Stick with Mac or move to Windows?

[paisleywookiee]

What's all this back and forth about Windows vs. MacOSX?

Some people use Linux, ya know.

Oh man, I’d love to run Linux for audio. I give it a shot like once a year.

I'm not running Windows at all.

Yeah I know. Just making a statement about machines online. While I wouldn’t want to run an old MacOS online, I wouldn’t even want to run Windows 11 online, if it’s a crucial machine.

 

[paisleywookiee]

FWIW, I like Ubuntu Studio quite a bit. It’s got a low latency kernel option, works well with class/compliant devices like the UA Volt and MOTU M4, and comes loaded with a lot of audio tools. Additionally, you can get Tracktion Waveform for free, or with paid add-ons that work well with Ubuntu Studio. Bigwig Studio also has a Linux version.

Ubuntu Studio – A free and open operating system for creative people.

ubuntustudio.org

 

[laxu]

I care because Apple purposely obsoletes perfectly good HW to sell more HW, where with DIY PC's you can build what you want, and upgrade it however you want. Sure there are hacks to use newer Apple OS's on older Apple HW assuming the various CPU's line up etc, but it's just a PITA.

Apple also tends to obsolete peripherals, or require proprietary cabling, just profit generating BS that I choose to ignore. I can build a comparable or stronger PC for less, and config it exactly how I want it.

Apple has largely moved to USB-C, thanks to EU pressure. The only proprietary connector is the power connector and even that terminates to USB-C, or you can use a USB-C power adapter instead if you are willing to sacrifice a port for that.

When I travel for work, I never take my Apple charger with me and instead bring a Baseus power adapter with 4 ports. I can use it to charge the laptop, my phone, smartwatch, tablet etc. as needed.

You will however want to carry a USB-C to USB-A hub with you as there's still plenty of gear that is not connecting via USB-C. Older audio interfaces, mice, keyboards, anything that uses Micro or Mini USB...you just usually don't have the right cable or adapter handy to plug those into USB-C.

My mother still uses a really old Intel Mac that is running a years old MacOS version. It still works alright.

iOS and iPadOS are way more problematic for Apple making them obsolete by no longer supporting the hardware. Many app developers leave their app compatibility at whatever default XCode offers and that eventually does not cover an older device, even though the app would work just fine functionally. I wanted to set my parents' old iPad to allow them to use e.g streaming services from the tablet easier, but many of those apps would not work on the old iOS version just because the app compatibility was marked for "higher than this version".