$2100 to spend on new pro tools computer...

[bradch00]

Just to jump in here, I do have an i7 iMac, with a projectMix I/O and it runs flawlessly with 2 drives chained in front of the interface. 1 is a Glyph and the other is either an OWC Mini stack or a Lacie D2. The Glyph is the last link between the iMac and everything else, it's FW400 to FW800 (Glyph to iMAC), FW400 to FW400 (Lacie/OWC to Glyph) and FW400 to FW800 (PM I/O to Lacie/OWC). All the drives have their own power.

I used a similar configuration with the last generation core duo 2 iMac as well, without any issues.

[SixChurchStreet]

Originally Posted by bradch00

Just to jump in here, I do have an i7 iMac, with a projectMix I/O and it runs flawlessly with 2 drives chained in front of the interface. 1 is a Glyph and the other is either an OWC Mini stack or a Lacie D2. The Glyph is the last link between the iMac and everything else, it's FW400 to FW800 (Glyph to iMAC), FW400 to FW400 (Lacie/OWC to Glyph) and FW400 to FW800 (PM I/O to Lacie/OWC). All the drives have their own power.

I used a similar configuration with the last generation core duo 2 iMac as well, without any issues.

Thanks. definitely helpful. i'm going to try out ac powering my G-Drive first (ordered the adapter yesterday). hopefully that will eliminate my problems.

what kills me is it worked perfectly on my little macbook pro, so i'm scratching my head why the imac firewire isn't acting the same.

[getz76]

All of my drives are bus powered. I have not had an issue with any of them on either my MacBook, MacBook Pro, or Mac Pro.

[John_Toolbox]

It's possible that the macbook has more power on it's firewire bus than the imac. That would actually make sense from a design standpoint, it's much more likely that someone's going to run a firewire peripheral without an external power supply from a macbook than a massive 27" imac.

[SixChurchStreet]

Originally Posted by John_Toolbox

It's possible that the macbook has more power on it's firewire bus than the imac. That would actually make sense from a design standpoint, it's much more likely that someone's going to run a firewire peripheral without an external power supply from a macbook than a massive 27" imac.

I was thinking the same thing in my brainstorming on this. In fact, I used to bus power both my drive and ProFire 610 on the MacBook Pro with no problems.

On the tech specs on the Apple site, the iMac port is listed at 7 watts, but no wattage is given for the MacBook Pro. Although I found some docs for an older MacBook Pro, also listed as 7 watts. Doesn't confirm or deny anything. Though 7 watts does sound rather low. Considering the power supply for the G-Drive Mini is 12 watts. I'm sure when that thing is spinning it's arse off, recording and playing back audio, it's using all the power it can get.

So, in addition to ordering the power supply for my G-Drive Mini, I also ordered an OWC 1TB quad interface external drive. The G-Drive is cute and portable and all, but maybe I need a more robust drive in between the iMac and the ProFire. Either way, I needed a 1TB backup drive, so it's not like it was a waste of money.

I don't wanna give up on the iMac, I like it a lot.

[SixChurchStreet]

Originally Posted by SixChurchStreet

I was thinking the same thing in my brainstorming on this. In fact, I used to bus power both my drive and ProFire 610 on the MacBook Pro with no problems.

On the tech specs on the Apple site, the iMac port is listed at 7 watts, but no wattage is given for the MacBook Pro. Although I found some docs for an older MacBook Pro, also listed as 7 watts. Doesn't confirm or deny anything. Though 7 watts does sound rather low. Considering the power supply for the G-Drive Mini is 12 watts. I'm sure when that thing is spinning it's arse off, recording and playing back audio, it's using all the power it can get.

So, in addition to ordering the power supply for my G-Drive Mini, I also ordered an OWC 1TB quad interface external drive. The G-Drive is cute and portable and all, but maybe I need a more robust drive in between the iMac and the ProFire. Either way, I needed a 1TB backup drive, so it's not like it was a waste of money. Maybe the G-Drive Mini will be re-assigned to backup drive.

I don't wanna give up on the iMac, I like it a lot.

[Obsidian Dragon]

I can understand liking the iMac. I for one like the Mac Pro since I can have my audio drive as an internal SATA drive. You can literally install or swap internal hard drives (after shutting down) in about 30 seconds. This frees up my entire firewire bus for just the audio interface with nothing to conflict with it.

[SixChurchStreet]

Originally Posted by Obsidian Dragon

I can understand liking the iMac. I for one like the Mac Pro since I can have my audio drive as an internal SATA drive. You can literally install or swap internal hard drives (after shutting down) in about 30 seconds. This frees up my entire firewire bus for just the audio interface with nothing to conflict with it.

I think it's this 27" screen that is part of the reason I don't wanna part with this thing. :)

[getz76]

Originally Posted by SixChurchStreet

I think it's this 27" screen that is part of the reason I don't wanna part with this thing. :)

Understandable. I have a 30" Dell at 2560x1600 on my Mac Pro. It is lovely.

[chipss36]

Seems to me imacs like imac/interface/hardrive
I would for sure try this for sure before jumping ship on the imac.