Performance for the 17" 1.33gHz Powerbook

[ricfoxx]

Thinking about making "the switch" to mac. I need a laptop that I can depend on with enough power to run average size sessions with the capability to run Reason 2.5 in Rewire mode. Please share your real world experience with this machine. Also Im interested to find out if the extra $1000 for the 17" 1.33 is worth it compared to the 15" 1gHz. Thanks for your time and help...Rick... By the way I will be using it with the 002 and MBox

[(((k)))]

I use the REV A 17" with Mbox rewired to Reason 2.5. I never use samples in Reason except maybe 3 NNXT Orkester patches occasionally. I can run a really loaded Reason song (7 subtractors, 5 redrums, 5 mixers, 15-25 various effects, 3 NNXTs, and 2 matrix) with about 7 to 15 audio tracks in PT with no problems. I do start to have problems when I add any Plugins in PT. I always use an External 7200 drive for PT. It really depends on exactly what you intend to do.

What are you going to do with it?

[ricfoxx]

I use reason mostly for drums and sound fx so It wouldnt be as intense as your reason songs. As for Pro Tools, usely around 8 to 15 tracks for all vocals (lead, harmony, and backing) guitars (acoustic and electric) and Bass guitar. I have the Waves Gold, IK Studio Bundle, Auto-tune, and Melodyne Cre8.
I am also going to use the laptop in an after school program to inspire recording and performing arts and keep troubled kids off the streets so it has to be a tough machine and from what I have seen, the powerbooks are well made.
As far as the harddrive, I have an external firewire drive that I currently use with my existing studio setup....Thanks for your reply...Rick

[ricfoxx]

anyone else using the 17" powerbook

[Henry Lee]

hey there,

I just got one of these Powerbook 1.33ghz 17's... my best (7th?) Mac yet.
It blazes though my older sessions, here's one example:

1/2 - scratch vox
3 - vox1
4 - vox2 (alt)
5 - vox3 (alt)
6 - bk vox
7/8 - scratch guitar
9/10 - electric guitar
11/12 - piano
13/14 - percussion
15 - bass
16 - string / cello
17/18 - printed effect
• stereo master fader
• stereo aux (TC M300 for vox)
4 midi tracks (piano, 2perc, strings)

plugs (mostly digirak for composing)
3 compressors
3 4-band EQ's
4 aux sends (vox)
1 ik Amplitube (bass) <- what a pig this one is!
1 dither on Master Fader

Had lots of volume automation (almost every track) and plenty of chopping and edits.
But overall, the edits are not too dense.

<>

However, it seems rather delicate. My old 550 Tibook looks like hell (paint missing,
scratches everywhere), but feels more solid. Whereas, the 17" just _feels_ delicate.
I love it, I'm just very careful with it and baby the thing.

It's NOT a p.o.s. by any stretch of the imagination, I'm just not sure how it would
hold up being used by kids. Bringing kids into the equation complicates matters,
why not give them a G4 tower and an LCD, easily replaceable keyboard (coke spills,
corn chip crumbs, etc.) ?!?!? Then get yourself a more modest laptop? (Just thinking
out loud here.)

But the 1.33 17" should be more than enough juice for what you outlined above.
I've got an 002r, Waves Gold, iK pack, iLok, etc... it's all working perfectly.
It's an amazing machine. Again, the best machine I've ever owned or have
worked on.

Rumors (if you believe them) point to possible speed bumps and price
decreases on the current ones. So who knows, you could save a few hundred
if your timing is right. I myself couldn't wait and I'm glad I went for it.

Either way, good luck.
HL

[ricfoxx]

Thank you for your detailed reply. I am weary about spending $3000 on a laptop and I want to make every penny count...Rick

[JFreak]

i am currently waiting a 15" powerbook to be delivered. it feels more rugged than the 17" and i traded the 80 additional MHz to stronger case. but that may just be me, because my previous powerbook took too much abuse and broke. (that was the 667MHz DVI model; i had great fun with that one)

[Alex Rodriguez]

I have a 1Ghz 17" PowerBook with 002R, external 7200 firewire, and I'm happy so far. My sessions are all more than 32 voices, so I am always activating deactivating audio tracks, while I am editing-recording addtional tracks for a large acoustic project I am involved (basic tracks recorded on an HD-big studio, additional tracks recorded on my system at home, final mix back to HD in a couple of weeks). Ah, my BV tracks have lots of editing, but my system handles this OK. Only a few plug ins so far.
I just have my system for about two weeks, so I am still adjusting it, but it works really fine, although I've been working with PT for a long time now, as a freelance on different facilities.
I guess the new 1.33GHz should also have a better internal bus, so it should work even better than mine. I waited for mine until it's first price drop and I'm happy with it.
Good luck,
Alex

[ricfoxx]

thanks...anyone else.

[(((k)))]

thanks...anyone else.

What do you want to hear? If you want tough you don't want the 17". Several people have outlined exactly what they use so you have a basis for comparing estimated processor performance. Maybe you could squeeze a few more tracks or an extra plug in but at that point you are going to be sacrificing reliability. Even an iBook can run an "average sized session".