Did I Make A Mistake With This Macbook Pro Purchase?

[epu]

I could not bare with idea of carrying around 15" everywhere I go. I was able to purchase a 13" Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 3.0 ghz i7 processor for 1700 (Mid 2014)

Will this machine not be able to handle moderate sessions well? Meaning say 20-25 tracks, some VIs (Kontakt, BFD, Nexus) and some compressors? The 15" would have been another $400.

I haven't opened the box as of yet. Will this machine tank? Would a 15" upgrade be dire? My plan is to get a souped up iMac when funds become available and keep a 13" for portability.

Please help. This is my first Mac!

[wehttamllim]

I have a Mid-2010 MBPro 15" 2.8GHz with a 500GB 7200 rpm HD and 4GB of RAM. I average 60 tracks without breaking a sweat. You're fine. If you bought it through Apple there is a Return Policy Period. Put it through the ringer and see for yourself.

[mesaone]

Decent machine, but it's dual core. If you run into problems with PT, that's probably where the bottleneck is.

[epu]

Originally Posted by mesaone

Decent machine, but it's dual core. If you run into problems with PT, that's probably where the bottleneck is.

Yes its a Dual Core. That is what I am worried about.

[Glenjb]

I have a mid 2012 MacBook Air 2.0 ghz dual core i7 with 8gb ram 512gb SSD and run sessions like you describe no problem

[AlexLakis]

Aside from the fact that the screen is smaller, I'm concerned with 8GB of RAM being able to host the BFD/Kontakt/etc. instances you describe. I don't believe the newer Macbooks are user-serviceable, so what you have is what you get...I would run 16GB of RAM no doubt when it comes to sample-based virtual instruments like you are describing.

Also, dual-core might run into problems with high plugin counts. Quad-core is recommended.

Just my two cents...

[Glenjb]

I would have maxed out the RAM on the MacBook Pro if I was the OP but I will say that my MacBook Air can only take up to 8gb and I use a good amount of kontakt, UVI, superior, sampletank etc and haven't run into many issues. I do print the VI's to audio as I finish them but I haven't had any issues with a bunch of VI's going.

[CME]

It's all about how you use it. The audio shouldn't be a problem. It's the vi's that might give you trouble. If they do, do like Glenjb and print them. That converts them to audio and will save potentially quite a bit of cpu power and ram.

That said I have a maxed out 2011 MacBook Pro. I can push it, but never gave it more than it could handle. Just wish Intel would focus more on increasing compute power, instead of decreasing wattage used. I know why they're going that way. But it seems each new series is only 5 to maybe 10% more powerful than the last.

However I did read that Intel is about to release their first mobile Xeon chips. Hope they at least release a 6-core variant. 8-12 would be killer. But a 6-core should be a large improvement over 4.

[VRW]

Originally Posted by epu

I could not bare with idea of carrying around 15" everywhere I go. I was able to purchase a 13" Macbook Pro with 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 3.0 ghz i7 processor for 1700 (Mid 2014)

Will this machine not be able to handle moderate sessions well? Meaning say 20-25 tracks, some VIs (Kontakt, BFD, Nexus) and some compressors? The 15" would have been another $400.

I haven't opened the box as of yet. Will this machine tank? Would a 15" upgrade be dire? My plan is to get a souped up iMac when funds become available and keep a 13" for portability.

Please help. This is my first Mac!

If being asked, honestly, I would return it and go for an i7 Quad Core MacBook Pro even if it is 2012/13.
It´s just that PT11/12 really works best with Quad Cores and if this is your 1st Mac, you may not want
any let downs from the start.
Yeah, maybe it will work with the Dual Core as well in a way but from my own experience I know that
only i7 Quad Cores give you a consistantly flawless performance with the latest versions of Pro Tools.
And you really may want 16GB Ram for it as mentioned by the others already! PT11/12 do want that.

Even an 2012 i7 Quad Core MBP with 16GB Ram (for example) will be a better solution for PT11/12
than a 2014 Dual Core with 8GB Ram at the end of the day.
Instead of the iMac you just could connect your future MBP to an external 24"-27" monitor when you
will be at home. That will save you money you will be able to invest in an i7 Quad Core MBP which will
handle PT11/12 as it is supposed to.

Thats an affordable yet good quality one with only 2ms response time which is important for the use
with Pro Tools as well. Just as an example.
http://www.amazon.com/VE248H-1920x10...words=Asus+248

Finally don´t forget to mention the built in drive of your MacBook Pro which has to be fast enough for PT.
If it is an Apple Flash drive or any other SSD you are on the safe side. However if it comes with an HDD
make sure it is one with 7200rpm rotation speed at least. No 5400rpm drives for the use with Pro Tools.

Wishing you the best of success and a good start into the Mac world!

[epu]

Originally Posted by VRW

If being asked, honestly, I would return it and go for an i7 Quad Core MacBook Pro even if it is 2012/13.
It´s just that PT11/12 really works best with Quad Cores and if this is your 1st Mac, you may not want
any let downs from the start.
Yeah, maybe it will work with the Dual Core as well in a way but from my own experience I know that
only i7 Quad Cores give you a consistantly flawless performance with the latest versions of Pro Tools.
And you really may want 16GB Ram for it as mentioned by the others already! PT11/12 do want that.

Even an 2012 i7 Quad Core MBP with 16GB Ram (for example) will be a better solution for PT11/12
than a 2014 Dual Core with 8GB Ram at the end of the day.
Instead of the iMac you just could connect your future MBP to an external 24"-27" monitor when you
will be at home. That will save you money you will be able to invest in an i7 Quad Core MBP which will
handle PT11/12 as it is supposed to.

Thats an affordable yet good quality one with only 2ms response time which is important for the use
with Pro Tools as well. Just as an example.
http://www.amazon.com/VE248H-1920x10...words=Asus+248

Finally don´t forget to mention the built in drive of your MacBook Pro which has to be fast enough for PT.
If it is an Apple Flash drive or any other SSD you are on the safe side. However if it comes with an HDD
make sure it is one with 7200rpm rotation speed at least. No 5400rpm drives for the use with Pro Tools.

Wishing you the best of success and a good start into the Mac world!

Appreciate the reply. The 16GB 15" model they sell comes with a 512GB SSD for $1899. I bought my 13" Mac for $1499 from B&H yesterday.

I might exchange it for the 15" today.