Apple Macs

Erm yes they do. The air didn't originally but now they do.

 

There are plenty of decent laptops e.g. Asus Zen well constructed e.g. aluminium chassis/case not plastic (I suspect if you see a huge difference then I, respectfully suggest you have used poor examples of a Windows based laptops.) The huge gap that existed between Apples and good Windows based Laptops is nowadays marginal and IMO means Apple cannot justify the price difference which still exists as Apple use to maintain 'exclusivity' and in part due to the closed shop proprietary retail system. As for reliabiilty "30 flights around the World" Wow! The point is?? A decent laptop is equally reliable and robust. I travelled weekly to Newcastle and around the country by train for 3 years with the same company laptop with no issues If you have had problems then you must have been unlucky.

The problem with this debate is Mac Users vs PC users is almost like Brexit with pro- anti on both sides claiming bragging rights . I worked in both Music/Theatre and later IT/Telecoms and also have used both OS and machines. Both have merits and both have disadvantages.
Saying things like..."Not even close to being correct as someone who spends about 16 hours a day using both" hints of superiority'. If that is your experience then fair enough, but it is not sufficient to state categorically that Macs are superior in all situations and every circumstance Incidentally, both Pro-Tools and Cubase (industry standard DAWS) which I have used both work equally well with the latest laptops with SSD and decent RAM / Processors and interface seamlessly with my current Digidesign DAW interface with virtually zero latency. It handles multiple Plugins and simultaneous input and track without stressing the processor . I agree that Macs were THE Computer to use when DAWS came into being and still are in the media industry given the legacy that many producers and studios started with them ( so why would they change).

Finally £3500!! for a laptop it should be bloody good. You could buy 2 outstanding laptops for that price.

Incidentally what type of music production are you involved in ? Sounds interesting.

 

I have a home studio where I run, 3 outboard synths, over 1tb of in the box Synths and a percussion sequencer/sampler. I've also got an electronic drum kit all plugged in to my Macbook Pro, although I'm in the middle of shifting my studio stuff across to the Mac Mini as we speak.

I make electronic music (Techno mainly), own my own label, and DJ on Radio Stations, as well as in clubs when they are open.

I use both Logic and Ableton, although mainly logic as I prefer the workflow.

 

My bad. The review on Toms' Hardware and subsequent comments section from said the new M1 did not whilst the Air did. Apparently wrong way round . Another review stated what you said (serves me right for only reading one review although if I was in the market for one I would read a lot more).....
"While the M1 MacBooks natively support just one monitor, the M1 Mac Mini does natively support up to two external monitors - one via the HDMI port and a second via USB-C. ... This combination serves as a workaround to the M1 platform supporting only a single external display

 

As someone who spends most of his days using such technology, there’s literally not even a contest. Macs are the dogs knackers.

 

Old school me. Was classically trained on piano so use mainly Keyboard (Yamaha CP88 having replaced my old CP80 acoustic electric) DAW on board synths etc and an old Ensoniq SQ32 keyboard from the 80s, with Cubase 10.5 DAW and lots of FX/processor plugins . After retiring started to play live again (solo) -or at least did until lockdown when all our venues have closed. Don't go out for money though anyway. Used to be pro in bands years ago. Stopped touring when daughter was born (she is now 33!!). Ended up working in Performing Arts / Theatre, and as everything gradually turned digital and Computer based I crossed over into IT and spent the final ten years in IT/Telecoms wich was boring and, perversely, since the money was a huge increase on what went before I was not actually that good at it if the truth be told. Now retired I have revived my musical interests.

 

If it's just for everyday stuff then I'd definitely go with a Windows based machine. I have a very high spec HP laptop which is now eight years old but does everything I need for running a small business (invoicing and accounting), translation work, and also running hardware and software for DJing. However, I would say that if I was to start doing music production again seriously (or something else specialised like making videos) then I'd need to invest in a Mac as the PC would have its limitations.

As an aside, I've had an ipad and thought it was absolutely gash for a number of reasons. I'm Android all the way for handheld devices.

 

Just little bit of the reason I don't like apple is the fact that you are snobs, the main reason is the 2 devices I have had were crap that didn't work and had to pay to be repaired whilst still under warranty.

