HI...I'm in need of a new computer and thought I would use it for music streaming as well. Any recommendations about which way to go...Apple or PC. I have been an exclusive PC user (streaming using iTunes) so would have to learn the differences betweein it and a Mac. Maybe software cost would also be an issue but if there enough reasons to swap over then maybe I will dive in. Opinions please........
Apple or PC
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John Duncan
Well-known member
I got a Mac and it's a PITA changing over (though tbh Vista is a dog's breakfast as well). Ostensibly there are benefits for audio as Apple handles the drivers better (I'm told), but if it's primarily Just A Computer (web browsing, bit of MS OFfice) then stick with PC, I'd say.
fatboyslimfast
Well-known member
I have dipped my toes in the mac world (I've got both), but TBH, if a PC does everything you need, I'm with JD and would stay with a PC. It's a pain in the rear trying to work out how OSX does things compared with Windows.
Please note I'm NOT saying Windows is unequivocally better. But if you are already familiar with it, then it may well be for you.
Please note I'm NOT saying Windows is unequivocally better. But if you are already familiar with it, then it may well be for you.
ianandyr
Well-known member
Agree with John and FBS. We have both here at home and there's little reason to go through the pain barrier if your only reason is to seek streaming advantages. Macs are much nicer overall though IMHO and I am glad I have made the switch.
One question though - what are you streaming to (I am assuming your use 'streaming' means the PC is not the main playback device)?ÿ
One question though - what are you streaming to (I am assuming your use 'streaming' means the PC is not the main playback device)?ÿ
ianandyr:
One question though - what are you streaming to (I am assuming your use 'streaming' means the PC is not the main playback device)?
From PC to Apple Experess and then into the back of the amp using 3.5mm jack to phono lead at the monent with maybe a DAC in between a bit later on......
One question though - what are you streaming to (I am assuming your use 'streaming' means the PC is not the main playback device)?
From PC to Apple Experess and then into the back of the amp using 3.5mm jack to phono lead at the monent with maybe a DAC in between a bit later on......
professorhat
Well-known member
If you can bear with the pain though, I think it's worth switching to a Mac for home use. For music, photos, videos, internet and email, they've got it completely right. If you intend trying to do anything business like, you may struggle to get the correct software, but for the above, everything is so much easier in my opinion.
(PC user for 15 years or so, Mac user just for the last 3 years or so).
(PC user for 15 years or so, Mac user just for the last 3 years or so).
ianandyr
Well-known member
Then I'd say it makes no difference at all which way you go wrt setting up, running, or the quality of, the final streaming solution.
I use a PC at work, and Macs at home. Macs are much better for media applications and are fine with PC based-software although you will have to get the Mac version of Office or similar at approx £100. A Macbook is a much nicer machine than most PCs, and if you fancy a good deal then John lewis is doing Macbook Air at £899.
In my trade ie advertising and marketing, all the designers etc always use Macs as they are way better than PCs for visual applications. It's also not difficult to learn how they work, you'll have it sorted in no time. The only problem I can see is transferring your music over.
In my trade ie advertising and marketing, all the designers etc always use Macs as they are way better than PCs for visual applications. It's also not difficult to learn how they work, you'll have it sorted in no time. The only problem I can see is transferring your music over.
I have a PC and 2 Mac's here at home. I only use the PC for gaming! The wife is not too hot with computers but can do everything she needs to on the mac without fuss, the learning slope is not difficult, Mac's are made to be easy to use....unlike driver problems or registry problems, virus's etc on a pc!
Remember you can run Microsoft Vista on an Apple mac and choose what system you want to use on boot up.
Its called bootcamp, and it will run Windows Vista from normal booting up, its not a pretend or virtual machine. ÿThis was not possible before the macs changed over to Intel chips. ÿMy MacBook pro has Vista and OSX on it, I use the mac software for everything, except gaming, which is more suited to Vista.
There is a lot of software available for the mac to do most things you can wish for, a lot of it is shareware (register it for something like $20) or even free!
Transferringÿmusic over is not a hardship either. Its pretty much straightforward unless you have protected WMA files.
