will get the run around from both Apple and Linksys playing the blame game. They can connect to them, just certain models (the cheaper ones especially) would have issues connecting. It doesn't help that basically all of HP and Linksys tech support is located in a non-English speaking nation. Mind you I haven't worked there since 10.5 was relatively new. Apple still cites 3rd party RAM as a problem, in fact if you have a weird video issue Apple will diagnose it to 3rd party RAM every single time and will refuse to assist further until you remove it. If you don't believe call Apple tech and ask, I have heard customers scream at me because they bought the thing from a reseller with 3rd party RAM already in it so they did not have the factory RAM. There is also no "correct" type of RAM, that is just somebody else playing off Apple's marketing.
 
My IT guy explained to me that a hard drive is similar to a pad of paper. Everytime you erase, its like ripping off the top sheet but you can still see the imprint on the page below-and this degreaded the hard drive over time. Not sure if its true-dont believe everything I hear but hes making high 6 figures and has two MS so I tend to trust there is some truth to this.

What do you think> NOt being a smart a&^, just curious.

Your IT guy doesn't know what the flip he's talking about. Hard drives don't become less magnetic over time and lose their ability to store whether a bit is on or off. Solid state drives can, however, exhibit this behavior.
 

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