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

Ready to Buy - Want MBA, not sure if it can handle Music Production needs

Cerano said:
:eek: damn sis. wonder how you managed to carry your imac around. even a 15" is like a brick to me
Click to expand...

:) My friends endlessly tease me about it. I've been affectionately referring to my 24" iMac as my "laptop" for a year, and my friends know when I'm taking my "laptop" with me, it's Isauna, my huge iMac in a great case. It's been a hilarious journey. It is 50 pounds, when filled with some light clothes, so it just makes the cutoff for the airline requirement. It's awkward in the rides to and from the airport, and I even lugged it on a crowded NYC bus a few times.

Once it's set up and planted in my hotel room, or wherever I am staying, it's golden. I'm sure my friends will really enjoy teasing me about my new - actual - laptop, when it arrives. They'll probably say, "What happened to your other laptop?"

I can definitely say that the iMac is sturdy, robust and is heavy and awkward to travel with. I've done it solidly for a year (about 89 percent of my time this last year has been on the road) - and my iMac went on all the journeys - believe it or not.

I think the 11" will blow my mind! :)
 
Matumeak said:
I can definitely say that the iMac is sturdy, robust and is heavy and awkward to travel with. I've done it solidly for a year (about 89 percent of my time this last year has been on the road) - and my iMac went on all the journeys - believe it or not.
Click to expand...
Oops, I remember - I didn't take the iMac on a couple of huge road trips thru Canada. I missed having a laptop for two weeks - during one trip and a week and a half for another stretch. Also, there has been countless times when I wanted/needed a laptop but alas - couldn't bring myself to tote the iMac, or couldn't plan for iMac power needs. It's been hilarious, and my friends can't believe me either.

I did get used to it, though! :)
 
Have you ever considered getting a 11" air for writing, and then replacing the bulky iMac with a new 17" Macbook Pro when they come out. The large laptop would hopefully still have the "ExpressCard port" I/O port which would be useful for your interface needs, and the large screen might be adequate to replace the iMac screen. It would sure be easier to transport the 2 laptops on your gigs. You could add a 27" monitor at home to supplement the 17" screen if you like the screen size when not on the road.


-howard
 
Last edited:
http://www.flight001.com/a-4-messenger-bag.html

The above link is the bag I got for it - in Khaki. I'm still looking for a "laptop on a string with a pocket" type bag.

http://www.fabrixcases.com/product/madras-pink

There were a lot of cases to choose from, and I'm still wanting a very basic sleeve. I may just sew my own sleeve. This will do in the interim.

I bought my MacBook Air Protection Plan from B&H Pro Video and other accessories - cords, adapters (no sleeves or bags). I also got a 64gig flash usb drive from them - I figure this will come in handy.

Other accessories - usb to ethernet cord; mini-display port to VGA; mini-display port to DVI; mini-display port to mini-display port; mini-display port to HDMI; SD usb card reader; cleaning kit; two small 4 port usb hubs; mini-speakers (in purple); mini-ear bud headphones (nice ones); mobile me subscription; iWork pre-installed and two camera cases to fit the little various accessories.

Grand total for everything? $2319.30

Thanks for the link from GearSlutz, that made my heart actually beat faster.

I probably didn't need all the little cords, but I figured it is good to get them all at once, just in case I need them.

I now need a super nano (not the Korg nano) midi controller. I mean, teeny tiny.

I'm so excited! If you don't like my choices of colors, or bags, or if you think they are ugly, try to refrain from blurting out your instant dislike - I have a right to my own tastes, so do you and everyone is different, so there is no reason to say negative things about my bundle of technological joy.

I am really excited about my nomadic messenger bag. Hope everything fits!
I'll be sure to post pics and send an update when my new Ultimate 11" arrives!

The countdown begins... I live in Alaska, so Apple store says Jan. 10th. Yay!
 
Matumeak said:
Quoted from - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1068859/

At this point in the thread, I as the OP, might be upsetting some people by my final purchase. I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but I'm about to.

I really appreciate the feedback and comments in this thread, although at times some came off a little harsh and rude. Others have been tough and fair. I'm brand spanking new to this forum - and having the space to interact with other mac users has been phenomenal to me, as right now I am in a remote Alaskan village (in the Arctic) and although I've seen the new Airs in person and am familiar with all of Pro's and other options - this decision is being made in a really isolated place, so the sparks of insight and community feedback has been greatly appreciated.

That being said, I finally found the quote from a different thread that made me think that I could take a chance and go with something that I've always craved... An ultra-portable Mac.

If I didn't already have my beloved 24" 1T iMac, then it would be different. If I didn't have two sad experiences with two separate MacBook Pros - it would be a little different too. (My 17" was stolen, my 15" had a liquid accident, each were a year old - so I cut myself off from owning a laptop for almost two years).

And, as crazy as it may seem to most people - if I didn't also have a way to travel with my 24" iMac (super nice Tenba aircase) if I absolutely need to, then it would be different too.

