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Quarantine Macbook Testing - Interesting Findings

Thumpinshelton

Thumpinshelton

Apr 10, 2010
732
1,044
Northern Indiana/Nashville,TN
#1
Obviously like most I have more time on my hands than I really want! Like so many others that means more recording, streaming, and just spending time in the woodshed. However, of all things to happen why not have my MacBook Pro (2015) go out on me. So, thus started the search again for the replacement. In the meantime I needed to get some things finished. So, I had just purchased my son a MacBook Air for his next phase of life as a college student in the fall and used it to finish my projects. I went with the basic i3/256gb model. I loaded up Logix Pro X and transferred my files over. 38 tracks of mainly live audio from a few of our shows prior to COVID-19 and also another project I am working on for a client. Now, over time you always hear the "more power" the best and please understand I agree with this for the most part. What shocked me was running 3 different projects with basic EQ and processing the CPU usage never went over 30-40% on just the basic entry processor. I decided to push it a little and added several higher end plugins and a few virtual instruments to push it. Even with all of that going it still barely touched 50% or peak much higher. So, I guess for me it made me want to say to a anyone looking at their options and considering the Mac route that depending on your needs maybe you don't need the "biggest" model. Just some random thoughts from a guy who just loves playing bass....haha!
 
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#3
revd said:
While I agree, it's worth mentioning that audio tracks themselves are not particularly taxing.

If you use of lot of plugins like I do, you need the most CPU power you can get/afford.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100%. I guess I am just throwing it out for the hobby recorder. Someone who likes to do some light recording of shows or even demos. OF course higher level productions with multiple high quality plugins, virtual instruments, midi tracks, etc will need the most power you can get. Since I do some of those as well I will be going with a higher end CPU, but was just shocked at how well the performance was from the lowest spec'd Macbook.
 
#4
According to "Moore's law" it's not surprising that a 2020 computer would outperform a 2015 computer. Indeed, a quick visit to GeekBench tells me that the 2020 MacBook Air i3 has better single-core performance than the 2015 MacBook Pro i7.

For tasks that depend on multi-core processing, a 4-core MacBook Pro will outperform the 2-core MacBook Air.
 
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#5
Just went through this with my wife. Her MacBook Pro from 2012 finally died. Everything being soldered in and not upgradeable made new purchases a difficult decision. I used our SC tax holiday and talked the Apple phone rep into deep discounting the Apple Care so we got her MBP 13” with an upgraded processor and 16gb of RAM. Wish we could have bumped her storage beyond 256gb, but for her machine was the most we could justify.

I would always recommend buying Apple Refurbished as a way to get a brand new warrantied machine at several hundred discount.
 
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#7
Thumpinshelton said:
I agree with you 100%. I guess I am just throwing it out for the hobby recorder. Someone who likes to do some light recording of shows or even demos. OF course higher level productions with multiple high quality plugins, virtual instruments, midi tracks, etc will need the most power you can get. Since I do some of those as well I will be going with a higher end CPU, but was just shocked at how well the performance was from the lowest spec'd Macbook.
Click to expand...

Incredible power these days for sure. I got a family member with a new Air and the thing rocks much more than it should!

My stuff's all electronic with recently-added bass so I still have to keep an eye on CPU even with a relatively powerful iMac.
 
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#8
If you primarily use virtual instruments then a multi core CPU is a must. SampleTank is a real hog! If you are singer/guitar player and just recording audio you can get away with a less powerful computer.

For those new to DAW it's always been a common practice to export and/or convert virtual instruments to audio in your recording software to save CPU power.
 
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#10
Every thread about computers needs one, so this is the post telling you to save your money and get a Windows based computer with hardware that you can upgrade in the future.

Of course, brand loyalty is a thing and it's very obvious on this website (among many other places), so... do what you can afford and what makes you happy.
 
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#12
a 2015 Mac book pro should be fine for awhile.
I just upgraded... to a an old 2014 MBP. :D
New games and 4k video editing are the common things that require super power.
audio is easy... If it ain't, think about your song composition instead of compy intensive fidley fadily blah blah.
 
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#14
DanAdams said:
a 2015 Mac book pro should be fine for awhile.
I just upgraded... to a an old 2014 MBP. :D
New games and 4k video editing are the common things that require super power.
audio is easy... If it ain't, think about your song composition instead of compy intensive fidley fadily blah blah.
Click to expand...

“compy intensive fidley fadily blah blah“

I think I found my album title :)
 
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#15
logdrum said:
I always tell folks that they need to spend money on the interface. Apollo Twin is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Provided you're using UA plugins, in which case it's the best value around. If you're not using UA plugs then the Apollo series is quite overpriced for the quality of converters, which aren't bad but don't compare to those spec'd from companies like MOTU, RME, etc. when comparing at the same price point.
 
#16
logdrum said:
I always tell folks that they need to spend money on the interface. Apollo Twin is the way to go. You can use older Macs and still win on the latency game. And SSD drive.
Click to expand...

I totally agree here as well. I ordered one of the SSL interfaces, but it hasn't been shipped yet. I have also considered an Apollo, but have not made that leap yet. I have heard nothing but amazing things from Apollo users.
 
#17
DanAdams said:
a 2015 Mac book pro should be fine for awhile.
I just upgraded... to a an old 2014 MBP. :D
New games and 4k video editing are the common things that require super power.
audio is easy... If it ain't, think about your song composition instead of compy intensive fidley fadily blah blah.
Click to expand...

Yea, I definitely did not expect to lose this one yet and normally they last for much longer. Just was not the case here.....I cannot complain though. I got a lot of digital miles out of this one. Now, it is time to upgrade.
 
#19
On a Mac, MOTU interfaces rock.

I'm still using my Ultralite original, what, 10 years old now?

On a PC I'd use RME (probably a step up from MOTU and solid PC drivers, but MOTU is good enough for me and their Mac connectivity is great).

No doubt UA are good but I have no interest in their plugin ecosystem, I prefer native VSTs and AUs.
 
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