TranceAddict Forums (www.tranceaddict.com/forums)
- DJ Booth
-- iMAC vs. Macbook Pro
Pages (2): [1] 2 »

iMAC vs. Macbook Pro

I'm planning on buying a computer to use solely for the purpose of dealing with my music, mixing, and to run Serato on. After reading up on the subject and messing around with my friend's macbook, I decided to go with Apple. After shopping around I discovered that Ebay offers great deals on macbook pro's, and was about to purchase one with a "buy it now" option but was about a minute too late. Only then did I consider the iMAC. Right now I don't do any djing anywhere other than my bedroom, but figure that might be something I'd like to do down the road. The thing with the iMAC is it looks almost as portable as the macbook pro. The specs aren't all that different, other then the larger hard drive on the iMAC.

Basically I'm just wondering if anyone might have any experience using the iMAC with music and DJing purposes, and how it might compare to using the macbook pro.

Thanks in advance for any info.

I've got a MBP 2.4 ghz with 4 gigs of RAM and it's amazing. I highly recommend it. MacBook Air my ass, this thing is just as portable.

I'd, however, recommend waiting until tomorrow (Tues) bc there's rumors of a MBP/MB redesign announcement.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman I've got a MBP 2.4 ghz with 4 gigs of RAM and it's amazing. I highly recommend it. MacBook Air my ass, this thing is just as portable. I'd, however, recommend waiting until tomorrow (Tues) bc there's rumors of a MBP/MB redesign announcement.

Hey thanks much for the info! Maybe it was meant to be that I just moved and couldn't purchase the MBP cause my paypal account didn't have my new "confirmed address". I was about a minute late and was pretty upset that I didn't get it. It was actually a 15" with the same specs as yours for 1850$ on ebay. Great deal, but I'll definitely wait now that you mentioned the redesign possibility.

I wasn't considering the macbook air just because the specs don't measure up to that of the macbook pro, and for the same price I'd rather have performance over size. I iMAC seemed like it might be an okay option but I really do like the macbook pro's a lot.

Thanks again

thought about the standard macbook?

im picking one up at the end of this week...kinda excited to see what the big hoopla is about.

quote:

Originally posted by i got big pants thought about the standard macbook?

Yeah, I did. And to be honest I'm sure it would suffice for what I need to use it for. However, after I got to looking at the specs and prices, etc etc. I started to convince myself that the extra $ would be worth it. You can get some huge discounts on macbook pros on ebay, and that 17" macbook pro looks really nice..

I just picked up a midrange Macbook on saturday and am absolutely in love with it!!

no more windows for me thats for sure

Mac Book Pro all the way, BLACK!!! Love mine to death have no problems running Torq and Abelton together, couldn't ask for a better live DJ machine!

i have the 24 inch iMac, the ultimate version. i have yet to upgrade to 4gb of ram but for now it suits me perfect. don't really even see me needing 4gb for a very long time. haven't used the MBP so i don't know how it performs but since i have a regular macbook i didn't see the use in getting another laptop. unless you're constantly traveling get the MBP. if you want the space and a bit more 'ummph' for your buck and the massively awesome screen, get the iMac.

regular macbook isn't really fit for producing. you can get things done on it but in my experience it doesn't have what it takes to handle more complex, cpu hungry projects. it's perfect for DJ'ing with ableton though. every time i think of recording i am eager to do it on the iMac though just because of the speed. but ya, if you're getting this solely for DJ'ing then i'd suggest getting the MBP just because you're a bit safer in the future if you do start to do some traveling/gigs. you won't have to dish out a number couple grand just to get a laptop to accompany you. even though it isn't a pain to unplug the iMac at all..getting it damaged most certainly would be.

my .02

Regular MacBook is a great value. The others you're getting ripped for at least $500 just so you can be in the Apple club. It's nice though everyone big ups them selves an there is lots of male/male ass grabbing.

anybody see the new updates for the macbook/pro on apple's website?

good thing i waited...can now opt for 2.4ghz, 2 gigs of ram and 160 hd for the same price as the 2.2 model.

quote:

Originally posted by i got big pants anybody see the new updates for the macbook/pro on apple's website? good thing i waited...can now opt for 2.4ghz, 2 gigs of ram and 160 hd for the same price as the 2.2 model.

Yesterday I was extremely upset when I had problems with my paypal account and didn't finalize the deal on that Macbook Pro.

Today I'm thrilled that I had problems with my paypal account and couldn't finalize the deal on that Macbook Pro.

Wow. For the same price, today's Macbook Pro looks to be a lot better than yesterday's Macbook Pro. So, the prices on the "old" macbook pro's should drop significantly on Ebay. Now I need to decide whether to wait a week and see how much the prices drop on the old ones, which should be plenty of power for what I need- or just go all out and order one of the new ones from Apple.

decisions, decisions


edit** After looking further at Apple's website- The regular macbooks today are just as powerful as the macbook pro's from yesterday. Plus, they have a 250GB hard drive now.

I bought a Macbook Pro 17" 2.33/2 gigs/160gig/etc in December for $1999 after rebate... because it was the previous model (the one before the one before today). Keep an eye out on macmall.com, they tend to do this with the "old" models (old, lol.)

The update today isn't overly impressive... new touch pad, great... But why the hell can't they get rid of the stupid latch and use the magnetic one that the Macook/Macbook Air uses? One of my little "hooks" on my Pro doesn't retract fully until the screen is fully open (they are magnetic)... It's no big deal and works fine but annoys me at this price point.

