What version of Pro Tools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

Hello everyone

I have an early 2013 Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM.

My OSX at the moment is El Capitan 10.11.6, but I could get to High Sierra (I tried it, it worked, but I decided to go back to El Capitan because of some software incompatibilities. However if I have to upgrade for PT, I am eager to do it.)

I have been working as a musician and producer with PT for more than 15 years, both on Windows and Mac, at home and at studios. My Mbox2 with PT 8LE used to work on my MacBook on its original OSX, but with some serious glitches and I eventually stopped using it.

The last 5 years I have been using ProTools only on my old PC (a computer I have deliberately kept frozen on Windows XP, where Mbox2 works just fine with PT8LE). But I need to move forward and I need to see if there is some kind of combination of OSX and PT and even a new hardware to work with my MacBook (only 8GB RAM unfortunately), cos I'm tired of having two different computers for work. I am not sure, but all recent versions of PT seem to require at least 16GB of RAM... so I guess I need something much older?

Please help.

Or at least tell me if this search is pointless and that buying a new Mac is inevitable (otherwise this old mac works perfectly and I dont really need to replace it...)

Thank you.

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

Hi, welcome to the community.

Even the current version will run with 8GB but your experience may not be what you would expect. Especially if you run sample based virtual instruments, you may run into trouble fast.

With that said, El Crapitan is probably the worst OS to run with PT. When you change the OS, do not "upgrade" but instead do a clean install to empty system drive. Compatibility info here. You will first need to decide what OS you think your computer is comfortable with, then pick a PT version to go with it.

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

You will find it out yourself once you install a newer OS and compatible PT. If you find performance acceptable you may be able to keep using the old computer for few years to come. But sure, new computer is inevitable at some point. Just perhaps not needed the first thing.

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

Remember, the newer the OS the greater the chances your interface is no longer working. Support ended in 2014 (Mavericks)

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

if i where you - i would „upgrade“ to PT LE 8.04 or 8.05 install the latest driver for your mbox (2?) and work with Mountain Lion or Mavericks. Rock solid - and with your 2013 Macbook Pro i7 pretty fast :-) If i where you ...

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

The mentioned "software incompatibilities" make me think Mountain Lion would be too old for something else besides PT

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

thats why i would „upgrade“ to 8.05. - I tested 10.6.8 / 10.7.5 and 10.9 (Mav). Have no Mountain Lion 10.8. but all my Systems worked flawless. You can do Tricks to go further - Yosemite, El Cap a.s.o - i wouldn‘t do that. The real reason for your glitches maybe are your PT LE is not on the latest Version. Just thinking...

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

Hello everyone

First of all thank you all for your help, suggestions and remarks. It's been very helpful for me to clear some things up. Unfortunately I'm still in a dead end.

The best option for me -financially wise- as far as PT is concerned as pointed out by Netmania, would probably be to roll back my MacBook to Mavericks, the last OS that supported MBox2 and see if I could upgrade the PT8 to a latest version to fix any glitches. I am guessing thats the only option without having to buy any software/hardware. Unfortunately this isnt a real option, because I use FL Studio at the same time on this machine, and Mavericks do not work with FL. The reason I upgraded to El Capitan was FL Studio in the first place...

So the options I'm left with (apart from buying a whole new computer) is to upgrade to Sierra OS (Sierra is the last macOS before the new filesystem APFS which I have no idea what new problems will cause to my computer) to avoid "El Crapitan" since its the worst macOS for PT, as pointed out by JFreak, and then buy the most compatible version of PT for Sierra (any specific suggestions?) and a corresponding soundcard (any specific suggestions?), hoping that the 8GB of RAM of my MacBook wont be a real problem. I do not use instruments in PT, I basically need it as a recording, mixing and editing DAW, I generally use FL for instrumentation and then export wavs from there to use in PT to record vocals and real instruments.

So these are my thoughts... Does this sound right to you? Am I missing anything else? Any further comments?

Thank you all again, looking forward to your further input.

S.

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. They have been very helpful.
I'll come back with new questions...

Re: What version of ProTools would work with my MacBook Pro (early 2013)?
 

I'm using the latest version on a 2011 MacBook Pro running Sierra with 16GB RAM and it works, though I have to disable a lot of plugins when using it. Not a huge deal as I'm just using it for tracking organ and vocals in the basement/soon to be studio.