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mac question

ok im changing from a pc to a mac but i dont know what i need.
i want to run reason and logic pro 7 and eventualy some stuff like native intrumemts,

i was gonna grab one at a music store but i dont really trust the people at music stores, or should i?. or should i go to an apple store to buy one

can some one help me with this i dont know to much about computers either, like all the technical terms and stuff

i usually run about 30 tracks in a song and i dont want it to have any problems.

i hope this is enough info

Re: mac question

quote:

Originally posted by lowski ok im changing from a pc to a mac but i dont know what i need. i want to run reason and logic pro 7 and eventualy some stuff like native intrumemts, i was gonna grab one at a music store but i dont really trust the people at music stores, or should i?. or should i go to an apple store to buy one can some one help me with this i dont know to much about computers either, like all the technical terms and stuff i usually run about 30 tracks in a song and i dont want it to have any problems. i hope this is enough info

Get it from the Apple store. Macs are priced the same brand new everywhere because they have to be. I would not however, buy any accessories from the apple store. get your mac pro / whatever, and get out of there You can add Ram, Hard drives etc... buy buying stuff online that works.

And further... buy as fast a mac as you can afford. Something new will come out, you just can't get upset about it. it's computers. I don't i think production machine wise, all you can get is the mac pro, or a refurb G5. I have a quad G5 and it totally kicks ass.

Like CReddick said, you might as well buy it from the apple store. About what mac you need, it kind of depends on what your needs are. I recently bought a Mac Pro, and for me it's been one of the best buys I've ever done. Finally I can do whatever I want, and not think about bouncing stems and stuff like that. However, I know a lot of people that get exactly the same feeling from a MacBook. To be honest, I think a MacBook and an external lcd would do the job for you and then some if you're running 30 tracks. Anyways, unless you're a gamer I would not recommend the MacBook Pro. The only big difference between that and the MacBook is the graphics card.

If you have crazy money to spend, definately get a pro. Otherwise the high end imacs should do.

Is Logic the only reason you are switching to a Mac based setup?

quote:

Originally posted by deceptikon Is Logic the only reason you are switching to a Mac based setup?

Does one really need a reason to throw out their PC and get a Mac?

I switched because of logic.......and got a top of the line 24" imac....and the damn thing sucked more then a pc .crashed all the time.then the screen actually burnt out so i took the hunk of shite back and im getting a pc again......plus the mac os i think is stupid. It's made for kids. everything is done for you but allows no diversity. You cant do what you want................did i mention the macs are slow? i could go on and on. macs suck

The answer to that question weighs quite heavily on how computer savvy you are. One of my close mates swears by Macs because PCs are so "unreliable" but he's had at least an equal number of issues with his new Macbook as I've had with my slightly aging PC. I guess it all comes down to what you want really hey? I like my 30" Dell LCD which cost less than 2/3 of the equivalent Apple display which uses the same Samsung panel, and my monitor was supplied with a GeForce 7900GTX included in the cost. All good though, best of luck with the Mac adventure.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Sound I switched because of logic.......and got a top of the line 24" imac....and the damn thing sucked more then a pc .crashed all the time.then the screen actually burnt out so i took the hunk of shite back and im getting a pc again......plus the mac os i think is stupid. It's made for kids. everything is done for you but allows no diversity. You cant do what you want................did i mention the macs are slow? i could go on and on. macs suck

Ah my mate's lappy has exhibited no performance issues speed wise, it just gets absurdly hot, the battery cover has bulged out and the black finish on it is not the best. You'd expect abit more for the financial outlay required to buy a decently spec'd Apple computer.

OK.. I didn't mean to start the whole mac vs. PC debate.

Our friend has decided to go mac, we'll help with the purchase.

everyone has their own unique experiences with each, and we'll just leave it at that.

