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B3NJ1

Joined: 22/12/12
Posts: 4

Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated!
#1025536 - 22/12/12 07:31 AM

There's a second-hand (newish) Macbook Pro I'm looking at with:

• 8GB DDR3 RAM
• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz
• 128GB Solid State Drive

I want to use it with a Fireface 400 and Ableton Live, for live performances in particular.

Are those specs good enough?

Been doing research but it always helps to get a second opinion.

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Chevytraveller
member

Joined: 13/05/00
Posts: 658
Loc: London

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: B3NJ1]
#1025540 - 22/12/12 08:40 AM

In terms of processing horsepower, that will be fine, but the lack of storage will be an issue..
You'll ideally need a 256Gb Flash drive if you want any library on it and you'll probably want to pull out the Optical drive and put in a second HD probably about 1TB

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MBP 17", PC 100(Nubus Protools) Motu 896, X-Station, Logic9, Reason6, Korg legacy, ACE, Alchemy, Emax II, E-Synth, Evolver MEK, Waldorf Pulse and Blofeld, AS Telemark, AS Leipzig-S

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B3NJ1

Joined: 22/12/12
Posts: 4

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: Chevytraveller]
#1025545 - 22/12/12 09:47 AM

Thanks for the reply, but dammit. I'm a beginner on a budget. I just want to get a reliable setup for as cheap as possible, without having to customize anything. I'm not a 'computer person'. What's the best stock Mac for what I want? Either a new model or one from the last couple of years that I might be able to find second hand?

Thanks a whole heap to anyone who can be bothered replying...

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B3NJ1

Joined: 22/12/12
Posts: 4

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: Chevytraveller]
#1025554 - 22/12/12 10:47 AM

If I just use this computer for music production and if I'm minimalistic with my virtual instruments, just the essential ones (i.e. a few from NI, Ableton Suite, a few others), could I get away with 128GB? It seems like I should be able to...

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johnny h

Joined: 24/07/06
Posts: 2270

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: B3NJ1]
#1025589 - 22/12/12 01:24 PM

Quote B3NJ1:

If I just use this computer for music production and if I'm minimalistic with my virtual instruments, just the essential ones (i.e. a few from NI, Ableton Suite, a few others), could I get away with 128GB? It seems like I should be able to...

Yeah but its a real pain being stuck with such a small amount of space. If you can spare the extra pounds then I think its worth it.

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The Elf
active member

Joined: 14/08/01
Posts: 8155
Loc: Sheffield, UK

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: B3NJ1]
#1025593 - 22/12/12 02:26 PM

Do you use NI Kontakt? If so you need to allow over 100GB for its sample library!

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An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

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DAGGILARR

Joined: 22/09/10
Posts: 542
Loc: Exeter, Devon.

Re: Are these Macbook specs good enough? (Know nothin bout computers) Help appreciated! new

[Re: B3NJ1]
#1025600 - 22/12/12 04:47 PM

You could consider that machine with an external firewire drive for bulk storage, I believe that would work fine, you can pick up a 500 GB drive for well under £100. Or that machine but just replace the SSD with a hybrid, a very straight-forward procedure but a bit more costly.

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Strictly an amateur with some nice toys,

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