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#1 2008-06-29 8:48 am
- USS Promethius
- NCC-47318
- From: Section 31
- Registered: 2008-05-22
- Posts: 52
A new mac, but which one?
I've got a copy of Ableton Live 6 that I want to upgrade to 7, as well as get the Session Drums add-on. Currently, I have a 1 GHz iBook G4 (max'd ram), and I feel that I should look for a new computer before I put that much of a load on a machine. I've heard that a Mac Pro is best for digital audio editing, but would one of the new alMacs do the trick? I mean, I do want a new computer, but I don't want to go all out for a machine that wouldn't be very portable (I know, an iMac isn't portable, but at least it's more than a tower model is.) Suggestions?
"The keyboard. How quaint."
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#2 2008-06-29 11:45 am
- dvpierce
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 16888
Re: A new mac, but which one?
If you can afford a Mac Pro and want a portable machine, what's wrong with a MacBook Pro? After all, you've lasted this long with an iBook, and an iMac isn't any more expandable than a laptop, all things considered.
The advantage to the Mac pro is raw, unbridled computational power.
The base model Pro is an 8-core, 2.8 GHz machine for $2800. (You can configure it as a $2300 quad core if you'd like.)
The fastest iMac is a 3.06 GHz dual core for $2200.
I know who's leg I'm humping - and I'll use a junked 17" CRT if I have to.
So, if you can afford it, get a Pro. If you need portability, get an actual laptop.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
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#3 2008-06-29 9:34 pm
- USS Promethius
- NCC-47318
- From: Section 31
- Registered: 2008-05-22
- Posts: 52
Re: A new mac, but which one?
Well, when I do get a new computer, I'll most likely buy refurb. Mainly I was wondering about how much of a new computer I should get.
"The keyboard. How quaint."
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#4 2008-06-29 11:32 pm
- dvpierce
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 16888
Re: A new mac, but which one?
How much new computer? As if there's such a thing as enough? 
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
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#5 2008-06-29 11:48 pm
- Graphic Autist
- Scumdog of the Universe
- From: Antarctica
- Registered: 2003-06-08
- Posts: 711
- Website
Re: A new mac, but which one?
What the delusional, deranged mouse said.
Desktop, Mac Pro. Laptop, MacBook Pro.
Mac Pro 2.66 ghz (Quad) - 9 GB RAM - Mac OS X 10.5.5
MacBook Pro 2.4 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo - 2 GB RAM - Mac OS X 10.5.5
G4 PowerBook 12" 867 mhz - 640 MB RAM - Mac OS X 10.4.11
G3 B&W upgraded to G4 500 mhz - 1 GB Ram - Mac OS X 10.4.11
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#6 2008-07-02 6:43 am
- USS Promethius
- NCC-47318
- From: Section 31
- Registered: 2008-05-22
- Posts: 52
Re: A new mac, but which one?
Ok, I guess my question should have been this: Can I do what I've proposed with an iMac or a blackBook?
"The keyboard. How quaint."
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#7 2008-07-02 11:01 am
- dvpierce
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 16888
Re: A new mac, but which one?
CPU-wise, sure. Other system components are a tad on the slower side vs. the pro model, of course, and will make the experience a tad less pleasant.
If you're happy with an iBook now, the Macbook won't piss you off, even if you're upgrading the software too.
(Why get a Blackbook? No increase in speed - bump the white 2.4GHz to 250GBs and you still end up $100 ahead. Identical machine except for color.)
Just make sure your new software is Universal Binary, or it will run in emulation mode on an intel mac, and it will definitely piss you off.
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
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#8 2008-07-02 6:14 pm
- Greg Grant
- Member
- From: Eugene, Oregon
- Registered: 1999-02-28
- Posts: 1908
Re: A new mac, but which one?
Ahh but there is a difference, the white MacBooks stain over time (Trust me, I have a used one) where as the black ones do not. Just google it. The new ones aren't as bad but it still happens over time, they turn a very unflattering yellow, especially the area where you hands rest.
Once the Audio hardware editor for insidemacgames.com
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#9 2008-07-03 4:12 am
- dvpierce
- Negusa Negest
- Moderator
- From: Minneapolis, MN
- Registered: 1999-08-30
- Posts: 16888
Re: A new mac, but which one?
Greg Grant wrote:
Ahh but there is a difference, the white MacBooks stain over time (Trust me, I have a used one) where as the black ones do not. Just google it. The new ones aren't as bad but it still happens over time, they turn a very unflattering yellow, especially the area where you hands rest.
Not the ones we have in schools - and those get used by 6 year-olds, who can make pretty much anything filthy. (Trust me, I have ~30 Macbooks, 30 iBooks, and about 120 6 year olds.)
I recall the yellow-staining issue being an issue with the first-rev machines, but somebody changed the plastic recipe. The black finish, however, starts matte and wears to glossy under your wrists - looks awful.
I suppose some users (about 13% or so) might also have tobacco-stain problems...
"Now commences the process of cutting off the head, which generally takes from an hour to an hour and a half by an expert workman with a sharp blade." -Reuben Delano, Wanderings and Adventures
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