Plowman: I'm not sure whether or not we'll see a big price drop. Most likely the quads will go down, because they're *very* expensive. But historically, Macs haven't really dropped all that much when new models came out.

dpcon the outrageous: I don't yet know how much RAM you can access with Vienna Instruments (because it might be using memory outside the host?) - I'm going to find out as soon as I put another hard drive in my machine - but remember, OS X uses as much RAM as you have available for caching. 5 or 6GB is definitely worth putting in for that reason; whether 8GB is past the point of dimishing returns I don't know.

OS X can use 4GB for each program minus a little less than 1GB for frameworks and system libraries (shared between all the progams); .5GB for the OS outside the progam; and some RAM for caching. So if you have 4-1/2GB, you have nothing left for caching when your DAW is maxed out.

@Another User said:

At present, I'm consulting with someone on another forum about how they set up their zero latency non-ethernet network linking/syncing two Macs. I don't have complete details just yet, but a quad could potentially solve my current "quantity" problem since speed is less of an issue at present.

JWL plz elaborate a bit, or provide a link. I'm very curious. [:)]
I'm just about to setup a secondary Mac using Tigers built in midi over Ethernet, and I'm fearing the worst latence-wise.

Still working it. It sounds as if it will involve routing multi-outs from the slave farm computer into a digital mixer, then out of that digital mixer via ADAT connectors into the 2408. I have a Yamaha digital mixer with an ADAT card, so I'm starting with the most cost effect approach. But ideally, it would be nice route the audio card directly into a second digital interface. Then the two interfaces would have to be connected via ADAT or TDIF on the 2408. It may also be possible to use the 424's ADAT SYNC INPUT connections to get the two PCI cards talking to each other without the second interface. Fortunately, I still have my 324 card and my G4, so this will allow for some experimentation before spending any more money.

I'll post my finds once it's all set up, but in the meantime--- back to IntelMacs and Windows (or not..)

There's no reason you need to use the digital mixer if you don't want to, JWL.

Are you worried about sync when you connect the two Macs by lightpipe? The simplest way to do it is just to run a word clock connection between the two MOTU boxes.

I've been using MIDI Over LAN since I have Macs and PCs, but Network MIDI works absolutely fine.

While I don't have a PCI-424 card in my second G5 yet - I'm using the Mac's built-in TOSlink output converted to wired S/PDIF in both directions as a temporary solution - I have one on my main G5. It works really well, and I haven't missed my Panasonic DA7 digital mixer since I sold it a couple of years ago. I was worried about not being able to grab faders to adjust levels, but it's pretty much set-and-forget in the CueMix Console program.

"Macs haven't really dropped all that much when new models came out."

That is true of Apple as a corporation. They rarely offer more than three Power Mac models, and the price tiers don't change much. But the greater savings can be found in the one model that is inevitably bumped off the official line -- particularly if they're in stock at any Apple storefront.

And the next to drop out of the Mac line would be the Dual-core 2GHz. The prospect that this might duck under 1,700 USD is hopeful.

I think Windows-driven mega-stores like Best Buy will happily evacuate their non-Intel Apples if this Mac and Windows thing catches on.

But you're right -- there are no great bargains in the Mac universe. As a rule, I've been better rewarded waiting for PC prices to drop than Mac hardware.

FWI-- the first graphics tests are in-- Windows on IntelMacs....

http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/04/07/pcworldtest/index.php

Seems like slightly above average performance with a couple of games. Not bad, but still not ready for AV production.

@clarkcontrol said:

Running Windows on a mac is about the dumbest thing anyone could ever do with already overpriced hardware (IMHO, of course).

What would be of REAL benefit is running OSX on a Windows machine. Of course, this actually makes sense only to the consumer and not Apple, so of course we'll never see THAT day.

Clark

Well, to what costumers - to those you want to begin the test this and that driver, this and that card in this and that slot, etc. This is just a matter of fact, if you have millions of choices the probability that it will not work is infinte. And buying quality hardware is definitely not the solution (besides not being more affordable) - it only makes things worse.
OSX and Apple hardware together makes a lot of sense. It might not be the cheapest in the first place, but .... The dumbest and most expensive expenses I had for computers was a Windows/Linux PC - I prefer to concentrate on media and music. Or just try to run real-time video-fx in the quality CoreVideo allows - well, happy clustering of PCs and programming your own solution. [:)]
I have been there - glad to left it behind [:)]

best

@steff3 said:

Well, to what costumers - to those you want to begin the test this and that driver, this and that card in this and that slot, etc. This is just a matter of fact, if you have millions of choices the probability that it will not work is infinte. And buying quality hardware is definitely not the solution (besides not being more affordable) - it only makes things worse.
OSX and Apple hardware together makes a lot of sense. It might not be the cheapest in the first place, but ....

