Eeeek?! Which 13" macbook??

Printable View

10-16-2011, 08:53 AM
JazZmutant

Eeeek?! Which 13" macbook??
Heya's. Ive decided I want to make my booth footprint a little smaller so im going to get a dedicated 13" macbook. But I dunno which one to get..

Im looking at either:
- White macbook 2.4ghz spec'd to 4gb ram with a 256gb SSD
or
- Current entry level MBP (2.3 ghz i5)
**The only reason im considering the white mac is because it'll be about $200-300 (AUS) cheaper than the MBP**

Im about to get maschine, so it will need to be able to run that and TSP2 at the same time without a hitch. Also looking at maybe doing some sets with ableton again (also using maschine).

How do people think they will perform?

ps currently using 15" MBP 2.8ghz core2duo 8gb ram
10-16-2011, 09:11 AM
Swizzy

In my experience buying macs I always buy the best processor i can get. If you take care of it, it will last at least four years but programs get bigger and better in that 4 years so its always great to have room to grow.

I switched to a MBP and the metal case just makes me feel safer. Personally I think shelling out the money for the MBP is totally worth it because of the same argument above.

For reference I have a 15" MBP and I have had Chrome, Traktor and Logic open at the same time with no problem.

So buy the best you can now because you will be happier in the future
10-16-2011, 09:17 AM
towifer

The white macbook has been discontinued, i'd go with a pro anyway new processing power means it'll be able to run programs for longer (eg when new versions get released).
10-16-2011, 09:24 AM
ichitaka

I have a Windows for the same money of a MBP....

I can have open Chrome with about 15 Tabs, Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, Traktor, Ableton and Firefox... I'm just saying when you start to think about saving money...
10-16-2011, 09:38 AM
mostapha

Buy the MBP and get your SSD from someone other than Apple…just install it yourself.

Saves money. And, it gets you a better drive.
10-16-2011, 10:17 AM
DJZILCH

i personally find the 13 inch screen too small, my next macbook pro will probably be a 15 inch one with the matte hi res screen

speaking of the cpu of the macbook ur talking bout, currently im using the 2010 macbook pro (13 inch, 2.4ghz C2D, 8GB DDR3 , 750GB WD Scorpio Blue) and while it is a very stable system, i am starting to feel that the C2D is getting outdated, for djing alone its fine but if you wanna run maschine alongside traktor i think you'd be best off getting at least the i5 or i7 one

personally i'd wait a bit for their next macbook pro update before purchasing, i heard they are either doing a speed bump or an all new update to the macbook pro series pretty soon (this upcoming major update/redesign is the one im waiting for)
10-16-2011, 02:20 PM
Karlos Santos

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichitaka

I have a Windows for the same money of a MBP....
.

This is irrelevant to the topic. The guy is already a Mac user and the guy wants a new Mac, lets help him choose one.

Im not trying to be funny... but the guy is not asking about PC. Im sure he knows that he can get a PC for cheaper.

Same applies to threads about PCs. People should not turn these threads into PC vs Mac.

Jus' sayin'
10-16-2011, 02:33 PM
padi_04

Go for the MBP, the aluminium body stands a lot better time and abuse. Besides, it's always to get the best you can afford when you are upgrading processing power, drives and ram can be upgraded later.
10-16-2011, 03:58 PM
mostapha

Quote:

Originally Posted by padi_04

Go for the MBP, the aluminium body stands a lot better time and abuse. Besides, it's always to get the best you can afford when you are upgrading processing power, drives and ram can be upgraded later.

I'd agree to some extent. But, I don't think the high-end processors that come in the 13-inch macbooks are worth the difference in price. But, that's just me.

I'd buy the bottom-end MBP and get a real SSD…and just upgrade to 16GB of ram about 2 years out when the prices come down to something halfway reasonable.
10-16-2011, 04:01 PM
Garygary1

i would just stick with the 15 in, the 1400 by 900 res is perfect for traktor
10-16-2011, 04:20 PM
LeeZer

The white mac has slower ram and no integrated memory controller compared to the macbook pro. The body on the pro is more hardy and helps greatly with cooling. SSD's are getting cheaper and cheaper and always worth waiting till you can afford the size you want, not what you can afford at the time of mac purchase. I say this because the size is important but by the time you can afford the drive, the flash chips are quicker and more reliable than 6 months ago.
10-16-2011, 04:37 PM
willrjmarshall

The MBP. Build quality is worth it.

While I usually agree with Mostapha, last time I priced SSDs Apple actually subsidizes the SSDs they install in new Macbooks. Check the facts for your region.

(It's also worth considering the Airs for DJing. I bought one specifically for this and it *rocks*)
10-16-2011, 07:01 PM
JazZmutant

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Ive done some more looking around and im thinking the i5 MBP would be the better choice. Cheeerrrsss!

Ive read that there is going to be a spec's bump either nov or dec and the new design macbook pro is due for release in the second quarter along with the new Mac Pro apparently.

Another interesting rumor I read is that the new/redesigned 13" MBP's could be getting a quad core processor as some new chips have recently been released..

