Mac ON-AIR Ping!
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Posted on 03/23/2009 10:16:23 PM PDT by Swordmaker
A CHANGING VIEW
For a long time, the only places where you would see an Apple Macintosh computer in a station were in the production or on-air studios. Macs had gotten a bad rap in the past for being incompatible with Microsoft networks, many printers, and other peripherals.
For example, ProTools is often considered the “gold standard” in audio production software – and it is designed to run on the Mac operating system. In the studio, the venerable VoxPro system was originally offered only on the Mac platform, though now there is a version available for Windows.
Often it was the users of these machines themselves that did the support. Generally they were the station’s “Mac Gurus,” while the Engineering staff dealt with the Windows machines. Very rarely would you find support for both platforms. Sometimes, an Intel processor emulator allowed Windows to run but it required a lot of memory, it ran relatively slow, and some programs just would not run. The Mac generally remained a mysterious machine only fit for “those creative guys.”
Then, a couple of years ago, Apple made a big change – they moved from the Motorola “PowerPC” processors to an Intel architecture.
CONVERGENCE
What does this mean? Why, the best of all worlds, of course!
It all changed with OS X (pronounced Oh-ess-ten), a complete redesign of the operating system, including compatibility with just about everything out there. This fundamental shift opened the door for much better virtualization – and the potential for a much wider user base. With Intel processors and the addition of “Boot Camp” – which allows a user to boot their Mac into the Mac OS or Windows – Windows can run natively, virtually as fast as on a PC.
Now my Mac connects with any network, any printer, and any computer. Share documents and spreadsheets with a PC? No problem. Want to print to that shared printer? Print away.
ENDING THE SOFTWARE DIVIDE
Another misconception is a perceived lack of software for Macs. While it is true that many specialized programs are still Windows-only, there are plenty of Mac titles that cover the spectrum. What about those special Windows-only programs? Run them on your Mac with a virtual machine.
Even better, with a copy of Parallels (www.parallels.com) or VMWare, (www.vmware.com/products/fusion) you can run Windows right alongside Mac OS X. Both programs include the option to run Windows in the background and integrate running Windows applications into OS X – a window with Safari (Mac’s web browser) and another with Outlook can run next to each other. I do this every day at work, and it really does work well.
PLUSES AND MINUSES
There is a benefit to running Macs in the office as well. Due to the design of the OS (and its still smaller market share) there are yet to be any viruses or spyware written for the Mac platform. No more long nights decontaminating a studio computer.
That said, those considering a mixed environment should run an antivirus on your Mac anyway. It is easy to inadvertently forward a Windows virus to someone through your network. The few Mac antivirus utilities out there do scan for Windows viruses, thus protecting other users on your network. I personally use VirusBarrier X5 (www.intego.com) on my machine.
There are some downsides to Macs, including price; Mac hardware is usually much more expensive than PC hardware.
On the other hand, in an office environment the savings come in maintenance. Since Apple designed the OS and the hardware, there are no problems trying to find drivers – and OS upgrades are never frustrated by hardware incompatibilities.
Another issue is the learning curve. While Macs are easy to use, there are many things that operate differently; it took me several weeks to fully understand how OS X works. However, once you get past the basics, you will find out that OS X is very well thought out and easy to use.
All-in-all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a well built and cared for Windows machine. They serve me well. So if you are looking at replacing computers, why not take a look at a Mac? You will be surprised at how far they have come.
Chris “Doc” Tarr, CBRE, CBNT, is the Director of Engineering for Entercom in Milwaukee and Madison, WI. You can contact Chris at ctarr@entercom.com
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Geez, that was quick — already one post pulled!
I was just gonna ping you, didn’t know if you posted this or not.
Now I have my answer.
Are Mac hard drives solid-state? Just why are Apple machines so much more expensive?
Macs make some people go over the edge.
Me? I love ‘em ...
They're not, actually.
Apple doesn't address the bottom-feed low end of the personal computer market place. If you compare similar technical specs, including things like how well the hardware is made (quality and value-retention), and how much you have to spend on software to get a robust and reasonably secure system, Macs are generally LESS expensive than the equivalent Win-PC.
But because you -can- buy a cheaper (both quality and cost) Win-PC in the low-end market where Apple doesn't compete, the perception is that Macs are more expensive.
Having had literally scores of personal computers over the years (started in the late 70's), including home-brew, Apple, IBM-PC, clones, Macs, loads of Win-PCs, Linux, Unix, etc., I can tell you that Macs deliver better value than a Win-PC, all other things equal.
The absolute highest value for the dollar is probably Linux on home-brew generic Intel hardware, but that's not everybody's cup of tea.
Yeah, I've noticed that Swordmaker has had more than the usual fill of anti-Apple trolls tonight.
> Me? I love ‘em ...
