iBook + GarageBand

[jhomayne]

I'm looking into getting an iBook, but also want to be able to use Garageband.

Now i know that only the powerbook has the line-in enabling me to plug my guitar straight into it, but i was wondering whether it would work out cheaper to get an iBook and some form of usb lin-in device, or just to get a powerbook?

cheers!

 

[alexf]

From what I have read here in the forums (and I do not know this from personal experience so I may be wrong), GarageBand is VERY processor- and RAM-intensive; even Powerbooks tend to choke after the tracks start to mount. If this is true (and again it's only hearsay) and this is one of the primary ways in which you'll be using your new computer, then you'd be better off shelling out more money for a Powerbook.

In general, the "Power" series of Macs is geared much more towards audio and video editing than "i/e" series (hence the lack of line-in on the iBook).

Hope this helps.

 

[Horrortaxi]

Yes, it would be cheaper to buy the iBook and some kind of external device to handle your inputs. GarageBand isn't a pro level app so the iBook should run GarageBand just fine as long as you give it enough RAM. I wouldn't worry about choking it. I ran it on a 700mhz G3 iBook and wouldn't choke it until I had 6-7 live tracks.