Can't decide

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 7:59 pm

Hello guys,
Sorry if im posting on the wrong section, but it was the only one saying Hardware.

I want to buy a macbook Pro, but I can't decide on 13" or 15".
Im afraid that on 13" the screen to be small.
And on 15" Im afraid of transport problems.

I want to see your opinions please

Does the 15" really is too big?
Anyone experienced problems on 13"?

Other Specs
- Intel i7
- 16 GB Ram ( manually update)

- Sorry for that english, not my native language.

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:20 pm

Definitely 13, really it's all you need.
16 gb of ram is way too much though, almost certain you could easily do with half that.
Actually, 4 should be fine.
Unless you'll be doing a lot of heavy rendering. Like creating 3d video effects and shit.
But in that case, a laptop won't really work anyway.

I'm on a stock mbp. 2.4ghz i5 and 4gb of ram. Everything is one click away, except for any games.
Literally, doesn't matter what game, this thing turns into heater.

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:36 pm

AxeD wrote:Definitely 13, really it's all you need.
16 gb of ram is way too much though, almost certain you could easily do with half that.
Actually, 4 should be fine.
Unless you'll be doing a lot of heavy rendering. Like creating 3d video effects and shit.
But in that case, a laptop won't really work anyway.

I'm on a stock mbp. 2.4ghz i5 and 4gb of ram. Everything is one click away, except for any games.
Literally, doesn't matter what game, this thing turns into heater.

Im buying that laptop to get started with ableton, i will have production classes, so i will need to transport it constantly.
I want i7 just to make sure anything about rendering fails.

The main uses of the laptop will be
school work
ableton/working stations - music production
one or two games ( not heavy)

On Ableton ( exemple), and maybe on another working stations, your screen gets filled , I mean, alot of options/bars/menus, and the main composition line gets smaller. I wonder if on 13" it gets even smaller than before. Maybe I will drop that 16 GB RAM to 8 GB like you said

Mad_EP · Post by **Mad_EP** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:51 pm

It depends on your lifestyle really....

I specifically bought a 13" (2,1 Ghz ibook with 2GB ram actually - not even a Macbook) because as silly as it seems... those few inches really do become a pain in the ass when gigging and you are trying to bring as little as possible so that it all fits as a carry-on luggage (including clothes) so you don't have to worry about checked luggage.. etc etc... I also lug it around when I want to do work while waiting a few hours for my kids to do their rehearsals, etc. So as small as possible was my goal from day one. Also - to keep it relevant, I use Ableton for everything... production, DJ'ing on Sub.FM and doing live gigs.

However, I have a large external monitor that I hook it up to when I am at home... SO I haven't had to compromise in my longer production sessions.

Personally - I would say if you are on the move at all - go for a smaller screen and spend the excess on a large external monitor for home. Other people feel differently - up to you.

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:19 pm

Mad EP wrote:It depends on your lifestyle really....

I specifically bought a 13" (2,1 Ghz ibook with 2GB ram actually - not even a Macbook) because as silly as it seems... those few inches really do become a pain in the ass when gigging and you are trying to bring as little as possible so that it all fits as a carry-on luggage (including clothes) so you don't have to worry about checked luggage.. etc etc... I also lug it around when I want to do work while waiting a few hours for my kids to do their rehearsals, etc. So as small as possible was my goal from day one. Also - to keep it relevant, I use Ableton for everything... production, DJ'ing on Sub.FM and doing live gigs.

However, I have a large external monitor that I hook it up to when I am at home... SO I haven't had to compromise in my longer production sessions.

Personally - I would say if you are on the move at all - go for a smaller screen and spend the excess on a large external monitor for home. Other people feel differently - up to you.

Thank you for the answer.
Just one thing, usually when working on ableton , you find much difficult on the screen 13"? I mean, is it large enough or you spend much time, scrolling etc. ?

Mad_EP · Post by **Mad_EP** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:47 pm

DDGarcia wrote:
Mad EP wrote:It depends on your lifestyle really....

I specifically bought a 13" (2,1 Ghz ibook with 2GB ram actually - not even a Macbook) because as silly as it seems... those few inches really do become a pain in the ass when gigging and you are trying to bring as little as possible so that it all fits as a carry-on luggage (including clothes) so you don't have to worry about checked luggage.. etc etc... I also lug it around when I want to do work while waiting a few hours for my kids to do their rehearsals, etc. So as small as possible was my goal from day one. Also - to keep it relevant, I use Ableton for everything... production, DJ'ing on Sub.FM and doing live gigs.

However, I have a large external monitor that I hook it up to when I am at home... SO I haven't had to compromise in my longer production sessions.

