.jpg)
Recommended Reading
Desktop or Laptop?
The advantage of a laptop is portability. The disadvantage is limited upgradability and connectivity. You cannot upgrade the graphics card in most laptops for example. The advantage of a desktop is the ability to upgrade components and better connectivity. The top of the range desktop machines have better CPU power and can hold more memory.
For general use though it could be said that laptops are as powerful as desktops these days so this may be a more preferable solution especially if you move around a lot. For example, collaboration on music ideas with friends and band members. If you think though that you may be wanting a machine for large multi track songs requiring many effects and extensive use of virtual instruments then a desktop may be the wise solution.
Mac or PC?
Macs seem to be the computer of choice in many recording studios and semi-pro home set ups. The industry standards are Macs running Pro-Tools for Audio work and Logic Pro for Audio and Midi. Macs are generally preferred due to their robustness. The reason for this is that the Mac is a closed system. This means that all the components inside the machine are specified and qualified by Apple. Therefore every machine will have the same components inside. The advantage of this is that for a software developer they know exactly what components their software needs to be compatible with, which in turn means they can fully optimize their software for the computer and therefore it is much more stable.
If a developer is creating software for a PC they are at a disadvantage because the PC hardware is an open system. Meaning that there are many manufacturers making components for the PC. The advantage is that the competition drives pricing down making PCs more affordable. The disadvantage is that you are not 100% sure you have an optimized PC for your DAW software. It is impossible for a software developer to test their software on all motherboards, memory modules, graphics cards combinations out there.
It is generally good practice to visit the web site of the DAW software manufacturer as they usually list PCs and PC components they have tested their software with. With careful consideration to the components, set up and maintenance of a PC though you can obtain very stable and powerful systems equal to and if not better than Macs.
