Member Avatar for audiotechnob

Hi everybody,
I am currently using a Apple ibook, G3, 900mhz for my music production.I am thinking of buying a new computer and I am tempted to go for a PC with thed Intel core duo processors.The one I am currently looking at is a DELL.Am i being completely mad or would this machine offer me much better performance for my music programmes.Thanks

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by niadoj

Dani AI

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Short answer: you will get a big raw-performance jump moving off that iBook G3, but the platform and driver/plugin ecosystem matter more for music work than the CPU alone. If you rely on Mac-only tools (Logic, Audio Units, built-in Core Audio workflow) staying with a Mac keeps fewer driver headaches; if you need a Windows-only DAW or specific Windows plug‑ins, a PC can be the better choice. Mentioning points from the thread: is right to warn about pro multitrack needs, and correctly flags the macOS audio stack as a practical advantage.

If you want both worlds, consider an Intel Mac so you can run Windows natively with Apple’s Boot Camp (Apple released the public beta on April 5, 2006 and later bundled Boot Camp into Leopard). Intel Macs also shipped with Rosetta to ease the PowerPC-to-Intel transition so older Mac apps could still run while developers recompiled to Intel. Boot Camp announcement | Leopard release notes | Rosetta summary. (apple.com)

On audio I/O: macOS provides Core Audio and the Audio Unit plugin model (tight, low-latency integration), while Windows relies on ASIO drivers for low-latency pro audio. The result is that driver quality from the interface maker is crucial on Windows; on Mac many interfaces “just work” because Core Audio is system-level. Read the Core Audio overview and check ASIO driver support for any interface you plan to buy. Core Audio docs | What ASIO is. (developer.apple.com)

Decision checklist (short): 1) Inventory your DAW and all plugins—are they Mac, Windows, or both? 2) Check audio interface driver support for both OSes (manufacturer pages/testing). 3) Measure budget: if you want Windows-only software, buy a PC with proven audio-driver record; if you want Logic or minimal driver fuss, pick a Mac. 4) If you want both, buy an Intel Mac and use Boot Camp so you keep your Mac workflow and test Windows performance. ’s tip to shop around (not only Dell) is sound if you go PC; and beware used listings like ’s — check driver support and condition before buying.

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All 6 Replies

Member Avatar for DMR

Which audio apps are you currently using and/or thinking of using on a PC? If you're doing Pro or near-Pro quality multitrack work, I'd honestly stick with the Mac.

Member Avatar for Dani

Before you go out and buy yourself a Wintel, Apple has released software to allow you to legally dual boot an Intel-based mac between OS X and MS Windows.

Member Avatar for gortonsfi

Yeah, it's a public beta right now, and will be shipping standard with Leopard which I think is sheduled to come out this summer or fall.

Member Avatar for roryt

If you are planning to use the computer for sound production then my best advice would be to stick with a mac. I am very interested though why you could want to move to windows. Also if in the end you make the decision to go to windows, don't by a DELL look around and you will find better deals.

This is a very unusual situation people normally switch from windows to mac not the other way round.

Member Avatar for acescence

having used both for music production, as well as providing support to various studios on both platforms, the mac is much smoother for the simple fact that audio and midi is integrated into the os.

you can connect almost any hardware and it just works, and seamlessly switch between apps without audio resources being locked up by one app or another.

Member Avatar for niadoj

I have dell studio xps 9000 for sale.
If interested link me at

specs:

Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-920 processor(8MB L3 Cache, 2.66GHz)
Monitor: 21.5" Dell ST2210 Full HD Monitor with VGA cable
Optical drive16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Memory: 6GB triple Channel DDR3 SDRAM2at 1066MHz - 4 DIMMs
Video card: nVidia® GeForce® 310 512M GDDR3
Hard-drive: 500 GB 7200 RPM4 SATA Hard Drive
Mother board: Intel X58
4 memory card slots at front
AY410 2.1 Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer
Dell Studio Consumer Multimedia Keyboard
Dell Laser Mouse

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