You see this is logical and you'd think that it was accurate. However, just look at all the problems that Mac users are having on this forum with VI installation. Nothing is as straight forward as it appears.

DG

@clarkcontrol said:

What would be of REAL benefit is running OSX on a Windows machine. Of course, this actually makes sense only to the consumer and not Apple, so of course we'll never see THAT day.

Clark

If Apple manages to improve their market share they might well be forced to allow this under Monopoly legislation. I can see Dell making a very good case for it.

DG

My mac functions - straight around the corner [:)]

DG, were it not us about the apartheid in the forum and MAC vs Windows? This discussion a few weeks back - so this is obviously a Mac thread, I mean "Windows on Mac, right, I told you there, that PC users will come with their lame arguments and try to tell us what hardware to use. Congrats for filling in a stereotype! [:)]

best

@steff3 said:

My mac functions - straight around the corner [:)]

DG, were it not us about the apartheid in the forum and MAC vs Windows? This discussion a few weeks back - so this is obviously a Mac thread, I mean "Windows on Mac, right, I told you there, that PC users will come with their lame arguments and try to tell us what hardware to use. Congrats for filling in a stereotype! [:)]

best

Oh for goodness sake. I am a user of software. I currently use PCs. I used to use Macs. I may use Macs in the future. I am not brand blind. Grow up [8-)]

DG

PS This is Windows thread, can't you read? [:D]

@DG said:

[However, just look at all the problems that Mac users are having on this forum with VI installation. Nothing is as straight forward as it appears.
DG

What's that got to do with Macs Daryl? Huh? Apple didn't write VI software as far as I know.

@DG said:

[However, just look at all the problems that Mac users are having on this forum with VI installation. Nothing is as straight forward as it appears.
DG

What's that got to do with Macs Daryl? Huh? Apple didn't write VI software as far as I know.
Paul all I was trying to say, and obviously not very clearly, was that the idea that all Macs are the same is just not true. If it was then software that must work back at VSL HQ on Macs would also work on all other Macs. I know that there are many more variables in the Windows world, but it is not true to say that a Mac works out of the box with all Mac software and a PC always has more problems.

I don't see why everything has to turn into a "mine is best" argument as I just want to have informed discussions. If it turns out that MacIntel is the way to go for the next few years then I will have no hesitation in jumping ship. At the moment it looks as if Vista is the next big thing, so I shall wait and see.

D

@PaulR said:

[quote=DG][However, just look at all the problems that Mac users are having on this forum with VI installation. Nothing is as straight forward as it appears.
DG

I don't see why everything has to turn into a "mine is best" argument as I just want to have informed discussions. If it turns out that MacIntel is the way to go for the next few years then I will have no hesitation in jumping ship. At the moment it looks as if Vista is the next big thing, so I shall wait and see.
D

Daryl - to me it's never EVER been a question of mine is best. I could go out tomorrow and buy 1500 PC's and still have the same opinion about them. I've had 5 Dells including one laptop. They all crapped out. They're basically useless for audio work. So I use Macs - not because I have a hatred for PC's - but because they work and they are better. I wouldn't rely on waiting for Vista either because that's been cancelled until January 2007 and by that time who knows what will be next.
The problems Mac users have had with VI installation has nothing whatsoever to do with Macs and their OS.

@PaulR said:

Daryl - to me it's never EVER been a question of mine is best. I could go out tomorrow and buy 1500 PC's and still have the same opinion about them. I've had 5 Dells including one laptop. They all crapped out. They're basically useless for audio work. So I use Macs - not because I have a hatred for PC's - but because they work and they are better. I wouldn't rely on waiting for Vista either because that's been cancelled until January 2007 and by that time who knows what will be next.
The problems Mac users have had with VI installation has nothing whatsoever to do with Macs and their OS.

I totally understand your viewpoint, it's just that I have no problem with any of my PCs yet I did with both my Macs, so from my experience PCs are better than Macs. What can I say.... [*-)]

DG