Im looking at purchasing a laptop to run Pro Tools. My school and the rest of the world uses Macs. Im not against Macs at all but a $2300 macbook pro seems pretty hard to justify.
$2300
MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.33GHz
• 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1GB
• 120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
• SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
I know pro tools also works with windows. Can i make my own custom windows laptop for cheaper and almost as good as that macbook? I'll strictly be using this for audio mixing/recording and maybe a little bit of video.. so does that $2300 price tag worth it?
Comments
Baderup99 wrote: Can i make my own custom windows laptop for che
Baderup99 wrote: Can i make my own custom windows laptop for cheaper and almost as good as that macbook?
Yes.
I love the Macbook Pro... it's a great laptop... but it is a little overpriced.
Check this out...
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/ntbkx56800.asp?v=d
$1765
Xplorer X5-6800, 15.4", 2.33 GHz
- 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM
- 120 GB SATA drive @ 5400
- 8x DVD rewritable drive
- 1680 x 1050 screen resolution
- ATI Radeon x1600 with 256MB dedicated memory
You also have the option when you customize to kick the HD speed up to 7200 RPM... an option that is only available in the 17" Macbook pro... as is the 1680 x 1050 screen resolution.
The Macbook that freesignal posted is a pretty good deal... but you could still get a better comp for cheaper or around the same price with the Cyberpower laptop.
$1389
Xplorer X5-6800, 15.4", 2.0 GHz
- 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2 GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM
- 120 GB SATA drive @ 5400
- 8x DVD rewritable drive
- 1680 x 1050 screen resolution
- ATI Radeon x1600 with 256MB dedicated memory
(I would get this build over the first one.. I mean come on.. almost $400 for a chip that is .33 GHz faster... no way!)
This is a little more expensive than the Macbook... but you could always choose to get 1 GB of RAM or something (if you have a copy of the operating system (windows) you could save some more money by taking that off..) Also notice that this is a better deal than the Macbook because you get a video card with dedicated memory (256mb) whereas the Macbook only has onboard video and the screen res. on the cyberpower laptop is a better. This cyberpower is closer to the Macbook Pro specwise than the Macbook.
I would probably opt for the 7200 RPM HD also... can't get that in a Macbook. :(
All of the Apple laptops, on the other hand, come with a lot more software than the cyberpower laptop... so that might be an issue for you if you want all the software... but I have all of the software I need already and would rather not have a bunch of extra crap preloaded onto my comp. (just my personal preference).
As to whether or not the price is justified for the Apple laptops... I think that is a personal choice. They are the best looking laptops on the market... hands down... and you get to use OSX which for some people is a must. Personally, I don't have enough money to worry about asthetics and I know what I'm doing in Windows enough to not have all of the common issues (like viruses and stuff) that are associated with Windows.
I used to think that an operating system was an operating system
I used to think that an operating system was an operating system. So OSX has some nice features, it can't be that great.
Then I started using OS X and just can't go back. The Macbook Pro is one sweet computer. Well worth the price, especially if your DAW is going to be a multipurpose machine. It's more than just hardware that you are buying into.
Drink the purple cool aid.
...I'm not too up on custom laptops, but I see a red flag in moi
...I'm not too up on custom laptops, but I see a red flag in moisiss' post
"I would probably opt for the 7200 RPM HD also... can't get that in a Macbook. "
Whatever you do, get an external 7200rpm firewire drive for your audio. Writing audio to the same drive as the program and OS drive is a bad idea (even worse if you partition it!). A 7200rpm drive in the laptop seems like a waste...
(As a Mac guy I'll also add that you'll get GarageBand in the deal - not bad thing to have around for quick and dirty recordings or demos...)
eveaudio wrote: ...I'm not too up on custom laptops, but I see a
eveaudio wrote: ...I'm not too up on custom laptops, but I see a red flag in moisiss' post
"I would probably opt for the 7200 RPM HD also... can't get that in a Macbook. "
Whatever you do, get an external 7200rpm firewire drive for your audio. Writing audio to the same drive as the program and OS drive is a bad idea (even worse if you partition it!). A 7200rpm drive in the laptop seems like a waste...
(As a Mac guy I'll also add that you'll get GarageBand in the deal - not bad thing to have around for quick and dirty recordings or demos...)