I like 'em (I'm typing on one now), especially the hardware quality. I've used pretty much everything you can name, over the years, and settled on Mac-Intel hardware as the best of all worlds because I can run everything else in virtual machines when I want; or even BootCamp to put it on the metal (I put Fedora on my old PPC Mini hardware).
But I wouldn't call myself an Apple "fan" per se. I use what makes the most sense for the task at hand. Sometimes that's a Mac, sometimes not.
Glad they make you happy. ;-)
That’s probably why I could put a machine together with just the things I need for under $500 on CyberPowerPC.
Apple does have a low-end line it’s called the mini.
I agree with your point about the best price to performance ratio is to purchase a core 2 duo or a phenom2 box and install your favorite flavor of linux.
yes, and you can really get a boat load of hardware these days for 500 bucks.
Dell is usually running a special where you get a computer and 21" LCD for $400 or less and free shipping
These computers are perfectly OK for what 85% of buyers want to do
This website is great source for Dell specials of all kinds. Computers. laptops, peripherals etc
The only reasonably priced Macs are made by Psystar
Plus that is why Macs last longer then PC’s.
For the most part they have the same basic guts: processors, hard drives, etc. One of the big expenses comes in the case. It's not a box with a bunch of parts chucked in, but a case custom-designed for those parts, with optimal airflow, quiet operation, usability, durability and aesthetics. They are so custom that several times Apple has had to invent new manufacturing techniques and/or materials and then work with the factories to make them capable of building the cases (the new single aluminum billet notebooks are a prime example). Other OEMs basically tell the factories "make a case that looks like this" and that's that.
They extensively R&D their cases and how the hardware integrates, and R&D costs money. The iMac's aluminum enclosure is one solid sheet with no seams. The microphone holes next to the camera (see if you can find it in a picture) are micro-laser drilled so that sound passes through, but you can't tell they're there. Somehow the tilt requires almost no force to move, but still stays in place (I'm thinking they balanced the iMac around the hinge point). Even the plug-in power cable looks built-in.
And then there's the packaging. The PCs I've opened recently were a basic box, some folded cardboard, and the system tucked in there. Unpacking the iMac was like opening a Christmas present. Apple tested and researched every second of a person's unpacking experience, including getting rid of those damned twist ties.
I don't know about you, but a company that cares to do all of that to give me a better experience and product deserves my money. If you just want X amount of computing power at the lowest possible purchase price, that's fine too, but it's not the philosophy behind a Mac.
The Mini is the low end of Apple's line, but with the lowest-cost model being about $600 initial purchase cost, there are a lot of Win-PCs whose initial purchase cost is a few hundred less. By "bottom-feed low-end" I was talking the $300-$400 PCs you see at the big-box stores and such, typically subsidized with crapware.
(Personally I like the Mini a lot hardware-wise -- have two of 'em.)
Apple's low-end line is quite a bit higher than the overall industry's low-end. A $300 system is likely to have an old Celeron or Pentium and Vista Home Basic (IOW, a purposely crippled OS).
If apple products sold for less they would not have as much money to donate to liberal politicians and policies.
They are one of the biggest gay rights supporters in CA.
MYTH: Macs are more expensive than Windows Machines.
TRUTH: Apple does not sell any underpowered (512MB ram) machines. Mac does not sell any screen smaller than 24”. No more 20, 19, 17 or 15 inch screens for their desktop lines. The resolution on their laptop machines is also significantly above those of the low end PC market. They do not use low end Celeron or crippled CPUs either.
The lowest cost Mac you can buy new is last years remaining inventory of MacMini withe GMA graphics for $445.
If you compare that price to any other cheap PC, the quality, resale value, and hardware of the price comparable PC is still blown away. And this mini is over 2 years old in design.
The new Mini is $599 and hase 10 times the graphics power of the previous model. Many are using this new mini for 1080p media servers for home theater purposes.
In short, while Apple only carries mid to professional grade systems, even in these categories, Mac remains cheaper than comparable PCs.
None of these factor in cost of use. No anti virus costs in labor or capitol. No defragging or other PC required services are needed on Mac. No hardware or driver upgrading is needed with an OS update. No malware, spyware, or any of the hair pulling want to kill something frustration costs.
Mac, may seem more expensive if all you see is a cheap plastic box with a DELL on it for $399 and have no concept of the corners cut, the little to no resale value and how much more it will cost to upgrade it to barely functional while keeping your sanity.... but Mac is the best value by far.
Saw you were catching a lot of flak! :) Sorry.
Personally, I appreciate your input and your help!
I love Freeper, and using a Mac makes it so much easier to surf or do anything. As soon as I get the money, I’m buying the hubby one.
As for this pc piece of junk at work, I think it is beyond even your admirable skills to fix.
Thanks!
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