It almost make me want to hold out and wait for the next best thing, but if you play that game with apple, you will be waiting forever lol
10-16-2011, 07:09 PM
inverted83

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazZmutant

It almost make me want to hold out and wait for the next best thing, but if you play that game with apple, you will be waiting forever lol

I hear that. Just go for it and don't look back! I waited for an iPhone upgrade which I thought would come out in June/July, which turned out being underwhelming and in October lol.
10-16-2011, 07:11 PM
mostapha

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazZmutant

It almost make me want to hold out and wait for the next best thing, but if you play that game with apple, you will be waiting forever lol

Yeah…that's true with anybody. But their update cycles are kinda predictable. If you think an upgrade is coming and you don't need a computer…might wait a month or two.

But if you need a new computer, you need a new computer.
10-16-2011, 07:15 PM
LeeZer

your correct the next chips will be further versions of current chips but hardly worth a reason to wait when considering just running Traktor IMO. if was production work or video work then i'd say maybe wait. but not for DJ'ing really
10-16-2011, 10:39 PM
wongaling

dude I haven't been mixing for a long time but I know what feels safer to me and thats having my computer in a big chunk of aluminium instead of plastic. yea you might be saving money now but you never know what could happen in the future and maybe having a aluminium case might just save your night or wallet.
10-16-2011, 11:04 PM
geminimech

An aluminum case won't save a head from chunking a platter if you drop it off a desk.
Just sayin'. And just because the case is more durable doesn't meant the stuff inside is.

Get what you can afford. Either one will do the job. Also, in terms of hard drives, look into hybrid drives. Flash memory for OS file caching, but with 300-500 Gb of space spinning at 7400 rpm and MUCH cheaper. Boot and load times are dramatically decreased, without destroying your wallet and giving you tons more space.
10-16-2011, 11:08 PM
nuke5

get whatever you want its your choice in the end
10-16-2011, 11:51 PM
wongaling

"An aluminum case won't save a head from chunking a platter if you drop it off a desk."
what does that even mean???
10-17-2011, 06:09 AM
Karlos Santos

My mates white Macbook cracked whilst just sitting in its case and she only used it for Office 2008. She isnt a DJ.

They dont call them Crackbooks for nothing.
10-17-2011, 08:17 AM
V-Hoff

Man, I would wait a bit before buying a new MBP now...

It have been some rumors that they would have a small upgrade before the end of the year, can you wait a bit more?

Other then that I would buy the entry level MBP and replace the HDD for a SSD bought elsewhere. Keep the HDD, buy a case and have a external drive for movies, pictures cause you might need it because of having only 256gb SSD.
If you really need to have all your files with you, I would consider use a Optibay and replace your Optical Drive with an HDD, just be careful to look to one that would not overheat your computer (I've getting some feedback on 7200rpm ones overheating as the main HD, not sure if they will been the second HD).
10-17-2011, 09:27 AM
geminimech

Quote:

Originally Posted by wongaling

"An aluminum case won't save a head from chunking a platter if you drop it off a desk."
what does that even mean???

?

A hard drive. Even though most newer laptops, macbooks included, detect sudden movement and park the hard drive heads prior to blammo, I wouldn't always count on that from being able to save your drive from destruction. An aluminum body won't prevent that from occurring any less than a polycarbonate one would. It also wouldn't prevent you from losing a logic board if you spilled beer on it, or the lcd from cracking if you dropped it, etc. About the only things the aluminum unibody does better than the polycarbonate, is empty your wallet quicker, and dissipate heat better. So get the most upgraded one that you can afford. Adding more RAM, and a better hard drive is inexpensive and easy to do.
10-17-2011, 09:30 AM
geminimech

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlos Santos

My mates white Macbook cracked whilst just sitting in its case and she only used it for Office 2008. She isnt a DJ.

They dont call them Crackbooks for nothing.

The newer ones are made a bit better, and less prone to breaking. They actually resemble very much the aluminum unibody, just made from polycarbonate obviously. Also any of that is covered under apple care, which is definitely worth it if you can drop the extra dough.
10-17-2011, 10:05 AM
Karlos Santos

The issue with the polycarb is that the front casing cracks and Apple Care will take care of it sure, but that leaves you without a Mac to do gigs.

If its pre October 2009 i wouldnt touch it. The models after October have different casing as you mentioned.

The next full revision of the Macbook Pro range is due Feb 2012.
10-17-2011, 11:17 AM
mostapha

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeZer

your correct the next chips will be further versions of current chips but hardly worth a reason to wait when considering just running Traktor IMO. if was production work or video work then i'd say maybe wait. but not for DJ'ing really

Yeah…it's not even necessary for audio production and recording.

First…depending on the software, it doesn't make a difference. Pro Tools can still only use one CPU core, for example. I'm pretty sure they're never going to update it so people will keep buying the HD Accel cards.

Second…my early 2011 low-end 13" MBP (2.3 i5 dual core, 4gb ram, aftermarket 128GB Mercury SSD) can run Traktor, Maschine, and Logic together at once with 4 stereo channels going from Traktor -> Logic and 16 stereo channels going from Maschine -> Logic and everything midi sync'd…with the Internal sound card set for a total latency of like 10-12ms (Traktor was at like 64 samples, Maschine was at 256, Logic was at 64)…with wifi and bluetooth on, no system tweaks, and Chrome still running with several windows open.

Any modern Mac will run just about any modern DJ or Production software…run out of ram, just bounce some tracks to audio.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wongaling

"An aluminum case won't save a head from chunking a platter if you drop it off a desk."
what does that even mean???

The aluminium case won't save a hard drive from a hard enough impact. Which is true.

Buy an SSD.