Do I want a MacBook Pro? Yes, I do. Do I know my usage habits are in line with what a MacBook Pro can do? Yes, I know that I would be well suited to a 15" MacBook Pro - especially a souped up one with SSD.

Yet - I'm willing to wait a bit to get my ultimate setup - which will be a 11" Air, a 15" pro and my 24" iMac. If I could afford to wait for the new Pro's to come out, it could be possibly a different story - it's just that the MacBook Pro's that catch my eye come at a significantly higher price point than an Ultimate 11". I also feel great that the 11" are not due for an update for awhile and that is a great time to take the plunge in the ever-changing river of newer and better technology.

If writing my screenplays and plays weren't such a big part of who I am, then I probably wouldn't be salivating as hard for the 11". Yet, I am a writer and the potentiality of truly being able to take the 11" everywhere and use it quickly in many different situations - excites me to my core. I suspect that the difference between an Ultimate Air 13" and an Ultimate Air 11" will be a transformational one - in my case.

Another poster in this thread mentioned:


I use Abelton Live 8.2.1 and I'm confident the 11" can handle Reason also. I love hearing all the feedback that the 11" can handle Adobe CS5 and some video editing. I'm also encouraged by the fact that there is a way for my 24" iMac to be wirelessly connected to my 11" while I'm on the road.

To me, the 11" feels not like a computer, but a revolutionary weapon. It seems to be as a knife - a personal friend that is always by your side to hack through the layers of work - information - interests - connections that need to be maintained and built upon.

I realize the 13" isn't a heck of a lot bigger, yet I suspect that my 11" will be with me everywhere I go - which means - when I feel inspired, I have a way to capture my inspiration - in writing, with a full-sized keypad. It's hard for me to imagine the same "take everywhere" sensation with an Ultimate 13".

I'm excited to take the plunge and buy the Ultimate 11". I also am excited to save and plan for my next computer to be a souped up MacBook 15" Pro.

I can't express enough gratitude to the people who took time to give some hard advice in a kind way. As far as the people who I seem to come across on these threads who seem to enjoy being rude and negative and disrespectful - I want to say to you that - your energy and comments and negativity and rudeness affect everyone around you - and that if you choose to contribute to an online forum - it's great to have dissenting opinions - yet there is an understated rule that respect needs to be the underlying river underneath each thread and post, no matter how different the opinions seem to be, or how passionately we defend our own point of view.

We are a community - albiet a virtual one - and it is my hope that we treat eachother with respect and kindness, especially when saying something that someone doesn't want to hear, or doesn't seem to understand.

I'm excited to be a part of this community of people who know Macs. When I found this forum, I felt that I found the missing resource of information that I've been yearning for.

I apologize for the long-winded response. I'll be sure to post photos of my new Mac, when it arrives! Thanks again for your patience with me in this process. And for the record, I'm a gal, not a guy. Matumeak is one of my Inupiaq names (Inupiaq Eskimo) and it is a male name. It is the name of my great-Uncle, who I am named for. He was an amazing musician and composer, so I like to use that name in forums where I am most interested in technology and music. I just mention this because I had been referred to as a guy by other posters, and although it didn't seem to matter (or bother me) since I intend to stay active in these forums, it seems like a good idea to clarify (once, anyways) :)

Ok! Wish me luck! And I'll be sure to post my review here after I have my software loaded in and I've done some real-world situational testing with my new Ultimate 11". Thanks again!
Click to expand...

What was the POINT of this whole thread if you knew what you wanted?
 
peapody said:
What was the POINT of this whole thread if you knew what you wanted?
Click to expand...

The "point" was to have a discussion. Matumeak started a thread to help her gather information and opinions before making a fairly significant purchase. And after having the discussion and gathering enough information from this thread and others she made a decision and went with it.

That she didn't follow your recommendation does not somehow render a thread pointless.

I, for one, have enjoyed following this thread and appreciated Matumeak's well-written, interesting, and (gasp!) polite posts.
 
Mr. Savage said:
The "point" was to have a discussion. Matumeak started a thread to help her gather information and opinions before making a fairly significant purchase. And after having the discussion and gathering enough information from this thread and others she made a decision and went with it.

That she didn't follow your recommendation does not somehow render a thread pointless.

I, for one, have enjoyed following this thread and appreciated Matumeak's well-written, interesting, and (gasp!) polite posts.
Click to expand...

To me there are people who really are indecisive and need the advice. This OP, yes, gathered information but was already settled on her decision. Time and input are better spent elsewhere for people who really need help in decision making.
 
Mr. Savage said:
The "point" was to have a discussion. Matumeak started a thread to help her gather information and opinions before making a fairly significant purchase. And after having the discussion and gathering enough information from this thread and others she made a decision and went with it.

That she didn't follow your recommendation does not somehow render a thread pointless.

I, for one, have enjoyed following this thread and appreciated Matumeak's well-written, interesting, and (gasp!) polite posts.
Click to expand...


