12" MacBook for producing/recording music?

[Yr Blues]

I've been arranging/recording music on my A1181 for a while using lots of aux/bus effects. No more than 4 real audio tracks and 8 virtual instruments using Reaper which uses very little CPU.

What can I expect from a 12" MacBook? Should I go Pro?

Thanks.

 

[JD2015]

Go pro. Macbook 12" is okay for very light music usage but if you do it on a more regular basis then go for the pro model. Note, i am not a musician but would say the same for anyone doing video/photo/design work for a living.

 

[fisherking]

i'm using a 12" macbook, but kept my 2015 pro for audio work (logic X). haven't tried logic on the MB, but, considering my experience on the pro, see no point in it.

still...4 audio/8 instruments? should be fine. and you can check out logic on the MB in an apple store, it was installed on the 2 MBs i checked out before i bought one...

 

[Yr Blues]

Thanks, y'all.

I might get a 2015 MacBook Pro with 16GB at $1500. Sounds like the best deal. I'm hearing too many replaced keyboards on the 12".

$1500 is my sweet-spot.

 

[fisherking]

where are you 'hearing' about replaced keyboards on the 12"? no one i know has an issue... (of course, that's only me, a friend, and 2 clients...)...

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Thanks, y'all.

I might get a 2015 MacBook Pro with 16GB at $1500. Sounds like the best deal. I'm hearing too many replaced keyboards on the 12".

$1500 is my sweet-spot.

It is a good decision. Enjoy the rMBP.

where are you 'hearing' about replaced keyboards on the 12"? no one i know has an issue... (of course, that's only me, a friend, and 2 clients...)...

Just some hearsay all over the net:
https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/3dgrxu/a_problem_with_the_keyboard_on_the_new_2015/
https://www.macissues.com/2015/06/06/spacebars-malfunctioning-on-new-12-inch-macbooks/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-12-c-key-failing.1885101/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7063425?tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7226190?tstart=0
etc.

 

[Yr Blues]

Now I can't decide between the new MBP without Touch Bar with 8GB ram for $1500…

…or the 2015 rMB with 16GB ram for $1500. Argh!

 

[Ulenspiegel]

Now I can't decide between the new MBP without Touch Bar with 8GB ram for $1500…

…or the 2015 rMB with 16GB ram for $1500. Argh!

I would opt for the 2015 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM (useful to have as much as possible), especially if you need some legacy ports (SDXC, HDMI, Thunderbolt, USB3) and MagSafe that the new MacBook Pro doesn't have. Of course you can always buy dongles for the 2016 rMBP.

 

[Yr Blues]

I would opt for the 2015 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM (useful to have as much as possible), especially if you need some legacy ports (SDXC, HDMI, Thunderbolt, USB3) and MagSafe that the new MacBook Pro doesn't have. Of course you can always buy dongles for the 2016 rMBP.

Thanks. I'm 51% 2015 with 16MB and 49% 2016 with 8MB. You are so right, yet I'm so enticed by the new CPU, 2nd generation keys, better monitor, and smaller footprint. I might just have to save $200 extra for 16MB.

 

[Ulenspiegel]

If you don't need the legacy ports, MagSafe etc., then go with what your heart dictates. 😉