Best place for new PC

thomasross20

I might (might not!) get a new PC. Missus got one of those nice Lenovo ones where the screen basically is the PC but it's not powerful enough to do serious AV work. 

I have considered Apple but have never used them before. Supposed to be great for AV but also... iTunes? Dedicated Apple hardware extras? Paying for the name? 

I'd actually love to be able to do everything on a laptop as when not recording, I'd like to take that to a spare room where I can watch jamplay vids. Not essential, though.

Anyway who do you guys use for buying PCs for this purpose? I keep hearing PC specialist is good? 

Keep I'll store the answers for when I pull the trigger - right now got other stuff to buy. 

TimmyO

Serious AV? Apple Store ;-) 

(Sorry, I used to hate it when people did that - but I made the jump to Mac earlier this year and wished I had done so years ago. My MacBook pro is a beast!)

thomasross20

Can you handle serious video editing on it?
I was thinking a dedicated PC would cost a lot less and do the same job?

I fear moving to apple would mean learning a whole OS again and force me to use iTunes etc (I love being able to drag, drop and play any file type in windows).

lasermonkey

;-)

TTony

Get ready for the usual Apple Vs the World, which-one-is-the-best arguments ...

I say this from a position of having a selection of PCs (Win 7 & Win 10), including 2 that I bought a couple of months ago, and a selection of Mac machines (MBA, MBP, iPads).

Why not one or the other?

Because they do different things in different ways, and I prefer to use the right machine for the job I want to do at the time.  

I expect to take the back/sides off the desktops and fiddle with them - whether that's midlife hardware upgrades or adding components.  The form factor is more flexible and the range of standardised components is far wider (and cheaper) in WinWorld than MacWorld.  There's also a much wider range of programs for the Win machines, and a much more open-minded range of support services (forums et al).

I've also used Windows machines since Windows 3.1 (you have to be old to remember that OS), so am somewhat familiar with it.  Even Win10 wasn't such a big leap (though I skipped 8/8.1).

I've a relative newcomer to the Mac world, being seduced by the iPods and then iPads, leading me into the harder stuff of MacBooks.  I don't expect to want to mod the laptops and the Macs are - to my eyes - much better pieces of design than any Win based laptop.  Also, the cost differential of the base machine (Mac Vs Win) was minimal when I compared spec-for-spec and quality-for-quality.  It's also handy having something else running the same OS family as my primary consumption device (the iPad).  

But those are laptops, designed primarily for portability.  The screens are great, but I prefer my twin 27" desktop monitors to even the retina display on the MBP.  You really can't beat screen real-estate for apps that need to display a lot of information.

The all-in-one PCs are great in situations where you want "neatness", ie where appearance is more important than flexibility & functionality.

If AV creation is going to be your primary use, I'd suggest Windows world.  More apps, but processor/storage hungry that are likely to lead you into component upgrades in 2-3 years time if you're a heavy user, and/or as those apps get developed and even more powerful.  

The PCs came from Chillblast - but PC Specialist also seem to make decent machines at similar prices.

[edit]

And yes, iTunes is one of the crappiest pieces of software that I've ever been forced into using.

thomasross20

I'd actually love to have an Apple machine. Look to be well designed and suited to AV work with minimal need for upgrades. 

But the cost, forcing you to use specialised software and hardware etc is a bit of a put-off. 

The main reason I started this thread is because I need something at some point and if I see anything in a sale.... I might jump on it. 

PC Specialist is cool in that you can spec your own PC and they build it but it's a right pain if you've been out of the loop for a while. There are just SO many options.... it's a total put-off!

darcym

what special software/hardware does a mac force you to use ?

I think you need to define "serious" AV.

eg: I have a mac book pro 13'' which is superb for mobility and battery life, it's the I7 model so can handle pro-tools with a fair few plugins and. It sounds like that would tick your box very well. I can do Video encoding great, etc etc.

I also have a 15'' mbp which is the i7 model, this on the other hand is a desktop in a laptop chassis, it can handle serious AV work, e.g.: 24+ tracks of pro-tools, heavy plugin use, 

They key thing if you got the 13 or 15'' is to get the i7 processor (which is a price bump) to give the HT capability.

