Mac computer talk...

[Wick3d.]

Hey guys,

Since I've been extremely disappointed by Vista and in the need of buying a new computer, I'll be upgrading my current system to a Mac in the next coming weeks. However, I'm a little bit confused trying to figure out what I really need (first experience with Apple, and I'm kind of a computer jerk), so I thought that maybe some kind Mac user could help me out a bit...

I'll mainly be using the computer for my humble home-studio setup using Nuendo 3and a few plug-ins (XLN Audio Addictive Drums, DFH, Kontakt II among many others for effects and such), so I need something quite powerfull to achieve good recording and mixing performances. Would a recent MacBook with 2 gigs of RAM be enough to handle all this? I really don't think I need to go with the MacBook Pro since it looks like those are extremely similar to the standards performance-wise...

Also, I'm really loving Apple's design but I feel that the 13.3'' display will be WAY too small for long-time editing and such, so I thought of using my current Acer 19'' Widescreen display for when I'm home. Will I be able to do this? Also, would I be able to still keep my Mac's screen for dual-screen use?

Aside from my music projects, I'll be using the computer for school work and internet browsing, so there should not be any performance issues there. I'm simply wondering if the Mac would be able to reach my PC based wireless system? If so, how hard is it to configure?

Is there anything else I should know before pulling the trigger? I'm really looking to make the best decision possible, so feel free to give me any advice you think might help me.

Thanks a lot,
Joel

[MrMusashi]

processor power isnt everything.. important yes, but its the first place to cut costs
get as much memory as you can!

also be sure that your soundcard and daw is supported in leopard (pritty much everything except protools work these days )

i have a mbp and the metal chassi is way better than the mb models. the keyboard is bigger so you get better typing comfort too. heh.. the new 3 way touchpad is nice too!
on the pro there is a dvi out so as long as you can connect that to your widescreen there should be no problems using even the 13" version

the wireless setup process is easier than it is on pc.. esp vista (that piece of crap if i might add my 2 cents )

be sure to get an external mouse (with rightclicking on)

also do check if you have enough usb ports for soundcard, maybe a dongle if the daw has it, mouse, memorystick etc etc. i always seem to run out of em, even if i got a 4 port usb hub connected.

hth!

MrM

[phatduckk]

Hey guys,

Since I've been extremely disappointed by Vista

everyone is

I'll mainly be using the computer for my humble home-studio setup using Nuendo 3and a few plug-ins (XLN Audio Addictive Drums, DFH, Kontakt II among many others for effects and such), so I need something quite powerfull to achieve good recording and mixing performances. Would a recent MacBook with 2 gigs of RAM be enough to handle all this? I really don't think I need to go with the MacBook Pro since it looks like those are extremely similar to the standards performance-wise...

im not too into home recording and just use garageband... so i cant comment on this thru experience

Also, I'm really loving Apple's design but I feel that the 13.3'' display will be WAY too small for long-time editing and such, so I thought of using my current Acer 19'' Widescreen display for when I'm home. Will I be able to do this? Also, would I be able to still keep my Mac's screen for dual-screen use?

yes you can.... no problem. i run that sort of setup at home and work.

Aside from my music projects, I'll be using the computer for school work and internet browsing, so there should not be any performance issues there.

you'll be just fine. for school stuff you may need MS Office etc... id suggest you save money and but iWork from apple. It can read and write word, excel files no problem and costs way less

I'm simply wondering if the Mac would be able to reach my PC based wireless system? If so, how hard is it to configure?

you'll be able to connect to your wireless network in less than a minute

Is there anything else I should know before pulling the trigger? I'm really looking to make the best decision possible, so feel free to give me any advice you think might help me

id suggest you do some research and see what people report about using a macbook with the recording setup you're planning on using.

[applemacintosh]

You've obviously left one dark side to be on the EBMM site. Now leave another dark side, the one that is Microsoft! ;o)

[RitchieDarling]

If anyone is interested, I have an Apple G5 for sale....

