Microsoft or Mac? I looking for a new computer

[cawfeereglah]

Here's the deal: My Sony just died -- and with it, my mp3 collection and all my music software. I had a really nice suite including Finale, Amazing Slowdowner, Acid, etc. The Sony Vaio was only 3 years old (ancient I guess in computer years) and I'm thinking it might be an opportunity to switch to a Mac. I expect to replace software, but I'm concerned about limited Mac titles.

For example: my Boss Micro BR recorder/trainer only works with MP3s, so I don't use iTunes to rip songs I want to learn since it only produces its propriety files. I use a great program called Audiograbber. I can't seem to find anything on the Mac side like it.

There's probably lots of things I'm not looking at -- and should -- before I make the switch. Any thoughts?

 

[Default]

I would check http://sourceforge.net/ for mac cd rippers, there aught to be a few there.

frinika, audio workstation
http://sourceforge.net/projects/playerpro


Looks like MoreAmp is what you're looking for. It's for Mac and Windows, so you can try it out first and see if you like it.

 

[fronobulax]

Here's the deal: My Sony just died

Sorry to hear about your loss. <insert snarky comments about backups here>

On the Sony, depending upon the exact nature of the hardware failure, it may be possible to get some or all of your data off of the dead computer. The DIY solution is a special cable and a second computer. You pull the old drive, plug it into the cable and then plug into another computer as a USB drive. Here is one example of such a cable although I'd want to know a bit more about your computer before I said that it was the one to buy. I'm 4 for 4 in recovering all of the data off of a dead laptop. On two of the machines, Dell had declared the drive dead which shows what they know

Industrial strength data recovery can cost hundreds of dollars but copying from a disk should not, so your local shop or guru (or someone's grandchildren) might be willing/able to assist. At the very least you get your mp3's back.

My usual advice about Macs vs PC is to ask just what you want to do with the computer. In particular, what software do you want to run? The correct answer is whichever platform runs your applications.

That said, the common wisdom is that Macs are easier and somehow more secure. Certainly if the computer is a tool and not a hobby, the Mac is probably the better choice. Mac support, out of the box, for multi-media, especially content creation and editing is better. The only technical reason to pick a PC over a Mac is computer gaming. If you game, and not necessarily hard core, you probably need to be on a PC.

In your case, how much do you like the software you were using? Would you rather use it or learn something new, and possible better? The answer to that question probably lets you pick between Mac and PC.

I'm strictly PC but that has to do with working in IT for companies that are using Windows or Linux and wanting a home machine that is similar to what I have at work.

YMMV.

 

[Carol]

I have both a Mac and a PC -- but have to say the Mac is my favorite for stability and user interface.

I do have Amazing Slow Downer on my Mac. As for iTunes -- it will rip standard MP3s from midi files.

I have found that I can find shareware or freeware that will do just about anything I want my Mac to do.

The only time I use my PC is when I want to work in Band-in-a-Box -- and I only have that on my PC. But from there, I create the midi file and email it to my Mac...

 

[Default]

I assume you've tried to power it up without the battery?
I picked up a HP notebook "with a bad motherboard".

Turned out the battery was shot, not the mobo. There's always hope. 8)

 

[GardMan]

I would second fronos reply... if the hard drive in your Sony isn't the point of failure, it is entirely likely that you could recover all of your files/data with a USB drive enclosure. They're available at just about any computer supply (CompUSA, etc) for <$50. Different specs for laptop vs desktop drives, so you need to get the right one. When my Gateway desktop died, I was able to recover everything from the drive and transfer it to the new computer. Heck... you might even be able to pull the drive out of the old machine and drop it into a new laptop... preserving your OS and much of your software installations... (you would need new drivers for any hardware in the new box).

If it's actually the hard drive that failed, a new drive is a lot cheaper than a new computer... swapping a hard drive is pretty simple. Installing the OS and software is a pain in the A**. I would think a 3-yr old laptop is likely to have a few years left in it, unless you are using it for some cutting edge gaming or image processing. Just my $0.02.

 

[jwsamuel]

For example: my Boss Micro BR recorder/trainer only works with MP3s, so I don't use iTunes to rip songs I want to learn since it only produces its propriety files.

You can set iTunes to produce MP3 files. The proprietary files are only required for songs you purchase from iTunes.

Jim

 

[jwsamuel]

Double posted ...sorry.

 

[jwsamuel]

The only time I use my PC is when I want to work in Band-in-a-Box -- and I only have that on my PC. But from there, I create the midi file and email it to my Mac...

If you do not already have Band In A Box, it is available in a Mac version as well.

Jim

 

[cawfeereglah]

For example: my Boss Micro BR recorder/trainer only works with MP3s, so I don't use iTunes to rip songs I want to learn since it only produces its propriety files.

You can set iTunes to produce MP3 files. The proprietary files are only required for songs you purchase from iTunes.

Jim

How did I miss that preference? I'm going to look closer at my iTunes stuff. Thanks.

 

[cawfeereglah]

The only time I use my PC is when I want to work in Band-in-a-Box -- and I only have that on my PC. But from there, I create the midi file and email it to my Mac...

If you do not already have Band In A Box, it is available in a Mac version as well.

