2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

So what is everyones recommendation? PT9 on the 2010 iMac or the new i7 MBP?

Curious to hear everyones thoughts. Even differences between 13" dual core i7 MBP vs quad core i7 MBP. does the two extra cores make that big of a difference?

What has everyones experience been like?

Thanks

-Chris

It's not just a difference in cores, it's a whole new chipset. Supposed to be giving older quad Mac Pros a run for their money. I would definitely get a new MBP over any model of current iMac.

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

Any recommendations on RAM? Will the standard 4GB cut it or should I upgrade to 8GB?

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

4G should be adequate. However, with Lion coming out soon and the high probability of PT going to 64 bit in the next major release, the more memory, the better!

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

Do you need a laptop?

If not why not an i7 based iMac? It costs the same - 2199.00.

That's a 27 inch display iMac vs the 15 inch display MacBook pro. 27 inch is a lot of real-estate for PT to use.

Additionally the 27" iMac has 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 - 2199.00

The 15 or 17" Macbook pro only has a 2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7 - 2199/2499

So you are getting much more bang for the buck with the iMac.

Personally I am not really a laptop type of person. I was given a 2008 macbook pro, I hardly ever use it.

But if you need a laptop because you do a lot of mobile work, then get one.

ON EDIT - Mac Mall has the i7 imac for 2129.00 right now (3% off with free ground shipping and no tax (depending where you live). I assume they have similar pricing on the MacBook Pro if that is how you decide to go.

See http://www.macprices.net/imacinteltracker.shtml

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

The Core i7 iMacs don't have the new sandybridge processors, which is where the ridiculously fast speed comes from on the new macbook pros. i'm trying to decide if i want to wait a bit for a sandybridge imac. i'm hoping for the end of april beginning of may. otherwise, i'll probably go with the macbook pro.

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

Sandy Bridge CPUs are fast, but they're not 40% faster per-clock, which is what would be required to catch the i7 iMac.

Personally, I prefer the greatest screen real estate. That's why I have the quad i5 iMac (it's a little slower, no hyper-threading and only 2.8GHz) and a late 2008 Macbook Unibody with a second hard drive in the optical bay for mobile recording. I can track on the slower mobile machine and then mix on the big screen with extra power. Truly the best of both worlds. :D

Re: 2011 MBP or 2010 iMac for ProTools 9?
 

Supposedly Apple will be introducing a new version of Final Cut Pro tonight at NAB. It's possible that they will also use this event to announce new Imacs, which have already been rumored to be coming.