MacBook Pro or iMac & WHY?

[kingofficial]

I'm finally converting over to MAC from PC . I was using Ableton Live on my PC, but it's running slower & slower each day! I had this PC sense 05. (Custom made though) So it lasted for a pretty long time but now it is time to upgrade! I have a FireWire Solo Recording Interface ( Mbox ) along with Event Monitors. MXL Microphone. What do you guys suggest?

[JuanSOLO]

I prefer a Laptop because of it's portability. The New MPB's are really powerful computers too.

[pulsoc]

If you plan on gigging with it get the Macbook. Studio/bedroom only get iMac.

That should kinda be a no brainer.

[McQ714]

maybe i just read between the lines here but it seems to me that he wouldn't be asking this question if he was looking for portability. i highly doubt he lugs around his Event monitors from place to place.

so does he get the 27" 3.4 ghz i7 quad core imac with 16gb of ram and a 2 tb hard drive for $2949.00?
or does he get the 17" MBP with the upgraded 2.3 ghz i7 quad core, 8gb of ram and a 500gb hard drive for the same price?

[H20nly]

if you don't have to take it anywhere... get the iMac mang.

those things are sick. 27" is the way to live when it comes to a monitor.

but don't listen to me and McQ714. we don't know anything. we're proud PC users.

[kingofficial]

Word. Thanks alot! I really do appreciate all the feedback. I went ahead & purchased the iMac. I have a home studio, so i think it worked out perfectly! Goodlooks McQ714 & H20nly too! . Do you guys use Ableton to Record & Produce ? or what's your setup like if you don't mind me asking?

[avart]

mbp - couch production is sweet

(and to always being able to carry your whole studio with you is great too!)

[Sepp Ultura]

As said before: If you want to be able to carry it around (stage, etc.), get a MBP. If not, get an iMac.

[doghouse]

You can always add a large display and external keyboard to a MacBook at home (I had them lying around already). The difference as noted already is that dollar for dollar you get a more powerful machine with an iMac. To get similar performance in a MacBook Pro you'll spend about 50% extra.

What's your application? I'm not trying to crank out professional releases so the MacBook is fine for me...I have the lowest end model from 2009 (Core 2 Duo, 2.16GHz) and it works fine even with a 5400RPM HD.

[Piplodocus]

If you don't want to move it you get more for your money with the iMac. It'll be more powerful and not limit you projects as much as the macbook.

If the Macbook is powerful enough the ease of being able to write, take it away with you and take it up on stage easier make it the winer. Convenience can be a big player in getting songs/music done.

After lugging a separate desktop/monitor/keyboard/etc around with half a ton of guitar rig I went for the laptop! I guess an iMac is halfway between the two though really.

Horses for courses and all that...

[H20nly]

Word. Thanks alot! I really do appreciate all the feedback. I went ahead & purchased the iMac. I have a home studio, so i think it worked out perfectly! Goodlooks McQ714 & H20nly too! . Do you guys use Ableton to Record & Produce ? or what's your setup like if you don't mind me asking?

yeah, Ableton Live Suite 8, Cubase SX3, FL Producer 9, and Battery on a PC i built - Windows XP. i have a TC Electronic Konnekt 6 interface and a Novation Remote Zero SL controller, Akai MPD 24 and an M-Audio Axiom 25. i use a SG bass and a AT 3035 mic with an SE Electronics Reflexion Filter behind it to record my vocals. i've got some bongos and a growing collection of shakers, but i haven't used them to record, just for fun.

enjoy your new computer. it'll serve you well.

[Pasha]

iMac here. The new ones, even the entry level are QuadCores. The one I run is three years old and still a wonderful machine. Price wise an IMac gives more at the same price but it is less portable. As an home musician only I prefer that, if you got enough space left on your desk after your controllers...

[aizo]

As an owner of both! I say like everyone says it depends on are you gigging or not. If no then def the iMac! BUT DON'T BUY RAM FROM APPLE(cruise control)!!!! I got 8 gigs for my new laptop for $90 from crucial. It's super easy to install especially on the iMacs(2 screws)!

[aizo]

As an owner of both! I say like everyone says it depends on are you gigging or not. If no then def the iMac! BUT DON'T BUY RAM FROM APPLE(cruise control)!!!! I got 8 gigs for my new laptop for $90 from crucial. It's super easy to install especially on the iMacs(2 screws)!

Oh well too late!!! Enjoy the iMac!! Makes sure to max out your ram with crucial!

[McQ714]

... Do you guys use Ableton to Record & Produce ? or what's your setup like if you don't mind me asking?

yeah, Ableton Live Suite 8, Cubase SX3, FL Producer 9, and Battery on a PC i built - Windows XP. i have a TC Electronic Konnekt 6 interface and a Novation Remote Zero SL controller, Akai MPD 24 and an M-Audio Axiom 25. i use a SG bass and a AT 3035 mic with an SE Electronics Reflexion Filter behind it to record my vocals. i've got some bongos and a growing collection of shakers, but i haven't used them to record, just fun...

wish i could say my setup was that minimal. it takes up an entire bedroom in my apartment and rent isn't cheap in these parts. have a self-built water-cooled rackmount PC that's been completely upgraded once before and soon to be again and an HP laptop for portable purposes. for hardware, i have a RME multiface 2 with both the PCIe card and the express card, lexicon mx400, octopre le, presonus studio channel and monitor station, moogerfooger mf-101, couple patchbays, an edirol digital mixer, korg zero 4, couple of iCDXs, numark TTXUSB turntable, Novation xiosynth, apc40, Maschine, Kore 2 controller, Traktor Kontrol X1, 3 pairs of monitors and a few mics.
for software, i've got Suite 8, Traktor 2 Pro, NI Maschine, Kore 2 and Komplete 7, Waves platinum, all of Rob Papen's synths and effects (except Punch), d16 silverline collection (thank you group buy), Alchemy and CamelPhat/Space. i'm sure i'm forgetting some software but that's mostly what i use.
and instruments... not much really. i've got an epiphone les paul chameleon that i got from a friend for $100 and of course the collection of shakers. and last but not least, i've got a circuit bent light-reactive Tigger toy with a mono RCA out.