I need your advice on Mac vs. PC laptop please ~

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hello my wonderfully tech-savvy friends ~

I’m writing to ask for your advice please.

I have a PC with Windows XP as my desktop. (And Sound Forge recording software.) I’ve had an older laptop, (Dell/Windows), that has basically crapped out on me, so I’m in the market for a new laptop. I’m planning on something super-duper, state-of-the-art that will do well for me, for a while.

Now, although I have a PC as my desktop, I’ve always been drawn to the idea of having a Mac, (while of course being admonished whole-heartedly to have one by all my creative, video, film, photographer, artist, writer, friends….) and I’d really like to have a Mac. (Even though I’m a bit scared about learning a whole new system.)

I’m old school. (Or is that old’s cool?) anruf

Could I get you opinion on having a desktop PC, and also having a laptop Mac…like an ibook or something like that?

Does it make sense to have one computer with Windows, and my “other” computer a Mac? Is it possible to transfer information, (if necessary, like sound files, etc.), from a PC to a Mac? Or are they incompatible? My laptop would be my companion on the road and would be used to record my jobs/auditions while out of town and away from my PC.

I’m somewhat…..OK….QUITE….low tech, so I’d appreciate very much any help or advice you could give me on the advantages or disadvantages of having one of each. Or should I stick with having both a desktop and laptop/Windows, or….a desktop and laptop/Mac?

Sorry if this question is somewhat naïve but I know there are a lot of very computer savvy guys out there on this forum, and I would so appreciate your insights. I’m sure there are two very opinionated schools of thought with regards to this question, but I honestly want to learn about the best way to go about my new purchase as it’s rather a sizable cash outlay and I want to make the right decision.

Thank you so much!!

Xoxo
Maxine

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Allen Brown · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008, 10:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Why don't you ask about abortion, gun control, religion or some other less controversial issue? Laughing

Some boards have banned this MAC or PC topic outright.

I hope you find the information you seek without the loss of human life. Good luck.

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

I think this is so funny.

I LOVE my Mac.That's why I love those MAC vs PC commercials. My ProTools runs great on it -- love the way it handles, like a sportscar. Lots of threads touch very gingerly on this topic.

But really, when all is fought and won, it makes no big difference. You're probably better off sticking to what you're more comfortable with. Why learn a new system if you don't have to -- unless, of course, you enjoy that sort of thing. (except having a Mac makes you WAY cooler than those stodgy PC types!! KIDDING!)

or for our UK friends...

So relax, everyone -- watch those MAC ads and chuckle. Why can't we all just get along?

Peace,

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Thanks Diane very much for your post. (And I just love those commercials, they are too funny!) Allen I certainly didn’t intend to wreak havoc with my question. Although I understand people certainly have their own opinions with regards to their computers, I wasn’t asking for a heated discussion about which computer is “better” and have people rattling their swords. I was just hoping to gather information or advice on the use of either/or with regards to voice-over.

I do think it’s quite odd that, from the tone of your post, that adult voice-over artists actually get into arguments about this to the point where boards have to ban the discussion altogether. I had no idea that was the case and it seems a shame not to be able to share information with an open minded spirit. It’s not religion or guns after all, just different forms of technology. And what better place to find informed users of both, than on these boards? If I ask for information at a PC store, they’ll want to sell me a PC. If I ask for information at a Mac store, they’ll want to sell me a Mac.

I was just curious if other voice-over artists have one of each and if so, how that works for them. I really appreciate those of you that have PM'd me on this too. I'll just do a search for this topic in other threads and see what I can find out that way, I always forget to do that first before posting a question.

Maxine

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Lance Blair · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008, 17:33 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Maxine:
You can definitely transfer files between Mac and PC, and it's easier and easier to run Windows on a Mac if you want.

Keep this in mind...what software upgrades our audio interface/soundards are you going to be using? A few things work a little more smoothly on one or another.

Allen Brown · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008, 17:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

Well, since you like them, Max -- I found this more extensive collection of the very funny John Hodgman and fatally hip young Justin Long.

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Thanks Diane ~

Justin Long.....swoon. He's so cute!! Lucky Drew Barrymore....

.

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi Lance ~

Thank you so much for that information! How great is that? It's really nice to know I can transfer files between the PC and Mac.

I guess I like the idea of knowing BOTH. Don't want to get into a rut and all that and be a person that ONLY does something one way. How boring! I'm sure there are benefits to both and working in the creative world that I do, I'm discovering it's time that I broadened my mind with regards to the technology that affects my career. I was writing this question in the hopes of hearing from people that had both, and hearing what their thoughts were.

After all, I do love Owen Roe’s 2005 Sinister Hand Syrah blend, but then what's not to like about Cakebread’s 2005 Reserve Chardonnay? I like a big juicy cheeseburger…but then I also love a delicately flavored vegetarian Indian meal…..I’ve always appreciated the cute guys in grad school, but how can a girl not also like the distinguished, corporate, CEO’s?

Yup, I think I need one of each. Computers, that is. hurra

Thanks so much Lance for your input.

xox
Max

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Lucas Nugent · **Voice Talent** Joined: 26 Jun 2007 Posts: 131

Hey Maxine,

I've never owned a Mac, but to try to help, I have to ask you; why have you always been drawn to owning a Mac?

