Which Macbook Pro?

[ADMProducer]

Ok guys, would appreciate a quick bit of help.

Scenario:

I'm going to university to study law in september. I'll need a laptop that is nice and portable to take to lectures, library etc.
However, I also make grime and dubstep beats on my iMac at home, using Logic. Been doing it for a year and half now and I don't want to give it up.

Question:

I am thinking of either getting the 13" MBP with the high spec processor.

Or a 15" MBP with the i5 processor. However I feel it may be a little big.

Will the 13" MBP with 4GB ram, probably upgrade to a SSD and it'll be (I think) 2.66ghz processor, be enough power running Logic smoothly, with perhaps a couple instances of massive, battery, absynth etc.

I don't usually surpass 20 channels. I keep it simple.

Thanks.
ADM

[samkablaam]

i use logic on an oldish white macbook with 4 gigs and 2.1 ghz. so any will work.

but seeings as you cant upgrade the processor and stuff when it gets old and tired, you might as well save a bit extra and get the 15" with i7 or i5. you'll be happy when in 3 years its still running what you throw at it. also, dont get the ssd, get the 7200rpm if they still do them. ssd is a bit shit for audio, just lighter and increases battery life.

[hayze99]

Right, I just went through this whole process a month ago.

Shit to consider:

-The 15" standard screen is shit. The glossiness of it, and low resolution makes the whole thing seem like a toy. Spend the extra money and upgrade to a hi-res matte screen. (I got the glossy originally, and then sent it back, it was that bad)

-I did a bit of research, and apparently the difference between the 2,4 and 2,5 processors are negligible. I've now gone through both of them and that is true (if anything, my 2.4 is faster for some reason). I've had a process monitor on my screen for both laptops 24/7, and there is literally no difference at all.

-It may be because I just moved to Spain, but the 7200RPM drive is HOT. I mean seriously hot. The 5400 wasn't quite as bad, and I really havn't seen much difference between the 2 whatsoever.

I went for the 15" in the end, and decided to keep using my old computer for DJing, and just use this one for production. The screen is the perfect size, I honestly couldn't imagine it being any smaller, but I guess I'm just used to it. Enjoy!

[vertx]

The 15" screen is a minimum for Logic, i've found the glossy screen not much of a problem if you are working inside most of the time, if you want to spend less get the 5400 drive and later on take out the CD/DVD drive an add a 7200 if needed(You can replace the internal cd/dvd drive with a better USB blue-ray drive too), and remember that SSDs slow down over time and they charge a fair bit more for them too from memory.

Also i have the last version MBP with a 2.66ghz core 2d which has been fine to run around 40 tracks with effects so any of the new "i" processors in the the current MBPs should be more than enough.

Whatever you decide i'm sure you'll be happy, i can't more highly recommend the build quality of MBPs, mine survived a fall off the roof of my car at about 15-20km/h with only minimal screen damage and dents in the casing.

[dubmatters]

can someone explain why an ssd isn't good for audio?

I thought it would be a good thing since the hd is normally the slowest part of the system.

i5/i7 with hi rez screen is the one to go for.

[Project_B]

id also like to know why SSD's arent good for audio being that they outperform HDD's hands down in every way. Apart from cost ofc.

[ResetTheAtari]

I have had two macbook pro's lately and both have failed and would have cost more to fix than to get a new laptop. Sticking to Dell's from now on. Better build quality these days and you can get like double the spec of a mac for normally less money. If you really must use OSX, simply hackbook it.

[dokie]

I have had two macbook pro's lately and both have failed and would have cost more to fix than to get a new laptop. Sticking to Dell's from now on. Better build quality these days and you can get like double the spec of a mac for normally less money. If you really must use OSX, simply hackbook it.

This is true -- my mac broke down once and LUCKILY i had warranty still on it, otherwise it would of cost around 700 quid to fix .

[samkablaam]

ssds arent that good for audio because although the time it takes to find the file is like 0 seconds or something, its slower at actually reading/writing than a normal hard drive. think of it like using a flash drive as your actual hard drive. one day they will be literally amazing and will make writing files ridiculously fast. but not yet.

didnt know the 7200 was hot, but i guess 5400 isnt bad either. thats what i have in mine.

just spend a while thinking about the processor and graphics card because they are the things you are stuck with until you buy a new laptop. you can upgrade the memory later if you need to. in fact, dont get it when you buy the laptop, get the cheapest option, then do it yourself. you'll prob save a ton or something.

[ninjadog]

I'd say get the 13, you can always hook it up to an other screen or a HDTV if you feel it's too small. I'm on a 2.2 core duo white macbook thats like 3 or 4 years old and it can still hold it's own. Whatever you get just make sure you get the extended warrenty.
I can't believe that guy who had one fall off his car roof and it dident die...Mine fell off the bathroom counter top and the HD crashed. Told Apple I dunno what happened and like 3 business days later it was sent back fixed.