JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Running a Mac and PC together?

On another thread (which I didn't want to hijack with this query), John Daubert sang the praises of a Mac with regard to music.

I use a PC here at home but a Mac at the office. Several months ago the machine (Mac) was updated, leaving me with a 'spare' Mac, only 4 years old and never been used for anything but manuscript editing and emails. I keep intending to bring it home to use for my photography and artwork. Now John's got me thinking about bringing it home to use for music as well.

Can anyone tell me to what extent a PC and a Mac are compatible with regard to transfer of files, etc? What things need I bear in mind?

Your thoughts are welcome.

Donna

If you use an external usb harddrive and format it as fat32 on the PC. Both PCs and Macs will be able to read it.
Then as long as the files are cross-platform, they will work.
So if you have photoshop or word on both machines, hay presto.
Dues that help.

Roy

I do believe that within two years all Macs will be using windows as the main OS anyway. He says, putting the cat amongst the pigeons.

I think that saying a Mac is better than a PC for music production is a BIG myth.....Both produce great music to the highest specs and there is no difference IN WHAT THEY CAN ACHIEVE. apart from PERSONAL preference there is no real difference. Most people I know including pro studios use a PC. Macs are about twice the price of a PC for a similar or even poorerspec. Maybe a number of years ago when mac specs for music production were higher than a PC there might have been a case but nowadays there is even a case to put that PCs have even better specs and a wider range of software than a top end Mac. I am not saying macs are bad just that PCs seem to get a bum deal from what has been well documented in comparison sites and termed as "snobby nerdy mac users"

Mac Programs are Easier to Learn for the Non - computer user -- windows was the start of the cross over to more User friendly Icons etc...... but apple was using these buttons ideas and drop downs menus from the beginning ...... Also Mac programs cross over in terms of tools -from program to program --- so you take what you learn to the next program......... Every time - I work on a PC --- I have to learn New symbols........ Looking at Cubase recently -- affirmed this once again......

as far as power etc - they both seem to have it.....
if you are computer language familiar -- P C may seem more comfortable

Hi Donna:

Oska has provided an answer about the potential for "handshaking" between these two platforms. It will require some patience and experimentation. There are also "emulator" programs available but they tend to be a little slower than a program run in normal Mac or PC mode. I'm with Jim on this topic... I don't believe either machine is better (or worse) for music, art, photography, etc. It's all about your comfort zone IMHO. I own an iMac (admittedly older machine) and use it for photoshop and even store a few songs there. I also have a desktop PC for creating music and I never connect it to the net for increased security. I simply transfer files (usually songs) from it to my laptop when needed for the net using memory sticks.

I've often wished that the Amiga had survived after Commodore crashed and burned. That little machine (when upgraded with today's technology) would run rings around the Mac or the PC.

Good luck with the "new project" Donna.

We came close to buying a Mac because of all the hype but when it got down to talking to a salesman, we found out you need to buy the extra service contracts because repairs are SO expensive......talking $800 for some kind of $10 switch, etc. Buyer beware!

Hi, Donna.
You don't mention which model the Mac is. If your Mac is running Tiger or higher, you should be able to open most files that don't require that you have the original application. For instance it will open pdf, tiff, rich text files, pict, midi, wav etc.

If you have program specific files then you would have to have a current version of that application on your computer. Some applications have both versions of the program on the installer disk and allow you to have it on two computers. Word and Finale and some other programs allow that.

Macs have always been able to "see" and open many common files that it can read regardless of the format of the external storage device.

Some of the older macs do not have a workable audio in and have to rely on USB devices which can cause a little latency. If you want to use the older Mac for recording you may want to rethink that.

I am not going to engage in the Mac Vs PC battle here because it is not the issue. I believe John has one of the very latest models which are very good. The older Mac may not be as good for your needs. If you have dual platform software, then it may suit you. If they are giving the machine away or are selling it for a pittance, then definitely take it, and even if you can't use your music software on it, keep current on your security updates and use it for the Internet or as a back up computer.

However, 4 years old is still pretty old for a computer nowadays, and that is when you began to get some hardware breakdown, regardless of the platform. But if you were the only one who used it and it wasn't used heavily, it may still have a lot of years on it.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone. You've given me plenty to consider.

Donna