Macbook Pro enough to drive PT and Plugins?

[projektk]

You will be impressed. I'm not sure of the limit but all of the MacBook pros even the airs can handle more than you'd expect them to. Try to go for a quad core model of you can, it will future proof you a little in my opinion. Wait for ivy bridge if you can they are coming very soon for MBP.

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[Mattwilson02]

Originally Posted by projektk

You will be impressed. I'm not sure of the limit but all of the MacBook pros even the airs can handle more than you'd expect them to. Try to go for a quad core model of you can, it will future proof you a little in my opinion. Wait for ivy bridge if you can they are coming very soon for MBP.

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I'm definitely not settling for less than a QuadCore. Thanks for the response! I'm hoping a MBP is in my near future! Just to readdress my questions in case you have answers, do you know if FW is still on the thunderbolt MBPs? Will I benefit from a nicer graphics card? Would a 13" 2.8 GHz be a better idea than the 15" with 2.2 GHz (has the graphics)?

[projektk]

Yea MBP still has a FW800 port. The lower 15 inch should be fine. Dedicated graphics is better, all of the models had integrated graphics like the 13inch model but will switch graphics as needed to save battery. The 1GB graphics card probably wont benifit much unless you do video editing or gaming. The 15 inch quad will out perform the 13 inch dual, I'm not sure by how much though since the dual is clocked higher. I'm sure others will chime in. Ivy Bridge Mac Book Pro 13/15 inch models are expected next month however no guarantee it will still have FireWire. If they don't you will be able to get the late 2011 models for around $350 cheaper. MacMall.com always has great deals when they are trying to clear out the older models.

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[bastawa]

i have 15inch i7 2.2ghz. fast machine but because it's 2.2ghz in logic sometimes with heavy plugins it really struggles. before i had mac pro 4x3ghz the new macbook pro overall performance is better but the old mac pro didn't have problems with single plugins. anyway i wouldn't go back for any desktop machine.

[Mattwilson02]

What if I get the 13" 2x4GB memory though? Wouldn't I benefit the same from this as the lower end 15"? Aside from the nicer graphics card that I don't need. I assume if I wait for ivy, it will just allow for more IO options?

[Mattwilson02]

Was hoping to hear a little more, so this is just a nice bump

[Charlie-O]

I mix all the time on a Early 2011 MBP 2.2Ghz i7 Quad. 8 gigs of ram. Pro Tools an logic, with plenty plugs. In Logic its like I never run out of power. Pro Tools can handle a lot as well.

[bissellstudios]

the quad core is one of the best "mobile" processors you can buy. i run an i5, and it works fairly decent for cpu load. Still wish i would've forked out the money for an i7. Basically it depends on how expensive your tracks/plugins are. I would suggest going and looking up ways to lower your overall cpu load (creating a reverb bus rather than a plugin for each track, etc...) If you manage your plugins and signal routing well, you shouldn't have any problem.