CraigAnderton

fastasleep said:

CraigAnderton said:

(A standard iMac is a non-starter for pro audio production because it can't be configured for more than 32 GB of RAM.)

Huh? You can put up to 128GB in the current 27” iMac. 

I was referring to the standard, basic iMac. But while I'm here...I might as well mention that a tricked-out Mac Mini would work well for many audio applications, at a much lower price than a Mac Pro.

A possible point of confusion regarding the "pro" market  is that different professions have different needs. The Mac Pro seems oriented toward video professionals, but is overkill for many audio professionals. The iMac Pro, which is also ideal for video, can be made useful for audio by adding a Thunderbolt expansion chassis for PCIe cards (e.g., DSP farm-type cards) and additional USB ports (four is not enough with audio), and a second monitor to handle multipoint-touch-friendly audio apps. But that adds up to a lot of extra expense. (A standard iMac is a non-starter for pro audio production because it can't be configured for more than 32 GB of RAM.)

I've been using both Mac and Windows for 25 years. I believe the current Apple has chosen a smart, practical strategy: hit the consumer market where Apple enjoys historically high margins, as well as high-end video professionals who need (not just want) a super-powerful machine, and cede the $2,000 - $3,500 pro market to Windows. That kind of money can buy a Windows machine that does everything needed for high-performance pro audio (and decent video), and benchmarks better than a similarly-priced Mac. The margins in that market are thin, and there's no reason for Apple to slug it out in a world that is not of long-term strategic value to the company. So I don't think we'll see a "Mac Pro Lite" any time soon.

I use a MacBook Pro for live performance, a Windows desktop customized for audio production, and the iPhone/iPad ecosystem for my personal electronics. I find this the most cost-effective and efficient combination for handling personal and professional needs. Most pro-level music programs are cross-platform, so I can develop (for example) Ableton Live sets in my Windows machine, then load them into the MacBook Pro for live.

It's all good. Thankfully, there's something out there for everybody...and that's especially true now that the Mac Pro is out. Is it for me? No. Does that matter? No.