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Q: iTunes MP3 is performance better on PC than Mac?

When using the same iTunes library from a PC compared to a Mac running same version of iTunes, the Mac version of iTunes has a 3-5 sec lag starting to play mp3 files.  AAC files start instantly on both PC and Mac, but the MP3s while instant on PC, are slow loading on Mac.   Really annoying when switching/moving between tracks.

 

I'm thinking it's the mp3 decoded on Mac OS.  

 

Anyone experience this? Any ideas on how to fix?

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 4:18 PM

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Q: iTunes MP3 is performance better on PC than Mac?

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  • by Drew Reece,

    Drew Reece Drew Reece Oct 2, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Groovecontrol
    Level 5 (7,699 points)
    Notebooks
    Oct 2, 2016 4:26 PM in response to Groovecontrol

    What disks are in each machine?

     

    Spinning disks have a latency that can cause delays when reading & writing files. If you have a SSD in the PC & a slow spinning disk in the Mac you will see slower read times on the Mac. Upgrade to a SSD if that is the case or move some test files onto a fast USB3 disk.

     

    Also having more data on a spinning disk can cause slower reading & writing. You may be correct about the codecs but I have never compared so I can't be certain that is issue here.

     

    iTunes has the option to convert to AAC if you really want to convert everything. Set the preferences for importing to AAC & then select the files & convert them via the File menu.

     

    Also is the Mac indexing or doing any other tasks? If the disk or CPU is busy it can perform badly.