New Laptop for producing

[Dhinojosa94]

I currently have a 2010 13' MPB with the following specs:
-8gbRam
-2.6 Intel Core Duo
-750GB

...and currently use logic pro 9, however i cant seem to run more than 5-6 Sylenth1 tracks + 5 audio tracks at the same time without the system overloading (even when running in 64 bit). My current computer right now is already too beat up and im looking to buy a new MBP and im looking at the following options.

Current Models
2.6(or 2., 16gb RAM 13' Macbook Pro
2.3 16gb RAM 15' Macbook Pro

Or get a Mid 2012 2.7 15'16gb Macbook Pro

The main focus of the computer will be producing and DJing(current one can handle it pretty well so no issues there) Can anyone guide as to which is a better producing system? I find it weird that the 15' has a smaller gh processor.

It MUST be Mac, please lets avoid any windows vs mac discussion here.

[AxeD]

The one you currently have should do fine, but it isn't so we'll skip that.

I don't get it though, any 2012/2013 pro will do better than fine.
I have a 2012 8GB 2.4 and yeah it doesn't let me load twelve instances of bullshit,
but is that really the thing that's holding your production back?

The end product is most likely an mp3 anyway, so just commit and bounce down.

[Dhinojosa94]

The one you currently have should do fine, but it isn't so we'll skip that.

I don't get it though, any 2012/2013 pro will do better than fine.
I have a 2012 8GB 2.4 and yeah it doesn't let me load twelve instances of bullshit,
but is that really the thing that's holding your production back?

The end product is most likely an mp3 anyway, so just commit and bounce down.

I still need a new laptop, this one is banged up really badly from careless gigging.

If you had to choose one of the above, which one would you choose

[bassbum]

This isnt about Windows v MacOS this is about the hardware specs. The PC bellow is better(for production) and look at the prices. If you have your heart set on mac software I would say build a hackingtosh. Then you can have MacOS on PC hardware.

Mac - 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 8GB Ram - £1,749 (taken from the apple website)

PC - 3.8GHz CPU AMD X4 Raid with 8GB Ram - £408.97 (taken from bellow link)

(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... catid=2475)

But if you are happy to pay £1,749 for less than a £408 PC then you do that.

All that aside. I have a "3.6ghz i5 650 and 6GB Ram" right now and I have projects with around 120-170 tracks before I hit the CPU wall (depending on what I have on each track.)

[bassbum]

The one you currently have should do fine, but it isn't so we'll skip that.

I don't get it though, any 2012/2013 pro will do better than fine.
I have a 2012 8GB 2.4 and yeah it doesn't let me load twelve instances of bullshit,
but is that really the thing that's holding your production back?

The end product is most likely an mp3 anyway, so just commit and bounce down.

I dont agree with you at all. Obviously not having to bounce down is better. Workflow is faster and you never lose any control.

Also considering you can get a 3.8ghz PC for £400 theses days I would argue that a 2.4 is outdated. I know not everyone is rich but £400 for a PC is not much really when that same specs would cost you around £1000 4 years ago.

[SunkLo]

Yeah don't get a Mac ffs. There's better ways to throw away money.

[Simulant]

This isnt about Windows v MacOS this is about the hardware specs. The PC bellow is better(for production) and look at the prices. If you have your heart set on mac software I would say build a hackingtosh. Then you can have MacOS on PC hardware.

Mac - 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 8GB Ram - £1,749 (taken from the apple website)

PC - 3.8GHz CPU AMD X4 Raid with 8GB Ram - £408.97 (taken from bellow link)

(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... catid=2475)

But if you are happy to pay £1,749 for less than a £408 PC then you do that.

All that aside. I have a "3.6ghz i5 650 and 6GB Ram" right now and I have projects with around 120-170 tracks before I hit the CPU wall (depending on what I have on each track.)

I don't really agree with this. Firstly, CPU speed is only useful when comparing two CPUs using the same architecture. Comparing an AMD to an Intel using Ghz is pointless, Intel's cores are a lot more powerful than AMD's cores.

Secondly, building a hackintosh laptop isn't the easiest thing to do, you need compatible hardware and it's harder to swap parts out of a laptop.

Lastly, you'd lose the build quality. For a desktop I wouldn't care so much, but for a laptop I'd rather have the one piece aluminium chassis, glass track pad etc. That way it'll work perfectly. Either that or get a PC, which the OP has said he doesn't want to do.

[SunkLo]

Yeah I'd probably go Intel regardless of whether I was going to go Hackintosh or Win7.

There are lists of compatible hardware for hackintoshes though. Obviously your options are a bit more limited for notebooks if you're completely averse to swapping hardware. But a couple hours' research and configuration could save you over a grand. It's something I'd probably invest in if I was really attached to OSX.

Regarding build quality, I'm sure you could find a sexy laptop. There's some well built PCs out there, assuming you're not comparing bottom of the line to a Macbook Pro.

[legend4ry]

Did you really start a thread asking what mac to buy?


The best you can afford is the answer, it is always the answer when talking about Apple.

