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I'm thinking of buying a new laptop but I'm torn between a mac book pro and a mac book air, I'm looking at the 13" in both but just can't decide, both models have 4Gb of ram and both are i5. the only thing putting me off the air is the 1.4Ghz processor, I was wondering if anyone has a air and uses it to run machine and logic, and traktor with out any problems
There's nothing wrong with the Air's CPU. It will easily handle Traktor, Maschine, and Logic.
You should probably upgrade to 8GB of RAM though.
I'd not get the air.
Personally, I did this mod to my Macbook pro and put the RAM up to 8GB myself.
More space, better performance.
More space, sure. But not more performance.
The outdated 2012 MBP's CPU only has a negligible lead over the refreshed Haswell CPU in the Air (yes, that 1.4GHz one), and the Air's SSDs are around twice as fast as any SSD you could 'mod' into the old Pro.
(edit: the Air also has a much better GPU with the Intel 5000 vs the 4000 in the Pro)
I would like to point out that trying to produce on a 13" screen sucks. I finally updated my mid-2010 Macbook Pro and am going with a 15" screen this time.
Producing on a laptop in general sucks. I split screen the DAW across my 27" and 24" screens.
I use a dual monitor setup for EVERYTHING...including everything I do with music. The additional screen real estate is REALLY handy for everything. I also use an external keyboard and external trackball mouse. Having one monitor vertical, and one horizontal can be handy for some tasks...I have that for the "day job" but not the "home setup."
+1 on the upgrade of the RAM.
doing any lengthy use on a 13" screen would suck. You really shouldnt be trying to do too much detailed work on a monitor that small
Youll find yourself hunching towards it for hours at a time and with that small or a monitor, the keys would also be closer together.
Get a ruler and put your hands inside the ends and try sitting there while sitting BACK from your monitor.
Notice your wrists need to turn WAY in.