I'm thinking of buying a laptop to use solely for work which involves using Quickbooks, some Office-type programs and music recording software. Should I go Mac or just a random laptop?
It really depends on what line of work you are in. A Mac is a staple in the Arts and Entertainment industry (you mentioned music recording). But when it comes to finances, and "office-type" work, a Windows based computer will assimilate better in the work environment. In either case, you should try to buy your computer during the Fall. This is when the respective new operating systems for Windows and Mac are slated to come out.
10 Answers
I have a Mac, but for business-oriented apps I would go PC.
I needed to use some similar programs for one of my classes, but none of them were available for Mac. I ended up using Bootcamp which is a pain in the arse to set up. If your business is giving you the software, I would play it safe and assume that it will be formatted for windows. It never hurts to check it out first.
Don't get me wrong, Macs are incredible, they just might not be right for your needs.
I would go with a mac, it's in my opinion a much better machine. They last longer and work more efficiently. As far as windows programs, there are programs that allow you to run windows on your mac. Parallels is the program I use (http://www.parallels.com/) as a graphic designer, I use both mac and windows programs and have had no problems running either on my mac. Also, Garage Band (which is standard on a mac) is actually a pretty impressive music recording program. Once you go mac, you never go back. Hope this helps.
Hands down a mac. I understand you will be using this a lot for work, and there are applications for mac...such as quickbooks for mac.
Worst case scenario, if you desperately need to use windows, just install it on your mac and log in via boot camp. This will allow both Operating Systems to run side by side. Plus, the mac will last you years longer and provide proper scalability.
I hate to sound cliche, but the stereotype of a mac being used primairly for Arts and Entertainment is so 2006. All this has changed since it became a more popular interface for developing applications. Now majority, if not all major application have a mac counterpart. A great deal of these are better than the windows as well.
With the anouncement of Snow Leopard (coming out in Sept. for $29), Apple revealed they are taking business users very seriously by adding exchange support to Mail, Calendar and Address Book. It is a great upgrade.
Once you combine great hardware with even better software that knows how to utilize the hardware, you can't even think about anything else.
Go with mac if you want the music software-there are many more options. Also, don't feel obligated to wait, you'll be able to upgrade to snow leopard for about $10 if you purchase a new mac now. Macs run MS Office as well as quickbooks, so if that's all you need then you're set. If you need MS Access then stick with Windows. Another option is to run Windows and OSX on a mac. There are virtualizing programs or you could simply use boot camp and have a dual boot machine.
Saying that Macs are staples in the A&E world is very 90s... their prevalence is really because the A&E industry typically has money to buy them and there's the argument that they're more stylie, hence creatives tend to skew to them.
However, these days, it's really just a choice of preference.
Music apps come by the dozens these days and you'll likely find more availability on a PC in the industrial arena.
Office Programs definitely skew to the PC and I can promise you from personal experience that you don't want to be using Quickbooks Pro for the Mac. It's not only miserable, but they typically release every-other year for that platform.
It seems a PC laptop is the choice for you.
Mac. Mac's are great for people who need to produce stuff. The OS doesn't get in the way and allows you to be productive. I use both PCs and Macs in an office environment but the PC is only used for timesheets and Visio diagrams. Everything thing else is Mac-based.
Your software requirements as far as music recording goes, all of the industry standards run on Mac. Sure there dozens of music apps for the PC but why even both with most of that dreck?
If you need to run PC software a very good alternative to Bootcamp is Parallels.
It really depends on what line of work you are in. A Mac is a staple in the Arts and Entertainment industry (you mentioned music recording). But when it comes to finances, and "office-type" work, a Windows based computer will assimilate better in the work environment. In either case, you should try to buy your computer during the Fall. This is when the respective new operating systems for Windows and Mac are slated to come out.