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Vats of Blood
Dude, what the heck??


Registered: 10/24/02
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Laptop - Mac vs PC?
#2611185 - 04/28/04 11:46 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm going to be getting a laptop soon, which will be dedicated to audio programs and nothing else.
I keep hearing that if I'm going to be working with audio/music programs (namely Reason, Cubase, other soft synth programs, etc), I should get a Mac.
However, it seems that in order to get somewhere near the same speed/quality components as say, a Dell, I would end up paying upwards of $3,000.
I would just like to hear arguments for and against both systems.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
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> to get somewhere near the same speed
Speed between a Mac and a PC is very misleading. The Mac uses a RISC chip while the PC uses a CISC chip. On a risc chip, every instruction executes in one clock cycle. On a cisc chip, a single instruction can take several (sometimes as many as 30 to 50) clock cycles to complete. To make it even more complex, the RISC chip may require several instructions to accomplish the same computation that a CISC chip does with a single instruction.
For a true measure of speed, you need to look at CPI (cycles per instruction) on average over a normal programs execution. RISC almost always wins out with this metric. It is also easier for a compiler to optimize RISC instructions when creating a binary program from code.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Radcon
ConsistantlyConfused

Registered: 04/22/04
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I belive Macs are better and faster, but they are expensive and the software is made for certain versions of OS's. Its like this, imagine that every time you get a new OS you had to replace the software you have because it no longer works on your computer. You can get software that allows the old software to work on the new OS but the speed is compromised greatly.
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Evolving
Resident Cynic

Registered: 10/01/02
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Loc: Apt #6, The Village
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Radcon]
#2612123 - 04/28/04 03:36 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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The Mac OS X is based on BSD Unix. I have read that the free source code for many many programs which run on unix can be downloaded, compiled and run on OS X with no problem.
Since I have never done this myself, anyone who has experience should correct me if I'm wrong.
-------------------- To call humans 'rational beings' does injustice to the term, 'rational.' Humans are capable of rational thought, but it is not their essence. Humans are animals, beasts with complex brains. Humans, more often than not, utilize their cerebrum to rationalize what their primal instincts, their preconceived notions, and their emotional desires have presented as goals - humans are rationalizing beings.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Evolving]
#2612222 - 04/28/04 04:01 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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> Since I have never done this myself, anyone who has experience should correct me if I'm wrong.
You are correct. Most of the programs you speak of are text/console based apps.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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d33p
Welcome to Violence

Registered: 07/12/03
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Loc: the shores of Tripoli
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If you are only working with audio or video i would suggest a mac. They are deffinatly better for those appilcations but as a normal home comp i would go with a pc.
And you shouldnt have changed your name back.
-------------------- I'm a nihilist. Lets be friends. bang bang
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Vats of Blood
Dude, what the heck??


Registered: 10/24/02
Posts: 9,953
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: d33p]
#2613831 - 04/28/04 10:48 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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yeah i really dont like using macs, but thats why i have a pc at home...
...ill probably end up getting a mac laptop...eh
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Vats of Blood
Dude, what the heck??


Registered: 10/24/02
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i think i decided on a mac powerbook:
? 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 64MB Graphics Memory ? 512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM ? 80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm ? SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) ? Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English ? AirPort Extreme Card ? Professional 15 Backpack Case by Brenthaven ? Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 ? 15.2-inch TFT Display Subtotal $3,195.00
is this worth all the extra money? i could get a really kickass pc laptop for much much cheaper...i just want to make sure that i'm not wasting 1-2 thousand dollars.
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daba
Stranger


Registered: 12/30/02
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All I can say is: Wow...
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Vats of Blood
Dude, what the heck??


Registered: 10/24/02
Posts: 9,953
Loc:
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: daba]
#2645196 - 05/06/04 11:42 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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or you could tell me why you said that.
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Vats of Blood
Dude, what the heck??


Registered: 10/24/02
Posts: 9,953
Loc:
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uuggghh...apple just raped me in the ass with $$$...
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GaNjAShRooM
===SPUN===

Registered: 02/22/02
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Loc: Southern United States
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i was going to get a mac for the same reasonn...i ended up getting a dell for half the price........
-------------------- Cultivation Laws Of America Suck
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AhronZombi
AhronZombi

Registered: 04/06/04
Posts: 1,265
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for a good easy to use unix box id get a mac. but remember less compatable apps and many less good games/ i know im a mac user
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Barbi
Plastic Person

