I spent most of my IT life managing and servicing MS Windows based system including server farms.

Other than for taxes and a couple of other Windows based programs, I ditched MS Windows for Linux when I retired 18 years ago.

Now I'm considering a Mac Mini M4 which should meet my needs for audio (bass guitar) recording and editing plus my tax software can run on macOS and I'm sure there are other apps I may find interesting as well.  So now, I'm up for something new.

So here's your chance.  Go for it - talk me into it.  Why should I join the AppleHiveMind? 

Don't do it. Closed Eco system.

 

The Mac Os is terrible.

 

 

https://macback.co.uk/blog/disadvantages-of-macbooks/

Short and sweet.....not a fan of Apple......but really wouldn't consider anything else.

 

Recently bought the 13" MacBook air M3.......small enough for travel, big enough to watch.

 

Wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another.

I have always been a DOS/Windows guy, but part of my job for a while was CNC programing on a Mac, and I liked it okay. I have both now, but I have not used the mac for a year or two, 

 

I think a strong case can be made for a MacBook because they seem to be much more robust than any of the laptops I have had, except for an IBM thinkpad I had back in the late '90s. They also come (or at least came) with office workalike programs, so you do not have to buy additional software, The keyboards and displays are great as well. They are also pretty competitive price wise, if you are looking at nicer windows units. 

 

Right now, my desktop is a nice Intel NUC that I really like and my SG laptop is an Acer Swift 3 that I do not care for. 

Buy MacBook Air instead. Price is nearly the same. But you will have mobility!

I'm not a fan of Macs in general but they do seem held in very high esteem by audio enthusiasts.

 

Maybe 20 years ago I'd have said that the good thing about Macs os they tend to "just work" without a load of tinkering, as opposed to Windows systems that needed a lot of optimisation. However these days Windows seems far more stable than it used to*, and hardware is so fast that we don't have to worry about the same sort of things we used to.

 

Unfortunately l  suspect that most of what you're likely to get in this thread is a bunch of Mac fanboys telling you unrealistically how great everything is on Mac, how it'll do everything you need including breakfast and a suckkie every morning, countered by a bunch of anti-Apple freaks giving you unrealistic horror stories about limitations which probably won't even impact you.

 

I kind of feel that you've already made your mind up anyway so just go ahead and buy one and see what you think.

 

The good news is that even if you really can't get on with MacOS you can still run Windows ARM on Mac using Parallels.  You need to pay for that though, and it may introduce additional audio latency** which could be problematic with your bass recording. But in that case you could just use Garage Band on the Mac side and everything else in Windows.

 

*Anecdotal evidence based on personal experience, backed up by what I've heard others saying. I have no data to back it up.

 

**I have no idea if this is the actual case, it's just an assumption of mine based on my understanding of how the software works.

If you like throwing money out the window go for it

 

just get a thinkpad bro

OK, I have been a MAC user now since I retired back in the 1990s.  

 

The good - It manages a lot of stuff for you and the hardware is excellent.  Current crop of home made processors are blazing fast.  Form factor is nice.

 

The bad - a bit more expensive.  Not as bad as 20 years ago but higher.  And it manages a lot of stuff for you.  Like you I worked with Unix and MS-dos in the work place.  And I LIKED knowing how my data was stored and had my own filing system.  Now I am not always clear in WHERE the actual data is stored.

 

But to be honest partly my fault as Mac OS has eliminated a need to know in most cases.

 

I wouldn't even look at al alternative.  Just overall had very solid experiences with all my apple products.  IMO the price increase over alternatives is worth it.

 

My current system is a Macbook Pro with an M2 chip (two years old) and when I am not traveling I plug it into a Studio Display.

 

Yeah actually it is a lot more expensive but works a charm for me.

 

 

All computers are a sinister stew from the devil people but Macs just tend to work, unlike Windoze which gets viruses constantly.

 

Plus I won't give Bill Gateskeeper the vackseen expert any more of my money.

 

Macs are worth the money but you still eatin out the devils pot no matter what.

8 hours ago, Cameroni said:

Don't do it. Closed Eco system.

 

The Mac Os is terrible.

 

 

False. 

8 hours ago, connda said:

I spent most of my IT life managing and servicing MS Windows based system including server farms.

Other than for taxes and a couple of other Windows based programs, I ditched MS Windows for Linux when I retired 18 years ago.

