Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is 256gb enough? (Need all the advice I can get)

Jayjew

Jayjew

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 11, 2015
428
193
Minneapolis
I'm looking at getting into music production with Logic Pro X. I'm looking at the 15" and am wondering if 256 is enough to download the application and produce music but still do daily tasks like documents and photo edits.

I backup my things to my MacBook but I also filter them out so I only save the good ones. About 60% of my total album.

How hard is it to put music onto a drive?

Does plugging in a keyboard or using other plug ins take more memory?


I really don't want to shed out extra for 512. But if I have to... <\3
 
Only you will know if 256 is good enough for you. If your uncertain I would recommend getting the higher amount. I for one have used 512 for a while, and I probably could be fine with it moving forward, but when I just purchased my new MBP I got 1 TB because I am not certain and want to future proof my Mac for as long as possible especially after spending so much on it.
 
Is using an external SSD convenient?

If so, you can probably get by with 256 - but you will eventually wind up spending more money on an external. If not, then I would favor 512. I find that music and photos can take up a surprisingly large amount of space quickly.
 
IMO, do the analysis. How much data do you have that you WANT to have on your machine? For example, I have 75GB of photos and very little music. I have about 80GB of files that I would add to a machine today. I did decide to offload about 20GB of videos that I NEVER access. After that, I projected how much I would add on an annual basis, including files, music, photos, videos, software, etc.. In my case, after 3 years I would still have about 80-90GB left over. Now that screams that I should just go with the 256 but for some.. they will not want to think about it. In the end, if you are unlikely to use more than the 256 and are not the type to sweat the dwindling memory then go 256.. if you are going to keep thinking about how much you are using.... then go 512. Also, on the MBPs externals are so easy as is iCloud.

I have the 12" MB now so I am considering 512 since I only have 1 port.
 
Im just so new to all of this, so I don't know what to expect. I don't know how much a file from logic would take up. The program itself is about 80gb.
 
Jayjew said:
Does plugging in a keyboard or using other plug ins take more memory?


I really don't want to shed out extra for 512. But if I have to... <\3
Click to expand...

Yes the USBC_PORT_FLAG has to be set to 1. So you will have to buy one Bit more ;)
 
i wondered this myself when looking at the 13 inch recently. I hate to have to take more items than i need to (external drives etc) my current 15 is a 1tb maxed 2015.
 
Save up a bit and get the 512 or even 1TB. I have the 512GB it's fine for your apps/plugins/project files. But you already have to keep your sample libraries on other drives as well as ur backups, so that'll mean you'll have to buy 1 Thunderbolt 3 drive as your sample library which you attach while using logic and a second for your backups. If you only have 256Gb internal storage - 65Gb(logic+plugins+project files) -25gb(System)- 25gb(if u have a couple apps installed)-40gb(avg media files and documents) you'll have -> 256-(652+5+25+40) = 100GB left.
So you'll have to buy a third Thunderbolt 3 disk for your music projects alone, 100gb is filled up real quick. do you want to drag around 2 disks overtime you want to use your macbook somewhere for music editing, or will you get that extra 256 gig which leaves you 300gb space internally for your project files and just take your sample libraries with you when you hit the road.(The machine isn't cheap; you won't buy a new one every year, make sure what you get is enjoyable and not a drag to work with)
 
I got the 13" with 256 SSD plus an external Lacie 5 TB for $200-ish. I need it for videos that I do.
I did max out everything else though :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: baypharm
To put this in perspective, it's my only computer that I'll be using logic, downloading text books on, and saving songs to. (My music I make) the music from iTunes stays on my phones. I'll also be getting the 256 iPhone 8. So I could probably store some things on there.

Still - 512 or 256.
Like a SSD drives a thing? Thumb sticks? I've seen a few on amazon that are 1TB and lightning 3.

I'm really thinking of just a maxed out 13"

I'm on the poorer side of the spectrum. I need all the advice I can get.
 
I can only speak for myself, but for me 256 is enough. All I use my late 2013 rMBP 2.6/8/256 for is firefox, youtube, mail sometimes, notes, calculator, and other applications of the sort. No video editing or anything like that.
 
Hieveryone said:
I can only speak for myself, but for me 256 is enough. All I use my late 2013 rMBP 2.6/8/256 for is firefox, youtube, mail sometimes, notes, calculator, and other applications of the sort. No video editing or anything like that.
Click to expand...
So - completely irrelevant to the conversation?
 
Jayjew said:
So - completely irrelevant to the conversation?
Click to expand...

Yeah pretty much. I was thinking about other apps I use. Sometimes I use messages as well but rarely. I don't think I could use 128GB bc occasionally I do download videos from the internet so then space gets tight.
 
The saying goes; "It's better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it" something along that line. Same with any type of insurance. We can recommend/suggest as much as we can, but it's you who will have to make the final decision. Good luck!
 
256gb should be fine for music production.

You -do- need to be mindful of disk space management. You don't want a lot of "no-longer-accessed-stuff" taking up space (such as completed projects, which can be "archived" to an external drive).

Pick up a USB3 external drive to serve as such an archive.

You also want a SECOND USB3 external drive to serve as a backup. If it's large enough, it can be a backup for both your internal drive, and your [external] archival drive.
 
Retrospectively upgrading an SSD on a Mac is expensive.

If you think you need 512GB, just get it and save yourself from storage anxiety and having to manage external drives or cloud storage - especially if you will be dealing with big files that are best stored locally.

In the past I've bought low storage iPads/iPhones and had remorse. At the subsequent opportunities I bought larger capacity devices. Sure they cost more, but I was happy as Larry and never looked back.
 
No! You would want to have the major stuff on your local ssd and with Logic fully installed (all extra sounds) and potentially some sample packs and instruments later, you will hit the 256 pretty fast although you can kind of install some stuff on an external drive.
I'd say go with 512 and maybe later expand it with an external SSD if needed. If you are serious with music production you will buy some more stuff sooner than later. (Like Komplete from NI or some other sampled instruments - especially drum kits)

I have an iMac 2017 with 1TB and am at 700GB and have everything installed locally. It gives some peace of mind.
 
Last edited:
512 is the sweet spot right not. Pricewise, performancewise. I, myself was in a dilemma if I should get 256 to same some money or get the next size up which is 512. I ended up getting 512. My previous laptop has 512 but I only used up 256. But I usually store my pictures, music and videos on an external drive.

Just get 512 for peace of mind.
 
I pesonally have the 512 in mine. My wife has the 256 in hers. I am no where close to filling up mine and she has plenty of room on hers still.

I keep most of my stuff on iCloud however. I have a external 512 Samsung 960 EVO in a NVME PCI-E USB C enclosure for files I like to keep or other stuff. Its not Thunderbolt, but plenty fast enough for the occasional storage needs.
 
Depends. There are some plugins with huge libraries that will eat 256 gb for breakfast.

But if you don’t yse those and also don’t use many samples, you can get away with it I suppose.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back