Macbook Pro 13" or 15"

[GODSENT]

Due to the fact that I'm trynna save a little money if I can, I'm torn between the processing power of the two laptops (2.26 and 2.53 respectively). My question is would the lesser of the two processors be that much slower to where it would be useless? Or should I be fine with it?
I want to do email sessions, recording with use of some plugins and maybe even use it as a virtual rig. Thanks for your help.

[JulienJeff]

the 2.26 should be sufficient. I have it and i've never had any problems.
I don't know if you know mac, but 2.26 for a mac is (much) more than 2.26 for a PC running under windows.
I also prefer the smaller screen (13"). Very portable, you can bring it anywhere

[amroach]

I'm also making the same decision at the moment and swaying towards the 13'' but was wondering its to small to work on properly, but like the idea of it being small and more compact for transportation, I'm also wondering if the price difference between the 13'' and 15'' i can justify.

Alex

[JulienJeff]

my 13" is my only computer and I've never thought it was too small. you get used to the size

[amroach]

Is that a Mac book or Mac book Pro?

[foq1978]

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

the 2.26 should be sufficient. I have it and i've never had any problems.
I don't know if you know mac, but 2.26 for a mac is (much) more than 2.26 for a PC running under windows.
I also prefer the smaller screen (13"). Very portable, you can bring it anywhere

+ 1

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

my 13" is my only computer and I've never thought it was too small. you get used to the size

+ 1.

Just compare the macbook pro specs with Logic Pro requirements:

Minimum requirements to install all applications
Mac computer with an Intel processor
1GB of RAM (2GB or more highly recommended)
Display with 1280-by-800 or higher resolution
Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later
QuickTime 7.6 or later
DVD drive for installation
PCI Express, ExpressCard/34, USB, or FireWire-based audio interface recommended
Additional recommendations for Logic Pro 9
At least 2GB of RAM for large EXS instruments
USB musical keyboard (or suitable MIDI keyboard and interface) for instruments
Logic Node requires a Mac computer with an Intel Core processor

[GODSENT]

Originally Posted by amroach

Is that a Mac book or Mac book Pro?

Macbook pro.



Hey guys....what about using it for live performances? Do you think id have problems using synth sounds live?

[JulienJeff]

Originally Posted by amroach

Is that a Mac book or Mac book Pro?

I use a "simple" mac book. It's more than sufficient for internet, iTunes, garage band and so on.

[Frettage]

The speed difference between the two processors is negligable. For the price difference, you'd be better off installing extra RAM.

[Charling]

yeah, even the lesser of the two laptops you mention will be charging, super powerful. People used to do live shows on power books and older with no problems.

Even the slowest computers sold these days are MORE than powerful for anything audio related, its just a mater of reliability and thats a case of keeping your os nice and tidy/maintained.

As for the comment about a mac being faster than the same-spec pc, thats not true anymore, hasn't been for a long while. But it doesn't matter because both of them will run MUCH faster than you need for audio.

The bigger issue is hard drive speed and ram. RAM is easy and cheap to upgrade whenever if you find you need more. A hard drive is important, audio recording should be done to a seperate drive to the OS drive, ESPECIALLY with laptops. Both because laptop drives are often not fast enough to cope with all those tasks but also because they are more prone to failure when stessed.

Make sure the macbook you are buying has firewire, preferably both 400 and 800 and get a nice firewire drive which spins at 7200 or faster. For big projects (40 tracks+) or high sample rates look for a firewire 800 drive, if not a 400 should be fine.

You can always add a larger screen later for home use!

I use a macbook pro 15" (from the last generation) 2.6 dual core, with a G-Tech quad drive. Its a very fast combo, and I can run almost as big projects as I can on the pro tools rig at work! (pretty good for a laptop!)

O

[GODSENT]

Originally Posted by Charling

yeah, even the lesser of the two laptops you mention will be charging, super powerful. People used to do live shows on power books and older with no problems.

Even the slowest computers sold these days are MORE than powerful for anything audio related, its just a mater of reliability and thats a case of keeping your os nice and tidy/maintained.

As for the comment about a mac being faster than the same-spec pc, thats not true anymore, hasn't been for a long while. But it doesn't matter because both of them will run MUCH faster than you need for audio.

The bigger issue is hard drive speed and ram. RAM is easy and cheap to upgrade whenever if you find you need more. A hard drive is important, audio recording should be done to a seperate drive to the OS drive, ESPECIALLY with laptops. Both because laptop drives are often not fast enough to cope with all those tasks but also because they are more prone to failure when stessed.

Make sure the macbook you are buying has firewire, preferably both 400 and 800 and get a nice firewire drive which spins at 7200 or faster. For big projects (40 tracks+) or high sample rates look for a firewire 800 drive, if not a 400 should be fine.