Remember you can run Microsoft Vista on an Apple mac and choose what system you want to use on boot up.
Its called bootcamp, and it will run Windows Vista from normal booting up, its not a pretend or virtual machine. ÿThis was not possible before the macs changed over to Intel chips. ÿMy MacBook pro has Vista and OSX on it, I use the mac software for everything, except gaming, which is more suited to Vista.
There is a lot of software available for the mac to do most things you can wish for, a lot of it is shareware (register it for something like $20) or even free!
Transferringÿmusic over is not a hardship either. Its pretty much straightforward unless you have protected WMA files.
matthewpiano
Well-known member
I've got plans to switch over to Mac in 2009. I've used both in the past but much prefer Mac for general home applications.
At the very heart of it Windows was built for a different reason to OSX. Unless you are into coding, use it for business apps, enjoy getting viruses or are a sadist I would recommend an Apple. I use both and Linux at work and at home (XP + Vista only for work purposes) but I really can't imagine not using OSX for general use, there's just no hassle - that's its selling point.
chebby
Well-known member
Octopo:At the very heart of it Windows was built for a different reason to OSX. Unless you are into coding, use it for business apps, enjoy getting viruses or are a sadist I would recommend an Apple. I use both and Linux at work and at home (XP + Vista only for work purposes) but I really can't imagine not using OSX for general use, there's just no hassle - that's its selling point.
Yes. The only reason I have a PC based laptop system is because our company specify Dell Latitude D6xx/D8xx (with XP Pro) for employee home use. I decided to buy my own (with far better Dell home support than our own IT guys can provide and more RAM etc) rather than get allocated an old/underspecified one from a company 'pool' and have to return it if I ever change job or leave the company.
We also have an iMac 20" (lovely machine) and the Dell tower system. Both of our daughter's schools, college (and Uni) so far have dictated their work should all be produced on MS Office software and their IT courses at GCSE only covered PC/Windows/Microsoft software, so the old Dell tower is a 'legacy' system from that time. My youngest daughter's college is also a Mac free zone so we will wait until she has finished her AS/A' Levels before replacing the old tower with another iMac. We have also got the full blown MS Office for Mac 2008 on the iMac (only cost us £39 from Software4Students a year ago)
At least everyone in the house is completely comfortable with both PCs and Macs. (Something a lot of people are strangely incapable of contemplating.)
Oh yes if you other 'Maccies' need the full MS Office for Mac 2008 and you have a full time student at home (any age) check this out...
http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Office_2008_for_Mac-details.aspx
Only costs £35.
(It is a fully approved Microsoft partner)
Yes. The only reason I have a PC based laptop system is because our company specify Dell Latitude D6xx/D8xx (with XP Pro) for employee home use. I decided to buy my own (with far better Dell home support than our own IT guys can provide and more RAM etc) rather than get allocated an old/underspecified one from a company 'pool' and have to return it if I ever change job or leave the company.
We also have an iMac 20" (lovely machine) and the Dell tower system. Both of our daughter's schools, college (and Uni) so far have dictated their work should all be produced on MS Office software and their IT courses at GCSE only covered PC/Windows/Microsoft software, so the old Dell tower is a 'legacy' system from that time. My youngest daughter's college is also a Mac free zone so we will wait until she has finished her AS/A' Levels before replacing the old tower with another iMac. We have also got the full blown MS Office for Mac 2008 on the iMac (only cost us £39 from Software4Students a year ago)
At least everyone in the house is completely comfortable with both PCs and Macs. (Something a lot of people are strangely incapable of contemplating.)
Oh yes if you other 'Maccies' need the full MS Office for Mac 2008 and you have a full time student at home (any age) check this out...
http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Office_2008_for_Mac-details.aspx
Only costs £35.
(It is a fully approved Microsoft partner)
But why not get a mac for all the good apple reasons, and run vista on it, when you need the kids to run MS applications?
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
I am starting to lean towards the mac.....especially with leopard and the included boot camp you can install windows as well (if i REALLY have to)......The Mac Mini will be more than enough for my needs. Dont want a laptop again and I have a decent tft display that I could use. Although modestly specified, from what I have read apple operating system overheads are far less demanding than windows.