[bassbum]

I don't really agree with this. Firstly, CPU speed is only useful when comparing two CPUs using the same architecture. Comparing an AMD to an Intel using Ghz is pointless, Intel's cores are a lot more powerful than AMD's cores.

I feel this is nit picking and I could find a Intel PC or laptop that would still be a hell of a lot cheaper than a Mac.

Secondly, building a hackintosh laptop isn't the easiest thing to do, you need compatible hardware and it's harder to swap parts out of a laptop.

Lastly, you'd lose the build quality. For a desktop I wouldn't care so much, but for a laptop I'd rather have the one piece aluminium chassis, glass track pad etc. That way it'll work perfectly. Either that or get a PC, which the OP has said he doesn't want to do.

This is true I got ahead of myself forgetting he wanted a laptop and was only thinking in PC terms. You are also right that the build quality of a Mac is very good.

OP if you really need it to be a MacOS and a laptop then go with Apple. I would ask you to consider a Windows/linux laptop though because you will save around half the money for a better spec.

These all have a aluminium case and you even have the option to get a i7... have a look.
http://www.dell.com/uk/p/laptops?s=dhs& ... ia-laptops

[AxeD]

Why is this still about Mac vs. Windows now?
I have some very good reasons to choose mbp over top end Windows.

Anyway, I'd recommend getting a 13'' screen one if you're taking it with you a lot.
I have a 2nd screen set up at home, but I don't even use that when producing.
Just for stuff with video.

[m8son666]

get a pc lol

[bassbum]

Why is this still about Mac vs. Windows now?
I have some very good reasons to choose mbp over top end Windows.

Anyway, I'd recommend getting a 13'' screen one if you're taking it with you a lot.
I have a 2nd screen set up at home, but I don't even use that when producing.
Just for stuff with video.

I think you might be confused because none has even made a comparison between OSX and Windows. We where talking hardware not software man. What operating system you use dosnt really come into what makes a computer good from music production.

[SunkLo]

Yeah I'd be curious why it needs to be Mac. Unless you use logic or some other OSX exclusive program that can't be replaced on Windows.




Steve Jobs is dead, just accept it guys.

[mromgwtf]

This isnt about Windows v MacOS this is about the hardware specs. The PC bellow is better(for production) and look at the prices. If you have your heart set on mac software I would say build a hackingtosh. Then you can have MacOS on PC hardware.

Mac - 3.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with 8GB Ram - £1,749 (taken from the apple website)

PC - 3.8GHz CPU AMD X4 Raid with 8GB Ram - £408.97 (taken from bellow link)

(http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showprodu ... catid=2475)

But if you are happy to pay £1,749 for less than a £408 PC then you do that.

All that aside. I have a "3.6ghz i5 650 and 6GB Ram" right now and I have projects with around 120-170 tracks before I hit the CPU wall (depending on what I have on each track.)

Not only he wants a laptop, you compare an intel cpu to an amd cpu, bolding the fact that AMD has 3.8 ghz, where intel cpu destroys it anyway in performance.

[f1rstsense]

If you are thinking in the long term, dont go for anything below i7 & 8gigs of ram + a fullHD screen (also make sure it has several hdmi slots, so you can use it in a studio with several displays). I'd like to join those who are against the macs, since for the price you get a mac, you can get a twice as powerful pc while they are just as stable (windows 7 is a great os). Also if you are willing to go the pc way make sure you dont get windows 8 coz you might face some incopatibilty issues.

[AxeD]

Why is this still about Mac vs. Windows now?
I have some very good reasons to choose mbp over top end Windows.

Anyway, I'd recommend getting a 13'' screen one if you're taking it with you a lot.
I have a 2nd screen set up at home, but I don't even use that when producing.
Just for stuff with video.

I think you might be confused because none has even made a comparison between OSX and Windows. We where talking hardware not software man. What operating system you use dosnt really come into what makes a computer good from music production.

Sadly it doesn't work like: rather new nvidia gpu and new intel cpu = good laptop.
For me the rest makes all the difference.
I say windows cos in my eyes any apple machine is also a personal computer or a laptop.
A comparison between the newest windows and the newest OSX would be useless I agree.

Not sure why it would need to be mac either. Why does every dj/performer use mac?

For a desktop machine I would always go with windows.

[webstarr]

Struggling to see how your current machine isn't up to the task, i manage fine on a seven year old 32 bit windows XP PC.

If your heart is set of changing it then as Legend4ry said, get the best you can afford. You might get better value buying second hand rather than new

[Simulant]

Struggling to see how your current machine isn't up to the task, i manage fine on a seven year old 32 bit windows XP PC.

Try some new synths, like Lush 101 or U-He Diva, see how your ancient PC runs then.

[Simulant]

Regarding build quality, I'm sure you could find a sexy laptop. There's some well built PCs out there, assuming you're not comparing bottom of the line to a Macbook Pro.

Sure there's some nice laptops, but to make a hackintosh he'd be limited to fewer choices. Trying to find a laptop with the build quality of a Macbook Pro and also trying to find one that is hackintosh compatible would be a lot of hassle. Although I could be wrong, I've not built a hackintosh yet.