New dual core CPU > older quad CPU? (for Logic)

[valdikor]

As I recall, what the OP is actually asking is which machine will give him more CPU performance.

The Macbook Air uses processors with a 17W TDP. That roughly means that the cooling system should be able to dissipate a continuous 17W heat load.

The 13" MBPs use processors with a 35W TDP. That roughly means that the cooling system should be able to dissipate a continuous 35W heat load.

Being able to dissipate that extra heat means that the 35W machines can give you more sustained performance than the 17W machines. The 17W machines might have similar burst performance in a benchmark but that doesn't mean that they can sustain that performance.


A machine with more thermal capacity is not a machine that runs hotter. If the cooling system can dissipate that extra generated heat, it means you get more performance without a hotter machine in your lap.

Thank you for steering the conversation back on track.

Actually, just a while ago I lost my nerve, and after judging everything from every angle, I decided to just go for it and ordered a 11'' BTO MBA. The size and sheer convenience of this miniscule machine just could not be overlooked given my everyday computer needs and the fact that I am a student and need to carry it back and forth and use it in classrooms and coffeeshops. As for the performance, I hope it will be enough for my use of Logic. I do use a lot of plugins and effects that eat up a lot of CPU and my mini doesn't even break a sweat. Logic burdens the CPU mostly in spikes (when a demanding sample is triggered or when there's an automation edit), so hopefully it will not overheat as much as it would when rendering video, for example. And if it still is not enough, I will hold on to my Mac mini for the time being and continue using it as my main production machine at home. This way I will not have replaced my two computers with one like I set out to, but I will have a kickass mobile computer for school, leisure and performing/recording on the go and a great desktop that I can rely on at home. I will test drive the Air for a couple of months and if it indeed does what I need it to do, only then will sell my mini.

Makes any sense?

 

[Stetrain]

Logic burdens the CPU mostly in spikes (when a demanding sample is triggered or when there's an automation edit), so hopefully it will not overheat as much as it would when rendering video, for example.

...

Makes any sense?

If that's the case then an Air should handle it just fine, and as you said you're getting a very mobile machine by going with the 11".

 

[CausticPuppy]

Thank you for steering the conversation back on track.

Actually, just a while ago I lost my nerve, and after judging everything from every angle, I decided to just go for it and ordered a 11'' BTO MBA. The size and sheer convenience of this miniscule machine just could not be overlooked given my everyday computer needs and the fact that I am a student and need to carry it back and forth and use it in classrooms and coffeeshops. As for the performance, I hope it will be enough for my use of Logic. I do use a lot of plugins and effects that eat up a lot of CPU and my mini doesn't even break a sweat. Logic burdens the CPU mostly in spikes (when a demanding sample is triggered or when there's an automation edit), so hopefully it will not overheat as much as it would when rendering video, for example. And if it still is not enough, I will hold on to my Mac mini for the time being and continue using it as my main production machine at home. This way I will not have replaced my two computers with one like I set out to, but I will have a kickass mobile computer for school, leisure and performing/recording on the go and a great desktop that I can rely on at home. I will test drive the Air for a couple of months and if it indeed does what I need it to do, only then will sell my mini.

Makes any sense?

That machine will handle Logic just fine; the only caveat is that the display is not very big, so you may have to use an external monitor if you're going to be doing anything very complex.

 

[valdikor]

That machine will handle Logic just fine; the only caveat is that the display is not very big, so you may have to use an external monitor if you're going to be doing anything very complex.

Of course. At home, I will always have it hooked up to my trusty 27'' Cinema Display (unfortunately not the Thunderbolt Display, but that's fine).