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Posted by: Peekay1982 Wed 8 Jun 2011, 05:18

So I've finally decided to upgrade from Logic 7 on my PowerPC G5. I'm considering getting the quad-core 2.2ghz MacBook Pro. Anyone have any experience using one of these with Logic? Will it have enough poke to run Logic smoothly? Here are my specific queries:

1) Should I pay extra for the processor upgrade to 2.3?

2) Ditto and go with 8gb of RAM?

3) I want to get Adobe CSS 5 and mess about with Photoshop and Illustrator. Will this spec of machine be able to handle them alongside Logic? (I don't mean using them at the same time as Logic - just both installed on the same partition.)

4) What harddrive option should I go for? Solid-state or, er, the other type?

5) Can anyone recommend a decent tablet/controller for use with Photoshop and Illustrator? And Final Cut Express 4, while we're on the topic? (I'm gonna get it as a pre-installed option.)

6) I've always used M-Audio (music) keyboard controllers. Any other options I should be looking at? What about drum input pads?

I'm eagerly awaiting your responses! Cheer.

Posted by: triads Thu 9 Jun 2011, 05:58

Here's my 2-bits:

I use a 2-core 2.4 GHz with 8 GB and have zero problems running my DAW & peripherals. If you aren't limited by a budget, go for it, but if you're trying to save and get only what's necessary, I'd definitely upgrade the RAM and stay with the HDD and CPU. You won't see any difference between the 2.2 and the 2.4 GHz. and while the SSD's have a lot of pros, the HHD will do everything you need it to do. If you can get a good deal on a SSD then maybe, especially when using a laptop where you want to minimize power and heat. I HAVE NOT USED AN SSD but understand the pros and cons. What I have works so there's been no reason to change anything.

As to the apps, I use all those you mentioned and I get around fine with a mouse, but I have not tried any other input devices aside from a trackball.

M-Audio for a midi-controller is great but playing drums with your finger tips on a keyboard is limiting and frustrating, so definitely look into a set of pads. Head for one of the sound shops and try them out to see what you like.

Good luck!

Posted by: Peekay1982 Thu 9 Jun 2011, 07:21

Excellent, thank you so much. Yeah, I've always found it frustrating trying to play live-sounding drum patterns in with the keyboard. Cheers again!

Posted by: lepetitmartien Sun 12 Jun 2011, 23:27

Hello

1/Nope, the difference between 2.2 and 2.3 is not noticeable.

2/Go for it (but buying RAM elsewhere will cost you way less than the Apple premium, it all depends on the time/possibility you have to fetch them and install the chips yourself)

3/No problemo. If it can run Logic, it can run Photoshop (or FCP).

4/You can go SSD if you like. SSD will save you some batteries and are faster, faster launches, faster startup, HD are cheaper and bigger…

5/For Photoshop and the like, there's nothing better than a Wacom tablet. On the size side, for serious work, the Intuos M or equivalent (it takes too much time to compare the bamboo line, note that if the size is right the definition of bamboos is enough). Don't go much larger, it'll be too big and unpractical. The tablets are very durable, I'm only using my second tablet in 20 years (had to sell the first after the transition ADB to USB)

For video editing besides the Wacom, I don't have experience so I can't help for specific controlers.

6/No experience so…