The only reason I would get a 7200 RPM HD is that I have had trouble in the past running sessions off of my external HD (7200 RPM) connected through firewire... I always assumed that it was due to the difference in the data thoughput of a firewire 400 connection as opposed to SATA connection. I could be wrong though.
At any rate, it is only my personal preference... It certainly wouldn't hurt performance...
Ok so if i can run Pro Tools on a PC or Mac and i already know w
Ok so if i can run Pro Tools on a PC or Mac and i already know windows very well, and i can get a nice pc laptop that compares in performance to a Mac, is there any other considerations for getting a Mac then? Im very good with my windows, never had a virus and keep it up-to-date and very clean.
You can run windows on your mac, but you can't run OS X on your
You can run windows on your mac, but you can't run OS X on your wintel box.
Go[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.apple.co…"]here[/]="http://www.apple.co…"]here[/] and read a bit.
I'm biased, so other than running a better operating system, and quality tested hardware that all just works well together, I'd say there are no other considerations other than all the ones pointed out in that link. And probably a bunch more.
Obviously, a windows box will get the job done also. There are plenty of satisfied wintel users out there. You have declared to be capable of the maintaining a clean Windows system, and I'm sure you know how to CtrlAlt+Del your way out of tight spots, so maybe the windows route is the way to go.
All kidding aside;
Make sure to double check specs. If you are basing your purchase on hardware specs, make sure to take a good look. Especially if this computer is also going to be used for school and everyday use. Things like wireless 802.N and bluetooth may come in handy.
And you are right. The Macbook Pro costs a lot of money. So does any leading edge, top of the line portable computer.
Good luck on your research and eventual purchase, and make sure to let us know what you get!
thanks Vonrock, when you 19 years old its funny trying to ask yo
thanks Vonrock, when you 19 years old its funny trying to ask your Dad, "hey dad I was wondering about a laptop for school but its kinda expensive.... Ok how much like $1200? "ummm more like $2200....HAHAHA. And of course its pretty hard to justify that to a parent.
Anyway, we'll and I got more research to do, and a lot of money making to do over the summer. ha thanks!
Because of the low track count with PTLE, you really don't need
Because of the low track count with PTLE, you really don't need a Macbook Pro, a Macbook would do you will have to work hard to reach the limit with any core2duo machine Mac or PC.
In fact I have no problem running Live, Logic Pro, DP5 on a Core Duo Mac mini, and I'm doing more than the 32 track PTLE limit, and it's not even breaking a sweat. I've yet to get the cpu meters to 50%.
8)
I ordered 2 of these babies last month for my macbook. http://ww
I ordered 2 of these babies last month for my macbook. http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820231069 Works like a charm. This was the cheapest I could find. Basically all laptops (including Macbooks and Macbook Pros) come with 2 slots for RAM, usually in pairs, i.e. 2 - 256 MB sticks of RAM to make a total of 512 MB. So, what you can do is order two sticks of these for roughly $130 shipped. Pull out the 2 - 512 MB chips that the Mac Pro come with and sell them on eBay or something and recoup some of that $130 you spent. That would be what I would do, instead of paying an extra $200 for 2 Gigs from Apple, you could end up paying around $80 total (depending on how much you make on the sale of the original gig of RAM).
P.S. People will try and say "Oh, well that's a cheap brand of RAM, bok, bok, bok.... " That's horsesh*t. As long as your not a hardcore gamer, it doesn't matter. PNY is Kingston is G. Skill is any other No-name brand. They're all made by the same Chinaman over seas.
I can get this with my student discount for $1,857.95 I think I'
I can get this with my student discount for $1,857.95
I think I'm gunna buy another gig of ram for it off of newegg so ill have 2 gigs.
MacBook Pro, 15-inch, 2.16GHz
• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 1x1GB
• 120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
• SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• MacBook Pro 15-inch Widescreen Display
• Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
This also comes with Apple's 3-year warranty plan and when of those sleeve cases....good deal?
Ahh there's so much cool software (a lot of free too!) that a ma
Ahh there's so much cool software (a lot of free too!) that a mac can't run
i'm in a similar dilema my friend. Been on PC's for bout 16 yrs now (good ol' DOS :) .The main reason I was considering a mac is because of the 6pin firewire connector which supplies BUS power to a portable recording device which is a major consideration for audiop on the go! i still haven't found a PC which has 6 pin firewire. I'm crapo with laptop knowledge, so maybe theres a way to ad a PCMCIA card or something with 6 pin FW .
