Is your DAW doing multi duty or is it dedicated to music apps only? Any computer set up to do hi rez graphics and gaming, internet and office duties, is going to have issues running DAW programs, whether it is a Mac or a PC.

I run Cubase on an Dual Anthlon PC and it is very stable. The idea that Macs are more stable than PCs is a myth rooted in problems that arose in Windows a long time ago. These issues have been resolved. 98 and XP Pro both do a great job with DAWs..

I think you problem may stem from (perhaps) not enough RAM... my experience shows me that 1 gig of RAM is necessary to run lots of plugs etc. at mix on a PC. Instead of spending all that cash, try a tune up of your windows machine and adding some RAM. A few tweaks to optimize your system for audio and extra RAM will go a long way ....

Then you can consider a PC lap top for remote work and everything will be compatible when you import it back into your home system .. and in the long run, the whole she-bang will cost less than a Mac with new hardware (and perhaps softwear)...

"Basically, I want a laptop for my own personal use but I also want a STABLE computer to run my gear every so often. I was thinking Mac may be the best option."

you're abslolutely right....

the ibook will run your setup perfectly and smoothly..... but you must realize that the plug-in count will be a bit lower than you're used to.... (you didn't post your speed!) laptop's in general are not as fast as desktops..... even with comparable processor speeds.... load it full with ram ... there's only 1 slot left in the ibook so go for an xtra gig right away so you don't have to throw away anything when you want to upgrade...

the os x in current mac's is absolutely the most stable operating system for music today.... and you can even check your email and surf a bit .... without the constant paranoia of viruses and spyware that i'm sure you are familiar with...

so go ahead.... but beware.... in about 10 nanoseconds this post will be full of fanaticly religious windows lovers that will tell you otherwise!!! :twisted:

Not an argument as to if Windows or Macs are better. Macs work fine ... Windows machines do too ... the idea that one is better than the other is IMO, erroneous and flame fodder. I like PCs because there are many manufacturers of components and the architecture is open. PLUS they cost a lot less ... With a Mac you are forced to deal with Apple and it is assumed (by the company) that you have deep pockets which they seem to enjoy returning to every 16 months. I have had my PC for over 2 years now and it is still very fast and compatible with the marketplace. If I had purchased a Mac, I'd be looking for a new computer just about now. I do not think the cost savings can be denied.

therecordingart has already embarked on a path with a Windows machine .. has already invested in the hardware, DAW program, etc. IMO it would be better to add the RAM to his PC and then look for a remote recording solution that would be compatible with what he already has instead of switching horses in the middle of the stream and starting all over again.

oh no..... the 10 nanoseconds has past

why is it that everytime someone tries to say ANYTHING positive about a mac this happens???

i do NOT hate pc's!!

they're cheap fast and customizable...... but unstable compared to os x macs..... and hard as h... to setup properly

"Is your DAW doing multi duty or is it dedicated to music apps only? Any computer set up to do hi rez graphics and gaming, internet and office duties, is going to have issues running DAW programs, whether it is a Mac or a PC."

not true..... i use my laptop for everything.... no problems

"I run Cubase on an Dual Anthlon PC and it is very stable. The idea that Macs are more stable than PCs is a myth rooted in problems that arose in Windows a long time ago. These issues have been resolved. 98 and XP Pro both do a great job with DAWs..

this is the stereotypical pc user view on mac users.... ("they just don't know how perfect everything is now.....bla bla 4 years ago" etc.)
i know alot of pc supporters and server admin's and the picture is clear.... windoze is not exactly the state of the art os today..... and some of my best friends build pc's.... they say that setting up a good functioning pc for daw use is an artform...

"Then you can consider a PC lap top for remote work and everything will be compatible when you import it back into your home system .. and in the long run, the whole she-bang will cost less than a Mac with new hardware (and perhaps softwear)..."

i have no issues with porting things from cubase on my mac to pc.... even my key works.... maybe you're doing something wrong... and yes it will cost less but isn't quality the issue here ???

"I like PCs because there are many manufacturers of components and the architecture is open. PLUS they cost a lot less ..."

what pieces of important widely used music software or hardware isn't available to mac users??? and yes i know that doom3 will be out on pc's first..... but who cares.... we're here to make music...