Jim

I think it's probably a good idea to keep the PC around for a while even if I go with a new Mac just to make sure there's not some programs I'll wish I kept.

 

[cawfeereglah]

Installing the OS and software is a pain in the A**. I would think a 3-yr old laptop is likely to have a few years left in it, unless you are using it for some cutting edge gaming or image processing. Just my $0.02.

Totally agree. I'd rather spend the money on music gear right now. The Sony's in the shop so we'll see what the repairman says. That will the decider.

 

[cawfeereglah]

I would check http://sourceforge.net/ for mac cd rippers, there aught to be a few there.

frinika, audio workstation
http://sourceforge.net/projects/playerpro


Looks like MoreAmp is what you're looking for. It's for Mac and Windows, so you can try it out first and see if you like it.

That's a great resource. Thanks.

 

[cawfeereglah]

Here's the deal: My Sony just died

My usual advice about Macs vs PC is to ask just what you want to do with the computer. In particular, what software do you want to run? The correct answer is whichever platform runs your applications.

That said, the common wisdom is that Macs are easier and somehow more secure. Certainly if the computer is a tool and not a hobby, the Mac is probably the better choice. Mac support, out of the box, for multi-media, especially content creation and editing is better.
YMMV.

Great words of advice. I spent some time at the Apple Store last night. A sales rep was really generous with his time and answered a lot of my questions. Since I'm not a big gamer, that's not a huge consideration. I think at some point I'm going to have to learn a new operating system and I'm leaning towards OS X over Vistas. It's just whether now's the time to break open the piggy bank and get started.

Hopefully, my repairman will have some good news on the Sony and I will feel a little less pressure about the decision.

 

[Carol]

As for learning OSX -- you have absolutely nothing to fear. So many "Windows" features were copied (or should I say "stolen") from Mac over the years, you'll feel pretty much at home in minutes. You'll also love the stability -- and of course, they just don't write a lot of viruses for Macs so that's one worry you won't have. Oh, there are a few viruses out there, but there just aren't nearly as many and the Mac people are pretty good about keeping ahead of them.

(JW -- I know they have BIAB for Mac, but I just didn't want to spend the money on it right now. There's also an advantage to having it on my PC... my PC is in a room where I can shut the door while I record. My Mac is in the living room... there's nothing like a background track of cats meowing and a man asking "What's for dinner?" while you're trying to record!)

 

[fronobulax]

So many "Windows" features were copied (or should I say "stolen") from Mac over the years,

Thread veer. One advantage of being a geezer is that sometimes you really were there. With apologies to the Mac partisans, many of the features that people claim Windows stole from Macs were actually present on the Xerox Alto years before Apple introduced the Mac. I actually got to use Altos in the '70's and they had mice, bit mapped graphics, a windowed interface, multi-tasking, removable storage and networking. Since I didn't introduce the word "stole" into the conversation, I will counter that whatever Microsoft stole from Apple had in turn been previously stolen from Xerox. I recognize that many of the historical sources claiming to address this issue will tell the story differently so YMMV and nothing personal, Carol :wink:

Back on topic, my Mac partisan's biggest complaint about Macs deals with support for legacy hardware and applications. He has been using Macs professionally for nearly 30 years and it seems like every new version of the OS lacks support for the portable drive he has been using for the past 10 years or the tools no longer produce a file format he has most of his material archived in and so on. Thus, before you switch, look at things like external disks, scanners, printers, MIDI controllers and so on that you use with the Sony. It would be useful to verify that the ones you absolutely have to have will work on the Mac.

 

[jwsamuel]

(JW -- I know they have BIAB for Mac, but I just didn't want to spend the money on it right now.

I knew that from your message. I just did not want anyone else reading your message to get the idea that BIAB is not available for the Mac.

Jim

 

[shadowcastaz]

Mac . Dual processor. Garage Band. User friendly! No virus problems!!

 

[cawfeereglah]

Okay folks ~ Here's the update: the Sony's doa -- a fried motherboard. Apparently Sony laptop users are supposed to take them apart every so often and clean out the fan assembly. If you don't, it cooks.

So, I marched over to the Apple Store and -- armed with a lot of your great advice -- picked up a new iMac desktop which they are offering right now with a free HP all-in-one printer. A laptop may come later after I feel more confident about the Mac.

I expect an uncomfortable transition from the Windows world for a while -- but expect that to payoff in the long run.

Thanks again to all for the awesome comments.

 

[cawfeereglah]

Back on topic, my Mac partisan's biggest complaint about Macs deals with support for legacy hardware and applications. He has been using Macs professionally for nearly 30 years and it seems like every new version of the OS lacks support for the portable drive he has been using for the past 10 years or the tools no longer produce a file format he has most of his material archived in and so on. Thus, before you switch, look at things like external disks, scanners, printers, MIDI controllers and so on that you use with the Sony. It would be useful to verify that the ones you absolutely have to have will work on the Mac.

I've only had the Mac two days and I'm already learning something about this: I use Photoshop Elements for picture editing. Photoshop -- made for Mac -- Right? Yes... until the new Leopard update. No longer compatible and Adobe hasn't issued a new version. Wow, okay.

No telling what else I will run up against when I start looking. The upside: there's always work arounds. Expect a major firesale on eBay when I unload all the stuff that doesn't go with the Mac!