QUOTE "Obviously, a windows box will get the job done also"
said like a true macperson lol...it will MORE than get the job done if you know how to use the thing and keep it clean!
freesignal wrote: Mac User rebuttle: You can install Windows on
freesignal wrote: Mac User rebuttle: You can install Windows on a Mac, you can't install OSX on a PC.
Hey have you ever installed windows on a mac? Like can you just switch between the two OS as if they were applications, or do you have to restart the computer each time you want to switch between OS's.
Baderup99 wrote: [quote=freesignal]Mac User rebuttle: You can in
Baderup99 wrote: [quote=freesignal]Mac User rebuttle: You can install Windows on a Mac, you can't install OSX on a PC.
Hey have you ever installed windows on a mac? Like can you just switch between the two OS as if they were applications, or do you have to restart the computer each time you want to switch between OS's.
There are virtualization apps like VMware and parallel's workstaion that allow you to run XP in an OSX window safely behind a UNIX firewall.
Boot Camp Apples's product allows you to boot to XP, it creates a windows partition, and emulates the PC bios that macs lack.
8)
I have not installed Windows on a Mac. However, I know that with
I have not installed Windows on a Mac. However, I know that with Boot Camp (the software that comes free on the Mac) you have to restart to switch operating systems. There is the option of buying and using a well known program called "Parallels" that runs XP in a window, just like a web browser, though. As far as:
Baderup99 wrote: gdoubleyou, Is this all easy stuff to do. and will windows run properly, or sluggish?
My friend just ordered a brand new iMac today (should get here Tuesday) and I'm going over to his house on Thursday to set everything up for him as well as install XP Home Ed. since he wants to have XP on it for his son. I'll be able to answer those questions for you Friday if no one answers them for you before then.
-Patrick
I know of two people who run xp on Mac(one on parallels, the oth
I know of two people who run xp on Mac(one on parallels, the other w/bootcamp) and swear that it runs better on Mac than on a PC.
Running OSX on pc is buggy because there is no real support. Also it is generally by means of cracked versions of the os(more bugs). Parallels and Bootcamp both have support(though not so much with bootcamp as, I believe, it's still beta), as well, they don't void any warranties. Try to explaing to Dell that you fried your cpu trying to install OSX onto it. Not likely to happen but you get the picture.
Regarding free software: 99.9% or the "free" software for pc are cracked. So, there's a potential to introduce trojans, viruses and other nasties into your computer.
In regards to Macs and freeware: Because of the unix based kernel of OSX, there are plenty of freeware programs which can be had. Most running via X11. Ardour being one of them and if you've spent all your cash on the Macbook, have a look at Ardour, it's a pretty robust piece of software. Far beyond Audacity.
One more vote for the MacBook less the pro. The MacBook pro will be overkill.
freesignal wrote: My friend just ordered a brand new iMac today
freesignal wrote: My friend just ordered a brand new iMac today (should get here Tuesday) and I'm going over to his house on Thursday to set everything up for him as well as install XP Home Ed. since he wants to have XP on it for his son. I'll be able to answer those questions for you Friday if no one answers them for you before then.
-Patrick
In response to this:
We only ran into one problem, when I tried to start installing windows, it did not recognize the mac keyboard. We fixed this by connecting a PC USB keyboard to it just for use during the install. I later found out that this 'glitch' could have been fixed simply by plugging the mouse into the mac keyboard and the mac keyboard into the imac (info. per Apple's Boot Camp Support page). I cannot verify this though, so you might want to have a PC keyboard handy, just in case. Other than that, everything worked beautifully.
iMac - $999
Windows XP Home - $99
Boot Camp - FREE
A Windows installation that is actually stable (because it's running on a Mac)
...Priceless.
freesignal wrote: P.S. People will try and say "Oh, well that's
freesignal wrote: P.S. People will try and say "Oh, well that's a cheap brand of RAM, bok, bok, bok.... " That's horsesh*t. As long as your not a hardcore gamer, it doesn't matter. PNY is Kingston is G. Skill is any other No-name brand. They're all made by the same Chinaman over seas.
