Macbook Pro 13" i5 or i7?

[runningonbravado]

I'm looking into getting a current gen MBP (2011). I'm using an i7 740qm laptop right now but it is too damn heavy to carry around (like 13lbs with the power supply).

I was hoping that someone could tell me whether the i5 would be sufficient for what I am doing which is recording 8x simultaneous inputs (2x guitars, 2 mics, bass, 3 piece drum kit) at a live venue.

I also do djing and some remixing with Monome 256 (dj256/MLRV mostly).

I will spring for the i7 if it's significantly better, I just don't happen to see a lot of them on my local craigslist.

Thanks in advance.

[matthews]

If anything, you should spring for the 15". At least then you have quadcore. I'd also at least consider going with an SSD over upgrading the processor, you'll get more outta it.

[runningonbravado]

I'm looking for smaller/lighter. My current notebook is already a quad i7 with a 160gb ssd. Were I to get the 13' MBP i would just move the SSD over there and sell my current notebook with the 500gb drive from the MBP in it's place.

[matthews]

^^^
Ahh fair enough. Your aware the 13" is only duel core right? IF you have the cash to spend I'd take the i7 personally, but with an ssd the i5 will definitely suffice.

[runningonbravado]

^^^
Ahh fair enough. Your aware the 13" is only duel core right? IF you have the cash to spend I'd take the i7 personally, but with an ssd the i5 will definitely suffice.

Ended up getting the i7 and upgrading to 8gb and a 256gb ssd. Laptop flipping owns and runs my monome stuff so nice. Aalto runs fantastic as well, 8 voice poly hits 21% cpu only.

[jamief]

Always i7

[hacktheplanet]

I do 8+ inputs with my 2.26 C2D. The i5 should be fine for you.

[starving student]

more thoughts on this?

[Earwax69]

Mmm... i would think that higher Ghz is better than more cores. Can anyone confirm if Ableton really use multiple cores? It would be amazing if Live was able to divide your vst usage per cores but I seriously doubt it.

[iriXx]

I've got exactly the same question - does Live make use of the quad core, or will it in future? I'm looking at upgrading and going Mac.

[starving student]

so is getting an I7 13" just not a good idea since it's not a quad core or what, is the concensus that the non-quads are not worth getting, basically how do I get as happy as glitch did without spending as much as glitch did ?

[B0NESY]

Ableton Live is not a 64bit program. So basically it doesn't utilize 4 cores. Until it is able to run in 64-bit, ur number of cores doesn't make much of a difference. A 17in is really really big. Bigger than you would think from looking at pictures. And they're heavy. Better off with either a 13in which is what I personally use, or a 15. In all honesty, Ableton is really good about minimizing the CPU load, so you'd be well of with a 13in. If you were running Logic, that would be another story If you want a bigger screen, grab yourself an external monitor.

[commuter]

Ableton Live is not a 64bit program. So basically it doesn't utilize 4 cores

???
Live is perfectly capable to use 4 cores and more....you make a confusion with RAM = LIVE as 32 bit app, can't access more than 4gb of ram.....

the 13" models are not quadcore, yes it's true....but....if you compare them to last year high end 15" I7 macbook pro, they're even more powerful!!

I own a Quadcore PC with a Q6600, it's old, but it's still a very powerful machine....i also own a 13" I5 macbook pro..and you know what ??
the macbook pro is even more powerful!!!! it also blow away my previous Core 2 duo macbook pro...
So, i can tell you this little 13" are very capable machine for making music...