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johnnyindia

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 4, 2010
101
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I was planning on buying a new Macbook Pro for Audio work (Ableton production, recording, live shows)...though it seems the verdict is out that the last release is disappointing, and to expect another release in the second half of 2017 that is far superior (Am I correct in assuming this at this point?).

If that's the case, what's my best option to buying a temporary computer to use for audio, that I can sell when the new Macbook Pros drop in 2017, and not lose much $ on my investment?

Or should I just pull the trigger on a new MBP now?
 
...though it seems the verdict is out that the last release is disappointing, and to expect another release in the second half of 2017 that is far superior (Am I correct in assuming this at this point?).
I think you are misinformed. These are the best MacBooks ever. Reviews agree. Sales figures agree. Internet posters who don't own the machines but flood forums with negative opinions shouldn't carry any weight. I have the 13" machine, and there is little to be disappointed about, because it's better than my previous machine and I never had unrealistic expectations. If you want to wait a full year for a new machine, by all means go ahead. But if you are willing to do that why wait two or three years, when the machines will be even better?
 
Next update 17/18 will be fundamentally the same, a little more refined, with potentially a small price drop, nothing else. Apple has drawn it`s line in the sand. Personally I would wait on the 2nd or 3rd generation of this model, as they will be a better product with slightly improved value.

Q-6
[doublepost=1481644780][/doublepost]
Get a Surfacebook. It's perfect. Honestly...

I bought one and it has been...

Q-6
 
I was planning on buying a new Macbook Pro for Audio work (Ableton production, recording, live shows)...though it seems the verdict is out that the last release is disappointing, and to expect another release in the second half of 2017 that is far superior (Am I correct in assuming this at this point?).

If that's the case, what's my best option to buying a temporary computer to use for audio, that I can sell when the new Macbook Pros drop in 2017, and not lose much $ on my investment?

Or should I just pull the trigger on a new MBP now?

Literally working on Ableton right now on the 13" tbMBP and I'm completely in love. I would say that generally the honest reviews on the MacBook are good to great, if you ignore forum members and youtube bandwagoners. I mean half those youtube videos are still complaining about the lack of a glowing Apple logo haha.
 
OP:
You didn't tell us what Mac you're using NOW.

Also -- do you use any audio interfaces?
If so, what kind of connection method do they use?

Anyone using firewire would probably do better with the 2015 model MacBook Pro. With one of those, you need only one dongle adapter (thunderbolt2-to-firewire).
With a 2016 MBPro and firewire, one needs TWO dongles ganged together. That is, thunderbolt3-to-thunderbolt2, and thunderbolt2-to-firewire.
 
Next update 17/18 will be fundamentally the same, a little more refined, with potentially a small price drop, nothing else. Apple has drawn it`s line in the sand. Personally I would wait on the 2nd or 3rd generation of this model, as they will be a better product with slightly improved value.

Q-6
[doublepost=1481644780][/doublepost]

I bought one and it has been...

Q-6

As is my 2016 TBMP, according to me. The OP's post is both vague and inaccurate - much like my sarcastic post in retort.

On a side note, do you have a bot set up that registers when a Surfacebook is mentioned on here so you can defend its honour? ;)
 
OP:
You didn't tell us what Mac you're using NOW.

Also -- do you use any audio interfaces?
If so, what kind of connection method do they use?

Anyone using firewire would probably do better with the 2015 model MacBook Pro. With one of those, you need only one dongle adapter (thunderbolt2-to-firewire).
With a 2016 MBPro and firewire, one needs TWO dongles ganged together. That is, thunderbolt3-to-thunderbolt2, and thunderbolt2-to-firewire.

This is a good point OP^^

I still haven't gone out and bought a usb-c dock of any sort, so I've only been working on production in Ableton and have not been able to record vocals or hook up speakers.
 
As is my 2016 TBMP, according to me. The OP's post is both vague and inaccurate - much like my sarcastic post in retort.

On a side note, do you have a bot set up that registers when a Surfacebook is mentioned on here so you can defend its honour? ;)

Not at all, just a coincidence responding to your auto snark remarks bot ;). Am far more invested in the Mac & OS X equally credit where credit is due. Hopefully Apple will work on the SW side same as Microsoft and shake out the bugs.

Q-6
 
bahahahah the new machines are wayyyyyyy too fast for audio to ever slow them down

audio work is teeny tiny resource draw compared to visual, and these machines are screamers in visual art

don't believe the anti-hype
 
Using a TB interface (antelope Zen Tour). Maybe I got bad info, just heard from a bunch of people the new MBPs were problematic with certain bugs, battery life, generally dissappointing and also the rumor that fall 2017 would have models that can have 32G ram, greater improvements etc. if that's just a bunch of haters, I'll buy now.
 
well you're never in a million years going to need 32gb of RAM for audio man. Unless you plan to edit all the audio that's ever been recorded on earth at once.

