Pro Tools 11 w/ 2010 iMac 11,2 ?

[kirkbross]

I looked on the PT11 compatibility chart and several iMacs before and after iMac 11,2 are qualified, but not that particular model.

Anyone running PT11 on an iMac 11,2?

I'm running 10.6.8... what's the highest version of OS X I can install on that machine?

(Processor Name: Intel Core i3, 3.06 GHz)

[mindnoise]

Shouldn't be a problem. I rather think there was no particular reason to test your iMac, if before and after models are qualified. From the specs your iMac can surely handle PT11.

Your iMac can run up to OS X 10.10, should be free in your AppStore account anyway to try.

[VRW]

Originally Posted by mindnoise

Shouldn't be a problem...From the specs your iMac can surely handle PT11.

What gives you that idea?

Pro Tools 11 is known to require an i7 Quad Core processor to run flawlessly as it should.
Some of the latest i5 processors will do the job as well however with older generations of i5
processors many people have had serious problems which is the reason those are not really
recommended by Avid as well as by all the experienced guys here at the DUC.

This iMac even is only an i3 Dual Core! I know it very well as I had this guy myself for years
until I noticed it would not be powerful enough for PT11 and any recent recording system by far.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...010-specs.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP588?vi...E&locale=de_DE


You obviously have some serious gear (Apogee Symphony, R Neve Portico), IMO you should get
a serious kind of solution as to the computer as well.
For LE7/8+PT9 this iMac was ok (used it myself successfully), with PT10 there occurred the first
problems and errors with larger sessions or just recording with VIs with 128 samples buffer etc
for example. Btw I used it together with an FW800 003R and only high quality 7200rpm drives.

So because I know this machine from personal experience (which was positive up to PT10) I
definitely would not recommend this iMac for serious work with PT11+Yosemite and future stuff.

Originally Posted by mindnoise

Your iMac can run up to OS X 10.10

Yes, 10.10 probably basically will run on it but if there will be more, and more demanding tasks
like running a complete well working modern PT11 system, the i3 for sure will be not powerful
enough and no serious solution.

Btw OSX 10.6.8+PTLE was great with this iMac but there has changed a lot by the time, particularly
from PT10 to 11, from OS X 10.8 to 10.9/10.10 there happened a giant leap technology wise.

If you want to run a professional, serious Pro Tools 11 system with your Apogee Symphony you
really need to get at least a quite recent i7 Quad Core Mac.

Depending on your budget you may get one of those new 2014 15" MacBooks Pro with an i7 Quad Core
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/ma.../A&step=config

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/ma.../A&step=config

or if you are on a tight budget, even a 2012 i7 Quad Core Mini (maxed out as to Ram and internal drives).
This one definitely will do the job well when maxed out with 16GB Ram and 1-2 high quality internal SSDs
and will be a great option for people on a budget.
Have a look at this thread
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=363011

If on the other hand money will be no issue for you there of course is the iMac top model with the i7 Quad
Core processor
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/im.../A&step=config

or finally the new "trash can" Mac Pros which are real power houses
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/im.../A&step=config

Important as to the top iMac-never ever get one with a Fusion drive! Doesn´t work with PT11!
Those new Apple Flash drives are highly recommended though.

Anyway.
Whichever route you may decide to go, to stay with your i3 iMac would be no good idea when you will want
to go for a decent PT11/Yosemite system.

The best of success to you,


VRW




Mac Mini i7Quad, 16GB Ram, MBP Mid 2012 2,5GHz i5, 16GB Ram, Mac OSX 10.10.1 Yosemite, Apogee Quartet+Duet 2
Genelec Active, Yamaha NS10, Pro Tools 11.3, Logic 10.0.7, Waves, MCDSP, Duende Native, HOFA, IK Multimedia, NI etc.

[VRW]

PS: there is only 1 model qualified by Avid prior to your iMac
which however is at least a 2,66GHz i5 processor, no i3.
Actually there is no i3 machine qualified for PT11 by Avid.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/e...pple-Computers

Anyway even many people with those older i5 processors have
experienced lots of issues with PT11 and OS X 10.9/10.10.
You may search the DUC yourself for it.

Finally of course it´s all up to you.
You of course may try your luck but I personally would avoid it.


Cheers.