Macbook or Macbook Pro?Which one is better for Logic Pro?

Weizza

Weizza

New member
Hey...I jus ordered the Logic Studio package and now I'm trying to decide which to use, the macbook and macbook pro. I'm not very familiar wif macs and so I need help;)

I'm wondering if it is worth it to pay few hundred bucks more for macbook pro when I'll most likely be using it for music & audio only. (Like using softwares like Logic Pro, garageband etc.)

And, I would like to ask if anyone knows of any place dat sells cheap n gd music keyboards dat can be connected to the macbook/macbook pro.

Thx!:)
 
macbook will prolly suit your needs without any problems.
BUT go for macbook pro if you can.
I own a macbook but wished I bought macbook pro.
the speed and all are faster so yea.
you can actually check the specs on their site.
 
If the macbook and macbook pro dat I'm choosing between are both 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, then will it hav the same speed?

Here's the specs:
Macbook
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM: 2GB (two SO-DIMMs) 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (Can be upgraded to 4GB)
Hard Drive: 160GB 5400 rpm hard drive
Optical Drive: SuperDrive 8x Dual Layer
Video: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Connectivity: AirPort Extreme built-in
Bluetooth 2.0 built-in

Macbook Pro
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
RAM: 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB (Can be upgraded to 4GB)
Hard Drive: 200GB 5400 rpm hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor
Optical Drive: SuperDrive 8x Dual Layer
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 256MB GDDR3 memory
Connectivity: AirPort Extreme built-in
Bluetooth 2.1 built-in
 
So you will be paying more for:

== Graphics ==
The 8600 here would allow you to play games like Battlefield 2142, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, Thief: Deadly Shadows, Assasins Creed and other games of the same GPU demands from medium to maximum quality. The Intel X3100 can only do low, or not at all.

== Storage ==
40GB? You might as well get an external one.

== Connectivity ==
Bluetooth version bump..hmm I think that's about 0.20 cents.
 
If you can fork out the extra for a Macbook Pro, go for it. The extra processing power and larger screen size will make your music making more enjoyable.

2 cents, luke.
 
Most Intel, SiS and other "onboard" integrated/shared graphics solutions that have no mention of "discrete" anywhere: No, since the GPU is soldered on the motherboard. Very costly to upgrade the motherboard; might as well buy macbook pro.

Some or even few of the above: You have to upgrade the entire module which houses both the GPU and CPU; they're soldered on.

Discrete: Yes, these have become more modular and popular recently. The process and cost, though, is still higher than if you were to upgrade a desktop (plus you gotta approach a retail store to do the necessary patching if you're not experienced with repairing portables). Make sure you have a significantly better graphics chip to make you wanna go through it.

But, there is no help if you get something not certified by Apple. And...I don't remember Apple offering discrete solutions so...tough luck.

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=339080
 
Best upgrade I can see would be to swap out the 5400rpm drives for some 7200 ones. Improves boot time as well as performance in you sequencer.

Video card won't make any difference to Logic performance or music making in general. I'd just go for the cheap one.
 
For notebooks, it's always a balance between specs and battery life. 7200rpm is the recommended minimum speed for recordings, but also shortens battery life. Of course, in a recording, one will probably be using power adapter, but when it's not used for recording, a short battery life can sometimes be frustrating. One alternative is to get an external firewire HD - plug it in during recording when one will be using a power adaptor. When not recording and using the notebook for other usage (on the move and not doing DAW-related stuff), battery life will not be affected by a fast HD.
 
I'm using the new MBP with Logic Pro. Get the Pro, you won't regret it. Bump up the RAM to 4GB though for a smoother experience.
 
PRO definitely...

i was on the G4 Alu Powerbook ...served me very well...

i "up"graded to the black MB and have regretted it ever since...

now im simply waitting for the 2009 mac book pro ...see if theres anything interesting.. MBP with 4gb ram is... pretty much AWESOME already.
 
@Wiezza

Just to let you know, I'm using a macbook white and I'm having some *overload* issue on my logic express. Man, I think you may need a mac pro!
(and yeah, gonna try out bus-ing out to a singular channel for efx and stuffs to reduce my cpu load)

As for the specs between macbook and macbook pro, the forumers are pretty much right, you're paying more for something that won't do better for your audio work. Save $$, get mac pro HAHAHA
 
MacBook

- 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500); supports up to 4GB
- 250GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm
- 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
- Built-in iSight camera; Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (requires adapters, sold separately)
- 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1280-by-800 resolution
- Two USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
- Built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, combined optical digital input/analog line in, combined optical digital input/analog line out


MacBook Pro

- 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 4GB
- 250GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm
- 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics processor; and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
- 256MB GDDR3 ( Graphics Memory )
- Built-in iSight camera; Mini DisplayPort output port with support for DVI, VGA, and dual-link DVI (requires adapters, sold separately)
- 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, 1440-by-900 resolution
- Built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, combined optical digital input/analog line in, combined optical digital output/analog line out

This is what I've found out....
 
Would definitely go for the MacBook Pro! One thing that hasn't been mentioned here, is there is NO Firewire on the entry-level Macbook. If you ever decide to use outboard gear like a digital mixer with multiple mic pres or inputs to record to simultaneous tracks, or a fast external Firewire drive, or even just a Firewire audio interface, the Macbook won't accomodate.

Firewire is still king and worth the cost of the upgrade alone IMHO!

M
 
Do you get the Macbook spec correctly?
Macbook got firewire and 2.13 Ghz CPU.

Go for Macbook Pro, 9400M will take up you main memory, not so nice for DAW.
 
Last edited:
kongwee said:
Do you get the Macbook spec correctly?
Macbook got firewire and 2.13 Ghz CPU.

Go for Mac Pro, 9400M will take up you main memory, not so nice for DAW.
Click to expand...

whoops! you are right...i forgot they've put firewire back on the 13" models after removing them from some models when they launched the new unibody macbooks.

but i still recommend the Pro because of the Firewire 800 port vs. the Firewire 400 on the entry-level Macbook. just a personal preference....either would get by in a pinch depending on how the user is using it....multiple simulataneous tracks, effects, etc...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

soft
Apply Fundamentals of Logic Pro X in Music Production Course
Replies
3
Views
12K
MelanieButler
MelanieButler
L
Learn From A Pro Music Producer!
Replies
3
Views
3K
joecooling
joecooling
A
How Good is Google Doing For The Music Industry?
Replies
0
Views
655
Artistco
A
A
What is the missing link for musician to build a sustaining music career?
Replies
1
Views
945
Artistco
A
M
Trick Drums Pro-1V Bigfoot Double Bass Pedal
Replies
0
Views
20K
mechanevil
M

Latest posts

Share this page

Back
Top