Registered: 04/22/02
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There is nothing a MAC can do that a PC variant cannot. Its pointless to spend all that money just to be a mac zealot.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 19 days
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2662111 - 05/11/04 07:00 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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> There is nothing a MAC can do that a PC variant cannot.
I can boot a MAC as a standalone firewire device by holding down the T button while booting. Show me a PC, variant or otherwise, based on Intel 80x86 with standard bios, that can do that. 
The MAC uses OpenBios, which is very powerful. I can write forth routines to extend the BIOS on the fly... show me a PC that allows you to extend its bios functionality as you see fit...
The MAC can run either big endian or little endian segements. I am not sure if the OS supports this feature, but the CPU certainly does.
(These are a few of the things that I have seen that a MAC can do that a PC cannot. Granted, most people wouldn't know or care...)
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Barbi
Plastic Person

Registered: 04/22/02
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Seuss]
#2662285 - 05/11/04 08:28 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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p.s. Things that a user actually cares about.
There are things a Sun e15k can do that an intel or mac proc cannot, but they dont really apply.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 19 days
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2662416 - 05/11/04 09:17 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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> p.s. Things that a user actually cares about.
Agree, with everything except the tango mode (standalone firewire device). I use it all the time... it is great for transfering data from one machine to another... especially when one of the machines has a corrupt or dead OS.
> There are things a Sun e15k can do that an intel or mac proc cannot
Actually, the UltraSPARC is my favorite chip. 64-bit instruction set, regsiter windows, lots of general purpose registers, etc... Don't get me started...
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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darkfly
LysergicExperimenter

Registered: 09/16/01
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I just bought the exact same computer about 2 weeks ago, except I chose the 128 meg VRAM option. It is currently replacing my 2 - 3 year old 667 Powerbook G4 which I just sold for about 1200 bucks.
-------------------- Everything Is Blue In This World. The Deepest Shade Of Mushroom Blue.
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Evolving
Resident Cynic

Registered: 10/01/02
Posts: 5,385
Loc: Apt #6, The Village
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2662464 - 05/11/04 09:29 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
mndfreeze said: There is nothing a MAC can do that a PC variant cannot. Its pointless to spend all that money just to be a mac zealot.
If you want to run viruses on your computer, Windblows wins hands down! Microsoft has created the very best platforms for hackers to exploit - GO MICROSOFT.
-------------------- To call humans 'rational beings' does injustice to the term, 'rational.' Humans are capable of rational thought, but it is not their essence. Humans are animals, beasts with complex brains. Humans, more often than not, utilize their cerebrum to rationalize what their primal instincts, their preconceived notions, and their emotional desires have presented as goals - humans are rationalizing beings.
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Suffer
puter dork



Registered: 03/05/99
Posts: 1,090
Loc: MA
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Go with what you know. If your a PC dude and your comfortable with it, no mac is ever gona replace that for you, and vice versa... My father uses all macs to work with audio, but its also because he is comfortable with it. Even he knows he could do everything he does now with a windows based PC, but he only knows mac.
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Barbi
Plastic Person

Registered: 04/22/02
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Evolving]
#2667875 - 05/12/04 08:23 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Evolving said:
Quote:
mndfreeze said: There is nothing a MAC can do that a PC variant cannot. Its pointless to spend all that money just to be a mac zealot.
If you want to run viruses on your computer, Windblows wins hands down! Microsoft has created the very best platforms for hackers to exploit - GO MICROSOFT.
the discussion was PC vs MAC. not windows vs OSX. On a side note, anyone on any OS should be running virus software. Macs are not IMMUNE to it.
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T0aD
Stranger

Registered: 06/18/02
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Evolving]
#2668681 - 05/12/04 01:31 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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hey man, youre right: there are as much viruses for Windoze as no other OS. But think how dangerous they are! Most of them are stupid worms and such little bugs. Can you "root" the Windoze? Hmm I think linux wins that one I guess there are alot more root exploits for linux (and not only the kernel, but the apps for your linux), than for windoze, and Im not some security freak. And after you got the root shell, maan, its neat. While on the other side how do you manipulate the windows machine you've rooted, with CMD?  This also shows how linux is alot more flexible to manipulate remotely, as a server for example, when on Windows you have to install some shitty progs (legit trojans), so you can do shit, if you don't have direct access to that machine. Another option is to install cygwin , which is linux-ish. Linux rulez though.
-------------------- Cuba Libre
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Effed


Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 7,370
Loc: Daylight Slavings
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Mac ownz audio.
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AhronZombi
AhronZombi

Registered: 04/06/04
Posts: 1,265
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2671719 - 05/13/04 12:02 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
mndfreeze said: p.s. Things that a user actually cares about.
There are things a Sun e15k can do that an intel or mac proc cannot, but they dont really apply.
what a cop out. thats useful. for some people. i use both only because each has its good and its bad. tell you what you cant do on a PC is run PPC binarys without emulation, just like on a mac you can run x86 binarys without emulation. gay argument mac vs pc. both mac os and windows are lacking. i say use what ever you prefer and install linux
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Papaver
Madmin Emeritus?