The general consensus seems to be that once you have used a mac you wont go back to a pc. I am starting to convince myself here........
The general consensus seems to be that once you have used a mac you wont go back to a pc. I am starting to convince myself here........
chebby
Well-known member
griffy:
But why not get a mac for all the good apple reasons, and run vista on it, when you need the kids to run MS applications?
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
You did not read my post. We have an iMac 20" and it has the FULL version of MS Office for Mac 2008 loaded for almost a year now. I even provided a link above where students can buy it for £35.
I cannot use Vista (on my work from home system) because my employers specify XP Pro and there is no point in installing it on the old Dell tower because it will be changed for another iMac in about 18 months.
What are all the 'good Apple reasons' you are banging on about that we have not already discovered in 18 months of iMac ownership? It is not a cult, it is a computer. Computers in our house have the same status (maybe less) than the refrigerator or the DVD player. They are merely tools NOT a way of life.
But why not get a mac for all the good apple reasons, and run vista on it, when you need the kids to run MS applications?
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
You did not read my post. We have an iMac 20" and it has the FULL version of MS Office for Mac 2008 loaded for almost a year now. I even provided a link above where students can buy it for £35.
I cannot use Vista (on my work from home system) because my employers specify XP Pro and there is no point in installing it on the old Dell tower because it will be changed for another iMac in about 18 months.
What are all the 'good Apple reasons' you are banging on about that we have not already discovered in 18 months of iMac ownership? It is not a cult, it is a computer. Computers in our house have the same status (maybe less) than the refrigerator or the DVD player. They are merely tools NOT a way of life.
chebby:griffy:
But why not get a mac for all the good apple reasons, and run vista on it, when you need the kids to run MS applications?
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
You did not read my post. We have an iMac 20" and it has the FULL version of MS Office for Mac 2008 loaded for almost a year now. I even provided a link above where students can buy it for £35.I cannot use Vista (on my work from home system) because my employers specify XP Pro and there is no point in installing it on the old Dell tower because it will be changed for another iMac in about 18 months.What are all the 'good Apple reasons' you are banging on about that we have not already discovered in 18 months of iMac ownership? It is not a cult, it is a computer. Computers in our house have the same status (maybe less) than the refrigerator or the DVD player. They are merely tools NOT a way of life.
My post was not aimedÿsolelyÿat you, yet you seem to have read it this way, I apologise if its offended you!
It was more general to those that think its a simple toss up choice of mac or pc, when as you know, a mac can run both software systems. ÿYou understand the 'good apple reasons' already
ÿI'm not sure whats upset you about cult status of apple mac's tho, yes they are simply a tool to 'get things done' just one of the better tools available imhoÿ
But why not get a mac for all the good apple reasons, and run vista on it, when you need the kids to run MS applications?
Microsoft have released a full version of office for the mac anyway if that helps also!ÿ
You did not read my post. We have an iMac 20" and it has the FULL version of MS Office for Mac 2008 loaded for almost a year now. I even provided a link above where students can buy it for £35.I cannot use Vista (on my work from home system) because my employers specify XP Pro and there is no point in installing it on the old Dell tower because it will be changed for another iMac in about 18 months.What are all the 'good Apple reasons' you are banging on about that we have not already discovered in 18 months of iMac ownership? It is not a cult, it is a computer. Computers in our house have the same status (maybe less) than the refrigerator or the DVD player. They are merely tools NOT a way of life.
My post was not aimedÿsolelyÿat you, yet you seem to have read it this way, I apologise if its offended you!
It was more general to those that think its a simple toss up choice of mac or pc, when as you know, a mac can run both software systems. ÿYou understand the 'good apple reasons' already
chebby
Well-known member
Just irritating to be told to go and buy something I mentioned we already have (and enjoy) and being advised to install software (for our kids) that I had already just recommended a few lines earlier with a link.
I guess the phrase you used.. "for all the good Apple reasons" just sounded a little too 'missionary'.