I used to work in the electronic materials industry so I've been in the QC labs of some of the major players in the RAM industry. I do not believe that it is particularly accurate to say that "PNY is G. Skill", etc. In the first place, G. Skill has been making some pretty good performance RAM over the last year or so. I can't say that about PNY. It all gets down to what the assembler's priorities are. I could point you at cheap G. Skill sticks that perform lousy because they are made from the bottom bin group of chips. So whereas I'm not down on G. Skill, I would recommend looking at the latencies of what you're buying, especially if you are adding an extra stick or two to RAM that already exists in your computer. Another thing - Mushkin has excellent performance at numerous price points and a good online compatibility tool. Their performance RAM overclocks like a beast and is idling at stock clock.
I run bootcamp on my 1.83 17inch iMac to run XP. I do this to pl
I run bootcamp on my 1.83 17inch iMac to run XP. I do this to play an old PC game that I love. It works very, very well. You need to reboot to use this. Only one operating system works at a time.
I have also recently installed Parallels, which allows me to run that very same bootcamp install of XP in a window, or full screen, from within OS X. It works fantastic! I have not been able to run the my favorite game, but did read about a work around to get it running. Not a big issue. I installed this program so I can use Photoshop, and Illistrator, both expensive windows programs (currently being replaced with an excellent open source alternative, just need to take some time to learn it). They work really well within a window in OS X. I can even cut and paste between the two operating systems! The 15 day trial of this emulator software is almost over. I will be buying it (around 80 bucks).
Now as far as running OS X on a windows box, yes it can be done. But it's crippled. So, technically, I suppose the typical windows lovers that usually pipe in on this argument will be correct in saying that you can run OSX on a Windows box, but "running" and "functioning properly" are two very different things. look it up.
freesignal wrote: iMac - $999 Windows XP Home - $99 Boot Camp -
freesignal wrote:
iMac - $999
Windows XP Home - $99
Boot Camp - FREEA Windows installation that is actually stable (because it's running on a Mac)
...Priceless.
I think you had a little too much of the "kool-aid".....
The difference in the hardware between current Mac's and PC's is pretty much negligible...
so saying that Windows would be more stable on basically identical hardware just because it is a "Mac" is silly. The only real difference between a "pc" and a "mac" is the software....
freesignal wrote: [quote=yzfwv]
you can run OSX on a pc.
Why would you want to?
Because then, if you are an OSX user, your hardware options would increase and you could build a custom rig for cheaper than you could buy one from Apple if you so choose. (i.e. no more paying a premium for basically the same hardware just because it has an apple stamped on the outside.) This is assuming it was legal to run OSX on a "pc" (which it currently isn't) and that you could do it without having to use some cracked version.
Freesignal, you take blinkered mac fanboyism to a new level ! B
Freesignal, you take blinkered mac fanboyism to a new level !
Bootcamp may run win XP on a mac box but it is not 100% compatible (how could it be with the many trillions of hardware/software configurations designed without a single thought for Apple hardware).
Most software manufacturers actively discourage using it and will not support any technical issues you have with their software if they know you are running bootcamp (even if it's their software that is faulty).
Macs are great machines, if a little pricey but there are awesome PC equivalents out there too, usually for less dough...
VonRock, I noticed you bit your lip and left, but I won't. Until
VonRock, I noticed you bit your lip and left, but I won't. Until now, I wasn't aware that there was such ignorance and slander in a post I contributed so much to.
leedsquietman wrote: Freesignal, you take blinkered mac fanboyism to a new level !
Guilty. When it comes to Mac's, I'm like a 15 year old girl at a Backstreet Boys concert.
leedsquietman wrote: (how could it be with the many trillions of hardware/software configurations designed without a single thought for Apple hardware).
Funny. Although I agree with you to some extent, this is what your fellow PC-lovin' bedmate had to say:
moisiss wrote: The difference in the hardware between current Mac's and PC's is pretty much negligible...
So, going back to leedsquietman's statement, the software/hardware configurations shouldn't matter because "the difference in the hardware between current Mac's and PC's is pretty much negligible." So which is it?
[]quote="leedsquietman"]Macs are great machines, if a little pricey but there are awesome PC equivalents out there too, usually for less dough...
