I need a laptop that will serve two purposes:
1) An easy-to-carry personal laptop for administrative purposes (email, web-based planning, etc). I want something light, but with a great display.
2) Running sequences built in Ableton/Reason. I don't need it for tracking, editing, etc. I need a laptop for *playback* of sequences. I'm not running sessions with 200 plug-ins. The $19 USB-C-to-USB dongle solves the issue of connecting it to the FocusRite Scarlet 6i6 I'm using.
Right now, I'm running sequences via Logic 9 sessions with 44.1 wave files (sometimes running up to 10-20 tracks of strings, pads, drum loops, etc) with a late 2010 Core2Duo 11" 1.6ghz MBA for 4GB RAM. It's only locked up on me once (had something to do with 48 vs 44.1), but it's about time to do something else.
I'm under the impression that the usage I'm describing concerning Ableton or Reason isn't terribly processor intensive, and doesn't imply a need for 16GB+ of RAM. ....but that's why I'm posting. Advice.
Is it a bad idea to go that route rather than a 13" MBP *for these two purposes*? Again though, I will never use it for tracking sessions. We have a 2013 6-core Mac Pro for that. I'm just favoring portability right now, but I still want it to be able to do the job, and I don't want to make a bad investment. I just want to get away with as much portability as I can....and I REALLY like the new Macbook. ....but it has to be able to do the job.
The model I would be purchasing if I went with the 12" MB is the top-of-the-line 1.3ghz 512GB model.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
1) An easy-to-carry personal laptop for administrative purposes (email, web-based planning, etc). I want something light, but with a great display.
2) Running sequences built in Ableton/Reason. I don't need it for tracking, editing, etc. I need a laptop for *playback* of sequences. I'm not running sessions with 200 plug-ins. The $19 USB-C-to-USB dongle solves the issue of connecting it to the FocusRite Scarlet 6i6 I'm using.
Right now, I'm running sequences via Logic 9 sessions with 44.1 wave files (sometimes running up to 10-20 tracks of strings, pads, drum loops, etc) with a late 2010 Core2Duo 11" 1.6ghz MBA for 4GB RAM. It's only locked up on me once (had something to do with 48 vs 44.1), but it's about time to do something else.
I'm under the impression that the usage I'm describing concerning Ableton or Reason isn't terribly processor intensive, and doesn't imply a need for 16GB+ of RAM. ....but that's why I'm posting. Advice.
Is it a bad idea to go that route rather than a 13" MBP *for these two purposes*? Again though, I will never use it for tracking sessions. We have a 2013 6-core Mac Pro for that. I'm just favoring portability right now, but I still want it to be able to do the job, and I don't want to make a bad investment. I just want to get away with as much portability as I can....and I REALLY like the new Macbook. ....but it has to be able to do the job.
The model I would be purchasing if I went with the 12" MB is the top-of-the-line 1.3ghz 512GB model.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
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