why does everyone use a mac? whys mac so great?

[Namias]

Im a Pc boy . Its like saying I drive a BMW .

[Myrok Rolles]

Reliability, ease, interface preference, restricted software, plus the laptops destroy the competition.

[vintagelove]

Well my laptop has been turned on, signed on the internet with like 5 pages open for the last 3 years. Honestly I have turned it off like 15 times ever..... did I mention no viruses?

As far as the studio goes, I have a g5 that is still making me money. I really do not understand the need for 12 cores and 20 gigs of ram. Unless you have no real instruments, or real compressors, eq's etc.

[joeq]

Macs have better bass response, crisper highs, and a slightly wider soundstage.

[Rufuss Sewell]

Macs are prettier,
have (pretty much) zero virus concern,
better support with an Apple store in most cities,
MUCH higher resale value, Logic/Garageband/Final Cut are exclusive,
They generally work for five years or more,
iPads/iPods/iPhones do all kinds of neat things in sync with Macs like Core Midi over wifi and iCloud etc.

Once you're in the ecosystem it kind of traps you in with all the wonderful things you couldn't live without.

PCs just seem like this horrible nightmare from my distant past. Always dealing with viruses slowing my work down, drivers never working, hardware incompatibilities, ug. Basically I want to be a music geek not a computer geek.

That said, XP was the last Windows OS I spent any time with.

[voorhee]

Because people buy into all the marketing just like the same ones who only drive name brand cars, drink Folgers, Coca Cola, Wonder, Marlboro etc

[KorgAddict]

Oh! Here we go again

KA

[Namias]

What a load of crap ! They are no different to PC's . Have you ever gone to apple support . Join the Queue . It horse for courses . Apple probably has a higher standard but all you have to do is by a quality PC for half the price .

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by voorhee

Because people buy into all the marketing just like the same ones who only drive name brand cars, drink Folgers, Coca Cola, Wonder, Marlboro etc

Who drinks Folgers?

[drewwebsteraudio]

1) Less Viruses

2) Core Audio built into the OS, so no need to install drivers or need to worry about compatibility with most audio devices/interfaces.

3) Macs are made with the same parts. With PCs there are WAY more configurations and options, which is great, but it can cause compatibility issues with some audio devices.

When it comes down to it, both are fully capable of doing the same things. However, PC's take a little extra time to make sure you buy the correct parts/configurations and they take a little more time to install your hardware because of the driver installation (again, MAC OS has CoreAudio that most interfaces/audio devices are compatible with).

If you don't mind taking the extra time to get things working right, then PCs are definitely a great choice because you can get an incredible amount of power for cheap, especially if you can build you PC yourself.

[ksandvik]

...it's a matter of spending time in the studio doing music versus spending time configuring and administrating systems....

[dan p]

Originally Posted by skarekroh

so i dont understand what makes macs so great. for the same price as a mac book pro i can buy 3 state of the art PCs. 90% of the same programs will run on windows. is it the operating system?

I have several programmer and scientist friends whose companies give them mac pros to work on.
Reason is stability, and its loaded from a programmer
point of view.
Most programmers make sure their software runs cross platform these days
so they run under both pc and mac with no problems
but most macs have less nested folders to deal with,which translates into less key strokes unless you automate or are a pc programmer,then you should know both anyway.
Another point is PC's are notorious for going down and having more problems because its a more popular programming platform..

[Jeff Hayat]

why does everyone use a mac?

Gosh golly, I guess I am not in the "everyone" category.....

Isn't the Mac global marketshare under 6%? If not, it's somewhere in that neighborhood. Seeing as tho that's the case, it's kinda difficult to say everyone uses a mac - even facetiously.

But Macs do have a certain niche, and they do certain things pretty well, if the sw you want to use has been written for it properly.

Cheers.

[s.d.finley]

Lets see a show of hands of ya'll PC guys that has a PC from 1996 that still works, SSL computer doesn't count!

Ok, how about 2001?


