Hi everybody, Forgive my extreme newbie-ness.....I'm not even a Mac user.....yet!! I'm considering getting a Mac with Logic Pro for my music production work (film scores, jingles, songs, etc). Was wondering if someone could suggest a model of Mac laptop (are they even called laptops? Powerbooks??!) that'd be suitable. It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest (G5?), but should be a model that can still be bought new (G4?). Are there any inherent problems with using a Powerbook as the core of a digital/MIDI studio? Are desktops more suitable? Is there any other hardware that needs be bought so that mic & MIDI cables can interface with the Powerbook? Thank you so much everybody. Jason Paris

Hi Jason, I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me would have gotten back to you on this but here's what I know... I'm researching this same move. I've been using Logic 3.7 on a Mac G3 for many years and I need to move to a laptop for a project coming up. > >I'm considering getting a Mac with Logic Pro for my music production >work (film scores, jingles, songs, etc). Was wondering if someone >could suggest a model of Mac laptop (are they even called laptops? >Powerbooks??!) that'd be suitable. > >It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest (G5?), but should be a >model that can still be bought new (G4?). There isn't a G5 laptop yet. There also isn't a G4 dual processor on the market. Logic ver. 7 suggests a G4 dual processor with 512 M of RAM, 4 Gig hard drive space, a DVD drive, an available USB port and OS ver. 10.3. > >Are there any inherent problems with using a Powerbook as the core of >a digital/MIDI studio? Are desktops more suitable? Is there any >other hardware that needs be bought so that mic & MIDI cables can >interface with the Powerbook? A firewire audio interface has been recommended to me along with a USB MIDI interface. Perhaps some of the more expert folks on the list will modify this post. :-) -- Doug

"Jason Paris" <jambay53@h...> wrote: > I'm considering getting a Mac with Logic Pro for my music production > work (film scores, jingles, songs, etc). Was wondering if someone > could suggest a model of Mac laptop (are they even called laptops? > Powerbooks??!) that'd be suitable. > > It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest (G5?), but should be a > model that can still be bought new (G4?). > > Are there any inherent problems with using a Powerbook as the core of > a digital/MIDI studio? Are desktops more suitable? Is there any > other hardware that needs be bought so that mic & MIDI cables can > interface with the Powerbook? Hi, I'm using a power G4 1.5GHz with 512MB. After 6-7 months of Logic pro7 various experience (recording a band live (8 tracks with effects, ...), electo projects, ...) I would say this: for mainly audio projects, the PB is largely sufficient. This doesn't mean that you can't still have quite a few plugin instruments and effects. When it comes to projects completly based on plugin instruments, I think the PB is CPU is quickly too restricted and you have to start freezing tracks all the time. You also have to take portability into accout... for a 1.67GHz 15innch PB you can have a 2x2.3GHz, 1GHz front-bus G5... For interface you mostly need to define the number of inputs you need to record simultaneously and then you will be restricted to a number of interfaces. I use the motu traveler with my PB and it is great for every application up to that day... also check m-audio for cheaper solutions (and smaller input count). Hope it helps Fred

>> I'm considering getting a Mac with Logic Pro for my music production >> work (film scores, jingles, songs, etc). Was wondering if someone >> could suggest a model of Mac laptop (are they even called laptops? >> Powerbooks??!) that'd be suitable. >> >> It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest (G5?), but should be a >> model that can still be bought new (G4?). >> Are there any inherent problems with using a Powerbook as the core of >> a digital/MIDI studio? Are desktops more suitable? Is there any >> other hardware that needs be bought so that mic & MIDI cables can >> interface with the Powerbook? I've been using my Powerbook Titanium 1Ghz G4 with Logic Pro v.6 - no G5 yet for Powerbooks and it seems a long time to come... I've the LogicPro 7 already but didn't install it yet on the Powerbook. For firewire interfaces I use both Metric Halo products - the MIO 2882+DSP and the ULN2 - which are absolutely excellent. I've been a regular user of Studio Vision Pro (Opcode) for years till it died... About the same time I was into ProTools (still am once a while...) and it took me some time to get into Logic - there are still things I miss from PT but must say that I'm quite happy with this set up and everything works perfectly, allowing me to do site recording as the MH interfaces get their power from the PB firewire port. If you need extra time being independent of power supplies you'll need a portable battery. Right now I'm doing coreography music that goes up to 20 tracks and there's not a problem. Recently I also did a 30' film music with tracks and video going together and no problems. For MIDI I use the MOTU small Fastlane. Hope it helps. Carlos "ZINGARO" Alves ZNGR - Nature Morte R. Prest. Arriaga, 59-4º/5º 1200-771 Lisboa - Portugal ph.fx: 351.21.3970052 zngr@... http://www.shef.ac.uk/misc/rec/ps/efi/mzingaro.html http://www.granular.fm