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Do I need to upgrade my Macbook?

A

ACapital

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 2, 2008
4
0
I've seen several posts related to music production on a Mac, yet I still am having some issues resolving my situation.

I'm currently running a 2 GHz Macbook with 1 GB of ram. I use the computer for school, and have recently decided to dive into electronic music after years of acoustic performance. I'm interesting in running Ableton Live Suite, and I'm wondering if buying a secondary Macbook is worth the investment. I am a student, so money is an issue. If I buy another computer, it would likely be a 2.4 GHz Macbook with 4 GB of ram. Is that extra processing speed going to pay off, or should I just upgrade the machine I have now? I realize I'll need an external firewire audio interface, but right now I'm just concerned about processing capabilities... Thank you to anyone that can offer advice.
 
I'd wait for the new ones to come out before you make any big decisions - expected between now and October... ish. Maybe.
 
ACapital said:
I've seen several posts related to music production on a Mac, yet I still am having some issues resolving my situation.

I'm currently running a 2 GHz Macbook with 1 GB of ram. I use the computer for school, and have recently decided to dive into electronic music after years of acoustic performance. I'm interesting in running Ableton Live Suite, and I'm wondering if buying a secondary Macbook is worth the investment. I am a student, so money is an issue. If I buy another computer, it would likely be a 2.4 GHz Macbook with 4 GB of ram. Is that extra processing speed going to pay off, or should I just upgrade the machine I have now? I realize I'll need an external firewire audio interface, but right now I'm just concerned about processing capabilities... Thank you to anyone that can offer advice.
Click to expand...

I'd say just keep your current machine and upgrade the RAM

EDIT: ^^He's right lol
 
Get 4GB Ram

P.S.: Someone please confirm if this 2GHz MB is Santa Rosa or older!!!
If its SR - all 4GB used... if older then only 3GB!
I'll recommend crucial System Scanner if you're unsure!
 
I purchased the machine before November 2007, So I believe it's older that SR.
 
If you're not planning on getting rid of it anytime soon, either way, I'd throw another 2GB stick in there. It'll cost next to nothing
 
you'll do just fine with an updated system ... especially is you aren't going to be using many plugins (which usually cost a lot more than the computer anyways)... I would also suggest buying a faster harddrive.
 
ACapital said:
I've seen several posts related to music production on a Mac, yet I still am having some issues resolving my situation.

I'm currently running a 2 GHz Macbook with 1 GB of ram. I use the computer for school, and have recently decided to dive into electronic music after years of acoustic performance. I'm interesting in running Ableton Live Suite, and I'm wondering if buying a secondary Macbook is worth the investment. I am a student, so money is an issue. If I buy another computer, it would likely be a 2.4 GHz Macbook with 4 GB of ram. Is that extra processing speed going to pay off, or should I just upgrade the machine I have now? I realize I'll need an external firewire audio interface, but right now I'm just concerned about processing capabilities... Thank you to anyone that can offer advice.
Click to expand...

if i was you, i would actually get a iMac instead of another macbook. That way you can still use you current macbook for portability around school.
 
Ok... So just so I'm clear on this, a 2.4 Ghz processor isn't worth the $1500 I'd spend on a new machine?
 
Keep the current machine. You don't need a new computer. If you do plan to get a new computer, buy a refurbished MBP and sell the MB.
 
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