I mean totally lossless audio files are what, 10MB a minute? So you gotta have 1600 mixer channels running raw audio, all at once, to max out 16gb?
 
Using a TB interface (antelope Zen Tour). Maybe I got bad info, just heard from a bunch of people the new MBPs were problematic with certain bugs, battery life, generally dissappointing and also the rumor that fall 2017 would have models that can have 32G ram, greater improvements etc. if that's just a bunch of haters, I'll buy now.

More likely 2018 for a 32Bb option.

Q-6
 
In a similar boat as OP, need one for audio work. Waiting for the 32GB RAM bump. Disappointed that it's still the same as my late-2013 machine. I was okay with all the other changes and have no issues with the new machine.
 
what the christ are you guys talking about !

32gb of RAM for AUDIO?

I'm just so confused. How many goddamn channels are you running ?!
 
Using a TB interface (antelope Zen Tour). Maybe I got bad info, just heard from a bunch of people the new MBPs were problematic with certain bugs, battery life, generally dissappointing and also the rumor that fall 2017 would have models that can have 32G ram, greater improvements etc. if that's just a bunch of haters, I'll buy now.

Battery life seems up in the air. Some people are too concerned with battery remaining estimates and then thinking their battery is only lasting 3 hours when in reality its lasting 8. But, it does seem like there are software issues that Apple has already begun to iron out. My battery life went from being pretty average to being great.

32gb of RAM is not something I imagine coming to the MacBooks. I may be wrong but it doesn't seem likely. And I'm not saying this is true for you, but it seems like a lot of users don't realize how RAM works and they think they need much more than they actually do (I.E. You can just be surfing safari and use 16gb of RAM).

Lastly lol, MacBooks have great resell, like any Apple product. So if you did want to upgrade in 2017, you should have no problem selling the 2016 model for the new one, and paying a marginal amount.
 
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well you're never in a million years going to need 32gb of RAM for audio man. Unless you plan to edit all the audio that's ever been recorded on earth at once.

I mean totally lossless audio files are what, 10MB a minute? So you gotta have 1600 mixer channels running raw audio, all at once, to max out 16gb?

You can eat through RAM in audio quite easily. Ableton lets you load your samples into RAM instead of streaming from the disk. Kontakt Sample Libraries, depending on your routing and setup can consume all your RAM as well.
 
Look, raw 4k video is ~5GB per minute.
Raw 24bit audio is ~10MB per minute.

So 500 times smaller.

And the machine's RAM has no problem whatsoever editing multichannel 4k video (plus the audio tracks that come with the video tracks!).

I just do not believe you guys.
 
You can eat through RAM in audio quite easily. Ableton lets you load your samples into RAM instead of streaming from the disk. Kontakt Sample Libraries, depending on your routing and setup can consume all your RAM as well.

Yeah I'm thinking for orchestral sample libraries etc, as well as when I run ableton sessions, I use a method that conserves CPU by having things deactivated when not in use, but still takes up RAM....so while I can get away with 16GB, 32GB would be great.

Maybe I'll get one of these and resell if I'm a year there is a 32GB upgrade.
 
...and also the rumor that fall 2017 would have models that can have 32G ram...
As someone else mentioned above, it'll be two years before you see 32GB RAM options. If you're holding out for next year for that, prepare to be disappointed.
 
32GB of RAM is a completely useless waste of energy! There was a thread where people were trying to come up with ways to page out 16GB and it entailed running production programs simultaneously on multiple different virtual operating systems.

You just plain do not need 32GB of RAM. If you think you do, there's a very high chance you don't know how RAM works. Or you're working on something in a Hollywood post-production studio or like making the next Witcher game.
 
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I was planning on buying a new Macbook Pro for Audio work (Ableton production, recording, live shows)...though it seems the verdict is out that the last release is disappointing, and to expect another release in the second half of 2017 that is far superior (Am I correct in assuming this at this point?).

If that's the case, what's my best option to buying a temporary computer to use for audio, that I can sell when the new Macbook Pros drop in 2017, and not lose much $ on my investment?

Or should I just pull the trigger on a new MBP now?

Pull the trigger now, they are incredibly thin and light and have the fastest I/O found on any computer sounds perfect for audio work on the go especially if ableton update with the touchbar in mind. The disappointments expressed are almost exclusively about specific needs or general apple bitching, I have yet to see a decent argument against anything apple have done apart from getting rid of the MagSafe connector.
 
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