No stupid argument here dude, let's try to keep this convo civil! We're all computer nerds here anyway, right?

quote:

Originally posted by CReddick And further... buy as fast a mac as you can afford. Something new will come out, you just can't get upset about it. it's computers. I don't i think production machine wise, all you can get is the mac pro, or a refurb G5. I have a quad G5 and it totally kicks ass.

what is better a quad g5 or a mac pro? and can i buy them as is or do i need to add stuff to it?. i dont know much about computers so i makes it difficult.

the mac pro is newer so i would geuss its better??

quote:

Originally posted by Fatboy Like CReddick said, you might as well buy it from the apple store. About what mac you need, it kind of depends on what your needs are. I recently bought a Mac Pro, and for me it's been one of the best buys I've ever done. Finally I can do whatever I want, and not think about bouncing stems and stuff like that. However, I know a lot of people that get exactly the same feeling from a MacBook. To be honest, I think a MacBook and an external lcd would do the job for you and then some if you're running 30 tracks. Anyways, unless you're a gamer I would not recommend the MacBook Pro. The only big difference between that and the MacBook is the graphics card.

i want to be able to run logic pro 7, reason 3.0, and some plung-ins
i would like to use up to like 50 tracks with effects(this would really be pushing it) per song if possible. and basiclly be able to make a finished product that would be worth sending out

i was looking at this, what do you think?? do i need to add to it or what??

a macbook pro 17" 2.33ghz
2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1680 x 1050 pixels
2GB memory
160GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM

do i need to add to it or what?? i dont know how to read speed or anything. ghz and gb and all that stuff is a forgien language to me. thats probably what my problem is


i will evetually get both a book and a desk top (hopefully within a month), but i think it would be cheaper for now to learn on this.

thanks for taking the time to help me, i truly appretiate it

quote:

Originally posted by lowski i will evetually get both a book and a desk top (hopefully within a month), but i think it would be cheaper for now to learn on this.

If you're really going to get both... I say don't blow all your cash on the MBP, and spend it all on a Mac Pro. Once you see how much faster the mac pro is, you wont do production on your laptop. If you can't afford the mac pro now, wait until you can. You'll wish you had more $ to deck out your mac pro and you spent it all on the laptop... If you're insist on 'learning' with the laptop, get a macbook (not the pro) and noodle with that. they're fast. it'll run logic, reason, whatever...

I 'kinda' did the same thing. But boy am i glad i had the $ to pimp my quad G5. 8gb ram, 1tb storage, etc...

For anyone else reading, is Reason universal binary?

vbi laptop intel core duo t2300e 2048mb of ram 40gb hard drive windows xp optimized and stripped of most bloated shit. asio4all only thing that locks my shit up is fucken the new native instruments shit becuase of their ohh my god i get an erection fucken look.... personally id rather a basic ..... macs are great really but meh sorry i have no need to do that i run no hardware besides my laptop and hell i produced on a p2 333mhz with 128mb of ram for 4years and honestly only differnce is i dont get so fucken frustrated. lol good luck with the mac tho hope it doesnt piss you off i agree save up and get the best or else youll just find some reason not to want to produce on a shitty day instead of just enjoying it reguardless becuase you know theres no reason you should be bitching.... lol just my two cents i suppose but im a shitty producer so me no know

ok i see what your saying i will probably just save up and get the best.

i went to apple .com and clicked on the mac pro, it ask if i want to customize it. i do right??

i will get 8gb memory.

what else do i need like the processor it comes with 2.66Ghz dual core intelk xeon. should i up grade to the 3.0Ghz.

i dont even know what this stuff does, like i said its a foriegn language.

what about hard the drive(s) it comes with one 250GB do i want more GB or do i want bays with the same

graphics?? i dont need to upgrade that do i

what about the diplay do i need something crazy lik the 30" or will the 23" be fine

what about optical drive, do i need one or two

also it says i can get logic express preinstalled(for 299), this isnt the pro 7 that i want is it

so im looking at about $9000 does that sound right?, jesus christ that a fair bit

Apple rapes you on the memory, buy your memory from crucial youll save a couple thousand.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski i will get 8gb memory.

LOL.

Even if you buy 4gb, it would be more than 99% of tranceaddict users have. Take the computer with 1gb, and buy 4x1gb RAM from local computer store. You'll save $500-600

quote:

Originally posted by lowski what else do i need like the processor it comes with 2.66Ghz dual core intelk xeon. should i up grade to the 3.0Ghz.

I don't think that upgrading the processors would be worth 800 dollars.

You'll be fine with 2,66 Ghz

quote:

Originally posted by lowski what about hard the drive(s) it comes with one 250GB do i want more GB or do i want bays with the same

Stick with one 250G drive.

