Laptop vs macbook for garage band recording

[feeddagoat]

Hey guys, I'm a new member to the forums after spending a few months casually surfing posts =) haven't really had a need to post until now.

My dilemma is I'm looking for a laptop that would be suited to home recording for my garage band. This will involve guitars, drums, vocals etc. I will also be using it for Photoshop and image editing on the side. ATM I'm thinking of a macbook since they have a good reputation for such things but I more comfortable with windows and I want to find the best value option. My questions are:-

1)Would an onboard sound card be viable or would I need a dedicated sound card?
2)What sort of specs should I be looking for in terms of sound card and processor?

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[hef]

don't get a macbook. overpriced for the spec. get an xp based laptop with the fastest core 2 cpu and largest system ram you can afford.

1. you don't need a dedicated sound card to do demos, but if you want to record the whole band at once you need a dedicated soundcard with 8+ inputs.

2. really depends how much money you want to spend and how many mics/instruments you want to do at once. the price range is literally from £100 to £1500.

post your email and i'll link you to a good place to do audio equipment shopping.

 

[FirebarUK]

Personally I'd go Macbook. OS X is just better suited to doing the things you mention, imo

If you bought anything else you'd just keep looking at the Mac wondering why you didn't buy it...

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Generally the best way to record a band is to buy a mixing desk that then connects to the PC/Mac via firewire and garageband will allow you to mix with the inputs. This creates a problem as Apple dropped firewire support from the new MacBook so if you want to go Mac you will need to fork out for a MacBook Pro. Apple seriously messed up dropping firewire as if you don't use a mixing desk the next option is a firewire sound card so it basically rules out a MacBook for home recording.

I would buy a XP/Vista based laptop better value for money and you can buy them with exactly the same processors/graphics cards as the MacBook and has the all important firewire port.

 

[normski_]

Personally I'd go Macbook. OS X is just better suited to doing the things you mention, imo

If you bought anything else you'd just keep looking at the Mac wondering why you didn't buy it...

Lol I switched to PC from Mac 4 yrs ago for our Publishing and Design business...apart from the looks of it I haven't missed Mac one bit.

Mac = Pretty but pricey and does stuff
PC = almost as pretty, as cheap as you want and does stuff + more stuff

 

[FirebarUK]

LOL1111!!one

4 years ago is a pretty long time. Now there are Intel Mac's and things have got much better as more switch to Mac and more applications are made available for Mac. I'd choose a Mac for doing productive work over a Windows PC any day of the week. If you have the cash available, choose a Mac.

 

[feeddagoat]

Thanks for the replys =) I do have the cash for a mac and although tbh I've never liked apple, I still like to feel like I got the best ot of my cashy. Thanks for pointing out the lack of a firewire, I still assumed that all macs supported it.

For hef [email protected]