Now I'm considering a Mac Mini M4 which should meet my needs for audio (bass guitar) recording and editing plus my tax software can run on macOS and I'm sure there are other apps I may find interesting as well.  So now, I'm up for something new.

So here's your chance.  Go for it - talk me into it.  Why should I join the AppleHiveMind? 

I use an M4 mini for photo processing.   I also have an M1 Pro laptop.   The M chips Macs are nice. 

8 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Short and sweet.....not a fan of Apple......but really wouldn't consider anything else.

 

Recently bought the 13" MacBook air M3.......small enough for travel, big enough to watch.

 

Wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another.

I would have to agree. I do not like Macbook OS. But i installed windows OS in my macbook and everything seems fine. 

The reason I bought a new Macbook is simple. I was buying new computers due to slow speeds every year for other than Macbook. While in China 8 years ago, i bought a Macbook they had on display. After 7 years the Macbook never slowed down. Processing times remained the same as when first purchased. Even with Windows installed The browsers were faster, the Pc more responsive. 

So I gave that Macbook to my wife who now uses it for her work. Never any problems other than simple maintenance like dust under the keys. Whereas I always had problems with Samsung, and the other models after one year. 

Now i have 2 macbooks in my home. One is 8 years old and the other is 2 years old. Both are fast and efficient still. Both do not open webpages slow and do not open files slowly as what happened with all my other computers. 

8 hours ago, connda said:

I spent most of my IT life managing and servicing MS Windows based system including server farms.

Other than for taxes and a couple of other Windows based programs, I ditched MS Windows for Linux when I retired 18 years ago.

Now I'm considering a Mac Mini M4 which should meet my needs for audio (bass guitar) recording and editing plus my tax software can run on macOS and I'm sure there are other apps I may find interesting as well.  So now, I'm up for something new.

So here's your chance.  Go for it - talk me into it.  Why should I join the AppleHiveMind? 

When I taught music, I used both Mac for Logic and Windows for Pro Tools. I have NEVER liked the "feel" of Mac/Logic. However, at the time, I had purchased an 88-key electric piano manufactured in China. I tried EVERYTHING to get the Windows machine to connect (at one point I even sacrificed a chicken). No dice. I plugged the keyboard into the Mac and it recognized it instantly. I think if you plugged a blender into the Mac, it would find a way to connect.

 

Bottom line, if you have a chance to borrow any Mac, try it out. All Macs come with a free watered down version of Logic (I forget the name) . It's worth it to try it before you buy it. All Macs are expensive.

Macs just seem to work.

No taking it to some MSCE bloke to get a driver put on.

Free Software upgrades.

Operating system upgrades/Updates are free.

 

I used to travel to remote areas a lot in my working life, i needed a computer that would work with whatever hardware i threw at it, my Mac just worked with everything.

 

They are a bit more expensive , but, will you pay more for Filet Mignon than sausages ?

that why they cost more, because they are better.

 

Go for it.  I bought a MacBook Pro 3 years ago, after using Windows for decades.  The improvement in functionality and speed, and the easy operating system for a non-techie like me, has been amazing.  I would never go back.

I've been a Mac user for about 12 years. I currently run an M1 MacBook Pro which is coming up to 4 years old and it still performs like the day I bought it and does everything I need perfectly. It really feels like a premium machine, everything from the brilliant screen to the keyboard to the trackpad to the speed at which it does everything to the operating system which I find really easy to use and intuitive. I also really like the way my Mac syncs seamlessly with my iPhone and iPad and how multiple apps sync across all the devices.

 

Prior to buying a Mac, I had used Windows-based machines and it seemed like every so often there was a problem of some sort. I have never had any problems at all with my Macs.

 

Granted, Macs aren't cheap and a similar-specced Windows machine may well be cheaper. If you're on a budget or a budget-conscious, it isn't always easy to justify a Mac. But if you want a premium machine that is just so nice to use, I'd recommend a Mac. And you don't have to pay sill money - the M4 MacBook Airs are powerful enough for whatever you throw at it.

 

Honestly, I wish I had gone Mac even earlier than I did!

14 hours ago, connda said:

Now I'm considering a Mac Mini M4

The wife just bought a new one and she really likes it with computing graphics, took a run at it and seems like a pretty good machine but being a mac it has its limitations. So if you’re not looking for a broad range of uses like a that can be done with a w/pc then it’s a good choice.

