Mac or PC for uni? Music Business degree.

Hey guys, I'll be studying a Music Business degree (BIMM Brighton) starting this year, and I have to buy a new laptop for it. (Current one is 9 years old with broken hinges heh.) Does it matter if I get a pc or a mac? Is one preferred or more helpful than the other while studying this course? Any recommended specs?

Various modules include: Live sound, studio recording and media/marketing
I also want to get into photo editing and some basic graphic design.

All help appreciated!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

Tiger Rag

Do you know what software you'll need?

Reply 2

Josefine

Original post by OU Student

Do you know what software you'll need?

That's my problem, I don't really.
I've tried emailing a few different adresses at BIMM but haven't gotten any answers. Found another email adress today so now I've tried that and am waiting for an answer.

Reply 3

username612415

Original post by Josefine

From what I've heard from my friends who have done similar audio production based degrees, Macs are generally preferred as they have a slightly larger range of industry grade software and the cross-platform options tend to run slightly better on OS X, and Macs can run both Windows and OS X on the same machine. It's not a huge factor though, odds are most of the software you'll be using will be available on either system and if anything in the course relies on OS X exclusive software it will be done in computer labs with Macs available. If you hear back from the course staff and they strongly recommend one system or another, I would give that a lot of thought, otherwise buy what you prefer/can afford.

Reply 4

Josefine

Thank you, I'll see what I can find out from the staff, hopefully at least something haha.
I feel so lost, actually the first time I'm buying a brand new laptop, rather than a friends hand me down. Such a jungle out there.

Edit:
My gut feeling tells me a macbook pro is the way to go. Maybe I could go for a used (but not battered) one and not break the bank? Rather than a brand new asus. Hmm.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

GoodStudent

You will use Pro Tools and Ableton a LOT at BIMM - PC or Mac would suit.

But you will also use Logic Pro X - Mac Only.

So therefore, the platform that covers all your needs is a Mac.

Reply 6

Josefine

Original post by GoodStudent

You will use Pro Tools and Ableton a LOT at BIMM - PC or Mac would suit.

But you will also use Logic Pro X - Mac Only.

So therefore, the platform that covers all your needs is a Mac.

Thanks for your answer! Looks like I'll go for a mac then, probably do a windows partition on it (for Heroes III if nothing else haha).

Reply 7

GoodStudent

Hi Joesfine.

Firstly, i thought you were attending Bimm London.

Secondly, be very careful. You will use Ableton Live a LOT on your course, and if you get the very latest Mac (With OS 10.x Yosemite), Ableton doesn't run on this latest system!!!

Pro-Tools and Logic are fine for Mac.