Thanks, Mr. Savage. I agree, I think it has been a great discussion, one that certainly has meant a lot to me, and my final decision. It is a fairly significant purchase, and I'm glad that I started the thread to gather more information. Looking back on the thread, there is a lot of useful and interesting information here, with specific examples by people who definitely take their Air's to the limits.

At the beginning of the thread, I wasn't sure which computer to go for, as the refurbished Pro's were starting to compete with the computer I was most drawn to, the Air.

I postulated a hypothesis of sorts at the beginning - "Could the Air work for me and my specific Audio Production needs?"

I hoped the answer would be yes, but I needed more information, rather than spending based on gut reaction and intuition.

And, through the course of this thread, I gathered, listened and decided. There were a few key comments in this thread that made me decide to really put my hypothesis to the test. Those comments were from other users who have Airs and used the programs that I am most familiar with, or similar programs that will work the Air's capabilities.

I'm so thankful for the course of this thread, and the information and connections I have made here in this process. I'm excited to actually receive my air, so that I can actually put my hypothesis to the test, and post the results here.

If this thread isn't valuable to any individual reader, I hope that they will search or start a thread that is worthy of their time. Everyone is different, and you can't please everyone. I think this is a great thread, if nothing but for the tales of me toting my 24" iMac on the road and in NYC busses.

I'm confident that for some readers and browsers of posts and threads, that it is a valuable experience to go on a journey with one potential buyer, as they themselves go through their own buying process. It is my hope that this thread will help other folks who crave the air - but need further information to qualm their nerves on spending 2K.

I for one, am excited about my Air and I'm excited to share the results of my personal real world tests here - especially in regards to music production using Reason 5 and Abelton Live 8.

I'll also post photos! At this point, I haven't gotten a confirmation email from Apple that the Air has shipped, so the wait is long. I'm back from my village - back to the city, so in the interim I may just go to our local Apple store and play with one to tide me over in the meantime. Or, that could feel a bit torturous. I have a strong feeling my accessories are going to arrive before the Air does, which is fine with me.

My 24" iMac survived hopefully her last trip to the Arctic in 40 degrees below weather, and yes, I am going to start saving for a Pro - probably get one in April of 2012, at the latest.

Thanks again!
 
Last edited:
What about a 15" MBP (or 13") and an External Monitor instead of lugging an iMac with you. you'll have plenty of power, especially if you add 8gb to it and you can buy either very large laptop hard drives, (they come in 1Tb 5400 or 750Gb 7200 RPM) or if you don't need all that get a smaller 120Gb OWC SSD which is better for travel and getting bumped around.

I had a 27" iMac and 13" MBP and switched to a 15" and external which works better for travel - best of all worlds
 
Just received my Air

Yay! I just received my 11" Ultimate Air!!!

I LOVE it! It's hilarious how humongous my 24" iMac seems now. I mean, when I sit down at the 24", I feel like a tiny kid in front of a HUGE screen.

This week, I am going to load up the music production software that I had mentioned in this thread and report back to the thread about how well it is working for me.

I haven't gotten the bulk of my accessories yet - just my Mobile Me and my Nomadic bag from www.flight001.com

This bag - it PERFECTLY fits my Air - there is actually a perfect hidden pocket for it - and LOTS of other pockets - it's the most wonderful bag - It's perfect - the size is perfect. http://www.flight001.com/a-4-messenger-bag.html

I'm in set-up mode! I'm having a hard time figuring out basic file sharing - and I've been going through the threads. I'll figure it out.

I'll be sure to post back here when I can do some real-world testing with Reason, Abelton Live, and my midi controller.

So far, I'm over-joyed with my new Air.

More soon!
 
yes.... i'm in the same boat right now...

except now I have the new i7 processor to decide with...

i have a firewire audio interface to consider...

and it seems that my only solution right now (as I would be using it as my primary computer) is the thunderbolt ACD (a 1000 dollar solution)

*sigh*
 
ummagawd said:
i have a firewire audio interface to consider...
Click to expand...

I believe there will be thunderbolt to firewire (or even multiple) ports available in the near future.

However, since thunderbolt use optical cable, it WILL be expensive but it's sure a luxurious solution for a small machine that have limited space to fit in more ports.

Meanwhile, as a music production team as well, I find the built in soundcard did a decent job on providing good sound monitoring. I doubt you can do serious mixing out of it but it's definitely better than many built in soundcard on PC laptops.
 
For music production the air should be able to handle all of those tasks, however screen resolution could pose a problem.

You may also find the I/O on the air lacking
 
I'm actually not too concerned about monitoring (as the gearslutz review deemed it to be great), but more concerned about being able to record line inputs (I broadcast an Internet radio stream).

My other option is to get a new Mac mini. Then I don't have to worry about much at all and focus the MBA on DJing. Oh decisions.

Actually the decision is obvious from a dollar for dollar perspective... (get the mbp 15, benefit from the quad core, and be done with it).
 
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