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Band-in-a-Box for Macintosh
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 196 |
I have four Macs and four PCs in my house (my wife and I each work partly out of our home). And either will be fine to run BIAB -- if you don’t need the audio recording features of Windows BIAB and you use another program, perhaps Logic or Garageband, for that purpose -- and if you don't mind waiting a few months for PG to come out with a Mac version followup to its latest PC release.
I buy PCs because:
1. They are cheaper. I use different computers for different purposes, and I bought one laptop to do only one job: stream audio to five different locations via ITunes. Ironically, though Apple makes Itunes, I couldn't justify buying a $1,000+ Mac laptop to run it, when a $400 PC laptop will do the job.
2. Some software I like or need to use isn't available on the Mac.
3. The latest version of BIAB will probably always be on Windows first -- and I don't like waiting months for the Mac version to catch up.
I buy Macs because:
1. It's a drag dealing with PC virus-checking programs and waiting while they download the latest updates, and on the Mac this is nearly a non-issue.
2. I can have the best of both worlds, a Mac and a PC in one computer, with WMVare Fusion, Parallels or BootCamp. (To be fair: I'll probably have to buy the WMware or other software, a copy of Windows, some additional Windows software, and some extra RAM to run PC and Mac programs simultaneously. By that time, I'll have spent enough extra cash to buy a cheap PC. But at least I don't have to make room for a Mac and PC laptop in a briefcase or at a tiny table in a coffeeshop).
3. You get what you pay for. My $400 PC laptop is naturally cheaper and flimsier than my MacBook Pro, which costs 3x the price; it gets me there but not in style. And the stylish, well-made PC laptops I could lust after seem to cost about as much as Macs.
4. The software. Apple has done a good job of making programs that work seamlessly together to allow you to manage and edit photos, audio, video and other elements, to make web pages or DVDs or just about anything else.
5. Apple's tech support. Ever try calling Dell, HP, Acer or Samsung for support? I have -- all of them -- and it’s usually a frustrating waste of time -- if you can reach someone after being transferred three or four times, and if they sound like they have ever used a PC for anything more than to enter your name in their database. CU and others rank Apple's tech support #1. If you live near an Apple store, you can make a same-day appointment, walk in and talk to somebody who knows something, for free, even if your problem is with your five year old, out of warranty Mac. Phone support is also good, especially if you have Applecare.
To sum it up: If I were running mainly BIAB and a few other programs, and wanted to always have the latest and greatest version of BIAB, I'd buy a very nice PC. Or a cheaper PC, and spend the money saved on something like a nice new microphone. But for a lot of other folks -- not everyone -- spending a little more money for a Mac will make more sense in the long run.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
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Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
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