Question about Macs

[crimson_basser]

Ok, i figured i would ask you guys, as you probably care more about a brother than the typical salesmen.

Im looking into getting a Mac computer, it will be my personal computer and computer for recording.

First off, i plan on using external hardrives to save everything, as to keep the computer and as clean and as efficient as possible.

And second, i intend on using Logic 8, unless i find somethign else i prefer.


Now, it has been suggested (by a salesman) to me that if the Macbooks are not the best way to go, as they dont have the same processing power as say, an Imac or Mac Pro.

Ive been looking them up online, and it seems to me, that some of the Macbooks do match up with some of the lower end Imacs in terms of specs.

Does this mean that the salesman was trying to get me to buy something specific, or something more expensive than what i actually need?

Or am i wrong in that assumption? Are the parts different/different systems/not work the same etc?

A little bit of lightshed would be much appreciated.

Obviously, a Mac Pro would be the best option, but as of right now, i really dont think i cant afford it. So basically, Im looking at either the Macbooks or an Imac.

Please no flaming, or anti mac comments or whatever. Id just like honest information (hopefully from people with experience) so i can make the best decision.

Thank you

(also, i put this in OT because even though its related to recording, its more of a general computer question, if need be, move thread)

[iamlowsound]

the iMac would be better, as (well last time I checked) you could get a better computer for the same price. A macbook would work well, there are lots of people that used them for recording.

lowsound

[crispygoat]

If you match the specs of both the iMac and the Macbook, I do not see why an iMac would be better?

Although, an iMac would be better because some recording hardware use firewire and the new Macbooks do not have firewire ports.

you could get a better computer for the same price.

Obviously that too.

[crimson_basser]

AHH ^^^
of course

i completely forgot, that kind of narrows everything down quite a bit....


in that case then, specifically which Imac would be best suited based on what i want it to do?

i mean, i have a 2.4 ghz computer at home with 1.87 gigs of ram, and it cant even run Nuendo with all the plugins and tracks...

Would it be any different with an Imac of similar/same caliber?

[L-A]

If the salesman was informed, he recommended the iMac because of the fact that it has a 7200RPM hard drive, which is something you'll appreciate if you record several tracks over a firewire i/o device. I'd also add that the screen size of an iMac is a lot more pleasing than the 15 inch MB screen I'm using right now (I used to record on a first gen Intel iMac).

The firewire port is still present on the Macbook Pro, BTW.

[crispygoat]

D'apres moi tu serais correct avec le 2.66 ghz. Mon iMac est de 2.16 ghz avec 1 gig de ram et Logic fonction comme il faut. Mais la encore je ne fait pas des grosses sessions. J'ai un copain qui a un iMac de 2.4 ghz avec 4 gig de ram et il travaille comme engenieur de son. A moin que tu veux un plus gros écran, d'apres moi tu serais correct avec 2.16 ghz et ajouter du ram. Tu peux toujours ajouter du ram plus tard.

[crispygoat]

Originally Posted by L-A

If the salesman was informed, he recommended the iMac because of the fact that it has a 7200RPM hard drive, which is something you'll appreciate if you record several tracks over a firewire i/o device. I'd also add that the screen size of an iMac is a lot more pleasing than the 15 inch MB screen I'm using right now (I used to record on a first gen Intel iMac).

The firewire port is still present on the Macbook Pro, BTW.

Yeah sorry about that. It's just not present on the Macbooks.

[crimson_basser]

im not french, but thanks for the thought
hahahaha
i understood though


and the firewire on the macbook pro is firewire 800, not the regular 400 (which is what my interface uses) is this a problem? is there some sort of adaptor that will solve this, or is it non compatible?

So, i should be fine with the 20 inch 2.66 ghz Imac?
Is ram able to be added after the fact without problem? Or should i special order it with more?

Also, im not too concerned about having a 20 inch or 24 inch screen. At that point, i really dont care. I have no problem spending the money to get what i need, but i wont indulge in something i dont have to.

btw, i hate computers

[crispygoat]

Then what are you doing in Montreal? haha

Yeah according to me you should be fine. Yes it's easy to add ram... well it was on the previous generation. Depending on how many tracks you want to have, plugins and the such I believe you are fine with 2 gigs of ram. If you plan on using many plugins you should add some ram though.

[L-A]

The iMac will do the job just fine.

You can change the RAM yourself with a screwdriver. The iMacs use laptop RAM, which makes the process really easy.

I don't think you'll have problems using the Firewire 800 port. I don't, at least, but I'm no expert.

