Buying new PC/Mac - How much power do I need?

[m.nash]

Hey guys,

So the good news is I've finally hit my stride in putting together full tracks, the bad news is its running my processor into the ground, so looks like its time for an upgrade.

I was considering either a macbook pro, mac mini, or a killer windows based Laptop. My goal is mobility, my concern is undershooting my needs, and I don't have the a lot experience of what it takes once you're working with full on, effected out tracks. Any help is much appreciated.

Here's the specs:
Mac Mini: 2.26 Ghz Dual Core, 4GB 1066 Mhz Ram (1200 US with tons of upgrades)
Macbook Pro: 2.5 Ghz Dual Core, 4GB 1066 Mhz (2000 US )

Any thoughts? Recommendations?

Thanks guys,
J

[the_antagonist]

tim allen says...


"more power"

[alexjholland]

I don't see why you would consider anything but a Macbook or Macbook pro.

I've got a new Macbook white and just upgraded it to 4Gb. I have to wait a little while huge multimic drum kits load in, but otherwise everything is instant - works great, never crashes.

When it's in my room I stick it on the stand and plug in my VGA (DVI is kept for PC) and use my Logitech Mac keyboard and I have a 22" HD panel in front of me for Ableton, with the Macbooks screen for VST tweaking etc.

Perfect.

[twisted-space]

How about a dell precision m4400 with an intel QX9300 QUAD core cpu for under $2000

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ ... sion_m4400

You'd want to add ram, a bigger hard drive and maybe up the screen resolution.
You could even run osx on it with a bit of work.

[mihai]

i have a friend who runs a 5 year olf compaq laptop (2ghz amd 64 athlon, 2 gb ram, 120gb 5400rpm hdd) and does serious production with not too much problem. he does haus muzik.

either way... i'd advocate mac so if you can't spend on the macbook pro then get the macbook. though for the same money you're spending on a macbook you could get a pretty hardcore windows laptop which isn't bad if you know how to take care of it ( and maybe even downgrade to xp ). the only reason i advocate mac is os and design.

[djfm]

I vote for a reliably mac

[chasedestroy]

I vote for a reliably mac

i vote for reliability play guitar!

[m.nash]

I definitely think the mac is the way to go.

I guess my concern is once you have a fully completed track, arranged, and effected out, will I be running into the same issues? I know you can freeze tracks, etc, so maybe this is the only way to go.

But does anyone who's done end to end production have any thoughts tips on this?

[alexjholland]

Having a dual core processor should help.. By the time you put 4 Gb of RAM in (Crucial's stuff is great value) then it's flying.

I'm looking at putting in a 320Gb 7200RPM hard drive as well, which should hopefully speed things up a little extra.

[RawTheory]

Screw Macs.

http://www.adkproaudio.com/laptop2.cfm

Get the 1Q MV or the 8500 SR. Cheaper price, superior processor, and its made by music guys that you can contact about music issues

[m.nash]

Any thoughts as to what is bottlenecking my processing capabilities more?

My friend was running my track on a 2.3ghz, 2 gig ram mac and it was pumping at 50%, and stuttering!

My question is is this more a function of the ram or the processor?

I think what was really pushing it over the edge was two complex warped sound waves being pitched up 24 semitones over 8 bars.

Anyways. Final thoughts before I sink my wallet?

And thanks!
J

[spiral]

i'd get ram and hd upgrades cos they're cheapest
ive got a 2.4 MPB and i havent yet had a stutter on anything I've done in live

[Superchibisan]

try to buy an older macbook pro? so that it has the good firewire card in it.

[alexjholland]

The only times my White Macbook has stuttered is when I took the sample rate too low when recording audio, so with 4Gb I would be suprised if you have any issues.

[dazzer]

Screw Macs.

http://www.adkproaudio.com/laptop2.cfm

Get the 1Q MV or the 8500 SR. Cheaper price, superior processor, and its made by music guys that you can contact about music issues

Look like nice machines. Do any of them give you bus powered firewire though?