Also, you can still swap out the drive on the Macbook with a couple screws, but not the Pro (without taking the whole laptop apart). I really hate that.

As for the Air... definitely NOT for DJ'ing/production/etc. It's a ultra-portable, second computer. However, if you don't think it's that much more portable than a Macbook/Macbook Pro, go to the Apple store and pick one up... it really is an impressive design in person.

Other than the gripe with my Pro's hook, and the fact that the hinge for the screen could be tad tighter (tends to close on you if you are sitting reclined in a chair or bed)... it's a great machine.

I also have a 24" iMac (white one), very nice machine as well. Quite zippy.

P.S. I had a White Macbook 1.83 (the first model with intel) prior to the Pro. They really ARE a great machine, particularly with how much cheaper they are than the Pro. My only reason for upgrading was I wanted a bigger screen.

quote:

Originally posted by Sukhoi29SU Yesterday I was extremely upset when I had problems with my paypal account and didn't finalize the deal on that Macbook Pro. Today I'm thrilled that I had problems with my paypal account and couldn't finalize the deal on that Macbook Pro. Wow. For the same price, today's Macbook Pro looks to be a lot better than yesterday's Macbook Pro. So, the prices on the "old" macbook pro's should drop significantly on Ebay. Now I need to decide whether to wait a week and see how much the prices drop on the old ones, which should be plenty of power for what I need- or just go all out and order one of the new ones from Apple. decisions, decisions edit** After looking further at Apple's website- The regular macbooks today are just as powerful as the macbook pro's from yesterday. Plus, they have a 250GB hard drive now.

Also you guys should check the Apple refurb section on their website. There's some pretty damn good deals on there...for Apple.

The regular macbooks are awesome, but for producing my only gripe is limited screen space.

I love my MacBook. However, I started spinning videos and the MacBook don't cut it. I'm gonna pick up a midrange MCP pretty soon. If you're a student, you get HUGE discounts with Apple.

quote:

Originally posted by DjWoody If you're a student, you get HUGE discounts with Apple.

Looks like -$200 off tbe base computer and then some pretty decent discounts on any upgrades you choose. Definitely nice if you're buying directly from Apple, but I'm anxious to see how much the new MBP's are going to be selling for on Ebay in a couple weeks.

how do you guys feel with using a macbook with ableton?.

screen size that is. gonna be dj'ing with it mostly...but possibly start getting into small amounts of production

quote:

Originally posted by i got big pants how do you guys feel with using a macbook with ableton?. screen size that is. gonna be dj'ing with it mostly...but possibly start getting into small amounts of production

i use the regular MB for dj'ing with ableton, suits me perfect

Macmall has the 15" Macbook Pro for $1519... only 120 gig though.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryan0751 Macmall has the 15" Macbook Pro for $1519... only 120 gig though.

Still that's a great price. Add a little ext. HD for cheap and you're set.

These are all new previous gen.

Considering they didnt change much at all, seems like good deals.


http://www.jr.com/JRSectionView.pro...intosh/MacBook/

http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-MacBook-P...1QQcmdZViewItem

whatta you guys think.. go with something like this- or is it worth the extra $ to get the 2.5GHz and bigger hard drive?

This one has the 4GB memory, which is nice..

Not bad for the 17 in.

Like I said, things like HD are easily and cheaply expandable, and so is another 2 gigs of RAM up to 4, so I'd look for good deals on the previous generations, in general.

All the new ones really have are the mult touch trackpad (big whoop) and the penryn intel chip which supposedly runs a little cooler overall.

Good time to buy though, unless you wait till mid summer with the NEXT rumored update.

Ack! Actually, the hard drives are NOT easily replaceable in the Macbook Pro. In the Macbook (white/black), you pop the battery out and can get at it...

Replacing the drive in a Macbook Pro requires disassembling the ENTIRE machine (I'm not kidding, see the link below...) and will void your warranty.

Guide to replacing drive in macbook pro

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman Not bad for the 17 in. Like I said, things like HD are easily and cheaply expandable, and so is another 2 gigs of RAM up to 4, so I'd look for good deals on the previous generations, in general. All the new ones really have are the mult touch trackpad (big whoop) and the penryn intel chip which supposedly runs a little cooler overall. Good time to buy though, unless you wait till mid summer with the NEXT rumored update.

quote:

Originally posted by miamitranceman Not bad for the 17 in. Like I said, things like HD are easily and cheaply expandable, and so is another 2 gigs of RAM up to 4, so I'd look for good deals on the previous generations, in general. All the new ones really have are the mult touch trackpad (big whoop) and the penryn intel chip which supposedly runs a little cooler overall. Good time to buy though, unless you wait till mid summer with the NEXT rumored update.

I ended up buying that computer. It's one of the "older" ones, hence the 2.4 GHz vs. the new 2.5 GHz models, but I doubt I'd notice any difference anyway, and I saved about 1300-1500$ on what it would have cost me for the new one. I confirmed that it had the upgraded 4GB of memory, too. After looking around quite a bit, I think I saved about 6-700$ over other computers with similar configurations. I was happy I called when I did, it was supposedly his last one.

So I got the 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive 17 in Macbook Pro.
I've got a couple of those SeaGate external hard drives with all of my music on it, and I figure if I want to use a song with Serato, I'll simply transfer it onto the Macbook prior to mixing.

Appreciate all of the info from everyone. Really looking forward to getting the computer and seeing how it works with my setup

Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright © 2000-2021, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.