$1000

Ritchie

[INMT]

I'm using a G4 Power Book, 1.5gig of ram, I can't remember the processor speed (Im on my PC, my mac does not see the internet to often) but it was the last series made before the duo core.
I run 2 MOTU 8Pre's with DP5, no problems until I try to record 11 or more tracks at once, but that's a hard drive speed issue. I'm scoping out firewire external HD's running at 7200rpm so I can go 16 simu tracks.
No issues netowrking with my PC either.

[GreyDad]

Hi, sorry, haven't posted for a while, been busy ditching my PC's and moving to Macs!

Just done exactly the same thing! Likewise dismayed at the prospect of Vista last year so my boss let me buy a Macbook Pro for work last summer which let me try the whole Mac thing out at someone else's expense but I have to say it's been a revelation. So, I bought an iMac for the family a few months ago (24", 2.4GHz, 2G RAM etc), a Focusrite Pro 26 firewire pre-amp/audio interface, some reasonable monitors and basic get-me-started mic set and have been having unbelievable fun with Garageband ever since. DI'd my Stingray 5 in and been playing around with effects and amp simulations, but next step is to practice mic-ing up the Mighty Ashdown and see what that sounds like.

Garageband is great too, I've been using it as a composition tool as much as anything, since it finally allows true emancipation for all bass players - dump both the drummer and the guitarist!! LOL!! Cheap midi keyboard and some plug-ins and the world is your oyster, although I plan to learn to mic my son's drum kit as well when I figure I know what I'm doing. Logic to follow in a few months so I can do multitrack recording to allow that.

I'm now in the middle of a plan to ditch all our (slowly failing) PC's and laptops and set our whole house up with Macs and their excellent wireless capability. We've already got music piped all round the place with airport expresses and video is about to follow. My wife also now has a Macbook and is delighted with it.

No regrets at all dumping the PC's - haven't even been tempted to put XP on the Macs. For home recording I think Macbook, Macbook Pro or iMacs are more than adequate - note that the new baby Macbooks are as fast and have as much RAM/discs as the previous Macbook Pro's. You need a good size display for recording though, 17" is a minimum so running a second 20-24" would be a good idea (I do this at work). If you can, save your money and get an Apple display, 'cos they're simply gorgeous - the iMAc is superb in this regard.

Sorry for the long post, I've become a bit of a fan I must admit

[MrMusashi]

get a good firewire card (maudio fw410 is reasonably priced compared to performance) and buy logic 8 pro. you will not regret it

logic kicks everything else i the hiney! its got a very good price and its stable as fark!! powerful too

MrM

[spencer]

I loved my macbook 13" And I don't believe the pro is built any better, I have heard of dents and the metal warping from the heat, also I heard the pro's got hotter on your lap due to the metal, however my macbook never experienced anything of that since it was plastic.

All that aside, I would still rather a metal notebook, mainly just for looks... I am going to be buying a pro soon, but I would much rather a pro 13" really the small screen is GREAT.. Been holding out on a metal 13" other than the air, but looks like I might just have to go with the pro..

BTW once you go mac, you won't ever go back.

[marsguitars]

Macbook Pro.... is the way to go.

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I like to do a combo with computers. I have a Powerbook G4, the 15" Aluminium one as my main laptop which is a great bit of kit. My lady loves it, though she uses it for web browsing, email etc mostly, though when we go on holiday we use it for listening to music and movies etc. Working in IT support in the Windows world its good to gain experience of these great bits of kit! As for my desktop machine, its a Windows box, mostly due to the fact that I love to tinker and upgrade whenever I can afford to do so. Sadly Mac's are pretty much sealed units in that respect, apart from RAM. Mind you, I like to Apple up my PC! I adore iTunes, and just bought one of the new Apple keyboards for it!

[Wick3d.]

Allright,

Just got the new MacBook. I chose the fastest one (2.4ghz, 2GO DDR) and I am absolutely delighted by it. The small screen is surprisingly cool!

I just installed Logic Express 7.2, got it free form a friend. It seems like a nice software, even if my poor Nuendo-fan self is COMPLETELY lost in it. Anybody has a good tutorial to master it?

Thanks for all the help, it really helped me jumping in the Mac world (with absolutely no regrets!)