Need HELP with computer purchase Please!

Keesha

Keesha

🐟
Location
Canada 🇨🇦
To start with I’m computer challenged. In fact the only reason I’m online at all is because I have an iPhone but that’s about all I know how to use.

What I really miss about not having a computer is storage. I’ve actually lost almost 3 years of pictures I took due to needing to store them on my iPhone. I enjoy photography very much.

Next thing I want it for is to make digital music back tracks for vocals and saxophone playing so that I can hopefully share my music with others online.

We don’t have a computer or internet here at the moment but are looking into getting it.

The computers I’m currently looking into are Apple 🍎 Mac minis, MacBooks, Mac air’s , MacBook pros etc., but they are pricey.

I’ve got my eye on a Mac mini
https://setapp.com/lifestyle/why-get-the-mac-mini-latest-model

What I’d like to do is create backtracks for songs I like so that I’m creating my own music. Since I’m not doing this to make money, I don’t have to worry about copyright issues especially if I use YouTube. They have their own copyright policy you have to fill out before uploading anything online. This is what I’ve been told by others and not something I’ve tried. In fact, I’ve never in my life recorded any of my work.

Correction: as kids we taped us singing “Come Together” by the Beatles when we were little kids to send to my grandmother . She hated it. 🤣😂

Do any of you use an Apple computer for music or know anything about making music back tracks?

I need to learn more about computers before I commit to buying one. I’m planning on purchasing my computer from Costco so if I don’t like it, I can return it with no questions asked.
 

I do not like to give advice re: computers, but everyone I've known who has had a mini has wound up hating them and were sorry they bought them. Evidently not enough storage on them either.
 
Lewkat said:
I do not like to give advice re: computers, but everyone I've known who has had a mini has wound up hating them and were sorry they bought them. Evidently not enough storage on them either.
Click to expand...
I don’t blame anyone for not wanting to give advice especially when it comes to computers. There are so many variables to consider. It was my understanding that you can buy extra RAM which is what I thought was storage space but I’m clueless.
Luckily if I purchase one and don’t like it I have no problems taking it back.

Thanks all the same.
 

My nephew produces his own music, and he has Apple computers. I don't know anything more than that. Maybe another musician on the forum can direct you to the right computer, Keesha.
 
Pinky said:
My nephew produces his own music, and he has Apple computers. I don't know anything more than that. Maybe another musician on the forum can direct you to the right computer, Keesha.
Click to expand...
Thanks Pinky. I belong to a saxophone forum and the most professional players have recommended a MacBook Pro which I’m looking into. The one I’m looking at is mainly used by photographers and musicians . Apparently it’s been made for the arts. The one I’m looking at has 1548 reviews @ a 4.8 rating. I can get a brand new one online or spend $200 more and purchase it from Costco. With purchasing at Costco I’m guaranteed I can bring it back if I don’t like it. THAT part I really like.

My husband recommends I go to the Apple store and ask them but I don’t think they are open yet. Hopefully someone at Costco can help.

What type of music does your nephew play?
 
I don't know anything much, on the subject, either @Keesha

Except that Apple things all have to go with other Apple products, in some ways that I don't comprehend,
so I don't know if that will become a shortcoming for you, or perhaps it will not a problem for you at all.

ON another topic, I am sorry you lost your pictures!!:cry:
 
Keesha said:
Thanks Pinky. I belong to a saxophone forum and the most professional players have recommended a MacBook Pro which I’m looking into. The one I’m looking at is mainly used by photographers and musicians . Apparently it’s been made for the arts. The one I’m looking at has 1548 reviews @ a 4.8 rating. I can get a brand new one online or spend $200 more and purchase it from Costco. With purchasing at Costco I’m guaranteed I can bring it back if I don’t like it. THAT part I really like.

My husband recommends I go to the Apple store and ask them but I don’t think they are open yet. Hopefully someone at Costco can help.

What type of music does your nephew play?
Click to expand...
He hasn't got time anymore, but used to compose piano/keyboard music. He has a music studio set-up in their house. Several years back, he made commercials for television .. what are those off-road vehicles called? Anyway, for them (LOL)

Land-Rover!
 
