New Macbook Pro

Macintosh software/hardware discussion and troubleshooting

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Todzilla
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New Macbook Pro

Post 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!
-Todzilla
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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.
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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...
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post by MIDI Life Crisis »

See what I'm sayin' - EXACTLY!!!
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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!
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New Macbook Pro

Post 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.
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post by Frodo »

Uh-oh. This is going to require a nap.
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New Macbook Pro

Post by James Steele »

Haha! It would be awesome! :)
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New Macbook Pro

Post 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).
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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.
MPB 17" 2.66 i7/8GB RAM, OSX 10.6.8, DP 7.24, 828 mkII, Ethno 1 via Ultimate Soundbank, MX4, MSI, Komplete 9, Ivory, Stylus RMX.

for a time:MacPro6,1 3Ghz 8 core 32GB RAM
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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).
-Todzilla
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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.
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New Macbook Pro

Post 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!
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Re: New Macbook Pro

Post 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.
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DP 8!!!, OSX 10.7.3, 15" MacBook Pro w 16G RAM 256G SSD & 630GHD, MOTU 896HD, MX4, Komplete 8, Apogee Symphony I/O, Neumann U-89, pair of Peluso P12s, Seventh Circle & Demeter preamps, Lava lamp, stuffed frog playing bongos
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