Well Im currently selling my macbook pro to a friend and plan on updating to a new one but now I ran into a problem. The new macbook with the Haswell processors should be releasing mid-september/october. But I’m debating on getting a 13" macbook air & mini vs a 15" macbook pro. The mac mini would be used in my studio for more production side and since its small it wouldn’t be a hassle if I ever had to bring it somewhere. The air would be for live stuff. Heres the prices with upgrades included what would you do? Also I would be buying the air now and wait for the new mini to come out if I went that route.
Macbook Air 13" = 1250
1.3 i5 to 1.7 i7 = 140
4GB to 8GB RAM = 90
256GB to 512GB = 270
TOTAL_________ = 1750
Mac Mini = 780
2.3 i7 to 2.6 i7 = 90
4GB to 16GB RAM = 120
1TB HD = 0
TOTAL______________ = 1020
TOTAL______________ = 2770
Macbook Pro 15" = 1700
2.3 i7 to 2.6 i7 = 120
4GB to 16GB RAM = 120
1TB + 512/960SSD = 375 / 600
Accessories = 30 [Tools, Extra HD Bay,etc]
i would get the mini and the MBA, it’s great to have a separate machine for Producing and DJing. I have a mini, i7 16gb ram, and it’s handles absolutely everything I throw at it in ableton
I run traktor and ableton at the same time when I play live and I would do it to future proof myself at the same time I can always upgrade ram or my hard drive but you cant really upgrade your processor so I might as well max it out
always get the larger processor, its the only thing you cant upgrade yourself so might as well get the biggest one off the bat. ram and HDD/SSD upgrades are easy!
Upgrades aren’t exactly easy on a macbook air, they’re downright impossible (RAM is soldered for example).
I’m waiting on the new haswell macbook pros but I want something more powerful as it will also my main video editing computer while on the road. (Already considering getting an external drive for my tracks, and an external (or a couple) for the video stuff..)
Get the air or mini, but if you’re considering a Pro, it might be better to wait, especially because of the Thunderbolt 2 connector that’ll be on it(future proof much?).
I would also wait for the haswell rmbp, it also comes with a faster pci e interface for the ssd compared to sata, or I would go for the AG screen on a cmbp.
Anyone got haswell? How’s it fairing up with traktor?
Get the 13" retina MBP and the Mini. The rMBP is actually smaller than the MBA., just not thinner on one side. Remember; Apple will focus on retina more and more in the future, so buying a Macbook Air with a non-retina display wouldn’t be my first choice.
Have debated between these two (but with 256GB SSD, have a 2TB external hd) for some time, but the size difference and with an eye on the future (resale-value etc) I’ve decided the rMBP would be the best option
