Why Should I Get Mac Rather Than Pc? Options

[Righteous Bullet]

hey, im probably going to get a laptop and use it for recording sometime in the near future. I want to have tip top quality and easy enough to use. should i get a mac laptop or pc laptop? why is one better? and what kind of prices would be normal for what i want?

[lushbudget]

Well i just got the machine you're talking about and it really rawks!

i would generally agree with the 'get the best you can afford now' idea, but seriously - the difference between portable low-end macs and high-end ones isn't that huge.

my ibook will maybe be out of date a month or two quicker than your powerbook (1,33GHz?) but in 2 years current laptops will have a 3Ghz G5 processor anyway so what difference will a measly ,33 Ghz make?


Conclusion: Get a powerbook if you can afford it.
If not get a maxed out ibook (go for the 60GB hdd!)
But get a mac, i've just switched from 16 years in windows-world and it really is a very pleasing experience.

Everything just works, no hassle!

WHOA THERE! FIRST OFF the PowerBook is going to have a faster system bus (167mhz Vs 133mhz), thereby increasing throughput and cutting down on the infamous latency! The PBook's processors are faster, too. iBooks max at 1Ghz whereas a PBook will fire at 1.5Ghz That is 500Mhz faster! That is a BIG difference!
Secondly iBooks RAM max out a 1.2gb and only one model (the 14" 1ghz) can be had with a SuperDrive (using a DVD drive for project archiving is A LOT cheaper than CD's since you get 4.7Gb per DVD) The PowerBooks can house up to 2Gb of faster RAM (333mhz PC2700 vs 266Mhz PC2100) and all models come with the SuperDrive option.
The largest HD available for an iBook is 60gb; the PowerBook is sold with up to 80gb.
The PowerBook has a faster L2 cache (512k of SRAM on-chip) where the OS stores often used instructions for the G4 and that speeds things up, too.
Another thing to think about is the increased VRAM that PowerBooks come with: a PowerBook will push an external monitor, even one of Apple's flat panel displays (with a $99 converter) doubling your workspace or mirroring your display.
iBooks can push external monitors too, but they can only mirror, NOT double the desktop.
Having that second display to double you workspace on your PBook is awesome when you have a big project up. PowerBooks can have up to 128Mb of VRAM - iBooks are sold with only 32mb.
AND finally, NO iBooks come with the new, amazingly fast FireWire 800 ports that are on every new PowerBook. New FW800 drives and coming audio interfaces are lightning fast and if you buy an iBook, you are outta luck.
There is more: Bluetooth, Gigabit ethernet, backlit keyboards, etc. THERE IS NO ARGUING THAT THE POWERBOOK IS A FAR, FAR SUPERIOR MACHINE TO ANY OF THE IBOOKS CURRENTLY BEING SOLD.
All in all, the PowerBook machines are faster, thinner, more capable. Don't fool yourself - the iBook is fantastic, but there is a reason they are caled 'Power' books. They are Apple's finest, and well worth the investment for the serious musician.

I own a Titanium 1ghz, 1Gb of RAM, 80GB hard drive, running OS 10.3.4, ProTools LE 6.4, Deck 3.5, Peak LE, Live 3, SampleTank 2, Reason 2.5, T-Racks, AmpliTube LE - MOST of this software came bundled with my MBox, some of it I upgraded from the MBox versions.
I have a Lacie 250GB USB2 HDD and a Lacie 120GB Firewire 400 HDD. I also have an Edirol PCR-30 keyboard controller and some outboard efx gear, and some MA-20D near field monitors. The cherry on top is my 20Gb iPod, perfect for reviewing my work on home stereos and the like, as well as listening to at the coffee shop.

Get a PowerBook if you can afford one. You won't regret it, and you won't be wanting a new machine after 6 months. Mine was new in September of '03 and it still has a lot of life left in it. Too bad they don't still offer the Titanium case - these Macs are so pretty. Ok, enough stroking on the PowerBook. I get kinda weird about Apples.

Peace,
lushbudget