Get more drives from local computer store, the hard drives are the same than in PC's.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski graphics?? i dont need to upgrade that do i

You might want to. If you want to connect more than one display to your Mac Pro, you might have to upgrade - I'm not sure though.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski what about the diplay do i need something crazy lik the 30" or will the 23" be fine

hell no.

Buy your display from sovewhere else. The Apple displays are great, but a bit overpriced. You'll save money, if you buy your big LCD screen from somewhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski what about optical drive, do i need one or two

It's up to you. IMHO, you'll get fine along with just one drive.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski also it says i can get logic express preinstalled(for 299), this isnt the pro 7 that i want is it

Yes. You want Logic Pro 7. Express is quite a bit reduced version of Pro.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski so im looking at about $9000 does that sound right?, jesus christ that a fair bit

We'll yeah, but being reasonable and aware of things saves you LOADS of money.

Saving in the right places gives you more money to spend on synths. But remember that Logic's own synths are great aswell...

quote:

Originally posted by CReddick For anyone else reading, is Reason universal binary?

As far as I know, no.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski ok i see what your saying i will probably just save up and get the best. i went to apple .com and clicked on the mac pro, it ask if i want to customize it. i do right?? i will get 8gb memory. what else do i need like the processor it comes with 2.66Ghz dual core intelk xeon. should i up grade to the 3.0Ghz. i dont even know what this stuff does, like i said its a foriegn language. what about hard the drive(s) it comes with one 250GB do i want more GB or do i want bays with the same graphics?? i dont need to upgrade that do i what about the diplay do i need something crazy lik the 30" or will the 23" be fine what about optical drive, do i need one or two also it says i can get logic express preinstalled(for 299), this isnt the pro 7 that i want is it so im looking at about $9000 does that sound right?, jesus christ that a fair bit

Ok, go back and re-read my other post. Apple charges ridiculous amounts of cash for add-ons. Don't buy the ram from apple. get it online somewhere, say like MacRamDirect.com. Also, if you're going to upgrade the HD, get something on sale at best buy or whatever online. It's a serial ATA drive you can buy anywhere.

You want to buy the fasted base level machine from them, and blang it out on your own WAY CHEAPER.

Yep, Reason sure is a universal binary. Has been for a while. Version 3.0.5.

Isn't buying a fully decked out Mac Pro a bit overkill? I would love one, sure. I would even recommend it, as it's upgradeable in terms of the hard drives and RAM. But don't deck it out too much, you are just paying for numbers that won't mean much to your performance benefit.

I have an iMac 24" with 1 gig of RAM, and granted I'm just getting into this, I have yet to go much over 25% CPU utilization running Reason and Ableton.

Machines are FAST these days. 2 gigs of RAM is a good sweet spot.

I mean, the fully decked out machines are for doing video or 3d visualization work. But for audio?

One thing not to skimp on is the display. I LOVE my 24" display when you have a couple vst's open, ableton, and reason.

quote:

Originally posted by LoopyFIN As far as I know, no.

quote:

Originally posted by lowski i was looking at this, what do you think?? do i need to add to it or what?? a macbook pro 17" 2.33ghz 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 1680 x 1050 pixels 2GB memory 160GB hard drive1 8x double-layer SuperDrive ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics with 256MB SDRAM

Those are good stats - but if you're going for that mac it should only be because you want to use software that's exclusive to mac systems, because you can get exactly those same parts on a pc for less than half the price mac will charge you for it.

You really don't need more than 2gb of ram. Four at most if you really want to max it out, but even that I think would be overkill. Plus, like others said earlier don't get your ram upgrades from mac, they'll charge you three times the market price.

don't the new macs use some special kind of ram you can only get from them?

Nope... Actually, it depends on the Mac you are looking at to see whether apple is screwing you or not.

On a Mac Pro (the desktop), yes, buying 8 gigs of RAM from Apple will cost you a fortune.

On my Macbook, it was actually cheaper to let apple upgrade the RAM to 2 gigs, then to go buy it online myself. Basically because the laptop comes with 1 gig anyway, but to upgrade to 2 gigs, you have to take out the 2 512MB SO-DIMMS in the laptop and by 2 1 gigs, and then try to sell the 512's on e-bay.

The macbook pro 2 gig upgrade isn't really a bad deal.

quote:

Originally posted by DJ Sound don't the new macs use some special kind of ram you can only get from them?

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