Macbook Air or Macbook Pro - Traktor + Maschine (+Ableton)

[gameshack]

Hi guys - i'm planning on getting a Macbook Air and hope to get some answers regarding performance.

The Macbook in question is last years Model with 13", i5 1.4GHz, 8GB RAM and a 512 SSD. It's used and has a scuffed corner - that's why the price is ok for my budget.

I'd like to use it for my basic stuff at university and for DJing during the weekends. The first, shouldn't be too much for it while the latter could. Regarding my setup i use Traktor with Midi Controller and add Live Fingerdrumming with Maschine. (Sometimes i add Ableton with Novation Launchpads and/or a MidiFighter3D, making that 3 "heavy" programs - not a must though [quite big live controllerism setup]) My PC handles that fine, but with an i7 clocked at 3.99GHz and 16GB of RAM that's no surprise.

Does anyone know if the MBA is enough + has headroom or do i need to keep looking for an Macbook Pro?

Thanks in advance and cheers from germany!

[dj wo k]

Macbook Pro before 2011

[gameshack]

uhm... that doesn't answer any of my questions at all...

[photojojo]

Macbook Pro

[deevey]

Macbook Pro

The Air should have plenty of horsepower to run what you are running, hell my Macbook Core 2 Duo has enough grunt to run Ableton and Traktor Simultaneously without any Glitching.

If the price is good, I'd say go for it, otherwise get the pro - although you mentioned budget so guessing used is the only option ?

Big Questions are:
1. What price is it going for ?
2. Do you trust the seller ?

[gameshack]

1. What price is it going for ?
2. Do you trust the seller ?

Thanks for your answer! The first one that actually gives me an idea of what the device should be capable of.

Found it on a local site similar to craigslist - it's a 2014 Macbook Air with 1.4GHz i5, 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.

It's got a scuff on one corner because it fell from chair-height on tiles (Doesn't bother me though). Price is 900€ and i'll be getting it personally since that's quite a bit of money to lose. IMHO the price is good for what i get since these normally run for 300 more in mint condition here and the new models got more expensive recently thanks to Apple who raised it due the Euro/Dollar Course...

So again - 900€ + trust shouldn't be an issue since i'll check it myself once i'm there^^

[Scribbl3]

I run Ableton, Traktor, and Adobe Illustrator on my 2013 Macbook Air (i7 1.7GHz, 8gb ram) without any problems. I know that's better specs than the one you are looking at. Unfortunately, I don't have an i5 to test it on.

The 2013 and 2014 Macbook Air's both use Haswell processors, the 2014 MPAs are just clocked faster.

Here is a good article that compares the i5 and the i7 processors:
http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/ma...dvice-3489917/

In it, it says if you are doing things with music, like logic and garage band, stick with an i5 and spend more on storage space.

So, as a general rule, if you are a programmer, video editor, or work in 3D rendering, or deal in huge finance documents then you should veer towards the Intel i7 CPU. If you are a photographer, image editor, gamer or musician, then the i5 is a more financially prudent choice. It’s worth noting that the i5 often provides plenty of power for the average Mac user. Spend the money on extra storage or RAM.

IMO an i5 should be fine. But the only way to know is by giving it a test.

[gameshack]

Thanks for all your replies guys! I think i'll go for it then. In the very worst case i'll sell it again. Loss shouldn't be high by any means.

I'll follow up with an update once i try everything.

[Scribbl3]

yeah, let us know how it works. I've been wondering lately how an i5 would perform vs an i7 for DJ stuff.

[gameshack]

A Macbook Air is more than enough for my tripple combo (without heavy VSTs ofcourse) - #themoreyouknow