Want to buy a mac for my home setup

supafuzz · Post by **supafuzz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 2:53 pm

I'm a PC guy and don't know much about the specs of mac. The way they describe things is different from pc. I have a writing setup at home and want to get a mac.

Can I buy a refurbed g4 [for example] They seem to be affordable
what speed do I need. how much internal memory etc...

thanks

I'm running PT7 digi 002R

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:18 pm

I would go with a new Intel-based model if you are a first time buyer, or *maybe* a G5 Tower, 2.3GHz or better, 4GB of RAM, second internal SATA drive for audio.

If an Intel (Mac Book, Mac Book Pro, Mac Pro Tower, etc), all current speeds are insanely fast. Max out the RAM, Mac Pro at least 4GB.

I use a G5 Dual 1.8GHz with 3GB of Ram with Digital Performer and can easily get 50+ tracks with tons of plug-ins (Waves, Nomad Factory, etc.)

Jeff

supafuzz · Post by **supafuzz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:23 pm

What's that going to set me back?
I've seen those things for over $3000
don't want to spend nearly that much

popps · Post by **popps** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:39 pm

supafuzz wrote:What's that going to set me back?
I've seen those things for over $3000
don't want to spend nearly that much

You can pick up a nice G5 tower under 1K, now. It'll be plenty fast to run your 02R, provided you have enough RAM.

You could even grab an old G4 dual i GHZ (for example)... depending how hard you push your machines. (Plug-ins, track count, etc.)

Remember, you're going to pay a little more for a Mac, but trust me... you'll be forever grateful you did.

supafuzz · Post by **supafuzz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:42 pm

I work with a mac at the studio and I like it..
I just didn't know what to look for
Yeah I would bring the memory up to 4 gig
thanks

supafuzz · Post by **supafuzz** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:46 pm

what's the minimum speed I need to be looking for??

I see a 1.6 ghz for sale but is that fast enough???

popps · Post by **popps** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:59 pm

supafuzz wrote:what's the minimum speed I need to be looking for??

I see a 1.6 ghz for sale but is that fast enough???

G5 Single or Dual? I think that's a single, off top of my head.

Honestly, I think it would be fast enough, as long as you're not going insane with plug-ins. People generally tend to overestimate the machine power they need. I ran a Pro Tools HD rig on a G4 450 for a year without a single problem and it was plenty fast. (Given, TDM)

I think you'd be happy with about any G5 purchase for your rig, though would suggest a dual processor if you can find one.

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:10 pm

I would stick with no less than a Dual G5 Tower. I have the bottom of the barrel dual G5 and it's great. I've seen Dual 1.8GHz G5s going for $1K on eBay and Craigslist. That's a deal.

I can have Digital Performer, Peak Le, Soundtrack Pro, and Firefox open and running while mixing a 48 track mix with no problems at all. If you are only working on audio with very little VI use the Dual 1.8Ghz G5 is great. You can do all of the audio stuff with a Dual G4 Tower but you will not get the plug-in count on those machines. I can easily have a custom channel strip on every track during a mix (2-6 plug-ins) plus multiple Waves IR-L reverbs on aux tracks.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sys/366287275.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sys/365044474.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/sys/362295677.html

I got by just fine for 2 1/2 yrs with just 1.25GBs of RAM, btw.

Jeff

chuckfurok · Post by **chuckfurok** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:18 pm

I bought the $1199 17" iMac and it works fantastic with 7.3 LE and my 002. Also use another monitor at same time and it is really nice.

oh and I run Reason at the same time with no problems. I think I only have 2gigs RAM

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:34 pm

iMac... Intel or G5?

chuckfurok · Post by **chuckfurok** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:02 pm

ipressrecord wrote:iMac... Intel or G5?

You talking to me?

Intel, current model

Rigsby · Post by **Rigsby** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:54 pm

How about a mac mini? 1.8gHz Dual Core, 2MB Ram for around ?600 over here.

standup · Post by **standup** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:06 am

17" Intel iMacs are going fairly cheap right now cuz they're about to get replaced by new imacs, without a 17" option. I've seen the machine for around $900 (www.dealmac.com lists the various cheap deals day by day). Add RAM and a second monitor and that could be a pretty cool setup.

roscoenyc · Post by **roscoenyc** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:42 am

A few months ago I got a new computer for my home rig.
old one was a round base iMac 700 w the orig 828 interface. It had gotten too slow to be any fun plus I couldn't bring 96K files home from the studio to do edits and such.

Got an Intel iMac 24" dual 2.15 w 3 gig of RAM.

I'm running PT 7.3 and DP 5.1
It works really great/fast

Running instrument plugs like Battery 3/Kontact2 for writing
The cheapo USB keyboard sure is a lot easier to setup than the midi stuff used to be

negative is there is no way to use any of the 'powered plugs' (no slots) but I have the UAD card at the studio and mostly use hardware outboard there.

here's a pic

its messier now

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:49 am

nevermind the mac... what the heck is that gorgeous guitar?

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Want to buy a mac for my home setup

Want to buy a mac for my home setup

How much

Re: How much

thanks

what speed g5

Re: what speed g5

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