Processor size?

[jamers]

Hi all,
Sorry if this topic is redundant but I couldn't find it in the search.
I am looking to buy a 15" MacBookPro right away and have a couple options right now. My dilemma is whether to save some money on getting one with a smaller processor... any advice? my present 2 choices are:

15" MacBookPro / Intel Core Duo 2.53 GHz / 4 MB RAM / 250G 5400rpm ATA drive / OS 10.6 / 2009 model
for $1400 CDN

Vs.

15" MacBookPro / Intel Core Duo 2.16 GHz / 2 MB RAM / OS 10.6 / *don't have details on the drive yet* but is a late 2008 model
for $900 CDN, maybe even less

This will be my first laptop and I'll be running Live8 suite and an APC40 in the studio and playing live.... does anyone think the 2.16 GHz processor is too small? I don't mind paying for more RAM (which I figure I will need), but will the processor kill me in the end? I'm not going to sacrifice my ability to play live, etc to save a few hundred bucks if a 2.16 GHz isn't good enough.

Thanx,
jamers

[infuzion]

What you should do is buy both laptops, & send them to me for though testing.

You are too vague on what you are doing; have alot of VSTs, playing big samples, complex time stretching for full songs?...
You might want to consider paying the extra (& getting Apple care) so you don't have to upgrade when Live10 comes out & you've installed alot of CPU hoggin VSTs. Or get a cheap cheap one expecting to upgrade in 2 years...

You can search here if you want a deal:
http://www.techforless.com/category/App ... d=VwtTV23P
A RL friend, "JT" does sales there & could hook you up; tell him I sent you.

[arctic ranger]

well i have the 2.2 mbp 2 gigs of ram and have been quite happy with it. i use a good mixture of synths and audio clips.
maybe 22-23 tracks at the most. never any dropouts yet.

[diogo_semedo]

If you wanna use 8.1.1 prepare for a lot o' trouble. I have the first one. More than 40 tracks is awful! Freezing, clipping... this wasn't like this in 7. being the second less powerful, expect many more