Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About Us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist
  • Guitar Techniques
  • Total Guitar
  • Bass Player
More
  • Take our survey to win a £300/$350 Ticketmaster gift card
  • Type beats
  • 86000+ free music samples
  • How to make an AI cover song
  • Three-chord trick

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. News

Apple round-up: the new Macs, iPads and apps for music makers

By Ben Rogerson
( Computer Music )
published 23 October 2013

Which of the new hardware/software releases should you go for?

Apple's October fest

Apple's October fest

Apple announced a whole raft of new products yesterday: the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display both made their debuts, while the MacBook Pro with Retina display got a significant update.

We finally got a price and release date for the Mac Pro, too, while Apple also released OS X Mavericks and new versions of GarageBand for both Mac and iOS.

So, as a musician, which of these products should you contemplate buying – or in some cases, downloading right now for free? Let's take a closer look...

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
iPad Air
Light to hold - weighty specs

iPad Air

Thinner, lighter and more powerful is the best way to describe the iPad Air, which contains Apple's 64-bit “desktop-class” A7 chip.

Prices start at £399/$499, and it'll be available from 1 November.

Should I buy it?

If you don't already have an iPad and want a full-size model, this is clearly the best option (the ageing iPad 2 being the only alternative in the Apple Store), but it remains to be seen what impact the increased power will have on the quality and performance of music making apps at this stage. As such, if you already own an iPad that supports iOS 7 it's far from an essential upgrade.

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
iPad mini with Retina display
Small wonder?

iPad mini with Retina display

Most of us were expecting this, and the good news is that, like the iPad Air, it contains the A7 chip.

The bad news is that, rather than replacing the existing iPad mini, its going to sit alongside it at a higher price point when it arrives later in November. The entry-level model costs £319/$399.

Should I buy it?

It's certainly tempting when you consider the power inside, but if you want a tablet to make music on, the iPad Air is probably a more practical (and better value-for-money) option.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
MacBook Pro with Retina display
The pro's choice?

MacBook Pro with Retina display

A lot of creative types have been holding off buying a new laptop in anticipation of this, and its new specs are pretty much in line with expectations.

You now get Intel's Haswell chips, and the same company's Iris graphics. Battery life has been improved, and it's flash storage all the way. Better still, prices have come down - the 13-inch model starts at £1099/$1299 and the cheapest 15-incher costs £1699/$1999.

Should I buy it?

If you want the best Mac laptop for music making, yes. The only downside is that, with the move to lower capacity flash storage, you may have to carry a portable hard drive around with you as well (for storage of sample libraries etc), which arguably negates the benefits of the laptop itself being lighter.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
OS X Mavericks
OS X set free

OS X Mavericks

Another release that's been in the pipeline for a while, the latest version of OS X is now available.

The pleasant surprise is that it's free to everyone who owns a Mac that's capable of running it, which might make you think that upgrading to it right now is a no-brainer. However...

Should I download it?

Given that we don't yet know if there are any compatibility issues with the big DAWs, plugins and audio interfaces, we'd advise holding off for at least a few days until the dust settles and any problems come to light (unless you're absolutely desperate to try the new version of GarageBand, that is).

The good news is that, because Mavericks is free, developers will be aware that a lot of Mac users will update to it and should make it a priority to make sure their products work with it.

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Mac Pro
The super-powered cylinder

Mac Pro

Announced earlier this year, Apple's new super-computer now has a price and release date.

Rocking Intel Xeon processors it'll be available in December at a starting price of £2499. Unless you've been impeccably behaved this year, that's a big ask from Santa.

Should I buy it?

Years ago it was common practice to recommend the flagship Mac to musicians, but the truth is that, with Apple's other computers now so capable, you probably don't need it. If you want the ultimate in power and performance and can stomach the price tag, though, we're sure you won't be disappointed.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Garageband for Mac and iOS
Two for the price of none

Garageband for Mac and iOS

We've covered this elsewhere, but the fact that the latest Mac version is now free for all OS X Mavericks users - even if you do have to pay £2.99/$4.99 to get all the content - is great news.