Ok, how about 2004?


2006?

I have so many macs that won't die I think I may start a museum.

99.2% of the time they just work right out of the box, zero tinkering. Apple has dropped the ball on occasion, but who hasn't?

A company that builds a useful product that works from the get go that last a 3-4 regular computer lifetimes is no marketing BS. If one doesn't like the layout and the way the OS operates and the programming then totally understandable. Too expensive for the non-pro, understandable, the elitist snobbery finger pointing? Well.....

[Clay]

Originally Posted by joeq

Macs have better bass response, crisper highs, and a slightly wider soundstage.

Exactly!
I did a shootout couple of months ago between an old 2010 MAC (6-core 16GB RAM) and two other PC competitors of the same "configuration" and the results were stunning!.
PC mixes (although sounded good in the studio) didn't translate to any of the real world sound systems (Home stereo, iPod, Car Stereo) not even on a cassette player on my dad's old BMW.
MAC mixes rule... yes, you pay a bit more but the sound quality is worth any penny.
Currently I can only record 16 bits since I only have 16 GB RAM on my MacPro but just ordered 8 GB more RAM... which will bump my recordings up to 24 bits.

[freetard]

Logic is only available for the Mac

[cinealta]

For those using computers in the 80s and 90s, there was a time when Windows was not stable for music recording (midi timing errors, not sample accurate etc). The Mac OS was always stable for music (midi and digital audio). That's why all the premiere music software was initially written for Macintosh.

[thenoodle]

While pc vs mac threads aren't allowed, I'll say this.... follow your intuition. It will be the right decision.

[ambiguity]

i can't see calling office depot off the shelf computers state of the art, no matter what the specs say.

the only benefit i see is ease of use out of the box. PCs may require an extra step or ten to get going but once that bridge is crossed they're all the same.

i understand there are viruses out there, but the last time i had issues with them was during win98 era, in the last century.

and as far as PCs being notorious for going down, I call BS. My biggest issue with PCs was a faulty memory stick, while literally every Mac I've ever owned had issues that required prolonged downtime for service. I wouldn't dare buying a mac without Apple Care.

[projektk]

I use OS X, never would I buy a Mac computers. I buy the OS and put it on my PC. Piece of cake.

But to answer the Q originally asked, I feel OS X is easier to use. Feels quicker, no need to defrag the hard drives. Avoiding viruses is easier as well. For someone who needs there workstation on the internet I trust OS X more than Windows. I have considered switching to Linux but until OS X can't be installed on PCs anymore I will stay with it.

Sent from my LG-P925 using Gearslutz App

[passmore]

I stated using a Mac when you could not even buy a Midi interface for a PC Windows did not exist it was DOS then. All music software was Mac only.
Then came Sound tools then Pro Tools again all of that was Mac only for years.
Now all the cool stuff is either Mac only or comes out first on Mac then Windows later.
I have never had dricer issues the OS builders control the hardware that way they can charge very little for the software Mountain Lion is going to cost $20.00 for ALL you systems My Lion Update was $30.00 for 4 of my machines

[Bender412]

Originally Posted by skarekroh

why does everyone use a mac? whys mac so great?

Where are you getting your information from?


Sent from my SCH-R720 using Gearslutz App

[willi1203]

"is it the operating system?"

Try it (I mean.. try to install softwares..)

[deathromantik]

Marketing, being able to connect to Mac File Servers and Logic Pro. Besides that they are not great at all.
I have a mac, most of the time I wish that it was a PC. I have had it since August last year; it has been in the shop twice and needs to go back again. Being limited to 8GB of RAM is not good either.
PC is better in my opinion, especially with the disposable computer route that Apple are taking with the new MBP.

Windows may be a bad OS as far as security goes (only being connected to the internet to update software is pretty much the safest thing you can do with it) but being upgradable and choice of hardware is better value. OSX is pretty under featured and anti-choce for me especially since I came to it from using Linux for years. For instance while doing file transfers there are times when you need to pause it and continue later, you just can't do that with Finder. The being behind in Java updates leaves your Mac open to attack too.