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I have a iPad 9.7 “ I use all the time I take photos with it do all my internet / banking work if I want to take it with me it fits in my handbag .
I realise they are not for everyone but it suits me ..would I buy a desk top No ...
I have a clunky old slow laptop I only keep because it’s got all my embroidery machine programs / designs on it
 
Keesha said:
To start with I’m computer challenged. In fact the only reason I’m online at all is because I have an iPhone but that’s about all I know how to use.

What I really miss about not having a computer is storage. I’ve actually lost almost 3 years of pictures I took due to needing to store them on my iPhone. I enjoy photography very much.

Next thing I want it for is to make digital music back tracks for vocals and saxophone playing so that I can hopefully share my music with others online.

We don’t have a computer or internet here at the moment but are looking into getting it.

The computers I’m currently looking into are Apple 🍎 Mac minis, MacBooks, Mac air’s , MacBook pros etc., but they are pricey.

I’ve got my eye on a Mac mini
https://setapp.com/lifestyle/why-get-the-mac-mini-latest-model

What I’d like to do is create backtracks for songs I like so that I’m creating my own music. Since I’m not doing this to make money, I don’t have to worry about copyright issues especially if I use YouTube. They have their own copyright policy you have to fill out before uploading anything online. This is what I’ve been told by others and not something I’ve tried. In fact, I’ve never in my life recorded any of my work.

Correction: as kids we taped us singing “Come Together” by the Beatles when we were little kids to send to my grandmother . She hated it. 🤣😂

Do any of you use an Apple computer for music or know anything about making music back tracks?

I need to learn more about computers before I commit to buying one. I’m planning on purchasing my computer from Costco so if I don’t like it, I can return it with no questions asked.
Click to expand...
Why didn’t you download the pictures from your phone onto Costco photo? You can do this at the store Where they can help you.

In any event, I buy my computers from Costco then buy the repair/security plan from Best Buy. It’s about 200 a year. When I got ransom wear on my computer from China, they were able to remove the virus 🤣.

It covers up to 3 computers so when my son’s computer had a fatal error and everything had to be reinstalled it costs 7 dollars. Other than this, I don’t know anything.
 
Aneeda72 said:
Why didn’t you download the pictures from your phone onto Costco photo? You can do this at the store Where they can help you.

In any event, I buy my computers from Costco then buy the repair/security plan from Best Buy. It’s about 200 a year. When I got ransom wear on my computer from China, they were able to remove the virus 🤣.

It covers up to 3 computers so when my son’s computer had a fatal error and everything had to be reinstalled it costs 7 dollars. Other than this, I don’t know anything.
Click to expand...
Haha. I didn’t take photos because I wasn’t there. I’m looking at what they have from my iPhone.

Oddly enough I was looking at Best Buy. There’s is $200 cheaper. I didn’t think about a repair plan. I figured if something goes wrong with it , I’ll take it back. You can do that at Costco and if I need to I do just that.

Here are the links to the one I’m considering.

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/produc...-i5-1-4ghz-128gb-ssd-8gb-ram-english/13792725

https://www.costco.ca/13-in.-apple-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar,-space-grey-with-applecare+,-intel-i5,-8-gb-ram,-128-gb-ssd.product.100518247.html
 
Kadee46 said:
I have a iPad 9.7 “ I use all the time I take photos with it do all my internet / banking work if I want to take it with me it fits in my handbag .
I realise they are not for everyone but it suits me ..would I buy a desk top No ...
I have a clunky old slow laptop I only keep because it’s got all my embroidery machine programs / designs on it
Click to expand...
I’ve considered getting an iPad but I don’t think it can do all the things I’m looking for but I do love my iPhone so I expect the iPad would be similar only bigger. My husband told me the other day that my phone has the same amount of power that was used in the first Space shuttle days. I’m not sure if you remember all those big huge computers back then but it’s hard to imagine all that it this little handheld device.
 
