# mac processor advice **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 23, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423 "2009-08-23T16:06:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheRealCasewag](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/therealcasewag/32/6146_2.png) [@TheRealCasewag](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/TheRealCasewag)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 4:06pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/1 "2009-08-23T16:06:28Z")
**mac processor advice** Hey, all I’m extremely anxious to get a mac dedicated for dj use. I know most people aren’t using machines with Core Duos anymore…but I know a guy who is willing to sell me his old macbook pro for pretty cheap. It’s a few years old, but in excellent shape…here are the specs: 2.0GHz Core Duo Mac OS X 10.4, Tiger 320G HD 2G Ram Is it worth buying this just to be used with Traktor Pro? Or should I drop the extra money to go with a newer Core **2** Duo machine? Can i still rock a long ass set with these specs and use hella effects & 4 decks? Assuming that I “streamline” this machine just for dj use as recommended by mikecharles @ DJTT… Thanks for advice, Mac users! ---
**Author:** ![djhipnotikk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djhipnotikk/32/12495_2.png) [@djhipnotikk](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djhipnotikk)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/2 "2009-08-23T16:51:33Z")
if the price is good, i’d go for it. i’m running 2.4ghz/2gb ram with no hiccups/crashes while running multiple DAWs (Traktor + Ableton + Nicecast - could even add Logic to the mix). not sure what difference the 400mhz will make, but i can imagine it’s not much. if you bought a new one it would probably be a unibody, and i haven’t heard great things about them (not enough ports, if the screen cracks you have to replace the entire machine, etc). good luck! ---
**Author:** ![TheRealCasewag](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/therealcasewag/32/6146_2.png) [@TheRealCasewag](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/TheRealCasewag)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/3 "2009-08-23T16:55:18Z")
yeah i’ve heard of macbook users doing great with djing on 2.0Ghz processors, but theyre all using core TWO duos… ---
**Author:** ![djhipnotikk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djhipnotikk/32/12495_2.png) [@djhipnotikk](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djhipnotikk)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/4 "2009-08-23T17:01:24Z")
it’s just a name, honestly. they repackage it and sell it as a much better processor with a heftier price tag. > [@http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/8263](#): > > The chips are built using the same production process and fit in the same sockets as Core Duo chips. … **you won’t see many spec changes** : Both chips have the **same frontside bus speed** of 667MHz, but Core 2 Duo is now available at **somewhat** faster clock speeds (as I write this, 2.67GHz chips are available) … The Core 2 also has the **same L2 cache that the Core has**. However, there are architecture changes to the silicon that give the Core 2 more sophisticated processing abilities. so yeah. if you want the “more sophisticated” processing abilities.. 😛 edit: also from that link: “Performance is still very good with Core, so don’t feel like you’re getting second-class goods if you buy a Core Duo notebook” ---
**Author:** ![lsmith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c77e96/32.png) [@lsmith](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/lsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/5 "2009-08-23T17:03:45Z")
afaik the original core duo only went to 2.33 ghz .. so you might be running a core 2 duo and not a core duo (talk about confusing names). aside from the processor differences, todays macbooks (unibody or not) also run with a much much faster embedded graphic card. they also have a bit more L2 cache. i havent been following things in the entire cpu area enough to really tell the performance difference. but this is technology from 3 years ago. so not ancient, but i would expect a very nice deal on this if i were to buy it. upping the memory to 4GB might also give the system a nice boost. ---
**Author:** ![djhipnotikk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djhipnotikk/32/12495_2.png) [@djhipnotikk](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djhipnotikk)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/6 "2009-08-23T17:16:58Z")
> [@lsmith](#): > > afaik the original core duo only went to 2.33 ghz .. so you might be running a core 2 duo and not a core duo i am running a 2 duo ---