Not to my knowledge, no. I have yet to come across a PC that doesn't make my piss boil. It's either slow as hell, errors pop up left & right, missing drivers, covered in spyware (perhaps a cause of the other symptoms?), all in all they suck!
Back in my PC-dwelling days, constant troubleshooting, restores, and high blood pressure were common place. Needless to say, I have a lot less stress nowadays because I don't have to do the aforementioned stuff all the time (if ever). Truth be told, do what you want, I know I have and am much happier for it.
hilarious! a MAC is a PC with OSX on it. since the use of intel
hilarious!
a MAC is a PC with OSX on it. since the use of intel procs this is a FACT
the mac pro is the same Xeon computer i sell only less of one as it only had PCIe slots on a single bus where mine or other PC builders have PCI slots as well. how many PCIe audio interfaces are there?
PTHD and Symphony. thats it.
now as far as laptops MAC has an advatage only in that you do not have to do research like you do with a pc laptop trying to find the holy grail of TI chipset firewire.
other than that its identical to a PC laptop.
its a simple Windwows vs OSX.
that is now the only difference.
if you had issues with PCs in the past it was due to 2 things
1) your lack of ability to build/buy the right system which had incompatible parts in it
2)error between monitor and chair
Scott
ADK
ADK audio wrote: a MAC is a PC with OSX on it. since the use of
ADK audio wrote:
a MAC is a PC with OSX on it. since the use of intel procs this is a FACT
Well, I guess maybe you are all right. So, since you obviously (based on your post) are in the computer sales department and based on your quoted statement; I can upgrade the 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor in my 20" iMac to a faster one, right? Since a Mac is a PC with OSX on it, I'd certainly like to look into this. So, please PC gods bestow upon me your plethora of knowledge and shine some light on this.
ADK audio wrote:
if you had issues with PCs in the past it was due to 2 things
1) your lack of ability to build/buy the right system which had incompatible parts in it
Suppose you're right. I really haven't had any issues on the hardware side of things, just the software. So pending all the drivers work for all the hardware, how could this be a compatability issue?
ADK audio wrote:
2)error between monitor and chair
Dammit! How could I have missed this....? Disregard my previous questions, I've just found the answers to them ALL.
See what happens? You get slandered ignorantly. You just hav
See what happens?
You get slandered ignorantly.
You just have to agree that Windows is WAY better. Apple is an overpriced cult. Apple users are ignorant self righteous fools that part with their money easily. Just think, you could have bought a Dell or HP or even had a custom made computer and been running Vista! this whole time. Fool.
Instead, your biggest computing problem is convincing bigots how awesome your Mac is compared to their 'value' PCs. I've had enough. I'm switching back.
Besides, what is life with out a little suffering?
freesignal wrote: I can upgrade the 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo proc
freesignal wrote:
I can upgrade the 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo processor in my 20" iMac to a faster one, right?
I think yes... in theory. It uses the same exact Intel Core 2 Duo (and thus: Socket) that you get in a Dell, Hp, buy yourself from Newegg... etc.) It seems to me that the only problems would be in cracking the case and if Apple has somehow "artificially limited" a CPU upgrade from happening. Also, you would of course void your warranty... if that matters to you... and the take-apart looks pretty daunting. Check out the article below and the pics...
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2006/1/15/2521
http://mactree.sannet.ne.jp/%7ekodawarisan/imac_intel/imac_intel01.html
That's why I'm not sold on the "all-in-one" desktop.... too hard to upgrade (although the newest iMac looks really sweet).
VonRock wrote: See what happens? You get slandered ignorantly.
I'm assuming that you are talking about ADK audio since he is the only one who has posted (besides Freesignal) since your last post..... and in my experience so far, Scott is anything BUT ignorant when it comes to computer audio.
Dude, Macbook (not Pro), 13.3", 2.0 GHz • 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2
Dude,
Macbook (not Pro), 13.3", 2.0 GHz
• 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2 GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x1 GB
• 80 GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
• SuperDrive 6x (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
$1356 with Apple Student Discount. Almost as nice and you save almost $1000. If you can't afford to sacrifice that 333 MHz and 1.7" of "Screen Real Estate", check out Apple's Refurb Products. They offer the same warranty on Refurb products as they do on New. Plus you can buy the extended warranty. At any rate, drop the Student Discount on dat Azz if you choose to buy.