I have a Lenovo thinkpad i7 which is almost spec for spec the same as my 13'' mbp, the mac book was a little more pricey, but then again has a much better screen and battery life.

don't know why you think a mac book has "minimal needs for upgrades" it's possible to upgrade any of the current mbp range, and the life span of the components is no different to that of a PC, so if you think you'll buy a PC of similar spec and need to upgrade it, you'll need to upgrade your mac (but can't).

TTony

Margins are so tight in the PC world, that I doubt you'll see anything worth "jumping on" in a sale.

Anything that's being sold off cheap is because it's using out-dated components, so you might be paying slightly less but you'll be getting far less.

Best - IMHO - to determine what your budget is, and then spec the PC to hit that budget.  Spend the most on the core parts that are most difficult to upgrade later - ie mobo, processor, PSU & cooling.  You can easily add more RAM and HDD as you need them.  Get something designed for quietness too.

Worth getting the OS installed on one of the SSD drives (incredibly fast boot-up times) and keeping your data on a tradition spinning disc (much cheaper for the capacity).

Heartfeltdawn

thomasross20 said:

Anyway who do you guys use for buying PCs for this purpose? I keep hearing PC specialist is good? 

Keep I'll store the answers for when I pull the trigger - right now got other stuff to buy. 

I don't. I build my own. That way I know exactly what is going into it, I can have an OS without any manufacturer bloatware, and it's cheap than an off the shelf PC and much cheaper than a Mac. 

You say 'serious AV work': what software/apps?

I would always go for a desktop ahead of a laptop simply because I hate working on a small screen. 

thomasross20

I thought you had to buy dedicated Apple connectors and the like e.g. to interface to external CD drives etc? 

So many decision to be made. Firstly.... desktop vs laptop!

thomasross20

Oh... as for the work... it's not big-time serious but I'm using Tracktion to record an album and I also want to edit HD videos using Lightworks. Currently it judders and just can't keep up. 

TimmyO

thomasross20 said:

I thought you had to buy dedicated Apple connectors and the like e.g. to interface to external CD drives etc? 

So many decision to be made. Firstly.... desktop vs laptop!

I haven't put a CD in to a computer of any flavour for many many years... 

TTony

TimmyO said:

thomasross20 said:

I thought you had to buy dedicated Apple connectors and the like e.g. to interface to external CD drives etc? 

So many decision to be made. Firstly.... desktop vs laptop!

I haven't put a CD in to a computer of any flavour for many many years... 

Whereas every new CD I buy goes straight into my PC for ripping ...

We all work differently.

lloyd

Spare room if you've got one. Otherwise put it in the corner of the living room out the way of people walking past/the tv.

You're welcome.

Flink_Poyd

If you go the mac route you can dual boot it with Windows.

ToneControl

thomasross20 said:

Oh... as for the work... it's not big-time serious but I'm using Tracktion to record an album and I also want to edit HD videos using Lightworks. Currently it judders and just can't keep up. 

you need to define max budget

performance

noise

battery life

macs cost more to buy - and software costs more

they are always lovely kit, and usually much quieter than similar PCs

whenever I have been buying, they have lagged behind PC specs: my 3 year old HP laptop is the same speed as the fastest current macbook Pro, and has more memory

the latest macbook pro can go to 12 cores: you can go beyond that at Scan - look at their dedicated music and AV machines

I had a laptop built by PC Specialists - lovely spec, but a bit ugly. Had to return it, since it sounded like a Dyson handheld being switched on and off every 40 seconds. they are not all that bad, but any custom PC will normally have noisier and over specified cooling

I'd say your options are:

Macbook 12 or PC equivalent. Will do basic DAW and AV, 9 hour battery, silent, portable. Not for heavyweight DAW/AV work though

high spec laptop. Get a branded one. 

