Macbook vs Macbook Pro - how different would they feel?

[samtastic]

hello all,
my current lappy is a 2.1Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook, with 4gb RAM running OS X 10.5.8

I've currently got my live performance set-up working quite well, but I know Im just about at the limit of my computer's CPU power before I get drop-outs (or increase the buffer/latency - which I really don't want to do).

And for production, it does definitely struggle.

Realistically, I'll be looking to get a Mac with a little more grunt in the next 12 months.

So my question is, should I be looking at replacing my Macbook with a Macbook Pro? Or should I get a desktop (refurbished iMac or 2nd-hand Mac Pro tower) for production, and stick with my current Macbook for live performance?

Ultimately, I'm closer to where I want to be with my live performance work, then I am with my production work. So I'd really like the extra grunt for production, without having to be so concerned about CPU-usage.


Will a 2.4Ghz Intel Core i5 Macbook Pro, with 4gb RAM, running OSX 10.6 feel much quicker than my current 2.1Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Macbook, with 4gb RAM running OS X 10.5.8? Would the newer model be able to handle significantly more abuse in production?

In short:
A portable Mac with more grunt could allow me to expand on my live set-up and my production set-up. But Im wondering if the current generation Macbook Pros would really feel much quicker than my current Macbook. If not, I might be better off focusing on a desktop model and really pushing my own production work.

What experience can others share?

cheers : )

[Tarekith]

I just went from a 2.16gHz c2d MBp to a i7 2.66gHz MBP, and it's definitely much faster feeling all over. Audio apps are roughly 2x as fast, or half as CPU intensive as before.

[Pasha]

... June 2008 I moved form a Mackbook (black) 2.0 C2D 2GB RAM to an iMac 2.66 2GB (Penryn)
4GB RAM. Day and Night. My Audio Production boosted. With current MBP 2.4 ghz model (i5) you actually
get more power at the same clock rate than I do due to turbo boost.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/m ... specs.html
I think Tarekith is right. You might need to buy only the MBP i5/i7 and no desktop.
I'm on another path though not performing live I will boost my iMac next year or so and retain
MB for the moment in its current state.

Hope it helps.
Best
Pasha

[Anand]

Tarekith

what are your views about move to 64bit. I am currently on a P4 3.ghz system, with 4g Ram and XP. The system is very sluggish with Live 8 and I can barely run the suite instruments w/o freezing.

I am considering waiting till year end and moving to a 64bit system. You have any suggestions on this?

thanks

[samtastic]

Thanks guys. Food for thought indeed.

I head a little rumour that 8-core iMacs aren't too far off either (and Im not in any position to buy just yet). So maybe i'll see how they compare to the MBP as well.

It's all very interesting. In the meantime I'll keeping squeezing all I can out of my MB : )


cheers

[Pasha]

Thanks guys. Food for thought indeed.

I head a little rumour that 8-core iMacs aren't too far off either (and Im not in any position to buy just yet). So maybe i'll see how they compare to the MBP as well.

It's all very interesting. In the meantime I'll keeping squeezing all I can out of my MB : )


cheers

Do you have some link to share about 8-core iMac?
Drooling...

[samtastic]

no i don't. just a rumour. One of my lecturer's mentioned it, and he reckons his source tends to be right. But we can definitely dream, hey!

: )

[Tarekith]

Tarekith

what are your views about move to 64bit. I am currently on a P4 3.ghz system, with 4g Ram and XP. The system is very sluggish with Live 8 and I can barely run the suite instruments w/o freezing.

I am considering waiting till year end and moving to a 64bit system. You have any suggestions on this?

thanks

Hard for me to say, the only truly 64 bit app I have is Logic, and honestly it runs the same in 64bit and 32bit modes. The only real draw to 64bit I think is if you need access to more RAM. OTherwise for most people I don't think there's any pressing need for it at the moment. That said, it's nice having a system that can do both should the need arise too.

[kovesen]

I just bouth the Macbook Pro 2.66GhZ i7. No turning back for me.

I used a macbook 2,1GhZ before and the cpu went up to 60% when running 4-5 softsynths. I have no problem running sets that are 3 times larger now.

If you are looking for performance, go Pro.