[crimson_basser]

Then what are you doing in Montreal? haha

Yeah according to me you should be fine. Yes it's easy to add ram... well it was on the previous generation. Depending on how many tracks you want to have, plugins and the such I believe you are fine with 2 gigs of ram. If you plan on using many plugins you should add some ram though.

Haha, ive lived here my whole life. I live in the West Island, its like the english refuge on the island. My dad and most of his family are french. I can speak it

Anyways, my concern is that as of right now on my computer, which has nearly the same specs as the Imac in question, cannot run Nuendo with plugins and all the tracks from my bands recording sessions.

Will the slightly better specs on the Imac really make all the difference? Im talking 2.66 Ghz and 2 gigs of RAM (Imac)compared to 2.41 Ghz and 1.87 gigs of RAM. (current home pc)

The iMac will do the job just fine.

You can change the RAM yourself with a screwdriver. The iMacs use laptop RAM, which makes the process really easy.

I don't think you'll have problems using the Firewire 800 port. I don't, at least, but I'm no expert.

I can connect the firewire 400 cable into the 800 port?
I dont think thats possible.. but i could be wrong

And its possible (and simple) to add ram to the Imac after purchase?

[crispygoat]

Originally Posted by crimson_basser

Haha, ive lived here my whole life. I live in the West Island, its like the english refuge on the island. My dad and most of his family are french. I can speak it

Anyways, my concern is that as of right now on my computer, which has nearly the same specs as the Imac in question, cannot run Nuendo with plugins and all the tracks from my bands recording sessions.

Will the slightly better specs on the Imac really make all the difference? Im talking 2.66 Ghz and 2 gigs of RAM (Imac)compared to 2.41 Ghz and 1.87 gigs of RAM. (current home pc)




I can connect the firewire 400 cable into the 800 port?
I dont think thats possible.. but i could be wrong

And its possible (and simple) to add ram to the Imac after purchase?

You can't connect a firewire 400 cable into a 800 port. There are several adapters for that though.

Yes it is easy to add ram. Easier than a PC. There are 2 screws under the screen that will give you access to the ram. Upgrading other specs isn't as easy though.

Are you running Windows Vista?

The Mac OS' requirements are way lower than Windows Vista. 867 MHz processor and 512 mb of ram are the lowest requirements.

[anchor_th]

Originally Posted by crispygoat

Yes it is easy to add ram. Easier than a PC. There are 2 screws under the screen that will give you access to the ram.

As opposed to not having to have a screwdriver and just sliding the case off?

[crimson_basser]

Originally Posted by crispygoat

You can't connect a firewire 400 cable into a 800 port. There are several adapters for that though.

Yes it is easy to add ram. Easier than a PC. There are 2 screws under the screen that will give you access to the ram. Upgrading other specs isn't as easy though.

Are you running Windows Vista?

No sir, XP
Not sure which version specifically though.

And as for the firewire issue, i dont think i will be getting a Macbook Pro anyways, as i can get a stronger Imac for less. (from what i can see anyways)

And like i said, the only thing i plan on having on the computer are programs, and basic files.

All music, recordings, everything else will be saved on externals. So i wouldnt necessarily need a ridiculous amount of memory on the hard drive.

Though its always useful.

Also, Logic Studio or Express? Which would be better and why?

[newbold]

only get a macbook pro if you need to be portable.

[patzilla83]

i have one of the last generation black macbooks. 2.2 ghz and 4gb's of ram. love the thing. logic is a great program especially for writing, but before you drop the cash, i would suggest that you try logic express, and then if you like it, buy the upgrade to studio. either computer would be fine for what you're wanting to do. however, i do recommend getting an external HD if you go for the macbook. what you get depends on what you want to do. i use mine for general computing and surfing the web and onsite recording. it's also handy if you plan on doing recording at practices and stuff. easier to move than an imac.

[crimson_basser]

mine will be used for both personal computer and recording
basically, i would like to have a computer that could become my DAW if/when i build an actual studio

so, i would like it to be strong enough for that as well when the time comes

and i have no problems with it not being portable, if i could have somethign strong enough and be portable that would be amazing... but i wont push it

[coreyfyfe]

iMac should suit you well. My drummer and I both use macbooks, and until our friend dumped a beer through it, he was using a macbook pro. He still prefers the pro, but finances were tight when he had to purchase the new computer. The benefit to the laptops is portability, and since we tend to jump around to different studios either at berklee or some of our friends or at our practice space it just makes things easier to transport. We do all our recording with protools and keep everything on an external hardrive.

[Freddels]

The new Macbooks do not have a firewire connector. I have no idea why Apple decided on doing away with that. Since you want to have external hard drives, you will probably want a firewire connector. The Macbook Pro or the iMac would probably do a better job than the Macbook anyway.