Sent from a perfectly good Android that works fantastically well

 

What was wrong with them out of interest? I've never had anything else but excellent service from Apple for products under warranty and not had to pay a penny.

 

So you are basically pitching up to a debate about laptops and Operating systems with a beef about an IPhone?

 

Coming at a different angle on PoVs on technical differences . A similar different debate with strong opinions comes into play when it comes to musos opinions on what is the best stage keyboard. The ubiquitous Nord (those red ones) you see featured on many live videos are no doubt great (I have tried one and someone I know who owns one tried my Yamaha) and the fact they are synthesisers gives them an edge from people wanting to manipulate and tweak sounds. My issue is when keyboard players claim it is the best for live piano.
I bought a Yamaha CP88 given their (Yamaha) pedigree and my own personal experience of using Yamaha stuff which seems pretty bomb proof. in making acoustic pianos for over 100 years and the innovative work they did in electro/acoustic in the 70s (CP70 and CP80 and subsequently The legendary DX7). Whilst it uses samples rather than synthesis the accuracy of the samples of various Yamaha, Bosendorfer acoustic pianos , CP80s and various Rhodes of various vintages and Wurly EP200. not to mention a classic upright that was wheeled in and sampled without retuning are outstanding. It is light on additional sounds with fairly limited basses strings and other instruments but the processing options and the fact that all changes can be made using physical dedicated switches (not requiring access to multi level menus) makes it excellent for live work and making changes on the fly. Lots of innovations e.g.being able to switch sounds which only change after you release the keys making changes on the fly smooth.


The main big players are Yamaha, Nord, Korg, Roland and and each have certain characteristics advantages. It is therefore difficult to say definitively which is 'the best' The Nord was around and established before the CP88 came out Spring last year and is considerably more expensive. For keyboard players it is probably still favoured over the Yamaha but as a pianist wanting a Stage Piano I would choose the Yamaha every time. Like The Mac vs PC argument when considering price vs functionality it depends on what your needs are . There is no 'best' machine that suits all people . All that said though I have always had and continue to have a love hate relationship with Microsoft OS. Each new iteration brings with it some improvements but also some really annoying new features.

 

My daughter who works in Computer Gaming industry so uses Macs has had a succession of them (work provided) and likes them but the customer care has been terrible on two occasions. Both involved visits to Apple service centres with lengthy delays in resolving issues (all warranty claims) . As she is responsible for key time sensitive elements of multi million pound projects with major clients this was problematic to say the least. Apple generally are reliable and great when they are working, but when they go wrong, unlike PCs which can often be rectified DIY if you know what you are doing or by any competent IT repairers, Apple are a pain to get fixed quickly and at reasonable cost.

 

Not sure if this is correct? The last (new) MacBook I bought didn’t come with MS word, excel, ppt, pre-loaded. You can buy licences to download versions of these for Mac but there’s a cost to that.

 

Yes I suppose so but apple encompasses all of those though.

 

They’re going through a redesign with an arm chip that’s of their own design the M1. It’s in the new MacBook and MacBook Air and the Mac mini. Not in the desk tops yet. Supposed to be very good. How do I know this? I have a grandson!

 

1st apple product was an ipod, battery was a joke lasted 2hrs tops they put that down to usage, I would have thought 2 hrs was a little unreasonable. 2nd was an ipod mini, nice bit of kit just what I needed for the gym, lasted 6 maybe 8 weeks, just stopped working. Not worry I thought still in warranty,
sent it off only for them to get back to me saying that it had been immersed in liquid, absolute b0llox, it had never seen any liquid never mind immersed. Put in drawer & overnight it must have sprouted legs & gone for a dip, so as you can imagine I wasn't too pleased I had been ripped off. Cost me
£70 to have it repaired & may I add when I went to pick it up from the Apple shop in Meadowhall(spit) I wasn't the only one who was there picking up a repaired device, they must have been 5 or 6 of us waiting.

 

My experience with Apple service is great.

We’ve got 5 IPads, Mac Book Pro, Mac Mini, Various IPhones and Apple TV.

Do I think that Apple are expensive? Yes they are.

Do I think the extra cost is worth it against a Windows operating system? Shït yeah.

I do prefer Office Apps to most Mac versions though.

 

Apple are rubbish, and yes some apple users are techno snobs