macbook performance

[Bologma]

After a long term relationship with the windows platform,
I feel its time to resume my love affair with the mac world and os.
Alas! at the time it seems that the macbook is all that is in the cards for me.

I was wondering if any of you are, or have had experience running PT m-powered on the new macbook core 2 duo?
note, i am not talking about the macbook pro, but rather it's little brother.

How is the performance?
What are usable track counts like?
how about the ability to process multiple RTAS plugins and Virtual Instruments without glitchy problems and audio dropouts?
How does the GUI respond given the shared memory (Meters and whatnot)?

Thanks so much, in advance, for the feedback.

[Bologma]

just a friendly bump.

[Bologma]

just a friendly bump.

what he ^^ said.

[scuzzytim]

Macbook runs great for anything up to 7.1, but if you want to run 7.3 make sure you have enough RAM - 768 min digi spec. buy as much as you can afford!!!

[rangermark]

Did you finally try the Macbook?

If so, how was it worked for you?

I am trying to decide between it and the MB pro. I'll be using PTLE and an M box2.

Also, which external Hard drive are you using?

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

[rangermark]

Bologma,

Still wondering if you went with the Macbook, and if you had any opinions yet.

Does anybody have any opinions on the Macbook?

All thoughts welcome!

[JohnT]

I have a core duo Macbook Pro 2.0 ghz. I've not pushed it hard on track count, but I'm noticing significantly better performance with rewiring with Reason and Live. In terms of any compatibility issues (see my signature for my setup) I've had none. The intel macs, to my experience, are pretty darn solid as long as you have Universal Binary software. Again plenty of RAM for best user experience. I'm using 2gb.

I chose the Macbook Pro over the Macbook because I get involved with Final Cut projects frequently. Final Cut is not officially support on Macbooks due to the video setup used.

Jt

[Logic Pro]

I have been using a black Macbook., you realy need 2 GB of ram to run the new PT 7.3

then you have a great machine,

the MBP is better in terms of expandability, thats all.

[bubbiesdod]

I am curious about your RAM comments. I just purchased a macbook with 512 RAM and at the same time bought the upgrade to PT MP 7.3 and installed it on my macbook. I had been using 7.1 on my desktop pc (with 1 gig of RAM) with no problems. Basically, PT MP 7.3 seems utterly useless on my macbook. It won't even open Ableton or other plug-ins, let alone work with them. It takes forever just to rewind and play a session. I get that spinning colored wheel every time I try to do something in a session. I assume the issue is RAM. Do I really need 2 gig? 1 gig works fine on my desktop with 7.1. Is 7.3 going to bog down my (1 gig) desktop too? Would very much appreciate your input. I don't want to waste money on a 1 gig upgrade, if I really NEED 2. But I really do not have the money for 2 gig right now, either.

Matt

[Detlef Brockmann]

Hello,
512mb sounds very very wrong! Apple should feel guilty even to sell these machines with so little Ram.
I'm a long time PT TDM user and finally added a mobile ProTools rag:

MacBook 2.0GHz core duo, 1GB Ram, OSX 10.4.8, ProTools M-Powered 7.3, M-Audio Profire Lightbridge Interface. I replaced the internal harddrive (Toschiba S-ATA 60GB/5200RPM) and put in a Hitachi 100GB/7200RPM drive. The good thing with the MacBooks: you can do the replacement and it takes about 3 minutes to do.

Anyway...so today was my first day with this system.
The installion went very smooth...what you can expect from Digidesign.
The first very nice surprise: ProTools records 32 tracks parallel! Very sweet. Since I'm gonna do a lot of live recording.
The overall performance seems very smooth. Response is very good.

During the next weeks I will do some testing and working with this system and let you guys know about the results.

Detlef.