Macbook Pro or a refurb HP workstation one (up to 50% off), you can get 3 year warranties:

http://www.dell.com/uk/dfb/p/precision-m6800-workstation/pd

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/precision-m6800-workstation/pd.aspx?~srd=true&sk=m6800&scat=prod

I have the m6700

they are not silent, but are the fastest. I got 32gb memory on mine, and it had space to add extra SSD and SSHD drives

a very high spec PC

Scan do some quiet ones & dedicated AV ones up to £8k

http://www.scan.co.uk/3xs/custom/hd-4k-video-editing-pcs-laptops/form-factors#anc

you can also get refurb Dell workstations - built better than the old MacPros, amazing server-style construction

http://www.dell.com/uk/dfb/p/precision-t7610-workstation/pd?refid=precision-t7610-workstation&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=4&~ck=dellSearch&isredir=true

or 32 cores for £2k+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=dell+7910&LH_Auction=1&_osacat=175672&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=dell+7910&_sacat=58058

you will find a similar UK price

I doubt you need this much power

Snap

I've got a Mac and PCs.

Personally I don't see or buy the Mac hype. Yes, they are good and solid, but I don't think they are worth the money. I've got a lot of APple stuff. Its all good, does what it says it should. But you pay for the design and the brand. Music wise, I don't think they beat PCs anymore. Logic is and OK bit of software, but I would argue (as would lots of other people I know) that is has been left for dead by the latest versions of DAWs like Ableton, Sonar and Cubase, all of which run very well on a new PC.

You can get a cracking reliable fast PC for less £ than an equivalent Mac.

PC Specialist-  their service is brilliant. If you can't figure out what you want, go for one of their dedicated systems. They do systems designed for audio, video, gaming, whatever. I bought one of their mid range Audio systems a while ago and its been v good.

If you really haven't a clue what you are doing, just ring them up and ask them to do you a system for what you want, and what you want to spend.

Their after sales is superb too.

This is only my experience, and I know that other companies are very good too. But, I would tend to go to someone like PC Spec, or Chilliblast averytimne rather than buy from a big brand like Dell, Lenovo, Acer etc. You get better value.

ToneControl

Snap said:

I've got a Mac and PCs.

Personally I don't see or buy the Mac hype. Yes, they are good and solid, but I don't think they are worth the money. I've got a lot of APple stuff. Its all good, does what it says it should. But you pay for the design and the brand. Music wise, I don't think they beat PCs anymore. Logic is and OK bit of software, but I would argue (as would lots of other people I know) that is has been left for dead by the latest versions of DAWs like Ableton, Sonar and Cubase, all of which run very well on a new PC.

You can get a cracking reliable fast PC for less £ than an equivalent Mac.

PC Specialist-  their service is brilliant. If you can't figure out what you want, go for one of their dedicated systems. They do systems designed for audio, video, gaming, whatever. I bought one of their mid range Audio systems a while ago and its been v good.

If you really haven't a clue what you are doing, just ring them up and ask them to do you a system for what you want, and what you want to spend.

Their after sales is superb too.

This is only my experience, and I know that other companies are very good too. But, I would tend to go to someone like PC Spec, or Chilliblast averytimne rather than buy from a big brand like Dell, Lenovo, Acer etc. You get better value.

also Scan - who have dedicated audio and AV models

remember that maunfacturer refurb models from Dell undercut anyone for the spec (last time I was buying) 

Axe_meister

Get a decent PC.

Install splashtop on the PC and on your tablet/cheap laptop and access the PC with all it's power from anywhere you want.

fretmeister

I got our latest lappie from Chillblast

It's very good.

http://www.chillblast.com/

Fuzzdog

ToneControl said:

they are not all that bad, but any custom PC will normally have noisier and over specified cooling

I've almost always found the complete opposite, personally - all the custom PCs I've had were fitted with nice almost silent coolers, whereas most off the shelf ones came with the horrendously noisy OE stuff.  

Also, an 'over specified' cooling system will almost always be quieter - the ones in my current PC can dissipate more than twice what it could ever put out, but that means fans rarely come on, and when they do they're barely idling.  It had the standard heatsinks and fans which the manufacturers recommended before, and sounded like someone was flying a small aircraft around the room whenever I did anything remotely taxing.

It's the one thing I never scrimp on, as fan noise drives me nutty.