7200 RPM advice!!!

[sdmiddleton]

Dear All,

I'm in process of buying a new MBPro and am tossing and turning over the 7200RPM vs 5400RPM dilemma.

I Already have an 24"Imac 3.06ghz so have a very competant powerful desktop for more involved studio recording. I don't really intend to use the laptop to record multi tracks of audio at the same time as i would set up the IMAC for this when necessary.. My aim is to use the MBP for an ableton Live stage rig and only triggering samples, playing vitual VST's, and generally using as an effects processor for vocals and live keyboards...So i guess fairly intensive CPU stuff going on but not too much multi track recording...

My query is, can i get away buying a 13" with 4GB of RAM and a 2.53Ghz processor, meaning i have to settle with a 5400rpm drive (as there's no upgrade option to 7200 on the 13"), or am i gonna really stumble and discover i needed the 15" after all which has 7200... I'm not too fussed about screen size as i will preprepare most sets on the Imac before heading out live, i want to avoid looking at the screen as much as possible (mainly use the APC40) but have the screen as an emergency overview when needed...

I'm selling the G4 Powerbook and cash is tight so really am trying not spend unneccassry ££££...

One other question... I use an external HD which is 7200RPM, if i was recording with the 13" MBPro streaming directly to the HDrive, would this solve the 5400 problem if i decided i needed the Macbook to record multiple audio streams later????

Many many Thanks in advance (maybe i'm missunderstanding the whole RPM thing altogether?)!!!

S.

[madcre8r]

it is extremely easy to swap out drives on the new unibody mbp. and yes you will want a 7200. huge difference in live