Think I'm going Mac, is (Feb 2011) 13" MacBook Pro i7 good?

[superiorinferior]

I've been a cheapskate for years, but now I'm about to become a big boy (fan boy?) and belly up to Steve Jobs' bar.

What I'd like to know is whether the 13" MBP i7 (released early 2011) will be able to do ableton Live 8?

Being a cheapskate, I guess I'd like to save some 500 bucks (the next option is the 15" MBP with switchable graphics)... am I going to see a noticeable performance dive if I just get the 13" MBP i7?

I am hoping to be able to use my (somewhat old) fast track pro and oxygen 8 v2, to record guitar, vocals and a lot of VST instruments and effects.

What do you think?

I'm on a deadline, I need to decide in a few hours! Lemme know what you think!

[trevox]

It's a big investment. While the 13" one will handle what you want, I would go for the 15" one as it will last longer in terms of becoming outdated due to the 15" one being quad core - basically for the same speed processor, it handles twice as much. Not saying the 13" is not good though! I have the 2.2GHz 15" one and it's amazing.

[Earwax69]

You really seriously plan to work on a 13inch screen?

Im on a 30inch 2560 x 1600 and I feel it's still not enough.

As for the hardware, the macbook use the HD 3000 gpu. That mean there is virtually no difference between this and the mac mini as both will use turboboost to reach higher than 3ghz while using ableton.

For a dual-core computer, better pay 599$ than 1499$. It's 2011 for god sake!

[superiorinferior]

You really seriously plan to work on a 13inch screen?

Im on a 30inch 2560 x 1600 and I feel it's still not enough.

As for the hardware, the macbook use the HD 3000 gpu. That mean there is virtually no difference between this and the mac mini as both will use turboboost to reach higher than 3ghz while using ableton.

For a dual-core computer, better pay 599$ than 1499$. It's 2011 for god sake!

well, that all may be true, but you can't use a mac mini on the road very easily.

also: i ain't rich... and if I need a bigger screen I can always hook up to a bigger monitor, I have a 26" waiting at home. I'd be using the machine as a notebook for ableton ideas and sketches, and then more than likely exporting them to a bigger macbook (my music partner's).

this is the problem of asking these types of questions, I suppose. Everyone has their own opinions.

Thanks for your input. I've made the order and gone with the 13" i7 !

Hope I didn't F it all up with that relatively pricey decision!

[hacktheplanet]

Get the 13". The portability is amazing. The small screen size isn't an issue.
If you need a larger monitor, you can get one for like $150. Just plug your computer into it when you get home.

edit: Looks like I was beaten. Enjoy your new computer!

[Hermanus]

13" macbook pro i7 is only dual core.
Go for 15" for real quadcore i7.

[robleighton22]

to b honest, i love having a 13" macbook pro and using a big monitor, used to have a 17" laptop, and it basically was too big to b a laptop really, and the screen wasn't as good as having a big ass monitor. when u actually use ur 13" as a laptop on trips, etc it is actually practical. my 13" laptop macbook pro is fine for ableton - obviously faster is always better, but for music - a better soundcard is more important than a better video card. so make sure u get/have a good soundcard to make the best out of your setup.

[Hidden Driveways]

I know it's too late.. but make sure you get one with the Thunderbolt!

[ARDJ]

you should get the 15" as the 13" is only dual core as opposed to quad core for the 15"/17" models

[Damon_Chambers]

being a 13'' macbook owner i would say if your pocketbook can afford it either have a much bigger 2nd monitor or opt for a 15'' version. if its gonna be your main daw the 13'' screen (to me) just doesnt give you enough real estate.

[Earwax69]

Well, congratulation for your purchase! I hope you will have no problems with it.

Yeah, getting an external screen for home is the next logic step now. Cool point with ableton is that it is not a grpahic soft and you can use any cheap TN panel without worrying about color quality.

[beats me]

FFS. A little future proofing is good if you can afford it, but people always talk like if you don't get the absolute top of the line computer then making music won't at all be possible. Great music has been made before the release of the latest 15" MBP.

I'd say get the 13" and a second large monitor when you get a chance. Until recently I mainly used a 15" MBP that mostly sat on my desk attached to a 23" monitor. I almost always used the second monitor as my main monitor and it wouldn't have made a difference if I had a 13" or 15". For intensive music or video production even a 15" isn't enough. I use a 13" Air for performance with no issue.

[superiorinferior]

Thank you all for replies.

The MBP 13" i7 (yes, dual core, but as I understand it that Live doesn't take advantage of the four cores like other programs??) will be here tomorrow!

Either way good or great, this experience likely will not be as hassle-filled as me trying to run Ableton on a Vista laptop as I did several years ago!

Now THAT was a mistake!

[philipc]

You really seriously plan to work on a 13inch screen?

Im on a 30inch 2560 x 1600 and I feel it's still not enough.

As for the hardware, the macbook use the HD 3000 gpu. That mean there is virtually no difference between this and the mac mini as both will use turboboost to reach higher than 3ghz while using ableton.

For a dual-core computer, better pay 599$ than 1499$. It's 2011 for god sake!

well, that all may be true, but you can't use a mac mini on the road very easily.

also: i ain't rich... and if I need a bigger screen I can always hook up to a bigger monitor, I have a 26" waiting at home. I'd be using the machine as a notebook for ableton ideas and sketches, and then more than likely exporting them to a bigger macbook (my music partner's).

this is the problem of asking these types of questions, I suppose. Everyone has their own opinions.

Thanks for your input. I've made the order and gone with the 13" i7 !

Hope I didn't F it all up with that relatively pricey decision!

The point is now moot but a mac mini can be fitted in a 19" rack, making it pretty portable and probably more durable than your average laptop. You can also get rack attachments for screens or you could just use an ipad (with a VNC app to set everything up and then Touchable or Griid to actually perform). Nevertheless, the 13" macbook is a beautiful machine, enjoy!

[noisetonepause]

You really seriously plan to work on a 13inch screen?

My first laptop nine years ago was a 12", my second laptop five years ago was a 12", my third laptop two years ago was 12" widescreen, and guess what size my next one's going to be? More isn't necessarily more, you know.