If you don't want to put the time into designing your own PC a quick google search will find you lots of companies that make PCs geared toward Pro Audio often cheaper than a Mac with similar specs.

[glenn_jr]

Originally Posted by drewwebsteraudio

When it comes down to it, both are fully capable of doing the same things. However, PC's take a little extra time to make sure you buy the correct parts/configurations and they take a little more time to install your hardware because of the driver installation (again, MAC OS has CoreAudio that most interfaces/audio devices are compatible with).

If you don't mind taking the extra time to get things working right, then PCs are definitely a great choice because you can get an incredible amount of power for cheap, especially if you can build you PC yourself.

So Mac = Computer for lazy people?

(I'm a little cheeky today!)

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Gearslutz App

[Dpro]

Honestly for the Mac people who are here saying their Macs are in the shop a lot. I cry foul on that. I have used Macs since the mid 90's . Once I had a hard drive crash. Can happen on any computer. The only other thing I had happen was screen develop a band down the middle on one of my Imac's. It was out of warranty and Apple fixed it for free. Other than those two things in over 18 years of use. I have run a 2CI , PowerMac 7500 , G3 tower, G4 dual 450 tower, 12 inch Powerbook , Macbook core duo, Macbook core 2 duo, Imac Core 2 duo, Macbook Air, . Yup and I have run Logic without a tower. Of course these were all the personal setups.
I am considering picking up a Mac Mini i7 quad core server as well, if I don't opt for a 2009 Mac Pro tower.

I know composers that score films on Macs, I have composer friends that score TV and film on PC's.
Basically people just need to stop the back forth crap about Macs and PC's.

Use what works for you and stop talking crap about what other people use. That goes for both sides.

Oh and please the people trying to make this a class type thing? Give it the hell up man. People use stuff because it works for them, period!
if it does not work for you don't use it. Just don't talk smack.

[Electrode]

Originally Posted by glenn_jr

So Mac = Computer for lazy people?

(I'm a little cheeky today!)

Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using Gearslutz App

No! PC's are for people who like to do things the hard way.

I converted to mac about 6 years ago. It was literally a case of everything taking 3 or 4 steps less than a PC that sealed the deal for me.

There is something very elegant about OSX that appeals to me. Like entering system preferences as opposed to the old XP "Control Panel'. It just is clearer, and more concise. In an ironic twist, when windows tried to adopt a similar control panel in later versions it all went to shit. I found it infuriating.

Who knows. Not everyone uses a mac though. I have a windows computer for my CNC machine and it works nicely... but it is a very simple setup.

[Sotsirc]

Unlike so many people that go "I'll never touch a PC again" after owning a mac for a week, I must say I've never been impressed with my mac. You could almost say dissapointed, but then again maybe it's not the tool but the person handling it. I am getting used to it, however (had it for two years soon), so the next computer will probably be a mac too ... Such a lot of money for that shiny piece of ...

[Namias]

Originally Posted by s.d.finley

Lets see a show of hands of ya'll PC guys that has a PC from 1996 that still works, SSL computer doesn't count!

Ok, how about 2001?


Ok, how about 2004?


2006?

I have so many macs that won't die I think I may start a museum.

99.2% of the time they just work right out of the box, zero tinkering. Apple has dropped the ball on occasion, but who hasn't?

A company that builds a useful product that works from the get go that last a 3-4 regular computer lifetimes is no marketing BS. If one doesn't like the layout and the way the OS operates and the programming then totally understandable. Too expensive for the non-pro, understandable, the elitist snobbery finger pointing? Well.....

I have every single pc laptop and they all still work from 2002 . I have upgraded only cause i can afford to and because technology in laptops change dramatically at least every 3 years ...so does protools . Viruses are for ******s who don't know how to stop them or get rid of them . If apple is so great you only have to look at the iphone to see that they have alot more improvement on the books .