I'm really new and know nothing about macs....

[okcrounders]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a mac as well as DP in order to be compatible with a couple of other studios here in my town. I'm marginally a PC guy and know nothing about Apple machines. Can anyone suggest which mac to buy, along with specifications etc. etc. Budget is 3-5 thousand dollars. Thanks for any replies.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

3-5K should get you a nice G5, couple of 19" float panels and DP, maybe with a little extra to spare!

G5 - $2500
http://www.apple.com/macpro/

Flat Panels - $220 http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?lev ... &An=browse

DP - $500
http://www.zzounds.com/item--MTUDPERFMAC

4GB of RAM - $405
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20 ... FB1GD4GBK/

We're at $3625. I'd suggest MachFive from MOTU, but it is not Intel compatible until they release version 2 (don't hold your breath). Grab Plug Sound Pro and or something Lke Garritan (is it Intel yet?) Hexk, you still have a binch of $$$ left over! You might want MS Office to do your billing

Yeah, you can do ti!

[sdemott]

With a ceiling of $5k, there are a few ways you could go.

I have to disagree with MIDI Life Crisis and suggest an Intel based Mac. The older G5s, while a good bargain, are not a good choice for a native DAW when the Core 2 Duo Macs are so much more powerful (more plugins, more tracks, more VIs)...which equates to a longer stretch before you'll find a need to upgrade.

The question really becomes - what kind of projects will you be involved in (how many tracks, how many VIs, how much audio vs. MIDI), whether you need a portable system for location work, and how much space you can devote to the setup.

The highest performance comes from the Mac Pros. The iMacs are a nice compromise for smaller spaces (and budgets), they're not as expandable but can handle some decent sized projects. For those that need a portable solution the MacBook or MacBook Pros are the key (I use a MacBook Pro). I would avoid the Mac Mini because of its slower I/O and inferior video. Though, I use one as a backup server - and it's perfect for that.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

With a ceiling of $5k, there are a few ways you could go.

I have to disagree with MIDI Life Crisis and suggest an Intel based Mac.

Me thinks I'be been mis-read. I suggested a spankin' new Mac Pro! I did start with the entry level model, but with the extra $$$ he could also add a faster CPU and bigger HD. I would NOT suggest a used machine unless you are on a tight budget. I ALWAYS get the newest model when I upgrade. Not worth trying to play catch up later.

So I think we are actually in 100% AGREEMENT

[auptown]

Exactly -- I've been with DP since 2.x, and I just bought a MacPro 2.66 for $2199 on the Apple Store, check the red tag deals, you can find everything there, although they tend to run out and re-stock them on sort of a weekly basis.

Then I got 4G ram from owc (macsales.com) $469

And 2 super-fast Raptors 150g 10k drive from newegg.com, $209 ea

You will NOT be sorry with this machine. It will scream.

Pick your interface depending on what you need channels/inputs/outputs.

DP, some plugs... you'll be stylin'

[MIDI Life Crisis]

This is great. I just love speanding other peoples money

So, where are we going for vaccation?

[sdemott]

With a ceiling of $5k, there are a few ways you could go.

I have to disagree with MIDI Life Crisis and suggest an Intel based Mac.

Me thinks I'be been mis-read. I suggested a spankin' new Mac Pro! I did start with the entry level model, but with the extra $$$ he could also add a faster CPU and bigger HD. I would NOT suggest a used machine unless you are on a tight budget. I ALWAYS get the newest model when I upgrade. Not worth trying to play catch up later.

So I think we are actually in 100% AGREEMENT

My bad - having a 5 week old has left me severely sleep deprived...so even when I stare at all the pretty symbols they don't always make sense as a language anymore

[Phil O]

Hey auptown, what do you think of the Raptors? I'm thinking about getting one.

Phil

[Phil O]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a mac as well as DP in order to be compatible with a couple of other studios here in my town. I'm marginally a PC guy and know nothing about Apple machines. Can anyone suggest which mac to buy, along with specifications etc. etc. Budget is 3-5 thousand dollars. Thanks for any replies.

I'm running DP on a Mac Pro...Best investment I ever made. I totally agree with the previous suggestions. What's your audio interface?

Phil

[okcrounders]

Thinking about a MOTU 2048 interface.

[Phil O]

Thinking about a MOTU 2048 interface.

I'm not familiar with it, but I hear good things about it. Is this part of your 3-5K budget. You're talking almost a grand right there. Knocks you down to 2-4K for computer and monitor. Still enough for a Mac Pro.

Phil

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Thinking about a MOTU 2048 interface.

You might also look at M-AUDIO firewire interfaces.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/F ... -main.html

[okcrounders]

Sorry, Phil, I didn't include the MOTU in the budget I stated above; thats seperate.

[sdemott]

Thinking about a MOTU 2048 interface.

I'm a huge fan of the Metric-Halo interfaces. They have converters that rival the big boys (Apogee, Benchmark, et al) and the company is top notch when it comes to support.

http://www.mhlabs.com/

[HCMarkus]

Phil, the Raptors are swell! I've got two 150's and two 75's. A single Raptor can handle a couple of demanding VIs. My projects save so fast folks who aren't used to the speed try to save twice. RAID some Raptors for the ultimate HD experience.