Mbp Died...what To Get Next? Options

[jcshirke]

Hi,

Long story short: It looks likely that my '09 MBP HD just died on me without warning. If that's the case, then I will be looking for a new computer for my recording needs.

My questions:

1. Is a new iMac a good option for home recording? Or...
2. Should I go with a new Mac Pro? (Or would this be the best solution for true professionals, not necessarily home recording enthusiasts, etc.?)
3. Should I get a new Macbook Pro, so that I could do home recording, but also take it out live, if/when the time comes? Example: I may wish to use Ableton Live to accompany performance.

I'm on the fence. Should I get a rock-solid, high-performance home recording system (either iMac, or Mac Pro)? Or should I have the portability of the MBP?

One thing I will have to deal with is installing all of my apps on the new drive (if I happen to keep the old machine), or on a new machine, and then re-authorize all of them. I don't look forward to that headache. How many of you have had to re-install/re-authorize several music apps (Logic, Live, BFD, FM8, Omnisphere, Trilogy, etc.) when a drive crashed, or when you got a new computer? Was it a nightmare?

Any advice would be appreciated. I can hardly be the first person to have these issues.

Jeff

[jcshirke]

Follow up: My HD seems to be okay, after all. Best guess at the moment is a bad SATA cable. If that's not the problem, then it's the motherboard, which would be the worst scenario of all, and then I'd absolutely need a new machine.

I'm still interested in getting advice about iMac vs Mac Pro, if anyone has any to share.

Thanks.

[houstonmusic]

while i'm still running my 2008 mac pro, i also have a 2015 macbook pro for production. i've found it's powerful, but for my workflow i've got to use external drives and monitors. over at other forums, there's split opinions about the mac pro/high end imac question. a fully loaded new imac is a beast...
and re-installing/authorizing is never fun. my sympathy on that.
let us know what you decide. good luck.