**Author:** ![JesC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jesc/32/10376_2.png) [@JesC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/JesC)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/7 "2009-08-23T18:22:25Z")
dont trip, get the mac, its a core duo you can only go up to 3 gb (2 gb + 1 gb stick) Man, Im still trying to get my hands on a old school 17" Powerbook 1.67 ghz G4, those things are a work horse, but are hard to come by. ---
**Author:** ![lsmith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c77e96/32.png) [@lsmith](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/lsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/8 "2009-08-23T19:20:58Z")
> [@djhipnotikk](#): > > it’s just a name, honestly. they repackage it and sell it as a much better processor with a heftier price tag. well that was the case with the original core 2 duo, but the current models do have more L2 cache, they also use energy etc .. but yeah .. its not too big a deal and so i after some more reading, it does seem like the biggest difference will be on the graphic card, but that shouldnt matter unless you are VJing. ---
**Author:** ![metaverse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/metaverse/32/14479_2.png) [@metaverse](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/metaverse)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/9 "2009-08-24T00:58:19Z")
> [@JesC](#): > > dont trip, get the mac, its a core duo you can only go up to 3 gb (2 gb + 1 gb stick) Man, Im still trying to get my hands on a old school 17" Powerbook 1.67 ghz G4, those things are a work horse, but are hard to come by. What would be the main use for one of these ?? Are you trying to get your hands on one of those just because they’d be cheap since they’re older or something ?? I dont fully understand the logic behind this other than the big screen 😉 ---
**Author:** ![loslosbaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@loslosbaby](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/loslosbaby)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:57am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/10 "2009-08-24T05:57:31Z")
Its a subtle point that only a gear head would really care about, but, core 2 duo’s are internally 64-bit, and have some problems that core 2 had with cache invalidation fixed and that’s a good thing because it was causing some “wastage” on the front-side bus in particular. Check out the store, you can score an aluminum macbook 13" for 899$: > **[Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac?mco=MTE3NjY)** > > Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns. …and you can even get the brandy-new gen with SD-slot for 1299$. To me, bus speed seems to have been the amazing factor over my mac experience. I had a PB17 with 100MHz and it was cool for somethings, doggy for video/sound/photoshop. Next was macbook (core solo), macbook (core duo) and now a MBP17 2.4. There was a HUGE jump going from PB17-\>Macbook(solo) that was astounding…and then another pretty damned big jump from the Macbook(duo) to this awesome MBP17. I bought the MBP model that is immediately pre-unibody, with 4Gig for 1800$ off the refurb store, and man, that’s pretty damned elite. I am a programmer, a power user, and a total idiot all in one, and so I have a lot of programs running…and never any troubles…its amazing, suspicious, and I’m waiting for the hammer to fall, but it hasn’t. I heartily recommend the refurb machines all the way. G. ---
**Author:** ![TheRealCasewag](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/therealcasewag/32/6146_2.png) [@TheRealCasewag](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/TheRealCasewag)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/11 "2009-08-24T10:22:05Z")
happy to report that after WEEKS of painful troubleshooting with a Dell 1737, I’ve purchased the said Mac and given all hardware/software a trial run…SUCH A RELIEF. Audio 8, VCI SE, & Traktor Pro all running smooth with low latency! Only given it an hour test run so far though. Tonight I sleep and tomorrow I FINALLY get to spend some time mixing, setting grids and cue points, and experimenting with effects instead of pulling my hair out over my digital transition. Thanks for your help everyone. This site is amazing! ---
