I've got $2k for a new workstation...

[J the TyranT]

I've heard allll the arguments... PC vs. Mac... I've heard Pro Tools doesnt like RAID drives, or service pack 2...

I've heard a dual core, or a dual processor configuration doesn't really help, blah blah, etc etc...

So basically, somebody gimme some fuckin info, puh-lease! I've got all this gear I "inherited" (Digi002, mics, software, etc) and now its time to put it to use, so what's the best setup for $2000 USD?

Any and all help appreciated, as Im looking to set this shit up in about a week or two.

J

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

buy a mac. I'd wait till the intel chip gets to the PowerPC type macs they have out right now. The silver towers. I'm not sure if it'll be more money or less...but I feel that it'd be smarter to get one with an intel chip.

HOWEVER. Digidesign hasn't converted to "Universal" format. That's a form of coding that allows it to work both with Intel and PowerPC processors. That doesn't mean you cannot use pro tools, it'll just have to go through rosetta which is somewhat like an emulator...I think. Thats the best way I can describe it.

It will slow it down just a touch, but once the upgrade comes out from digidesign, it'll be flying like crazy.

There's nothing wrong with waiting around...if you want an apple, look into what they're doing to find out what you should get, or if you should wait.

I do know that AMD is coming out with a dual core processor or they already have...if you're going for a PC, I'd look into a custom built system around that.

 

[Razorjack]

Mac, a dual G4 with 2Gb of ram would slay and be well within budget.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

Agreed, but I'd personally wait until the intel based ones come out.

It shouldnt be too far away considering they were ahead of schedule for both the iMac, and PowerBook or as they call it now the "MacBook."

 

[J the TyranT]

Yeah, dual core AMD's are out... and if I did go PC, I'd have a friend of mine (who works at Apple, oddly enough) build me one with a dual Opteron and liquid cooled...

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

That'd be badass.

Always remember, tons and tons of memory.

the new Microsoft Windows Vista requires 1GB of RAM I hear...so...you'll probably wanna get at least 2GB if not 3GB if you can.

When you get yours built, look for expandability.

 

[J the TyranT]

Definitely, just trying to consider all options, cuz Im not biased in the least.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

I like AMDs for PC, but I like the way Macs operate for multimedia purposes. So I'd like to be biased on Macs, but honestly...I don't have one...I've used it now and then and loved it.

 

[Kazrog]

Dual Core Macs make a big difference for music. Maybe on the PC side dual core is less well taken advantage of, but Mac OS X was designed to be a multiprocessor OS, so all apps take advantage of mutiple CPUs and cores at the root level (whereas Windows is still essentially an elaborate MS-DOS overlay, no matter what MS says to the contrary, and doesn't tap into CPUs as efficiently.)

Go for a G5 tower, no reason to fuck around with the G4 anymore.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

Dual Core Macs make a big difference for music. Maybe on the PC side dual core is less well taken advantage of, but Mac OS X was designed to be a multiprocessor OS, so all apps take advantage of mutiple CPUs and cores at the root level (whereas Windows is still essentially an elaborate MS-DOS overlay, no matter what MS says to the contrary, and doesn't tap into CPUs as efficiently.)

Go for a G5 tower, no reason to fuck around with the G4 anymore.

+1

He was able to say what I couldn't lol. Thanks.

 

[J the TyranT]

Ok then... another question... I dont believe Ill be able to swing $2500, and definitely not $3k right now...

So is the "basic" $2k Dual-core 2GHz PowerPC G5 good enough? Or should I continue to hold out? Or are the dual processor single core "first gen" G5's a better way?

See? I dunno fuck all... hence the topic, and thanks again

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

Personally...I'd wait and save up so you can get the new intel dual core processors when they come out. I have a feeling you'd satisfy yourself more by doing that.

The way I look at it right now, by getting the ones with the motorola PowerPC chip inside, you're buying something thats massively outdated.

 

[J the TyranT]

Well fuck... any idea as to when that's supposed to happen? Cuz I seriously want to track some new shit... I've already been waiting -this- long... lol

J

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Well fuck... any idea as to when that's supposed to happen? Cuz I seriously want to track some new shit... I've already been waiting -this- long... lol

J

I suggest getting a MAC.

1) You won't be bashed or made fun of for purchasing a PC.

2) Andy and James will be able to help you better, if ever they grace you with their advice.

 

[LydonB]

Ok then... another question... I dont believe Ill be able to swing $2500, and definitely not $3k right now...

So is the "basic" $2k Dual-core 2GHz PowerPC G5 good enough? Or should I continue to hold out? Or are the dual processor single core "first gen" G5's a better way?

See? I dunno fuck all... hence the topic, and thanks again

The $2K Dual-core G5 will be more than good enough. I say go for it and add a little bit of RAM if you have enough cash for it.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

I'm not sure when it'll come out, but hopefully by summertime.

 

[SPLASTiK]

Well the Intel PowerMacs aren't slated until Fall I believe so I wouldn't expect them until July or August if they come out early.

Personally like all technology, it's usually best not to buy the first newest model of anything. So if I were you and wanting a Mac I'd buy a PowerPC unless you can hold off until 2007. Or wait a couple months after it's released.

I wonder how many developers are going to be late with the software transition. I was just reading Adobe said they won't be ready for their entire suite of software until 2007. Kind of strange for a company that even did a presentation at the 2005 Keynote so they should have been well ahead of the game in knowing what was happening.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

The best things come to those who wait...

Also note that there haven't been any problems that I've heard of on the new intel based macs...apple is usually pretty good with those things it seems...at least to me.

 

[Hopkins-WitchfinderGeneral]

the amd dual cores are very nice, but i guess you might wanna go mac if you get on with them.

 

[Kazrog]

Ok then... another question... I dont believe Ill be able to swing $2500, and definitely not $3k right now...

So is the "basic" $2k Dual-core 2GHz PowerPC G5 good enough? Or should I continue to hold out? Or are the dual processor single core "first gen" G5's a better way?

See? I dunno fuck all... hence the topic, and thanks again

I have a dual 2.5 GHz "first gen" G5 and it absolutely screams with speed. I haven't used a machine that's faster honestly. I have yet to max out on plug-ins. I can run multiple instances of Guitar Rig, AltiVerb, etc. with plenty of CPU headroom to spare. I have large track counts and lots of software instruments/samplers going. I installed 1.5 gigs of RAM and I never max that out either.

Make sure you get at least a gig of RAM in any case!

As for the Intel switch, I give it another 6 months to a year before we'll see people doing pro music production on those machines. A lot of programs need to be recompiled as Universal Binary, which for high end music apps is a more complex process than it is for everyday software. PowerPC hardware is going to be supported fully for at least another decade, and the difference in speed between the G5 towers and the (yet to be released) pro-level Intel driven Mac towers has yet to be determined.