Ibook/powerbook??, which is best for audio production.. Options

[Dr. Gonzo]

Howdy all... this is my first post on this forum, so please don't rag on me for the stoopid questions
okay, basically i've been running a PC with cubase/reason for the last couple of years producing psy, breaky stuff and chill out, and was getting pretty handy with it until my PC died and went to computer heaven..

...being a cubase user i've always been a little jealous of those who run logic as it seems to me like a kick ass sequencer..
sooo, now im thinking i'll invest in a apple laptop (i had a couple of apples as a kid and loved them, but haven't used one since). however, im on a pretty tight budget being a student and having just travelled for the last 3 months so the options are basically a 15" ibook, 1ghz (i think) and i'll upgrade the ram to 512 at least, or a reconditioned 15" powerbook G4/867, and again id upgrade it to 512m/ram.

NOW, the real questions:

1: will either of these be capable of running logic 6 or 7 with maybe 5-10 vsti's, and maybe 6-10 stereo tracks of audio and a few midi tracks?

2: why would i buy an older slower powerbook, when the ibook seems to have mostly the same functions and runs faster?

3: does this whole thing seem like a good idea, or should i just buy another PC laptop which is cheaper, faster and has better software compatibility?

Thanks for any help all.. 'tis appreiated

[gdoubleyou]

I'm running Logic6 on a 1GHz 12-inch Powerbook, and a G4/400.

Logic is very cpu effecient, and with the "freeze" function you can get even more milage. I used to own SX2 but it was a cpu hog, unuseable on the G4/400, and would bog down my Powerbook at 8-10 tracks.

With Logic i routinely do sessions of 32-48 tracks, using virtual instruments.

The G4 iBook will probably outperform the 867 Powerbook. You will need more than 512 Mb of RAM to take advantage of soft samplers and effects.

[rickenbacker]

Powerbooks have audio in; iBooks don't. And other, under-the-hood stuff like Level 2 cache is usually more in a Powerbook. However, the iBook now is almost as robust as the Powerbook of last year, so why not? Even my G3 600MHz iBook from 2001 runs modest Logic sessions OK. Either of the computers you mention will do what you ask and you seem to have a sensible approach to RAM etc.

As for PC laptops, well, they may be cheaper in some instances, but faster? More reliable? Better software compatibility? Good luck running Logic on a PC!

Tis true about SX, too. Looks mighty purty; runs like a three-legged dog.

[Pipeline35]

The latest and greatest bang for the buck is the announcement that Apple is shipping a SINGLE processor 1.8gHz G5 tower for around $1400. Kick butt! Towers rarely run out of holes to stick stuff.

[lepetitmartien]

Latest ibook have now a decent cache, and last year G5 are getting cheaper. I even bought one (I'll have it in a few hours) as Apple didn't found me worthy to send me a DP 2,5 G5

The new G5 is basically an iMac G5 in a desktop form, it's decent stuff with horsepower. But remember that top of lines exist because they ARE more powerfull/versatile. Now new ibooks and even small G5 are more than decent music computers with plenty of power if not as much as a big DP 2,5

[Kiowa11]

Hey lepeatitmartien;
Hell yeah, I just got one for $1K only 1.6 but not a bad price.
Please tell me this, with the tower, is the sky the limit?
i.e. can I as time goes by install a faster prosser and even turn it into a dual machine?
Thanks for you thoughts in advance.

Standing by....

[aptmunich]

kiowa, I guess the answer is: maybe.

With your tower you have plenty of options to upgrade:

-additional harddrives
-more ram
-pci-x expansion slots
-updated graphics card
-better sound card etc.

As for processor upgrades (and dual processer capability):

You can only use what is made available - meaning that since apple doesn't sell individual parts, you'll have to hope that a 3rd party supplier does (currently the DO supply G4 upgrades, I'm not sure if they will have G5 upgrades)


As for dual processors: You'd have to exchange the mainboard to do that, which would probably cost you more than a new machine (main + extra processor etc.)

[lepetitmartien]

$1K for a 1,6, good price, I've had a 1,8 with 1,5 GB of ram for 1500€ which is good here

On the processor upgrade, only the guys making the accelerators can tell you, I'm confident on this but I don't expect some upgrade available before begining of 2005 or the next G5 way up. this said, even a small G5 is a workhorse so we have a little bit of time They need decent prices on the processors, rehearse the things, fix the temperature issue and the noise issue, have a decent price and that the computers from Apple evolve enough to give them some territory to explore. The last G4 bunch and the G5s seem not to have enter this area…

The first and most important upgrade you can do NOW is RAM, especially if you plan using virtual instruments and/or virtual samplers. 2-2,5 GB is a good thing. I'll have to stick myself to my 1,5 Gb as I don't have money to spare on anything right now. Anyway I don't plan to use much VI save by accident, I'm hardware synth spoiled

Tomorrow I buy a VGAtoBNC cable and I'll can install the G5 and switch from the G3 to the G5 thru the monitor… good ol' serious CRTs have some cool features

[Kiowa11]

So once again I say; BRAVO for the forum.

lepetitmartien, Ok boss, so I am feel rather good about the price and the upgrade to G5.
All must understand, I am coming just a month ago from a PowerMac 7100 to a G4 and G5
To say the least my sleep pattern has been changed in the last 30 days
So lepetitmartlen, you say I can go to a RAM upgrade soon, and pIdoin't know perhaps another hard drive.
Will they all go inboard the tower?
Please understand that for me this is all a brave new world.
I have not written one note of music So busy learning the new system.

Standing by...