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New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 1:23 pm
by Todzilla
Guys,

I'm eagerly devouring all rumors on the allegedly imminent 2012 MacBook Pros. Among its many uses, my intended MBP will become my Digital Performer portable workhorse (no doubt its most demanding application). I'm hearing things about the MBP redesign that make me want the current late 2011-model instead (no FW port, no means of cramming a second HD in). So current plan is to wait for the redesign, see if it features significantly better specs and has support for a second HD. If it doesn't, then I'll buy a significantly price-reduced late 2011 model, as follows:

13.3" MBP w i7 2.8GHz processor - $1,400 (or lower after new ones are released)
Add 16G RAM - Around $100 for Corsair
Swap supplied slow HD for 128G SDD - $130 or so
Add 750G 7200 RPM HD in place of optical drive - $250 (with mounting stuff and enclosure for newly externalized optical)

This will give me a bitching portable machine for $1,880 or less, depending on blowout pricing as new 13" MPBs are released.

GIven that I've learned to coax pretty good performance out of my old G5 w dual 1.8GHZ processor and 3G RAM running DP v 6, I should be in great shape, yes?

And if the 2012 MPBs come out with no means of installing a second internal HD, should I consider getting one and doing out-of-studio work on the lone HD in the unit? In other words, how sacrosanct is the "Always have separate drives for OS/Apps and Data" rule?

Thanks!

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 2:09 pm
by Frodo
I thought the latest models still had FW800? If you're grounded in FW400 world for external drives, a 400-to-800 adapter might work-- or a dedicated FW400 slot card just to take advantage of the extra data buss.

But then-- there are also the options Thunderbolt brings to the table consider.

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 4:41 pm
by MIDI Life Crisis
I disagree. Not because I hold a different view, but because someone will have to disagree and I might as well preempt them here and now.

You're WRONG Frodo.

OK, I'm sorry. Let's go have a beer and you can talk me out of being a veterinarian. I MEAN VEGETARIAN! VEGETARIAN!! Damn, I have to learn to control my anger...

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 4:52 pm
by mikehalloran
You have never had the ability to "cram... a second HD in" so I don't know why that is an issue.

The only problem with TB peripherals is that popular priced ones are not here yet. Intel keeps promising the chip sets but, so far, nothing...

The current MB Pro does have FW-800 in addition to Thunderbolt. A simple adapter is all you need to reduce it to FW-400.

No one ever really knows what the next version will look like nor when it comes out. Yes, the current ones were introduced in Oct '11 but that doesn't mean very much.

Maybe now is the ideal time to buy - yes? The Refurb Store has a current one for $1,269
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD314LL/A

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 5:08 pm
by MIDI Life Crisis
See what I'm sayin' - EXACTLY!!!

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 10:07 pm
by James Steele
MIDI Life Crisis wrote:You're WRONG Frodo.

OK, I'm sorry. Let's go have a beer and you can talk me out of being a veterinarian. I MEAN VEGETARIAN! VEGETARIAN!! Damn, I have to learn to control my anger...
Ummm... I may be heading up to L.A. this weekend. I gotta get in on one of your late night chicken and waffles feasts with you guys! That sounds fun!

New Macbook Pro

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 10:36 pm
by MIDI Life Crisis
Chicken?! What's that hobbit been telling and or worse, doing? I'm pretty free so I hope we can get Frodo in on it. There are a couple of other guys who might also be into it.

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:45 am
by Frodo
Uh-oh. This is going to require a nap.

New Macbook Pro

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 12:46 am
by James Steele
Haha! It would be awesome! :)

New Macbook Pro

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 6:35 am
by MIDI Life Crisis
Oh no, not a group nap!! Also, James, be prepared for unedited, vulgar and disgusting rhetoric. And then we can give Frodo his ring back when he's done with all that! Hee hee... (no wonder he'll need a nap).

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 7:15 am
by KarlSutton
I'd like to throw out a caution - I haven't had much luck with FW800-400 adapter on my 828mkII - fortunately I have a 17" macbook pro and use an express34 card that has FW400 on it & it works great.

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 8:58 am
by Todzilla
Yep, a 400<->800 FW adapter would be required. It looks like a simple cable, rather than what appears to be a much clunkier adapter from Thunderbolt to FW, although the previous poster's issues are troubling, given that my interface is also a MOTU (896HD).Thoughts?

As for cramming a second drive in, there are lots of folks who use the Other World Computing kit for removing the optical drive and putting a second HD in its place. That would be my plan. If the rumors are true that new MBPs will no have optical drives, that would scuttle that plan (unless they are actually going to accomodate a second drive - doubtful).

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:49 am
by mikehalloran
Yes, you can put up to two drives in the latest MacBook Pro. Only one of them should be mechanical. The other one should be SSD because of the heat issues.

The internal SuperDrive is so slow that replacing it with an external optical is an improvement. My SD is still installed but I use an external because of the speed.

I have no problem with FW 800/400 adapter or cable. I have both.

New Macbook Pro

Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 8:18 am
by MIDI Life Crisis
I liked it better when we were talking chicken & waffles. I wonder how many pancakes I can fit in the built in DVD drive? And I'm putting in 2 mechanical drives. The heat will keep the pancakes warm. Man, Apple really knows to to make tasty features!

Re: New Macbook Pro

Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 7:02 am
by Todzilla
MIDI Life Crisis wrote:I liked it better when we were talking chicken & waffles. I wonder how many pancakes I can fit in the built in DVD drive? And I'm putting in 2 mechanical drives. The heat will keep the pancakes warm. Man, Apple really knows to to make tasty features!
I'm guessing you don't have kids. Otherwise, you'd know exactly how many waffles fit in the optical drive (bologna slices fit better) and how many PB&J sandwiches or bananas fit into your old VCR.