Is a G4 ibook good enough for protools recording?

[HGC]

Hi all,

I'm having a lot of troubles with my PC laptop recording in protools with a 003, so I was thinking about picking up a mac on the cheap side to use instead. Here are the specs for the one I'm looking at:
1.33GHz PowerPC G4 Processor, 512MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB HD, 12.1 Screen, Mac OS X version 10.4.9 Tiger

Digi's website says it's supported, bu I was hoping to get some feedback from the forum from people that have used a similar system. I realize I'll need an external fire-wire drive, and will upgrade the memory once I get it.

Any feedback on performance, known issues, required software patches, suggested hardware upgrades, etc, would be very appreciated.

Regards,
-HGC

[Stephen Bond]

Hi,
Well it depends what you want to do?

I used to have a PowerBook G4 1.25 GHz with LE and a 002r in the past. For editing larger sessions (24 track plus) and simple mixes it was OK. However, for larger mixes or running power hungry PIs and VIs it didn't have much grunt. I would advise against getting any G4 unless you really must and go for a machine with an Intel processor. Unless you need the true portability of a MacBook then look at second hand MacMinis and iMacs too.

Regards,
Stephen

[HGC]

I mostly concerned about tracking reliability (and low cost). I have a more powerful system to do heavy mixing. This would be for multi-track remote live recording with a 003 and a 8 channel digital pre hooked in to the light pipe (with no plug-ins running). So essentially it just has to record 16 tracks at a time for extended periods without crapping out.

[lwilliam]

I used a G4/400Mhz with PT 6.4 for several years. I was able to get 32 tracks on playback, but with that many, very few plugins. I used Audiosuite a LOT.

I never recorded more than 2 tracks at once though. A 1.33Ghz machine would obviously be much faster. Have you considered one of the Mac Mini's? $600, get another GB of RAM and you can be off and running with a LOT more power than any G4.

If you want to buy my old G4/400 (with 2 internal HDs, 768RAM, and a SCSI card w/CD burner), I'll sell you mine very cheap. It's currently collecting dust. You pay shipping.

[floriand D]

I'm also a G4 user(1,5Ghz 1,5GB ram). i opened a topic on live recording two days ago, you might get some tipps right here:
http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.p...part=1#1199700
ive been working with the powerbook for 3 years now and i often recorded a lot of tracks at the same time. mostly 44.1K 24Bit. if i go higher than 48K my G4 really gets angry with me. Small Buffersizes are also difficult(you shouldnt care while recording live) I think for recording only - no plugins and stuff - the G4 is alright!! plus you get a nice little friend in your bag got get it!

Florian

[accession]

1.33 G4 iBook = 32 tracks, around 35 plug-ins, though I use a MPX 500 for reverb. Running just Dverbs on an empty session = 15 instances

2.4 Intel Mac Book Pro = over 100 Dverbs... yet to struggle in the real world.

[bilco]

I am running a g4 ibook, 1.2 ghz with 768 Meg of RAM. I have been recording our band live with the ibook and a Digi002r, 9 tracks at the same time, straight to the system drive for up to 2 hours per set and have not had any problems. I tweak at home with a first generation mbox, and I occasionally get buffer error messages when I start piling on the plugins, but I think that is more due to the USB limitations of the mbox than it is the ibook.

bilco

[tim carter]

I've been using the same laptop you're thinking of getting for a couple of years.. everything is updated at this point.. I have run 16 tracks at once for lengthy periods with no problems at all.. go for it.

[A2D D2A]

Well my thinking is different from the previous replies.
If you already had the older G4 then that's one thing but when you are talking about getting it for this purpose then it makes less sense.
I would try to see if there was any thing that could help the PC first to try to buy some time and just invest in a Intel Mac laptop.
You are already frustrated with the PC and there's still potential for the G4 to have issues based on the previous owner or a new PT feature, plug or VI that may be added causing you issues.
Don't get me wrong I am not saying that it won't work but think about where you may desire to go or expand in the next 12 months as well.
Just assure yourself that you will be able to get the most out of any direction the 003 may take.
With refurbished MacBooks under a grand they are hard to beat.

[HGC]

Thanks to all for the replies! I'm still mulling it over, but this is all very useful input.