Thinking about making the change...

[BrayBray]

I need some advice, here. I'm thinking of getting a new computer, as mine is slowly deciding that it wasn't want to live anymore. Would it be a wise decision to get a computer with Vista on it? That is, is Vista easy to use when it comes to making music (I only have an M-Audio keyboard and Session)?

I may even consider going with a Mac now. I don't know a lot about them, however... They seem great, from what I've seen.

Thoughts, comments, questions, concerns, cash, or phone numbers (I'm single)?

What to do?

[tech1]

I have been using it since February, and I ave not had any issues. I've made aure to only out compatible software on it, though (except for a beta driver a few months back, which led to 2 BSOD's, entirely my own fault). I would recommend that any aspiring Vista musician be aware of a few things:

1. Vista is a hog. It takes approx. 450 MB of RAM for the OS to load. Yes, just the OS. I would recommend a minimum of 2 GB RAM for any audio applications.
2. There are some things you can do to streamline the OS. Look at the Vista Optimization Guide, located in the resource center link at the top of this page.
3. Make sure you're running compatible gear: http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ts/detail.php?Index=31759&keyword=vista
4. Don't expect the same performance as with XP, because you won't get it. You'll need much more hardware (CPU, RAM, etc.) for a comparable Vista system than for XP.

[dcwave]

Don't do it. Don't drink the kool aid. Most people I know (normals and IT geeks) are upgrading to WinXP from Vista due to poor performance - even on quad cores - things like the all day file transfers, poor driver support, and user complaints (in the corporate sector) are prompting the move back to XP. I bought a dual core machine with 2Gb ram for my wife and after two months of tweaking and another two months of heavy usage - she is begging me to put XP or Unbuntu on the machine.
Vista - "The ME version noone wanted"
:D ;)

[tech1]

He he he...Kool Aid...ME...very true. BUT, even ME worked for a lot of people. Not as well as 98SE, 2000 or XP, but hey....

[Reegs]

Hey Dave I run Ubuntu on my Vista machine too! It has saved my life so many times! (Like whenever I want wireless, because Vista's "Network and Sharing Center" doesn't exactly network very well. Hey, have you noticed how everything in Vista is a center? I just looked in the Control Panel (not yet center!) and there is the Backup and Restore Center, the Ease of Access Center (WTF??), the Network and Sharing Center, the Security Center, the Welcome Center, the Windows Mobility Center... I'm sure they're hiding other centers too. There's no more peripheries! No wonder it's a RAM bloat! Everything wants to be center stage!)

But to address your question BrayBray I too have had decent success on a Vista platform. Macs are also nice. I won't part with Sonar, so I'm on PC. But if you're still looking around, definitely check out Macs and Logic.

Best,
Reegs