6 minutes ago, novacova said:

The wife just bought a new one and she really likes it with computing graphics, took a run at it and seems like a pretty good machine but being a mac it has its limitations. So if you’re not looking for a broad range of uses like a that can be done with a w/pc then it’s a good choice.

 

This is a very generic comment. What broad range of uses could a Windows PC be suited to that a Mac isn't? I can't think of any other than perhaps some industrial or software-development related applications which are unlikely to be an issue for the OP.

10 minutes ago, JayClay said:

I can't think of any other than perhaps some industrial or software-development related applications which are unlikely to be an issue for the OP.

There you have it. As some of us still use industrial applications none of what’s on my pc will ever work on a mac without a slow software simulator. Besides, there are many more innovative applications available that operate on pc’s than Mac’s. Though we all know what the argument is from there on out which is silly to entertain.

Macs are expensive. Windows is a daily battle against hackers.

 

I can remember having an early Apple/Mac. I must admit it was trouble-free.

 

I just buy an inexpensive laptop, and install Linux. Free.

 

It may not have all the bells and whistles. It does everything I need, without fuss.

2 minutes ago, novacova said:

There you have it. As some of us still use industrial applications none of what’s on my pc will never work on a mac. 

 

I think anybody working with such applications would already know that a Mac is off the cards.

 

3 minutes ago, novacova said:

. Besides, there are many more innovative applications available that operate on pc’s than Mac’s. 

 

For example?

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

Windows is a daily battle against hackers.

Been using w/pc’c since its first release, never been hacked.

7 minutes ago, JayClay said:

 

I think anybody working with such applications would already know that a Mac is off the cards.

 

 

For example?

MS Access, AutoCad LT among many.

 

Arguing the subject is silly and beaten to death, especially by the zealots.

5 minutes ago, novacova said:

MS Access, AutoCad LT among many.

 

Arguing the subject is silly and beaten to death, especially by the zealots.

 

I was unaware of Ms Access. That indeed may be an issue for some people.

 

I don't know why you're looking for an argument. I was only asking for examples to back up your comment. And I learned something from your example, so maybe others will too.

 

I think quite a number of engineering programs do not work on mac without a windows emulator. 

31 minutes ago, JayClay said:

 

I was unaware of Ms Access. That indeed may be an issue for some people.

 

I don't know why you're looking for an argument. I was only asking for examples to back up your comment. And I learned something from your example, so maybe others will too.

 

Not trying to argue with anyone here, though anyone who has been around the two os’s are well aware of the upside and downside of both. As far as pc’s go, many folks get themselves in trouble with them, mac is more of a nanny os. Though personally not advocating for either, whatever suits whoever is what matters.

Switched to Mac a few years ago but don’t enjoy it. Just got on with windows but find Mac a drag for simple things. Others it works ok. Also, connectivity issues with iPhone believe it or not, and battery on the Air sucks. 

1 hour ago, novacova said:

Not trying to argue with anyone here, though anyone who has been around the two os’s are well aware of the upside and downside of both. As far as pc’s go, many folks get themselves in trouble with them, mac is more of a nanny os. Though personally not advocating for either, whatever suits whoever is what matters.

 

I agree with you. For 90+%* of use cases, either of the big 2 will do just fine.

 

I do wonder how many of the "Macs just work" crowd have used a Windows PC recently, because I've had no problems with Windows for years, though I'm just a sample set of 1.

 

As to all the talk of viruses... To the best of my knowledge the majority of attacks these days are email/phishing scams and they're trying to get hold of online credentials; in that respect there's no difference security wise between Windows and Mac. Although, yes, there are far fewer "bespoke" viruses for Mac, and there's a load of retro virii for Windows floating about.

 

*estimated statistic with no research applied.

2 hours ago, JayClay said:

 

I agree with you. For 90+%* of use cases, either of the big 2 will do just fine.

 

I do wonder how many of the "Macs just work" crowd have used a Windows PC recently, because I've had no problems with Windows for years, though I'm just a sample set of 1.

 

As to all the talk of viruses... To the best of my knowledge the majority of attacks these days are email/phishing scams and they're trying to get hold of online credentials; in that respect there's no difference security wise between Windows and Mac. Although, yes, there are far fewer "bespoke" viruses for Mac, and there's a load of retro virii for Windows floating about.

 

*estimated statistic with no research applied.

I have not had a software related issue of any significance including viruses and driver issues that I can think of in at least ten years. 

 

 

 

I wonder how many of the people that issues with windows and or office have legitimate copies.