As for the iOS version, first impressions are that, beyond adding more tracks and Inter App Audio support, not a great deal has changed beyond the interface. Again, there's an in-app purchase if you want all the goods, but it seems that, if you've already paid your £2.99/$4.99 for the app, you don't have to pay it again.

Should I download it?

Mavericks-running Mac owners should definitely take it for a spin - it's worth having a play with for Drummer alone. iOS 7 is a requirement for the latest version on mobile devices, so you need to decide if you're ready to make the jump to that before you dive in.

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

More about tech
Rolling Stones Lady Gaga

Stevie Wonder plays Rhodes, piano and Moog as he and Lady Gaga cut loose with The Rolling Stones on new single Sweet Sounds Of Heaven

Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel reveals that he spent time in his “home studio” with Skrillex: “He was trying to encourage me to write a song about staying up all night in a night club and that sort of thing”

Latest
Layne Staley, lead singer of Alice In Chains performing on MTV Unplugged in 1996

Learn 4 key guitar chords from classic grunge songs

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Natal launches Zenith: a vintage-inspired, modern drum kit in five finishes

By Stuart Williams29 September 2023

Bandcamp is under new ownership once again, as Epic Games offloads it to music licensing company Songtradr

By Ben Rogerson29 September 2023

Jack White’s Third Man Hardware and CopperSound team up for a special anniversary edition of the Triplegraph Digital Octave pedal

By Jonathan Horsley29 September 2023

There’s no need to wait for Black Friday with these software savings - Waves just dropped a load of titles to $29.99

By Chris Barnes29 September 2023

Al Di Meola suffers heart attack onstage – guitar maestro in stable condition and plans return to the stage in 2024

By Jonathan Horsley29 September 2023

5 underrated DAWs that aren't Logic, Ableton or Pro Tools, and why you should consider switching

By Andy Jones29 September 2023

Modern life getting you down? Here are 10 atmospheric DnB tracks that keep the ‘90s dream alive

By Tim Cant28 September 2023

“For pianists, it's a magical feature”: StaffPad can now generate sheet music just by ‘listening’ to your acoustic piano playing, which sounds like an AI-powered tool we could get on board with

By Ben Rogerson28 September 2023

Best Christmas gifts for piano players 2023: the ultimate festive gift guide for pianists

By Daryl Robertson28 September 2023

Moog Music breaks its silence on rumours of layoffs at its US headquarters: “We are looking forward to getting past this painful phase with renewed energy and enthusiasm”

By Ben Rogerson28 September 2023

Bored at work? This Max for Live device will turn your spreadsheets into music

By Matt Mullen28 September 2023

  1. Underrated DAWs
    1
    5 underrated DAWs that aren't Logic, Ableton or Pro Tools, and why you should consider switching
  2. 2
    “For pianists, it's a magical feature”: StaffPad can now generate sheet music just by ‘listening’ to your acoustic piano playing, which sounds like an AI-powered tool we could get on board with
  3. 3
    Nirvana session cellist Kera Schaley talks about playing on In Utero: "The funny thing about All Apologies is Steve kept trying to talk Kurt out of putting cello on it"
  4. 4
    “When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it once, turned around and, without saying a word, shook my hand" – the story of Megadeth's Tornado Of Souls
  5. 5
    Learn 5 classic blues guitar licks from Albert, Freddie and BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton
  1. Close-up of music keyboard
    1
    Yamaha, Korg, Roland and Casio face legal action from customers seeking compensation after all four companies were found to have engaged in price fixing in the UK
  2. 2
    “For pianists, it's a magical feature”: StaffPad can now generate sheet music just by ‘listening’ to your acoustic piano playing, which sounds like an AI-powered tool we could get on board with
  3. 3
    This 'experimental' new DAW has a ton of innovative features that we haven't seen anywhere else: "This is something that should have existed for years"
  4. 4
    “When I finished the solo to this one, Mustaine came into the studio, listened to it once, turned around and, without saying a word, shook my hand" – the story of Megadeth's Tornado Of Souls
  5. 5
    Moog Music breaks its silence on rumours of layoffs at its US headquarters: “We are looking forward to getting past this painful phase with renewed energy and enthusiasm”

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.