Personally - I would say if you are on the move at all - go for a smaller screen and spend the excess on a large external monitor for home. Other people feel differently - up to you.
Thank you for the answer.
Just one thing, usually when working on ableton , you find much difficult on the screen 13"? I mean, is it large enough or you spend much time, scrolling etc. ?

For producing - yes, the 13" screen is a bit of a pain in the ass.... but I don't have much of an issue for gigs (mainly cos I have always had small laptops for live gigs)...

BUT - that is why I said to take the money you save from a 13 to a 15 or 17 ... and use that extra money to but a large external monitor for production use.

Huts · Post by **Huts** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:49 pm

I moved from a 15'' Dell using FL studio to a 13'' Mac using Logic. The change in size is definitely noticeable, however like Mad, I bought a monitor for my home producing sessions. 13'' is a lot nicer for traveling but it's a nightmare when trying to produce. a nice 20''+ monitor isn't too expensive to pick up for when you're at home

Hircine · Post by **Hircine** » Sun Sep 16, 2012 11:23 pm

You can always connect it to a larger screen.

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 6:43 am

Thank you guys.
I need to re-think, maybe that large monitor is the best option

Mad_EP · Post by **Mad_EP** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:13 am

DDGarcia wrote:Thank you guys.
I need to re-think, maybe that large monitor is the best option

I have found it to be a lifesaver - not only do you get use a big screen... but actually, then you have 2 screens.

I use the large external monitor for Ableton... and the laptop screen for VSTs and such.

Maxxan · Post by **Maxxan** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:30 am

Definately hook it up with a second screen at home. I doubt you're gonna do your heavy productions on the move, and at home 2 screens at least is a must for me. I've got my main windows on a 21.5" screen and my mixer window and some other stuff on a 17" standing on the side. Once you get used to it you can't go back man.

legskeattch · Post by **legskeattch** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:51 am

I had a 17" Acer Laptop, just bought a nice laptop bag that I could use for everything as well as my laptop. Was not really an issue for me.

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:03 pm

Just one more thing to finish.
After I read all opinions,
If I ever give a live show, does the 13" will be a big issue?

Thank you guys for been answering me

Misanthr0py · Post by **Misanthr0py** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:09 pm

Sorry to jump on this post but I didn't feel like starting a new one and it's quite relevent...

Massive & Absynth are by far the largest soft synths I have (In terms of how much screen space they take up), I'm picking up a MBP in a few weeks, are they easily usable on the 13"? I mean, can you see the bottom part of them and access the inserts, macro's and what not? I'll be getting an external monitor anyway, but for on the go...

Hircine · Post by **Hircine** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:31 pm

Misanthr0py wrote:Sorry to jump on this post but I didn't feel like starting a new one and it's quite relevent...

Massive & Absynth are by far the largest soft synths I have (In terms of how much screen space they take up), I'm picking up a MBP in a few weeks, are they easily usable on the 13"? I mean, can you see the bottom part of them and access the inserts, macro's and what not? I'll be getting an external monitor anyway, but for on the go...

things in absynth may be harder to read but don't worry, it won't be production breaking.

DDGarcia · Post by **DDGarcia** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:38 pm

I went to a Apple Store.
And saw the diferences on 13" and the 15".
On the internet they looked almost the same, just a little bit diferent.
On apple store, I saw them side to side, and honestly I dont think 13" will fit to me.
The computer looks so small, but yes for collage use it is very good.
Th 15" inch was ideal to me.
Seriously, for anybody that dont know's wich one to buy ( like I did), just go on a apple store. After you pick any of them with your hands, and think about the future usage and wich one will fit to you.
Thanks to those who help.

And sorry for my english again

Mazak · Post by **Mazak** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:36 am

Since when is 15" too big to be transportable? Y'all are pussies. Get the 15.

gh02 · Post by **gh02** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:36 pm

if you're going to spend a shit load of cash anyway, then spend a shit load + a little bit more for the 15

AxeD · Post by **AxeD** » Sat Sep 29, 2012 10:47 pm

gh02 wrote:if you're going to spend a shit load of cash anyway, then spend a shit load + a little bit more for the 15

€630,- you could spend on music/stuff you actually need, though.

You can't buy an mbp without an i7 cpu. Also you're paying for the Nvidia card.

Eat Bass · Post by **Eat Bass** » Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:02 am

get the 15. the 13 has a lower res and is pretty small. i use a 15 every single day and its perfect size. no transport issues whatsoever and i use a small backpack.

edit: btw AxeD you can buy an i5 macbook pro 13". but i still say get the i7 15"

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