"With a Mac you are forced to deal with Apple and it is assumed (by the company) that you have deep pockets which they seem to enjoy returning to every 16 months. I have had my PC for over 2 years now and it is still very fast and compatible with the marketplace. If I had purchased a Mac, I'd be looking for a new computer just about now. I do not think the cost savings can be denied."

i disagree again.... it is true that in the last 1 1/2 years apple has boosted their performance faster than the intel machines .... but as everyone i talk to agree on... pc's become outdated much faster than macs..... everyone just has to have the new motherboard/graphics card/flavor of the week while mac users tend to stick to what they got... i mean .... alot of mac users are still on os 9!!! .... just ask steve jobs who has tried to get them to switch to os x!! and in the studio i work in we went directly from a 466/G4 to a dual 2G/G5!! we used it every day for three years.... i have never met a happy pc user on his three year old pentium3/800.....
and once again it's not ONLY the money that counts... what if you didn't know s... about pc's and had to pay a guy 100$ an hour to set it up..... and to remove your spyware...and your viruses.... and your worms... and fix it because you could not resist going on kazaa !!!
then suddenly the mac becomes the cheap one.... i've been on the net for four years without a problem.....

so keep on using your pc if you want to .... or buy a mac.... i really don't care..... i'm just trying to give advice according to my own (long) experience.... as are you i guess

"tear down the wall"

The idea that Macs are more stable than PCs is a myth rooted in problems that arose in Windows a long time ago. These issues have been resolved. 98 and XP Pro both do a great job with DAWs..

That's not true!!
PC's(Personal Computers) will never be pro computers because of multible reasons... software problems, hardware problems and setup problems...
Theese computers are simply not designed for pro work like the Mac computer system is.
Kurt, there is a reason why mac computers cost a little more than PC's. The whole system(software & Hardware) is designed to work together and technicians have actually spend a lot of time to make theese things work very stable so you can use it for pro work.
And then ofcourse a mac has a much better designed computer case than a PC. It's also made easier to axcess the inside for upgrading and etc...

Let's face it Kurt, to put an equal to PC's and Mac's in performance and how stable they are is simply wrong. It's comparing a computer build for pro use to a computer that didn't know that it was being used for pro work.

Is your DAW doing multi duty or is it dedicated to music apps only? Any computer set up to do hi rez graphics and gaming, internet and office duties, is going to have issues running DAW programs, whether it is a Mac or a PC.

That's not true with mac!
This let's me question if you really know anything about mac computers?

therecordingart has already embarked on a path with a Windows machine .. has already invested in the hardware, DAW program, etc. IMO it would be better to add the RAM to his PC and then look for a remote recording solution that would be compatible with what he already has instead of switching horses in the middle of the stream and starting all over again.

Here you are absolutely right Kurt!!
Except that adding RAM may not be the solution to his problems.
I would suggest following the installation instuctions in my earlier DAW posting: http://www.recording.org/postt20221.html

Best Regards,

I've found out that PC's are very stable, providing you install good-quality-reliable components and have XP Pro as your OS. I stay away from generic components because if it's a bargain, then it's not worth installing in your DAW. This has come about from past experiences dealing with operating systems, hardware components, and software. I know what it will take now to build a decent PC for down right nitty gritty recording. The future for PC's is here & now.

I own both platforms, the apps I prefer for audio/video are Mac only.

In the the end it's about software. If you want to use SX, stay on PC.
Mac support at Steinberg is poor.

From my observations SX uses 40%-60% more CPU than Logic or DP4.
I was a longtime Cubase user but I was unable to playback sessions created in Cubase5 on my ancient G4/400 on my new Powerbook.

The biggest difference I see between the platforms is that it takes more time to resarch and gain PC technical knowledge. My PCs require more care and feeding. It's a lot to wade through, even for me and I have an EET degree.

Mac have more of an integrated system feel. I have a UNIX/Linux background for work, since OSX is UNIX the innards are familiar to me

Not sure that PCs are cheaper after you factor in the time, and time = money.

I've never had any hardware problems outside of hard drive failures, in ten years of Mac use. My Macs have resale value, my old one helps to finance my new machine.

With an interface like a MOTU 828 and a fast firewire drive should have no problem recording eight or more tracks at a time with an iBook.
8)