iBook over a Powerbook

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andyouandi

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I'm a student (no money), who's looking for an OSX system for recording.

Now. I can't decide if I should go for the cheaper iBook 1.33 GHz G4 and i'll probably upgrade the ram to 768 (adding correctly? 256 + 512?).

OR

I'm also looking to go with a Powerbook 15" 1.33 (or 1.5) GHz G4 with 1 GB (512 + 512) of RAM.

The only thing is... I can't wait!!! I'm sure many of you have experienced this, but, AHH!

Okay. I know I can get an Athlon 64 system for cheaper. But that's too bad. Or is it? Ahh!

I hear there is going to be a dual-core G4 processor coming out in 2005 which is being anticipated as FAST. Sigh. I'm going to TRY to wait for the upgrade while I wait for money. But I can't! Since I'm waiting already, should I wait that tiny bit extra to get a rockin' powerbook?

Any other solutions? Will Firewire 800 be more used in a year?

THANKS!
 
andyouandi said:
I'm a student (no money), who's looking for an OSX system for recording.

Now. I can't decide if I should go for the cheaper iBook 1.33 GHz G4 and i'll probably upgrade the ram to 768 (adding correctly? 256 + 512?).

OR

I'm also looking to go with a Powerbook 15" 1.33 (or 1.5) GHz G4 with 1 GB (512 + 512) of RAM.

The only thing is... I can't wait!!! I'm sure many of you have experienced this, but, AHH!

Okay. I know I can get an Athlon 64 system for cheaper. But that's too bad. Or is it? Ahh!

I hear there is going to be a dual-core G4 processor coming out in 2005 which is being anticipated as FAST. Sigh. I'm going to TRY to wait for the upgrade while I wait for money. But I can't! Since I'm waiting already, should I wait that tiny bit extra to get a rockin' powerbook?

Any other solutions? Will Firewire 800 be more used in a year?

THANKS!
Click to expand...

First of all, if you waited for the next greatest thing to come out, you'll be waiting forever. Because when the dual-core's come out, there'll be something else out there announced that'll make you want to wait.

The question is, what are you doing with it? If the iBook does what you need, then just buy it. I personally would go for the 14" iBook 1.33Ghz, and spend the rest of the money on quality software and hardware.
 
amd 64 too bad ? i dont know where you got this info.
right now the hottest processor for a daw is the amd 64.
unless you go dual opteron.
on a budget i would recommend even an amd sempron system.
if you want to cut thru the hype do some recording tests on amd 64 or sempron. do things like time how long it takes an amd 64 system to process reverb on a track, etc etc and purchasing decisions will become clearer.
 
andyouandi said:
I hear there is going to be a dual-core G4 processor coming out in 2005 which is being anticipated as FAST.
Click to expand...
I don't even know why Moto is bothering with this - a dual core G4 is going to be severely limited by the same bottlenecks it currently suffers from.

Regardless, the iBook is a far better value than the Power Book.
 
Polaris20 said:
recording live 8-10 tracks, any G4 iBook is definitely enough.
Click to expand...

is a 512mb SODIMM upgrade good enough for 8 tracks?
is the 4200 rpm HDD good enough for 8 tracks?

I don't plan on doing much with the audio, just probably some dynamics processing and then just adjusting levels.

I'm seriously looking at the iBook 14'', but if I can, the iBook 12'' (budget)

I can upgrade 512 pretty cheap, but when it gets to 1 GB, there is a huge price jump, everywhere i look. seems reasonable considering its more in the same space i guess.

Anyways, I'll go with the iBook if it can just record 8-10 tracks at once, for about an hour or two straight without dropping out or having tracks askew and out of time (like my current celeron 700mhz 384mb ram) haha.

anyways. awesome, thanks guys.
 
One thing I want to note is that the iBooks come with 256, but it is 1 128MB in the slot and 1 128MB built in. So when you get your 512, you'll only have 640.

I have the 800mhz G4 iBook and I couldn't see using it for Audio out of the box. I think you'll probably need a FireWire hard drive for the audio. 4200 RPM drives are just too slow.

I also think you'd be better off with the 14" version. My 12" feels really small. Of course you have the option to run an external monitor as well, so maybe thats not a big deal to you.

fucanay
 
fucanay said:
One thing I want to note is that the iBooks come with 256, but it is 1 128MB in the slot and 1 128MB built in. So when you get your 512, you'll only have 640.

I have the 800mhz G4 iBook and I couldn't see using it for Audio out of the box. I think you'll probably need a FireWire hard drive for the audio. 4200 RPM drives are just too slow.

I also think you'd be better off with the 14" version. My 12" feels really small. Of course you have the option to run an external monitor as well, so maybe thats not a big deal to you.

fucanay
Click to expand...

That was two years ago dude. It now has 256MB built-in.
 
Interesting....I might buy a 12" 1.33 Ghz powerbook that comes with 768 RAM.......from what I've read it seems this will do the job of audio recording. I'd like to run Logic Pro 7 and use a USB or Firewire audio interface. Does anybody have thoughts on this laptop choice? I know the AMD equipped PC's are apparently faster, but all I need to know is whether the 12" 1.33 Ghz powerbook will get the job done well enough......will it get bogged down running about 24 tracks or less with plugins and softsynths? Logic has the freeze function, so this should help.