Registered: 06/01/02
Posts: 26,880
Loc: Radio Free Tibet!
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Quote:
Vats of Blood said: i think i decided on a mac powerbook:
? 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 with 64MB Graphics Memory ? 512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 SO-DIMM ? 80GB Ultra ATA drive @ 5400 rpm ? SuperDrive (DVD-R/CD-RW) ? Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English ? AirPort Extreme Card ? Professional 15 Backpack Case by Brenthaven ? Rechargeable Battery - 15-inch Aluminum PowerBook G4 ? 15.2-inch TFT Display Subtotal $3,195.00
is this worth all the extra money? i could get a really kickass pc laptop for much much cheaper...i just want to make sure that i'm not wasting 1-2 thousand dollars.
Vats, do you really need that configuration? I just did a comparison between a Titanium Powerbook and a G4 iBook, and I opted for the G4 iBook...
G4 1.0 Ghz 60 GByte HD 640 MByte Ram 14" screen Combo Drive
...and the whole thing will cost me under $1,500 USD
They had a model with a Superdrive which would have boosted me up to $1,750 USD, but I didn't need it.
You'll have to ask Seuss, as the bus speed might be less on the iBook G4, but after carefull consideration of my own needs, I decided to that for a thousand dollars less, I could get an iBook G4, which would be more than fine for my needs. I just wouldn't get the wider screen ratio and the shiney titanium case...
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T0aD
Stranger

Registered: 06/18/02
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Papaver]
#2673201 - 05/13/04 11:09 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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alienware.com
-------------------- Cuba Libre
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Suffer
puter dork



Registered: 03/05/99
Posts: 1,090
Loc: MA
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MetaMountain
New hand

Registered: 01/25/03
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2674304 - 05/13/04 03:33 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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the only reason i went for a intel laptop against the mac was because of the new centrino mobile technology (pentium M processor)...wayyy more battery life than the mac, almost double. And the performance of the pentium M processor is revolutionary....chk it out at anadtech if you so desire.
IMHO if you have to buy a laptop get ONE that can stay away from the power outlet as long as possible.
And all the audio softwares have Pc equivalent so that is nothing to worry about....If you desire extreme audio performance get a separate PCMICA audio card, or even the Creative extigy (external usb sound) cheap and good, but a little heavy on batteries.
But one thing remains The Macs are engineering masterpieces true blue quality
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AhronZombi
AhronZombi

Registered: 04/06/04
Posts: 1,265
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: T0aD]
#2675995 - 05/13/04 09:33 PM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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you mean expensive ware
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 19 days
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> wayyy more battery life than the mac
The G4's are getting around 6-hours per charge, new. About 4 hours if you are watching a movie or using the optical drive constantly.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Barbi
Plastic Person

Registered: 04/22/02
Posts: 12,976
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: T0aD]
#2677400 - 05/14/04 10:12 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
T0aD said: hey man, youre right: there are as much viruses for Windoze as no other OS. But think how dangerous they are! Most of them are stupid worms and such little bugs. Can you "root" the Windoze? Hmm I think linux wins that one I guess there are alot more root exploits for linux (and not only the kernel, but the apps for your linux), than for windoze, and Im not some security freak. And after you got the root shell, maan, its neat. While on the other side how do you manipulate the windows machine you've rooted, with CMD?  This also shows how linux is alot more flexible to manipulate remotely, as a server for example, when on Windows you have to install some shitty progs (legit trojans), so you can do shit, if you don't have direct access to that machine. Another option is to install cygwin , which is linux-ish. Linux rulez though.
most "virus's" for windows that float around are payloaded with security exploits that effectivly 'ROOT' your windows machine. Silly. Linux is by far more superior security wise then windows has EVER been.
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero


Registered: 04/27/01
Posts: 23,480
Loc: Caribbean
Last seen: 2 months, 19 days
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Re: Laptop - Mac vs PC? [Re: Barbi]
#2677471 - 05/14/04 10:40 AM (19 years, 8 months ago) |
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> Linux is by far more superior security wise then windows has EVER been.
I gotta agree with you there. Pretty much any Unix flavored OS is more secure than windows will ever be. Windows was designed as a single user OS without any security in mind. Although Mirco$oft has managed to shoehorn multiuser support into their design, it is a kludge at best. How that piece of junk software company every became a monopoly I will never understand.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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