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  #1  
Old 02-14-2011, 02:00 PM
SixChurchStreet SixChurchStreet is offline
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Default $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

What would you do?

Both Mac and PC suggestions accepted.

Long time PC builder/user. Last one was a Q6600/P5K build. Sold it because I needed a laptop solution for a while. Turned to Mac. Loved the move to Mac...

Used a MacBook Pro for the last year. Loved it. But it was a core 2 duo and couldn't keep up. Bought an iMac, but I got buffer problems with daisy chaining my ProFire and hard drive. Returned it. Worked fine on the MacBook Pro by the way.

Was about to get a refurb Mac Pro but I'm not sure. I love OSX, but Mac Pros are a Pricey lot.

I could build a mind blowing PC for $2100 (or a lot less). But whatever I do, I want rock solid performance. No hardware conflicts or random errors to puzzle out If I can help it. Suggestions?
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:08 PM
getz76 getz76 is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

If you are having problems with the ProFire, have you considered just getting a new interface?
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:12 PM
Obsidian Dragon Obsidian Dragon is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

Since you are an experienced PC builder, I'd recommend taking that path for the most bang for the buck. I was a PC builder too. On the other hand, I switched to a Mac about two years ago and now I only use OSX for Protools. Windows for everything else, but Protools is all Mac. I'm happy as a clam.
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:19 PM
Dirt_ Dirt_ is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

If you're good at building PC's, I'd say go with that. It's cheaper and W7 is a great OS. You'll need to be very careful about hardware selection but if you do your homework and get the right stuff, you'll be ok. I went Mac because it seems to work better for me outta the box, and I don't have time/patience to build a machine. Also, most of my clients are pretty young so when they see a big blingin' Mac, they falsely assume my studio is better. So silly. It's unfortunate but sometimes WOW factor plays too much into this game :-(

Mac also has much better re-sale value than PC stuff, but it's terribly over-priced to begin with so I suppose re-sale is pointless at that point haha!!
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:23 PM
tcstx tcstx is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

I feel your pain... :) I love the way Mac works with the stuff that works with it... but I can't stand the price and proprietary-ness of it...

We went with a PC for the simple sake that I can get around on one... Built it from the ground up for about 1,500.00 with specs that make you wanna kick a Mac.

The PC took awhile to build since we built it around Pro Tools and wanted it to be compatible with all the parts. But we're still working out small bugs that come with Windows 7 and Pro Tools 9...

A 2,500.00 Mac Pro with Quad Core 2.8GHz, 3GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive, 18x SuperDrive...

Mine is a i7 3.06GHz, 8GB Ram, 2 x 2TB Seagate 6Gb/s, 3.0 USB, SATAIII drives and a portable DVD player - because I don't need one... :) 1,500.00

I just can't spend the money on a MAC - though they work better with Pro Tools...

I know I'm now help - just ranting a little :)
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:36 PM
getz76 getz76 is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

I agree with the people above. If you are going for power-to-value ratio, find one of the builds here and get an i7 Windows 7 machine. Windows 7 is lovely, and I prefer it in many ways over OS X.

That said, my Mac Pro is a lovely machine. I was not really looking for value when I purchase it, though the Mac Pro is not really as over-priced as some people have you believe. High-quality components, case, support and the OS is included. There is still an Apple-tax, but it is not the 50% some people quote.

I still say before you return your i7 iMac you should try out another interface. It might be the cheapest solution...
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Old 02-14-2011, 02:50 PM
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DigiTechSupt DigiTechSupt is offline
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

I wonder if your problem with the iMac was just a chain order issue, as we have several iMac systems here working fine. The chain is almost always the culprit.

With that said - I'll give my 2¢ on your question. Personally, I *always* buy refurbs and have never had any problems with them (other than my MBP with the Nvidia card issue, which was covered by Apple out of warranty). I see Nehalem models going for under $1200 (some under $1k) for a refurb and they get great reviews and benchmark scores. We have a couple here at work and they're an amazing bang for the buck.

What was your chain like with your iMac and which drive were you using?
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Old 02-14-2011, 03:06 PM
SixChurchStreet SixChurchStreet is offline
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Default

The chain was iMac - fw800 cable - gdrive mini - fw800/400 cable to ProFire 610.

This worked great on my 13" MacBook btw. Even with the bus powering both the drive and the ProFire.

I was shocked that it didn't work on the iMac without constant 6085 errors.

I have been using that ProFire for the last few years, first on PC, then with my MacBook Pro. It's been rock solid.
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Old 02-14-2011, 03:08 PM
SixChurchStreet SixChurchStreet is offline
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Default

There's also the option of a 17" MBP. and get a second FireWire card for it. But can those dual cores really stand up to larger size sessions ?
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Old 02-14-2011, 03:17 PM
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Default Re: $2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

Quote:
Originally Posted by SixChurchStreet View Post
The chain was iMac - fw800 cable - gdrive mini - fw800/400 cable to ProFire 610.

This worked great on my 13" MacBook btw. Even with the bus powering both the drive and the ProFire.

I was shocked that it didn't work on the iMac without constant 6085 errors.

I have been using that ProFire for the last few years, first on PC, then with my MacBook Pro. It's been rock solid.
I would bet that using a FW800-FW400 cable in that first connection to the drive would have fixed it. Did the drive have 2 FW400 ports on it? Or even 1? If so, the other option would have been FW800-400 cable to the ProFire, then from the ProFire to the drive via FW400. That error message is almost always due to FireWire bus issues.

Firewire can be finicky like that - and very dependent on the drive and interface being used. I had the same problem with a 2626 on my MacBook Pro, but other interfaces worked fine in the same chain. My 828II had an issue with *anything* else being on the chain. It only worked if it was the only device connected to a particular port. Go figure.
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