Which is better – Mac vs Windows for music production? Should I go for a windows, laptop or a MacBook? This is one of the first decisions that you will have to take if you are just starting out on your music production journey. But fear not. I can take you safely through this tough decision. But lets first address the ‘elephant in the room’. Do you really need a desktop or laptop for home recording? What about mobile devices? Can they be used to record quality music or vocals?
Table of contents
Do I need a computer for recording music?
Firstly, let us examine whether we really require a computer or not. The key question here is –
Is it possible to use smartphones or tablets for music production?
Yes, but we need to keep in mind that small devices mean lesser recording capability. It is possible to use an iPad or a smartphone for music production. There are a number of music production apps available for iOS and Android devices that provide the capability to create and arrange music. Some apps even provide virtual instruments, samples, and audio effects. These apps often have a more streamlined interface and are designed to be used with touch screens. This makes them more intuitive and ofcourse, more suitable for mobile devices. However, these devices have limited capabilities compared to a computer with a suitable digital audio workstation (DAW).
iPad and smartphone processors are not as powerful as those found in computers. Even in 2023. Needless to say, their small size compromises the performance and capabilities of music production apps. In addition, these devices typically have limited storage space. It is difficult to handle large sample libraries or complex audio processing tasks on mobile devices. These tasks are far more efficiently handled on desktops and laptops.
Having a computer is the preferable choice
A computer with a suitable DAW is a better choice. Especially when you are looking to produce professional-quality music. It simply has more power and flexibility for recording, editing, and mixing audio. A computer also allows you to connect a wide range of musical instruments and other audio devices, such as microphones and audio interfaces, to record and process audio.
Having said that, if you are just starting out with music production and want to try out different ideas on the go, an iPad or smartphone can be a useful tool. There are a few other options for recording music without a computer, such as using a standalone digital recorder or a portable recording device. However, these options tend to be more limited in terms of features and flexibility compared to using a computer with a DAW.
Choosing between Mac vs Windows for music production
Now that you (probably) have taken a decision to go for computer-based home recording, lets now come to the main choice – between mac vs windows for music production. For this, we will use the decision tree.
The decision tree for choosing between Mac vs Windows for music production
Decision tree is an excellent tool for such kind of dilemmas. So let’s see which one will it ultimately be between Mac vs Windows for music production? Whether you will bite the Apple or go with the Gates?
This is quite simple to use. All you have to do is keep answering the questions in the table below, till you reach a decision
| Question | If answer is Yes | If answer is No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you already own a computer purchased or built within the last five years? | Better to go with whatever you have – unless you want a faster or responsive computer or else you have tons of money | Proceed to next question |
| Is your budget for computer less than Rs.70,000? | Better to go for windows as Mac is more expensive than Rs.70,000 | Proceed to next question |
| Apart from music creation are you going to use the computer for gaming also? | Go for Windows since Mac is pathetic for gaming purposes | proceed to next question |
| Are you going to use the computer for video editing, photo editing and other content creation as well? | Go for Mac since Apple platform is suited best for these purposes with professional software | Proceed to next question |
| Do you travel often and require a moving recording station? | Go for MacBook since it has far superior backup and performance due to M1 & M2 chips | Proceed to next question |
| Are you interested in Logic Pro DAW? | Go for Mac as Logic Pro is supported only in Mac OS | Go for Windows PC / Laptop |
Hopefully, I could guide you to a decision or at least some clarity on how to proceed. It is tricky to decide between Mac vs Windows for music production.
Advantages of going for Mac
Mac is made for creative people
Macs are often preferred by creative professionals, such as photographers, graphic designers, and video editors, due to the wide range of creative software that is available for the platform. Macs are also known for their colour accuracy and high-resolution displays, which can be helpful for tasks such as photo and video editing.
Mac after Apple silicon
Apple Silicon is the name for the custom ARM-based processors that Apple has developed for use in its Mac computers. These processors designed to provide high performance and power efficiency, and they are manufactured using advanced technologies such as 5nm and 7nm process nodes.
Apple introduced Apple Silicon with the release of the M1 chip in 2020, which is used in the Mac mini, MacBook Air, and 13-inch MacBook Pro.
M1 MacBook or MacMini gives best bang for the buck if you are ok with MacOS
One of the main benefits of Apple Silicon is that it allows Apple to optimize the performance and power efficiency of its Mac computers for specific workloads. For example, the M1 chip is designed to excel at tasks such as image processing and machine learning, which are important for creative professionals and developers.
In general, Apple Silicon Macs have received positive reviews for their performance, battery life, and overall user experience. However, some users may experience compatibility issues with certain software or peripherals that are not optimized for Apple Silicon.
Advantages of Windows for music production
So, you are familiar and comfortable working in the Windows environment. The decision tree also points you towards Windows. Then, you have a different set of advantages than mac users. Let us see what are those advantages –
Software compatibility
Some music production software are only available on Windows. For instance, Cakewalk, the free DAW is only available for Windows platform. Therefore, it is important to check which DAW software you want to use and make sure it’s compatible with the operating system you choose.
Besides, windows has the knack of going along with vast majority of drivers. Windows is good for gaming as well – if you want to devote your off-studio time for that.
Hardware compatibility
Similarly, some hardware (such as audio interfaces and controllers) may only be compatible with Windows operating system. Be sure to check the compatibility of any hardware you want to use. For instance, my old MAudio interface is compatible with Windows but not with Mac.
Workflow
Some musicians and producers I know are so comfortable using Windows, they don’t want to shift to Mac at all. So you may find that Windows operating system is better suited to your workflow and the way you like to work. In case of confusion, I suggest to try out both platforms and see which one feels more comfortable and efficient for you.
Price
Macs are notorious for their high price. While windows computers can be much cheaper. Especially if you go for an assembled PC. Even in case of laptops, windows can end up saving you money. Therefore, it’s important to consider your budget when making a decision.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It may be helpful to do some research and try out both platforms before making a decision.
Is windows as reliable as Mac?
Some people say mac is more reliable. However, in 2023 it is difficult to say definitively whether Windows or Mac is more reliable. Both operating systems have their own strengths and weaknesses.
In general, both Windows and Mac have improved significantly in terms of stability and reliability over the years. However, some users may still experience issues with either operating system, such as crashes, freezes, or errors.
There are a few factors to consider when determining the reliability of an operating system:
- Hardware compatibility: Windows tends to be more compatible with a wider range of hardware, including PC components and peripherals. This may make it more reliable for users who need to use a variety of different devices.
- System updates: Both Windows and Mac offer regular system updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Some users may find that one operating system handles updates more reliably than the other.
- Security: Both Windows and Mac have strong security measures in place to protect against malware and other threats. However, Windows is more vulnerable to malware and viruses due to its larger market share, so it is important to take appropriate precautions when using this operating system.
Ultimately, the reliability of an operating system will depend on the specific hardware and software configuration of your computer, as well as your own usage habits.
Conclusive thoughts on Mac vs Windows for music production
In conclusion, I feel going for mac is good. If you have the budget – that is. In case you do choose Mac – go for ones with M1 or M2 chip. Anything pre-2020 in Macs is basically crap.
A custom built assembled windows PC is the best option for people who don’t travel much often. That has the most power and least price. Amazing bang for the buck.
