Hardware recommendation
Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 11:47 AM CDT

I am considering buying a Mac mostly for music creation. As I my eyes are pushing 40, I need a large screen. I want to run software synths/drums, multitrack vocals (mic), bass guitar, live brass (mic), and modified samples from my CD/MP3 library. I'm planning on starting with garageband, then maybe reason or Logic. I'd like to get 3-5 years of life out of the technology.

Two configurations look interesting:
1) 1.66 GHz Intel dual core Mini, 2Gb RAM, and 20" or 23" cinema.
This lets me upgrade or network several minis together in the future and preseve the capital in the screen. But is the mini powerful enough?
-or-
2) 20" 2GHz Intel dual core iMac, 2Gb RAM

Is this enough computer HP? Or must I spend > $3k.

Thank you in advance, for your opinion and thank you for your music.

Keep Jammin!
David

Re:Hardware recommendation
Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 02:30 PM CDT

i have a 20 inch Dell monitor and I love having a lot of space to work in. I'd actually go up to 23 or 30 if I could afford it. The extra real estate is really worth it in my opinion... I like having space to move around and "see" how things sound.

The mini should be pretty powerful I think.

Re:Hardware recommendation
Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 02:50 PM CDT

Just so you have a reference point, because I was wondering if I was going to have enough juice before I went out and bought garageband.(already had the computer) I have a G4 Titanium Powerbook laptop.(about 3-4years old). I've got less than a gig of ram and I'm working on a song that has 8 tracks.
3 mic recorded & 5 midi tracks. And I am right at the limit where I'm noticing some hesitation out of the program. midi tracks take up more memory. Hopefully this give you an idea about the firepower you'll need

Re:Hardware recommendation
Thursday, June 08 2006 @ 09:13 PM CDT

if your able to visit a apple store, then go and try the hell out of both those computers, with the DAW's your thinking about, of course GB3 will be included with your purchase, if you'r able to visit torrent.com or pirate .com then try out several DAW's..if you know what I mean, but if it was me I'd go for the 20 imac, my mac mini is 1st gen and it gives me nothing but trouble. I live near a apple store so I visit them every other day practically and try every machine and software

Re:Hardware recommendation
Friday, June 09 2006 @ 05:56 AM CDT

My 20" intel iMac (upgraded to 1 gig ram) hasn't had so much as a belch since I got it and the screen is VERY impressive. If you've got the cash, go with the iMac, I'd say.

Re:Hardware recommendation
Friday, June 09 2006 @ 07:57 AM CDT

I just purchased a 20" iMac G5 2.1 ghz from the online Apple store... refurbished. The price was incredible and there's nothing really indicating that it's a refurb. It carries the same warranty, and includes everything that it would if you bought it new.

I'm running Logic Express 7.1 and have had more than 20 tracks (midi and audio) going with effects plug ins, several busses and submixes. NO hesitation. I bought this computer to be my exclusive music computer and it's gonna be fine for the next 2-3 years anyway.

But for the price I paid, i could replace it in 2 and still be happy because of what I paid!

DO NOT OVERLOOK THE APPLE STORE REFURBS! I saved over $500 (cdn) on this imac (i wasn't ready to switch to intel yet)... but the stores are now featuring refurb intels.

Good luck... and I wouldn't go with the mini... unless budget dictates you go with the mini.

But whatever you buy... make sure you get lots of RAM!

d.

Re:Hardware recommendation
Saturday, June 10 2006 @ 11:44 AM CDT

I agree with dchapman. The 20" iMac is an excellent choice. The additional screen real estate is well worth it. The Mini would just up and die if I tried to put it through what I put my PowerMac G5 Dual through. My PM still hesitates at times, but that's usually when I've got about 23 tracks going. Its never just NOT played something, but the indicator often shows orange during much of the playback though. I guess it all depends on what you intend to do with it. If the budget allows, I would reccommend a PowerMac, soley due to its upgradability i.e. you can cram it chock-full of RAM. I have NEVER been happier with ANY other computer! It's been very quick and very reliable, albeit very expensive. But honestly, if you don't need the ability to expand to that extent, then the 20" iMac with the RAM maxed-out is a perfect solution. I would reccommend NOT buying the RAM from Apple though. For whatever reason, they charge a small fortune for it (as you probably already know). I've purchased my additional RAM from Other World Computing, and it's been working flawlessly, for about 55% less.
dchapman is right-on! You should definitely check out the Apple refurbs. There are some really great deals there. Just be sure to read all of the specs for each system they have at the time. I almost purchased an iMac that had lesser specs than I was looking for. It ended up being an older model. I finally found exactly what I was looking for and I bought 2 of them. I was just too excited I guess, and didn't look closely enough. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect system for your needs. Apple has a great selection of computers in many price brackets, so I'm confident you'll find something you are going to be very happy with. Cheers!







-Boris Luxx

Re:Hardware recommendation
Saturday, June 10 2006 @ 12:36 PM CDT

I'll have to make a similar decision soon and agree with the previous posts. Since you will have to get extra memory for any new system you go with, I'd recommend www.macsales.com for memory, and www.newegg.com for hard drives (Seagate and Western Digital recommended), they had the best prices and service, when I last ordered. Remember to leave lots of free space on your System disc for cache, especially for Garageband.

Re:Hardware recommendation
Monday, June 12 2006 @ 11:40 AM CDT

Thank you very much to everyone that replied.

The latest Sound on Sound is very bullish on the iMac. Even so, I am smitten by the 24" cinema display and this brings me back to a mini - or $3k for a dual G5.

Does anyone produce on an Intel core duo Mini? Is it possible to connect two of these for more power (1Ghz internet)? Or is this just a bad idea - that I should really abandon.

Thank you, in advance,
CB

Re:Hardware recommendation
Monday, June 12 2006 @ 11:47 AM CDT

I may have just found my solution.

The iMacs have a mini-DVI port through which, with the appropriate $19 adapter, you can attach a VGA, S-Video, or composite monitor, or a DVI display such as an Apple Cinema Display (up to 23 inches only). You’re no longer limited to mirroring, either—the new models also support extended-desktop mode.

Apple refurb. list, here I come!

Thank you!
CB