Pinky said:
He hasn't got time anymore, but used to compose piano/keyboard music. He has a music studio set-up in their house. Several years back, he made commercials for television .. what are those off-road vehicles called? Anyway, for them (LOL)

Land-Rover!
Click to expand...
He must have been really good.
Thats so cool. 🙂👍
 
Keesha said:
I’ve considered getting an iPad but I don’t think it can do all the things I’m looking for but I do love my iPhone so I expect the iPad would be similar only bigger. My husband told me the other day that my phone has the same amount of power that was used in the first Space shuttle days. I’m not sure if you remember all those big huge computers back then but it’s hard to imagine all that it this little handheld device.
Click to expand...
Yep the first computer my hubby had was a brand called Tandy , ( same name as a electronic shop (s) that are still around ) we spent two years paying it off and you just about needed a truck to move it it was so big and bulky and soooooo slow ....

I can’t think of anything I can’t do with my iPad other than print from it , ( I know you can get printers )
it’s got books for storing books / pages / ect for reading or as I use it for downloading instruction manuals / recipe books ect and just about every app you could think of to saving other stuff .

The iPad takes nice clear photos you can crop / save / edit /change colours.

you-can buy or add / listen to music 🎶 Movies 🎥 .When we used to fly to Queensland each winter hubby would add his favourite movies to,his iPad ( my old one ) and watch them in preference to movies on offer on the plane.
He has a funny looking USB to transfer stuff like movies from his laptop to the iPad with the usual USB on one end and iPad fitting on the other ..it’s got a name I’m not technical so can’t think of proper name

I. bought the very first iPad Air about 10 + years ago ,I’ve upgraded twice since to a faster
version
@Keesha
 
Kadee46 said:
Yep the first computer my hubby had was a brand called Tandy , ( same name as a electronic shop (s) that are still around ) we spent two years paying it off and you just about needed a truck to move it it was so big and bulky and soooooo slow ....

I can’t think of anything I can’t do with my iPad other than print from it , ( I know you can get printers )
it’s got books for storing books / pages / ect for reading or as I use it for downloading instruction manuals / recipe books ect and just about every app you could think of to saving other stuff .

The iPad takes nice clear photos you can crop / save / edit /change colours.

you-can buy or add / listen to music 🎶 Movies 🎥 .When we used to fly to Queensland each winter hubby would add his favourite movies to,his iPad ( my old one ) and watch them in preference to movies on offer on the plane.
He has a funny looking USB to transfer stuff like movies from his laptop to the iPad with the usual USB on one end and iPad fitting on the other ..it’s got a name I’m not technical so can’t think of proper name

I. bought the very first iPad Air about 10 + years ago ,I’ve upgraded twice since to a faster
version
@Keesha
Click to expand...
How do you record stuff ? Is it possible to go from an iPad to a memory or external drive without the use of a separate laptop or computer?
 
https://artofthesong.org/best-macs-for-music-production/

I’m contemplating getting a Mac and I’m wondering what type I’d like and need. So far I’m viewing MacBook Pro. One thing that concerned me while reading this article is that it said that if I opt out of the Touch Bar, I’ll lose 2 thunderbar ports, meaning I’ll get two instead of four.

If I purchase this at Costco, it comes with a two year guarantee but I only have 90 days to return it if I don’t like.

https://www.costco.ca/13-in.-apple-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar,-space-grey-with-applecare+,-intel-i5,-8-gb-ram,-128-gb-ssd.product.100518247.html

I figure I should be able to learn a lot in less than 90 days of using it.

If I get this MacBook Pro, can I add stuff to it later if I want ?

Note: I understand that most of this is dealing with personal preference so I’m not going to hold anyone responsible if I happen to not like it.

I considered the iMac with 27” monitor but then I’d have to sit at a desk which I don’t like due to a damaged tailbone. ( a serious consideration )

Prices are in Canadian dollars.
 
Hi Keesha, I'm not a computer wiz but I'll just try to tell you what we do over here. Hopefully I can help you some and not be to long winded.

Saving Pictures: Used to save them on our Windows tower computer. I have a backup external hard drive attached saving everything in case the main hard drive went down. I'd also use memory sticks now and then as a third backup.
I'm now using a Google Chromebook (refurbished) that I bought for around $180.00. Now, I'm just using Google Photos to store my pictures in their cloud. YouTube has some great info videos about Google Photos and other programs that come with a Chromebook.