**Author:** ![djhipnotikk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/djhipnotikk/32/12495_2.png) [@djhipnotikk](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djhipnotikk)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/12 "2009-08-24T13:29:13Z")
> [@TheRealCasewag](#): > > happy to report that after WEEKS of painful troubleshooting with a Dell 1737, I’ve purchased the said Mac and given all hardware/software a trial run…SUCH A RELIEF. Audio 8, VCI SE, & Traktor Pro all running smooth with low latency! Only given it an hour test run so far though. Tonight I sleep and tomorrow I FINALLY get to spend some time mixing, setting grids and cue points, and experimenting with effects instead of pulling my hair out over my digital transition. Thanks for your help everyone. This site is amazing! yeaahhhH! congratulations brother. > [@JesC](#): > > dont trip, get the mac, its a core duo you can only go up to 3 gb (2 gb + 1 gb stick) Man, Im still trying to get my hands on a old school 17" Powerbook 1.67 ghz G4, those things are a work horse, but are hard to come by. > **[Amazon.com: Apple PowerBook Laptop 17" M9689LL/A (1.67 GHz PowerPC G4, 512 MB...](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-PowerBook-M9689LL-PowerPC-SuperDrive/dp/B0006HU494)** > > Amazon.com From the Manufacturer Miraculously engineered, the ultralight 17-inch PowerBook G4 is a mere 1-inch thin and only 6.9 pounds, making it one of the planet's thinnest, lightest, 17-inch... ---
**Author:** ![jthompsn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jthompsn/32/12238_2.png) [@jthompsn](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/jthompsn)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/13 "2009-08-24T13:38:18Z")
sweet, love my macbook, good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Karlos\_Santos](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/karlos_santos/32/13263_2.png) [@Karlos\_Santos](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Karlos_Santos)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/14 "2009-08-24T14:28:34Z")
> [@JesC](#): > > dont trip, get the mac, its a core duo you can only go up to 3 gb (2 gb + 1 gb stick) . The original Core Duo is 2gig Max the next gen Core Duo 2 can take a max of 3gig (thats mine). Then the rest 4 gig and upwards. 1gb Stick ??? Enlighten me 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lsmith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c77e96/32.png) [@lsmith](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/lsmith)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/15 "2009-08-24T16:58:21Z")
**Re: mac processor advice** ah ouch. IIRC not using the same size in both banks reduces performance too ---
**Author:** ![metaverse](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/metaverse/32/14479_2.png) [@metaverse](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/metaverse)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2009, 5:17pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/16 "2009-08-24T17:17:11Z")
> [@TheRealCasewag](#): > > happy to report that after WEEKS of painful troubleshooting with a Dell 1737, I’ve purchased the said Mac and given all hardware/software a trial run…SUCH A RELIEF. Audio 8, VCI SE, & Traktor Pro all running smooth with low latency! Only given it an hour test run so far though. Tonight I sleep and tomorrow I FINALLY get to spend some time mixing, setting grids and cue points, and experimenting with effects instead of pulling my hair out over my digital transition. Thanks for your help everyone. This site is amazing! AHHHH !!! The fucked up thing is I have the SAME EXACT DELL - the studio 1737 and i’m doing the same - i’m selling this fucker and going for a MAC , I’m sick of troubleshooting. Best of luck and please report back with your success’ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![loslosbaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/57b2e6/32.png) [@loslosbaby](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/loslosbaby)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 5:54am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/17 "2009-08-25T05:54:10Z")
Refurb’d brand-new model 13-inch MBP with SD slot etc…999$ > **[Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac?mco=MTE3NjY)** > > Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns. You can put 8gig in these machines 😃 ---
**Author:** ![JesC](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/jesc/32/10376_2.png) [@JesC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/JesC)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2009, 7:15am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/mac-processor-advice/5423/18 "2009-08-25T07:15:04Z")
> [@metaverse](#): > > What would be the main use for one of these ?? Are you trying to get your hands on one of those just because they’d be cheap since they’re older or something ?? I dont fully understand the logic behind this other than the big screen 😉 I would get this beast simply to run Traktor 3.4 (sorry not of fan of T-Pro) > [@Karlos\_Santos](#): > > The original Core Duo is 2gig Max the next gen Core Duo 2 can take a max of 3gig (thats mine). Then the rest 4 gig and upwards. > > 1gb Stick ??? Enlighten me 😉 I stand corrected. Damn you scuba steve!