From PC to MBP 17"

[lunatic]

So, after going a couple rounds with Dell regarding my Digi approved M4300 - I went and bought a 17" MBP today.

This is my first Mac so I'm just curious if there is anything I need to know out of the gate. I'm downloading the update to OSX 10.6.5 right now and then I'll need to download PT 8.0.4 and I've already implemented the optimization guidelines from Digi.

Anything obvious I need to know about? We'll be using it for mobile/live recording with a 003 Rack+, a Digimax FS and a Aphex 207D along with two Glyph FW400 drives.

Anyway, guess I'm comin' out... sayin' hello and soliciting any obvious advice.

Thanks!

[nst7]

In the future, don't use "software update" to update your OS. Use the "combo update" downloadable from the Apple website.

Also, since you have a 17" Macbook Pro, it should have the express card option. You can get an firewire express card adapter and use it with that, hooking up your 003+ to that. That will put your 003+ on a different firewire bus than your hard drives, which should make things run even smoother.

And follow the basic instructions for installation on a Mac that are written in your 003+ Getting Started Guide.

[lunatic]

NST7,

I used the "combo update" link that Digi had on their page so I think I'm good there. As for the express card, I do still have the SIIG FW card we used with the Dell so that's good too!

Thanks for your input and keeping me clued in!

[zion72]

Hi, I am thinking of buying a mbp 17 as well. I also use a digi003+ and would love to hear how your setup works. After reading on the forum I get the impression that digi003 means trouble. Please give me a update after you have tested your setup.

[lunatic]

The MBP has been working like a CHAMP right outta the box. I did the minor tweaks that Digi recommends. I've tested it in the following configs:

Digi 003+ -> Glyph Drive -> Glyph Drive -> FW400 to FW 800 cable -> MBP

Digi 003+ -> SIIG FW 400 Card -> MBP
Glyph Drive -> Glyph Drive -> FW400 to FW 800 cable -> MBP

The hard drive usage with the Digi on it's own FW buss went from about 27% down to about 12%. I tested both configurations, recording 18 tracks, for 1.5 hours each before I even went to the live gig.

At the live gig. Zero problems.