Apple Users Help: Alum 1Ghz and 1.5Ghz

dfusion · Post by **dfusion** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 5:29 am

could use some advice from existing powerbook users.

Was looking at getting 15" Powerbook 1.5Ghz and by the time I add memory it's about $2,800. Some local Apple resellers are "blowing out" the Aluminum 1Ghz and I talked one place down to $1,400. The burning question is will the 1Ghz feel dog slow compared to 1.5Ghz? Was thinking I could use the extra savings and get a Hitachi 2.5" 7200 RPM drive and still have saved lots of money.

appreciate the feedback..

-d

logicat2001 · Post by **logicat2001** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:42 am

Do you need the SuperDrive?

I'd go for a refurbished 15" either directly from Apple or via SmallDog.com for example.

Here's one scenario, a refurb from the Apple Store:
PowerBook G4 1.33GHz/256MB/60GB/Combo/AP Extreme Card/GigE/15"TFT-Aluminum-Refurbished $1,700

2x512MB PC-2700 from crucial.com = $117/ea.

That's approx. $1,940 + tax/ship if applicable.

Just a thought,
Logicat

<edit>
You know, it all comes down to your requirements. What's your budget? How much RAM do you want? Do you already have an external drive? Are you planning on recording/performing remotely using just the laptop? Why not save the money for the internal drive and get the fastest external, bus-powered, fanless FW800 drive you can afford? Need more information before my suggestions are going to hold any water.
</edit>

Vercengetorex · Post by **Vercengetorex** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:05 am

My setup as it stands:

PowerBook 1Ghz 7447 G4, 512Mb DDR 333Mhz, 60Gb 4200rpm ATA-100 internal, 80Gb 7200rpm 8Mb buffer Firewire 400 external, Motu 828 MkII, MIdiman USB Midisport 4x4, Oxygen 8 USB Keyboard controller, and a Doepfer Pocket Fader...

These are the core elements of my production suite. I have not yet hit the wall regarding clip playback or VST and Live effects...

Regardless of which powerbook you choose the firewire drive is essential, just keep that in mind.

drush · Post by **drush** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:07 am

or the 7200 internal

AIRDRAWN · Post by **AIRDRAWN** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 9:48 am

i would wait til the next apple laptop upgrade and get a 17"

i have both the 15 and the 17

the 15 gets so hot i would not be comfortable taking it into a club enviroment. the 17 stays WAY cooler. i'd be scared that the 15 would meltdown midset.

loophead · Post by **loophead** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 2:49 pm

I'm on a powerbook G4 1ghz 15" titanium with 1gig ram. Running 10.3.4

Live 3.0.4 Numerology 1.4 Synths and Plugs...

I love this puppy. Used to have to be on a pc for too many years !

That said the newer bus speed on the alum as well as the 1.5 gHz as well as (I think ??) possibility of 2 gig ram...

I would love 30~50 % more cpu juice. I hit 75 % ALL the time..and crUnCH.

Softsynths eat it up, quality plugs eat it up.

Maybe you all know something I dont about optimizing...maybe I could run around in circles and you could teach me the secret handshake ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 3:02 pm

Since you wanna use synths and stuff, i'd have to say get as much processor as you can afford. The difference in Live between my Powerbook800 and my G4 @ ~ 1.4 GHz is pretty noticable. and don't buy RAM from apple until you've shopped around a bit.

-Spinko Noteworthy The 32nd

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 3:06 pm

See my sig for my kit.

I love this thing. I was running a Ti 800 before upgrading. mqajor improvement. If you are a studen, teacher, work in a school, for a school, or know someone who fits one of these descriptions, you can get a decent discount for yourself.

This is also true for Live 3 (google it).

I recommend going with the 1.5 15" PB.

Note - mine came with a dead pixel that Apple says is within acceptable tolerances. it is NOT covered by the warranty or Applecare. If you buy from a store. Turn it on BEFORE you leave the store, Create a folder, show contents, CMND-J to change the color of the window to a Bright Blue, then expand the window to full-screen. This will show you ANY dead pixels that you my have. If you see any, have them pull another Book and Repeat. If they have a problem with this, buy it from somewhere else.

- I got stuck with mine because it was a custom ordered PB - Bigger Vid Card and Faster RPM HD...

dfusion · Post by **dfusion** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:42 pm

Goodbye Microsoft, hello Apple.

Just did the switch today. I decided to get the Aluminum 1.5 Powerbook.

paulc · Post by **paulc** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 6:59 pm

I recently switched over from a Thinkpad A31 (1.8ghz) to a 1.5ghz albook and I havent looked back. Everything works on the powerbook, i can record to an external fw harddrive while using my 828mkII fw audio interface w/o any glitches (i used to get random glitches w/the a31) I will say that the performance on the powerbook is a little lower than on the PC in terms of plugins and software synths, but the fact that things work - with out me having to mess w/them for hours on end is worth it imho. just plug and play. I spend alot more time making music and alot less time mucking about with settings trying to find something thats solid...

One thing I will say, OS X is a memory hog. make sure you have plenty of ram. I would definatly upgrade to 1gig ASAP.

-- Paul

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 18, 2004 7:02 pm

I have a 867 titanium and a 1.5 aluminum. Each have 512 RAM, 3.0.4, 867 10.2.8. 1.5 10.3.3. The 867 completely blows. Running on built in, I stll have so many CPU spikes (on session as small as 5 tracks no effects) and dropouts its driven me nuts, I am selling the damn thing. The 1.5 is much much better, better even than my dual 1.25 at home - though its pperformance sucks compared to say a Sony Vaio, which is up there in reported performance with live as the G5 duals (judging from the performance report thread floating around here where people play the demo song and report CPU strain.) Just though I'd add that for no helpful reason. I'm just so tired of Macs (or Apple more specifically). OK I'll shut up now.