Like "..have you heard the Good news?" !
I guess the phrase you used.. "for all the good Apple reasons" just sounded a little too 'missionary'.
Like "..have you heard the Good news?" !
professorhat
Well-known member
I have a cheap Dell XP laptop for dragging around and working on.
And a Mac for media.
The two can co-exist, and play solely to their strengths.
And a Mac for media.
The two can co-exist, and play solely to their strengths.
This morning I went into my local Apple shop and had a 10 min play with a Mac Mini......it's a tiny thing but has a good set of connection options at the back. Mac OSX is OK and looks like it will be fairly easy to get to grips with. Most app loading times were pretty unremarkable except iTunes which loaded in about 2 secs, not 20 like it is on my laptop. Not sure why this should be....may be something to do with the size of the library. They had it connected to an old TFT diaplay so I am sure I wasnt getting the best image available like it is on the glass fronted iMac. So, did I buy one.........................Nope. There wasnt enough different / better to make me spend 4/500 notes. Trying to do it on the (relatively) cheap isnt going to work, but......................I do like the iMacs but at 300 notes more for the base model, I have to do some more saving.......Hey Ho.........
Can anyone who uses Macs intensively advise on Mac reliability.
Can anyone who uses Macs intensively advise on Mac reliability.
The Mini is being discontinued soon, maybe its replacement (if there is one) will be more tempting!
(and yes, larger the library longer the loading time)ÿ
(and yes, larger the library longer the loading time)ÿ
professorhat
Well-known member
Have used my Power Mac virtually every day (quite often for 10-12 hours a day) for nigh on 3 years now. Also the Mini Mac I bought about 4 years ago is still going strong (albeit at a friend's house now - I didn't really use it once I got the Power Mac so swapped it for a second display he had going spare).
chebby
Well-known member
The best value model is probably the iMac 20" 2.66ghz (2GB RAM and 320GB HD).
Reliability is good but get the 3 year AppleCare protection anyway for peace of mind.
John Lewis are currently throwing in free 'Micrsosoft Office for Mac 2008' Home & student version.
I would also recommend spending out for an external (firewire) HD and using SuperDuper! backup/restore software to make a bootable clone backup of the entire system. (Time Machine is all very well but you can't boot from it if the internal HD gets shafted and has to be replaced.)
Max your RAM to 4GB with Crucial UK and not Apple's own brand (usually Toshiba) which costs a bomb. Crucial charge £34 for a 4GB kit. It is dead easy to install.
Reliability is good but get the 3 year AppleCare protection anyway for peace of mind.
John Lewis are currently throwing in free 'Micrsosoft Office for Mac 2008' Home & student version.
I would also recommend spending out for an external (firewire) HD and using SuperDuper! backup/restore software to make a bootable clone backup of the entire system. (Time Machine is all very well but you can't boot from it if the internal HD gets shafted and has to be replaced.)
Max your RAM to 4GB with Crucial UK and not Apple's own brand (usually Toshiba) which costs a bomb. Crucial charge £34 for a 4GB kit. It is dead easy to install.
Alec
Well-known member
Octopo:
The Mini is being discontinued soon, maybe its replacement (if there is one) will be more tempting!
(and yes, larger the library longer the loading time)ÿ
Apologies for the lack of linkage, but it is'nt, as you'll find if you google it.
Indeed, reps of apple have been known to contact concerned custiomers to put their minds at rest, and some say that mac mini fans will be in for a treat in the not too distant future...
There is, by the by, a thread on the Computer Audiophile site about this.
The Mini is being discontinued soon, maybe its replacement (if there is one) will be more tempting!
(and yes, larger the library longer the loading time)ÿ
Apologies for the lack of linkage, but it is'nt, as you'll find if you google it.
Indeed, reps of apple have been known to contact concerned custiomers to put their minds at rest, and some say that mac mini fans will be in for a treat in the not too distant future...
There is, by the by, a thread on the Computer Audiophile site about this.
If your thinking about a mac mini, it might be worth waiting for Macworld Expo in January.Rumour is there might be a new Mac Mini. It's only a few weeks away.
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