I'm looking into moving up to one of the new iMac 24" models and I'm wondering if anyone has seen any test results in terms of average numbers of tracks/plug-ins/softsynths/etc. on these models? (I know these results can vary between individual configurations, whether recording on one or more tracks is occurring at the same time, if MIDI devices are being transmitted to simultaneously, etc., but I would be happy even for a range of results - just *something* to give me an idea what kind of an improvement I can expect). Neither of my current set-ups -- one on a P3 733 MHz system with 1GB of RAM running Logic Platinum 5.5 on WinXP Pro SP2 and one on a Dual-G4 Quicksilver 1.5 GH system with 1.5 GB RAM running Logic 7.2.3 on OSX 10.4.8 -- let me to do a lot, especially in the plug-ins and softsynths area, so any kind of improvement would be great (though a "significant" or "very significant" one would be preferable!). Any input? -AB

Neil, there's a benchmark test at the german Logicuser site, and if I remember correctly, the new iMacs will *at least* perform as good as my Macbook (an "old" CoreDuo 2.0, 2GB RAM). In addition, I'd say that performancewise (at least in terms of CPU power) I'm getting around 4x the power compared to my rather nicely running PC laptop, which is a Pentium M 1.86 with 1GB of RAM, for some things probably even more. Audiotrackcount is ok as well. I can run about 50 stereo tracks in 24bit at 44.1kHz from the internal 120GB Samsung drive (I replaced the stock one). Nothing to exactly write home about, not bad for an internal 2.5" drive either. So, given that you find (or have) a proper audio interface, you should experience quite some performance boost. Regards Sascha

"Neil Marsh" <Neil@AudioBoy.net> wrote: >I'm looking into moving up to one of the new iMac 24" >models and I'm wondering if anyone has seen any test >results in terms of average numbers of tracks/plug-ins/ >softsynths/etc. on these models? Too many variables to define anything exact. Full productions have been done on far less. "Neil Marsh" <Neil@AudioBoy.net> wrote: >my current set-ups -- one on a P3 733 MHz system >with 1GB of RAM running Logic Platinum 5.5 on >WinXP Pro SP2 and one on a Dual-G4 Quicksilver >1.5 GH system with 1.5 GB RAM running Logic 7.2.3 >on OSX 10.4.8 -- The iMac will have more horsepower than both your old computers combined. Get a Mac Pro instead - you already have the screen(s) to hook up to it. Even the cheapest MacPro will outperform any iMac. And you can put a lot more RAM inside (for cheaper than the iMac's maximum of 3GB). And you can stick extra SATA drives inside (they perform way better than Firewire800, and they're way cheaper). f-erenc szabo, smarty pants Z+E+R+O+B+E+A+T "NOW POWERED BY THE MIRACLE OF THE TRANSISTOR!" <http://home.goodmedia.com/~zerobeat>

--- In logic-users@yahoogroups.com, "f-erenc szabo" <zerobeat@...> wrote: > > The iMac will have more horsepower than both your > old computers combined. > > Get a Mac Pro instead - you already have the screen(s) > to hook up to it. Even the cheapest MacPro will outperform > any iMac. And you can put a lot more RAM inside (for > cheaper than the iMac's maximum of 3GB). And you > can stick extra SATA drives inside (they perform way > better than Firewire800, and they're way cheaper). That makes so much sense and is much more along the lines of what I'd want to do, but then I went to the Apple site and put together a system. Even selecting the chepest option for everything, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Add Apple Care, Parallels, the extra RAM needed to do serious editing, additional drives, etc., and it goes way over $3000. If I were a professional, I could justify it based on the income I would get from the work I would do with it, but community theater sound design and audio theater productions are not known for bringing in the big $$$. :) Thanks for the input, though. I'll keep it in mind in case the financing for the new system changes significantly. -N