You can always add a larger screen later for home use!

I use a macbook pro 15" (from the last generation) 2.6 dual core, with a G-Tech quad drive. Its a very fast combo, and I can run almost as big projects as I can on the pro tools rig at work! (pretty good for a laptop!)

O

Yeah, I plan on using an external hard drive to store sessions on but use the internal hard drive for software only, and I figure I could upgrade the ram later myself and save a few hundred dollars.............I think ill bite!

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

I don't know if you know mac, but 2.26 for a mac is (much) more than 2.26 for a PC running under windows.

I'm not sure if this hold true anymore since the switch to intel. Using the old Motorola chips, yes, an equivalent clock speed was faster on the mac.

As far as the original question goes, I shouldn't worry too much about the difference between the two processors, there's not a lot in it for the thing you intend to do, they're both more than powerful enough. However, the old adage of get the most powerful you can afford stands you well for the future and the lifespan of the machine.

I would be more concerned though with the choice of screen size. Email, web surfing, basic recording and as a live rig should be fine with the 13". But if you intend to get serious about recording and sequencing, screen real estate is your friend. The more you can see at one time the better. Although you could always plug in and external monitor at a later date - in which case the 13" may be the better option for portabilities sake.

I'd also advise looking on the apple refurb store before committing to anything. I was looking at getting the basic spec 13" alu macbook (before it became a pro model). I looked on the refurb store and found a top spec, faster with backlit keys etc 13", added apple care for less than the basic brand new one! The refurbs have been used, but checked over by apple, anything wrong is fixed and sold in the same condition as new with same a full years warranty as new machines.

The only downside with refurbs is you can't purchase on finance, you have to pay outright or credit card.

[JulienJeff]

Originally Posted by GODSENT

Yeah, I plan on using an external hard drive to store sessions on but use the internal hard drive for software only, and I figure I could upgrade the ram later myself and save a few hundred dollars.............I think ill bite!

Apple charges a lot to add rams later. I think it's better and less expensive to do it when you order the laptop.
As said above, you'd better go with the slowest of the 2 processors, but add rams (well, I say that but I have 2 Go of ram in my macbook and I don't need more)

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

Apple charges a lot to add rams later. I think it's better and less expensive to do it when you order the laptop.
As said above, you'd better go with the slowest of the 2 processors, but add rams (well, I say that but I have 2 Go of ram in my macbook and I don't need more)

Installing ram in a macbook pro is dead easy. Save money and do it yourself later than paying through the nose for apple to do it. The latest models since going 'unibody' have made things like this, even upgrading the hard drive so much easier.

[azureblue]

are the real issue. USB2 will handle 2 tracks of audio coming and going, and an external drive, but for multi track audio, you need at least firewire 400.

[oi_pride]

get a computer with linux os. the software is free and it is far more stable than windows or mac.

[Frettage]

A few notes:

* Upgrading RAM in the machines is simple, but be aware that if you plan to install it later, you'll end up with RAM you can't use, as Apple always pairs their memory to boost speed, so you'll have to remove at least one stick of RAM, preferably both. If you order online you can configure it ahead of time, but you'll pay a bit more. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you buy a good brand like Kingston. Apple has had issues in the past with firmware updates breaking machines with third-party RAM. Although it used to be much more expensive to order the extra RAM from Apple, this isn't really true anymore. Check prices online.

* The current MacBook Pro only has Firewire 800, not 400. You may need an adapter depending on what you're doing.

* If you plan to take this machine gigging, get yourself AppleCare and Orbicule's Undercover.

[ssbass]

Originally Posted by JulienJeff

the 2.26 should be sufficient. I have it and i've never had any problems.
I don't know if you know mac, but 2.26 for a mac is (much) more than 2.26 for a PC running under windows.
I also prefer the smaller screen (13"). Very portable, you can bring it anywhere

+1 I have the 2.26 with 13" screen and love it. You can get the refurbished at the apple site alot cheaper.

[ga_edwards]

Originally Posted by oi_pride

get a computer with linux os. the software is free and it is far more stable than windows or mac.

Let's not get into a mac v windows v linux war. We already have one of those elsewhere on the boards, we don't need another.

The OP is asking specifically about Mac's, that's what he wants.

Sorry if this comes across as terse, but it needs to be said before a flame war ensues.

[JulienJeff]

Originally Posted by ga_edwards

Let's not get into a mac v windows v linux war. We already have one of those elsewhere on the boards, we don't need another.

The OP is asking specifically about Mac's, that's what he wants.

Sorry if this comes across as terse, but it needs to be said before a flame war ensues.

+1