To my knowledge, there isn't really a massive difference between them. And if you say you're not hugely tech savvy, I don't think it'd be productive to change up all that you've learned in your "tech life" so far. If you're basically running sound-editing software, it doesn't really matter what you use, for those uses, I don't really think there'd be that much of a difference. At least not enough for a non-tech-savvy person to switch brands and have to learn a whole new system. Of course there's the whole thing about Mac's not crashing as much as PC's, however I've never even used a Mac firsthand so I can't comment on that. But I can say that I run Audition 1.0 on Vista and it has never crashed on me.

Just my thoughts!

Bill Campbell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 106

Maxx -

If you already use a PC, why switch to Mac? I'm by nature a contrarian, but I switched from a Mac to a PC years ago. Use what most of the world is using - a PC.

Why add a new learning curve? Now, if you we're producing music and recording musicians, that would be a different story. But, for VO and basic audio production, I prefer the PC. There's just more "stuff' available for it.

The "Ed" guy (from the Apple commercial) was funny in DODGEBALL. I miss "Ed", great show.

Bill
www.asapaudio.com

Bob Bair · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 274

If money isn't an issue, by an Apple with an Intel chip and use both. Boot Camp (free) allows you to boot the same Mac to both an XP partition and a Leopard partition. Or run Parallels for a bit more control.
I'm a PC guy, but I have to support Macs as well. I'm more comfortable with the PC operating system, but there are many benefits of the Mac. They come at a slightly elevated price though.
There are things that each one does better. I see both sides every day in my "other" job. To me there isn't a "better", there is a choice.

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Thank you so much everyone for your input....

It's not so much that I'm going to switch entirely to a Mac, I just was toying with the idea of having one of each. I think it's always good to keep abreast of what technology is "out there," as well as just keeping my brain moving and learning new things.

I really appreciate the feedback on the benefits of both, and although yes, I'd be learning a new platform, I've never shied away from learning new things and I think it would be good to know how to use both types of computers in the long run. Having more knowledge and abilities is always a good thing, right? Like being able to jump on a Ninja bike and rip, and also be able to handle a nice big Harley….

It also sounds like Mac’s and PC’s are becoming more and more compatible, (as far as sharing information), so perhaps I can have the best of both worlds? The jury's still out but I'm leaning towards a juicy Mac-book Pro. Among many other things, I'm diggin' the magnetic cord!

Still open to any and all opinions of either/or, or both....

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your opinions very much and hearing what your set-ups are.

xox
Max

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Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

I am a former Mac user...I owned two and then moved to PC. There was a time when Macs were more reliable, but PC was more cost-effective. Now, that's not really the case. Mac users will still often complain that PCs are unstable and PC users will still often complain that Macs cost too much. The truth is, if you spend the money that you'd spend on a Mac on a comparable PC instead, they'll be equally as stable. PCs still win on price for general office work (because they ARE available at lower price points). But for professional work, there isn't much difference in what you would expect with price or stability.

So whatever feels good to you, use it!

I don't know how familiar you are with the Mac OS...I suggest at least playing with one before you buy. Just see if you like it at all. If you've done that, go for it!

Emmett

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008, 18:41 (GMT) Post subject: MAC vs. PC

Max,
Well as a somewhat overweight, older, but totally relevant, hip guy, I have always had some issue with Apple and their totally hipper than thou somewhat agist attack on the PC community.

Be that as it may, I'm also sommeone who has seen in the technology world better performing equipment go by the wayside becuase of lots of factors other than quality. Sony for example had a much better VCR in the Betamax vs. VHS wars, but their greed eventually caused the more open licensing of the VHS format to kick in and the rest is future. There are many who also will tell you that Blue Ray is inferior to HDVD, but alas Blue Ray has wone that battle.

I started my computing very early on with Atrari 2600's and Commodore 64's and migrated to Atari ST's and the natural progression was the P.C.

Many years later, as I prepare for an equipment overhaul in approximately 12 months, the big question will be for me not Mac VS. Pc, but what will suit me in terms of continuing to be able to to use my PC software and interfaces, plugins, etc. and the potential ability to also incorporate Macintosh software if I desire.

Currently, it would seem that the new Mac's running "bootcamp" or whatever it's called now (the interface that allows a Mac to run Windows) will actually for many Windows applications perfrom better and faster than a comparable PC.

The direction that Mac's seem to be headed in - to be able to run Windows software and devices better and faster than on a PC.

This is because Windows operating systems have tons of ollder sluggish code that allows for backward compatability with older programs and devices. How many people use a floppy drive anymore and yet the first page of most PC setups has it right there. And that's just one remnant of a long ago time.

So if the MAc can run PC applications better than a PC and can also run Mac applications and its price point vs. performance isn't toally loco, then I think many people will start thinking Mac, and not just cute, young guys.

As for learning a new platform, the beauty of the Mac has always been that there isn't much to learn.

As a die hard PC user for a long time, I must admit that I am leaning very heavily to an all Mac or predominantly Mac studio/ household.

I will however study this more in depth as I get closer to my upgrade date.