Music Recording: We use a program called Reaper. It's called a Digital Audio Workstation or D.A.W. for short. You can buy and download their program for $60.00. If you're going to use it for commercial use, then it's $225.00 for the same program. Then there's the need to get a Interface. That's a device you connect you music source to, then it sends it to your D.A.W. for recording in your tower. (I don't know the specs, but I'm thinking you'll need a regular computer to run this.) And although I don't use Apple, I believe it's Apple friendly.

The SoundCloud web site is what we use to post our music on the internet. The basic membership is free and you can upload quite a few tunes. All free for folks to listen to.

ok.. This is just the way we do it, but I'm sure there's many other options for you to consider.
Hoped I helped a little.
Best of luck and have fun.
 
Thanks so much for your help. 🥰I considered pm’ing you since RadishRose suggested I do so but I didn’t want to feel like I was pestering people especially about computer stuff. It gives me a headache so I can’t imagine being on the other side. Lol.

I’ve only just discovered external hard drives since my husband has one. It holds 2 teribytes. I’ve also learned about hubs today. It’s NOT my significant other.☺

Memory sticks I do understand but if you have no computer to plug them into then they aren’t much good. I’ve used website picture storing sites but unfortunately forget what email address I used or passwords. In fact I’m terrible for not putting this information in a safe spot that I remember.

I do understand some about iCloud. Many of my photos were stored there from my last iPhone but I ended up deleting my own phone accidentally. Please don’t ask. I feel stupid enough as it is. Lol but I truly like that chrome book idea. Cool beans.

I’ve got a few D.A.W. Programs. I’ve got garage band since I have an iPhone and Band in a Box . I forget the other one however using these on my iPhone is too difficult and hard on the eyes.

The interfacing I’m only just learning about now as well as computerized microphones like blue yeti. The last microphone I used was one that plugged into a 100 watt amplifier and they aren’t compatible. See how green I am?

The SoundCloud website is a huge eye opener.
This is very good news. It makes sense that there would be something like this since there are so many photo storing websites.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to write this all out in order to help me. 👍It’s so helpful to me right now. You gave some great info. I’m closer to deciding on what computer to get and where I’m getting it. Costco has a two year warranty on computers as well as a 90 day return policy so I basically have 90 days to return it if it’s not to my liking which is awesome.

And today I could copy paste with my ‘Notes.’
Yayyyy! 👏
This is my husbands work computer but it’s not Apple.
7D4C170B-0E01-4DF8-B980-418D4F65435B.jpeg
 
I have an iPhone and an iPad, and I can do everything that I want to do with that; but I don’t know anything about music production like you are talking about. The people at Best Buy should be able to explain the capabilities of any computer or tablet that they are selling, so you can see which one would work best for you.

Regardless of how much space you have on your iPhone, you can get a lot of icloud storage, and that does not cost much. I pay 99 cants a month, and don’t use anywhere near all of that , and probably never will.
I love all of the Apple devices that I have ever had, and would not even consider anything else, if I had a choice.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I have an iPhone and an iPad, and I can do everything that I want to do with that; but I don’t know anything about music production like you are talking about. The people at Best Buy should be able to explain the capabilities of any computer or tablet that they are selling, so you can see which one would work best for you.

Regardless of how much space you have on your iPhone, you can get a lot of icloud storage, and that does not cost much. I pay 99 cants a month, and don’t use anywhere near all of that , and probably never will.
I love all of the Apple devices that I have ever had, and would not even consider anything else, if I had a choice.
Click to expand...
I'm a Apple girl myself, except phones, i've always have Samsung, don't like iphones, don't have a good reason, just don't.
 
Ok today I went out and purchased an iPad Pro. When I researched what I’d need to use the garage band app, many people were very pleased with this. With over 2,200 five star reviews @ a 98% satisfaction record and 90 days to try it out, I figured I can’t go wrong. If this isn’t suitable I’ll take it back and try something else. That’s the beauty of Costco. Yayyy. :love: I’ve got it charging up right now.
 

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