Macbook Pro vs. Mac Pro for music production and recording

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Level 1

1 points

Macbook Pro vs. Mac Pro for music production and recording

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on an Apple computer purchase but not sure whether I should buy a Macbook Pro or a Mac Pro.

I'm looking to do home music production and recording. In terms of live instruments, most of the time I'll only be recording guitar and bass. The rest of my tracks will likely be MIDI tracks powered through virtual synths. I'm fairly knowledgable about production overall - I have a degree in production and engineering and worked in recording studios about 8 years ago in Los Angeles.

I love the idea of the portability of the Macbook Pro, but I'm concerned that it maxes out RAM at 4 gigs. Obviously, the fact that it'd be $1,000 to $1,500 cheaper to go this route is also attractive.

So is the 2.5 Ghz Macbook Pro maxed out on 4 gigs of ram plenty powerful for most music production/recording scenarios that I'll be using in it?

I'll probably end up running either Logic, ProTools or Ableton Live (or a combination) as my software platform.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Posted on Mar 29, 2008 9:50 AM

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Answer 1

Kin Hui

Level 3

601 points

Mar 29, 2008 10:51 AM in response to JKavalier

Hi,

I do quite a bit of video work and would be suprised if the MBPs are up to the challenge for audio work, IMO. I recently saw a thread on here asking a similar question - try doing a search and the answers you seek may already be on here.

Something to suggest, perhaps, is to consider getting the 7200 RPM drive instead of the standard 5400 unit.

HTH.

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Answer 2

Kin Hui

Level 3

601 points

Mar 29, 2008 11:10 AM in response to Kin Hui

I just ran across the thread I was referring:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1372466&tstart=15

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Answer 3

Mar 29, 2008 11:11 AM in response to JKavalier

For the type of stuff you are talking about doing, I don't think you will have any issues with using a MBP especially with 4 gigs of ram. I have been using mine with Logic Express 8 and have not really had any problems.

My scope is relatively close to yours. I don't do anything with dozens of racks or anything like that...and I don't think a MBP would be up to that task....but for this. I think you'll be fine. It will help offset some cash for decent interfaces which I highly recommend.

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