MacBook Pro

brianh · #1 12-25-2009, 10:44 AM

Ok home studio guys-

I have a lot of experience recording as a player but am just now getting around to building a home studio.... Currently, I really only intend on doing high-quality email sessions (bass guitar, upright bass, keyboards) and demos but obviously I want some options for more extensive work at home. I imagine I will want to run Logic or Pro Tools, with the ability to use my Avalon preamp.

I just got a new MacBook Pro and before I move forward I just want to make sure it'll meet my needs, as I am a new mac user.
Here's the basic specs:
-2.53GHz intel core 2 duo processor; 3mb shared level 2 cache
-4GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
-250GB 5400-rpm hard drive
-13.3 in screen
-NVIDIA GeForce graphics processor
-SD card slot, FW 800, 2 usb 2.0
-optical digital audio output
(obviously there's other specs but i don't they matter for this)

I'm curious if these will meet my needs and if I should consider upgrading the computer, or setting something else entirely. I'm sure a lot of you guys are experienced in this, so any help would be great.

fleabee · #2 12-25-2009, 10:49 AM

You're golden. The only minus about the macbook pro's are the slower hard drive speeds and only 250gb's of space.

brianh · #3 12-25-2009, 10:50 AM

but i could easily expand the hard drive to fix this....if it becomes an issue - right?

Andrew Jones · #4 12-25-2009, 10:55 AM

If you can still return,,,,, Do it and get either the 15 inch or a macbook in 13.

That machine is SO similar to the macbook it's not worth it.

The 15 on the other hand is a big step up.

fleabee · #5 12-25-2009, 10:57 AM

Hard drive replacement is a quick 5 minute job at most. If im not mistaken you can run an additional monitor using the adapter that came with the mac if you wanted additional screen space. I do that with my 17" Macbook pro.

Andrew Jones · #6 12-25-2009, 11:01 AM

The other thing is be AWARE the the Pro is at the end of it's standard 1 year shelf cycle before the intro of the newer model of self.

In other words in like a month there will be a new for you to get.

Aj

stephenrheard · #7 12-25-2009, 11:04 AM

Regular Macbook doesn't have Firewire anymore so I'd stick with the pro. I'd also recommend getting an external 7200 rpm 3.5" FW hard drive to record on to, so you're not recording onto your boot drive.

Also maybe a cheap external monitor? I record on my 13" Macbook (it is an older model with firewire still) and the screen size is the only thing that really bugs me. BTW it's only a 2.4 ghz, so you're prob good unless you just go crazy with multiple tracks.

Have fun!

fleabee · #8 12-25-2009, 11:04 AM

This is true, but in the past year the newer one was a step back

brianh · #9 12-25-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenrheard

Regular Macbook doesn't have Firewire anymore so I'd stick with the pro. I'd also recommend getting an external 7200 rpm 3.5" FW hard drive to record on to, so you're not recording onto your boot drive.

Also maybe a cheap external monitor? I record on my 13" Macbook (it is an older model with firewire still) and the screen size is the only thing that really bugs me. BTW it's only a 2.4 ghz, so you're prob good unless you just go crazy with multiple tracks.

Have fun!

any idea what that hard drive would cost?

fleabee · #10 12-25-2009, 11:27 AM

$100-150 typically

Andrew Jones · #11 12-25-2009, 04:21 PM

Listen to me,,,I know what i saying here. It's true that the macbook got rid of FW this year. That is messed up.

BUT

If you really want what you have , Wait 13 days of your 14 day return time...return it. BUY the new one thats you gonna wait another week or two for. The new (rumored) Arrandale chip set alone is worth it,,,,,, In the 13 if they actually got off their ass and used a non integrated graphics processor(the main reason the macbook and pro are so similar) in the 13 that thing will SMOKE the machine you have. You might actually get a matte screen as a option.

Aj

brianh · #12 12-25-2009, 04:44 PM

are you sure a new one is coming out in January? I've haven't found anything indicating that....

Andrew Jones · #13 12-25-2009, 04:55 PM

Yes,,I'm sure there even the first adds popping up.

http://www.computerstore.uci.edu/

wait for the announcements and yes I know the link doesn't work.

They're at 200 days on a product that reintroduces on a paturn of 200 days.

They're slashing and blowing out the existing stock.

Aj

REAPER52 · #14 12-25-2009, 05:07 PM

Mac show west is usually in jan.and the mac show NYC in july. this is usually when the new stuff gets out.and mac is very secrative about what is coming out. google mac rumors -and get the latest rumors at least .this close to jan -i would wait and see what they have coming out...

Andrew Jones · #15 12-25-2009, 05:12 PM

Yes, Macrumors,,,thats where all my info is coming from.

I have friends who work for the company and it's where they go for info as well.

Aj