Thanks.

Mag
 
magnum. nothing cuts thru like REAL LIFE TEST.
as i said before .....run up an amd 64 with plug ins etc and 24 tracks running,
and do things like stopwatch how long it takes to lay an effect around a track. repeat on the mac. and see which makes you happier.
its all theoretical until you do a real life test as each users way of working is different.
 
manning1 said:
magnum. nothing cuts thru like REAL LIFE TEST.
as i said before .....run up an amd 64 with plug ins etc and 24 tracks running...
Click to expand...
How would you recommend someone do this test? Buy all the components to build an AMD64-based rig, put it together, buy some software and some plugins, do the test, then buy a Mac, buy some more software, buy some more plugins, do the test?
 
elevate. i normally find a friend or a friendly dealer . to test out.
actually many dealers find it interesting.
 
a test would prove useful for showing someone that an AMD equipped computer is faster. But, Windows can go to hell! I'm sick of viruses, spyware, and all the crap that comes along with operating Windows. I'm going MAC b/c I don't want my computer crashing, getting attacked over the internet, etc.

So, my questin still stands, for those who use Macs, is a 12" powerbook with 768 Mb Ram, 1.33Ghz processor good enough for my needs at this time? See above post for more info.

Peace.

Mag
 
Magnum said:
I'm sick of viruses, spyware, and all the crap that comes along with operating Windows. I'm going MAC b/c I don't want my computer crashing, getting attacked over the internet, etc.
Click to expand...
The easiest solution to this problem is don't be an idiot. Automagically your computer will no longer succumb to viruses, get bogged down with spyware, and will cease to be "attacked" through the internet.

Regardless 24 tracks + plugins + softsynths will probably push an iBook (or Power Book) to the breaking point. Though this largely depends on which plugins and which softsynths you use - a slew of Waves plugs and NI softsynths is gonna make your laptop cry out for mercy.
 
Magnum said:
a test would prove useful for showing someone that an AMD equipped computer is faster. But, Windows can go to hell! I'm sick of viruses, spyware, and all the crap that comes along with operating Windows. I'm going MAC b/c I don't want my computer crashing, getting attacked over the internet, etc.
Click to expand...
Have 2 removable system disks. The one running audio setup doesnt even connect to the net.
I was about to go Mac but is now planning to build the ultimate WinXPDAW.
For the price of a G5 2.5Ghz dual I'll get an just as great WinXPDAW with 2 19" flatscreen monitors and dual gfxcard.
With all the errors in Logic Pro 7 and noone to fix them (at least they arent talking about fixing it nor do they show a solution) I dont wanna go Mac at the moment.
 
This is an easy one...

Am I the only one on this forum that actually uses a Mac laptop for recording or what??!

I have a 12" 1 Ghz PowerBook with a 60 gig 4200 RPM HardDrive and 512 meg of Ram...
I have about 12 Synths and I'm running Logic Pro 7 with the 8(?) standard softsynths internal...
Lastly, I have the Emagic AMT8 / and The Opcode MidiPort 96 Interfaces with a FW410 Audio interface...

I'm regularly running 12 - 18 Audio Tracks with 2 to four AU pluggins / 1 to two softsynths and ALL my Midi gear without a hiccup...

Your answer????
Yes - The PowerBooks work GREAT...BUY One - iBooks may give you just a few less tracks because the bus is a little slower on the iBooks.. But I've seen people use those as well...

Screw the Wintel Machines and their viruses / not recognizing interfaces / dropping USB ports / Missing IEEE1394 (aka: Firewire) ports right and left and constant system upgrades... I know this is probably going to get flamed... But, I'm also a 16 year SysAdministrator Veteran who's converted to Mac and run BOTH in business...

My motto???
I "WORK" on my PC - But I "PLAY" on my Mac...

Hope this helps...
 
Riverdog said:
Am I the only one on this forum that actually uses a Mac laptop for recording or what??!

I have a 12" 1 Ghz PowerBook with a 60 gig 4200 RPM HardDrive and 512 meg of Ram...
I have about 12 Synths and I'm running Logic Pro 7 with the 8(?) standard softsynths internal...
Lastly, I have the Emagic AMT8 / and The Opcode MidiPort 96 Interfaces with a FW410 Audio interface...

I'm regularly running 12 - 18 Audio Tracks with 2 to four AU pluggins / 1 to two softsynths and ALL my Midi gear without a hiccup...

Your answer????
Yes - The PowerBooks work GREAT...BUY One - iBooks may give you just a few less tracks because the bus is a little slower on the iBooks.. But I've seen people use those as well...

Screw the Wintel Machines and their viruses / not recognizing interfaces / dropping USB ports / Missing IEEE1394 (aka: Firewire) ports right and left and constant system upgrades... I know this is probably going to get flamed... But, I'm also a 16 year SysAdministrator Veteran who's converted to Mac and run BOTH in business...

My motto???
I "WORK" on my PC - But I "PLAY" on my Mac...

Hope this helps...
Click to expand...

I don't run Mac, but I won't argue with you either. I work on PC's all day, and loathe looking at the same thing when I get home. That's why Linux has been a fun experiment for me.

Macs are great, I do like them very much, and I certainly don't buy the "they're too expensive" argument.

And seeing MS's path for development, it makes me wish I had the coin to try out a Mac.
 
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