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I'll be buying myself a new Mac later this year for use in my fairly simple "home studio". I've pretty much narrowed my choice down to either a Quadcore Mac Pro (or equivalent) or a 27 inch Quadcore imac. I already own a 2007 model, intel macbook pro, which is fine for when i'm working away from home but i'd like to get myself a base station that will remain in my studio.

Using an imac will basically be the same as using my laptop now, except of course for significant upgrades in processor speed, ram, firewire speeds, screen size and so on. As a result I don't really need to discuss the benefits of using such systems. I have used Mac desktop machines in studio environments but never at home.

So I'm asking some of you good people, from whom i've already learned so much, to share with me your opinions of the pros and cons of using a Mac Pro in a small home studio. Lets pretend that cost isn't a factor.

Here's what i've come up with so far.

Mac Pro - Pros.

1. Expandability- Almost endless possibilities in expanding the system over time. I use some Sample based VI's such as Kontakt so it would be great to have dedicated internal drives for Sample Libraries, Audio Files, etc.

2. Processor Potential- I don't generally make music with a high track count but it would be good to have the ability to load in songs made by other musicians/bands who create larger projects.

3. Strength- A Mac Pro is a basically a big chunk of metal so as long as i look after it should last me for the forseeable future.

Mac Pro- Cons.

1. Heat- As stated before, the room i use for my studio is fairly small and is likely to remain so. I'm concerned that a Mac Pro will generate too much heat for such a set-up.

Any other pros and cons that people can think of (aside from those involving money) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Tim

timriley wrote: Mac Pro- Cons.

1. Heat- As stated before, the room i use for my studio is fairly small and is likely to remain so. I'm concerned that a Mac Pro will generate too much heat for such a set-up.

Tim:

I literally am sitting one foot away from my Mac Pro Quad, and it's cool to the touch...room temperature. There is some exhaust from the back side but it seems minimal.

I don't think the negligible heat impact, IMO, is an issue.

Buzzy

EDIT: And if you've read some related threads, there is a rumored release of the new Mac Pros for maybe late August-September...maybe.

buzzsmith wrote:
I literally am sitting one foot away from my Mac Pro Quad, and it's cool to the touch...room temperature.

buzzsmith wrote:I don't think the negligible heat impact, IMO, is an issue.

Thanks.. That's reassuring.

buzzsmith wrote:EDIT: And if you've read some related threads, there is a rumored release of the new Mac Pros for maybe late August-September...maybe.

Yes, i'm going to try and sit it out until at least October. See what comes about.

buzzsmith wrote:There is some exhaust from the back side but it seems minimal.

Buzzy

We are still talking about computers here, aren't we?

timriley wrote:

buzzsmith wrote:There is some exhaust from the back side but it seems minimal.
Buzzy

We are still talking about computers here, aren't we?

Yes! Ya got me on that one!

Thanks Buzzy!

Apple publishes the full energy specs for each machine. A MacPro with an Apple monitor puts out twice as much as the current 27" iMac. A third party monitor increases the output - how much depends on the brand (some quite a bit). In any case, heat is not a big concern for owners of the current hardware as many have stated.

Still, this is a fraction of what those of us still using G5 space heaters are experiencing. Maybe when I replace mine I will leave the G5 in the corner and turn it on during the winter. Seriously, most of the time I turn the AC on in my office it is because of the heat it puts out.

A preliminary report indicates that the new hex core processors and 27" monitor will be even more energy efficient than the current generation - whether it gets down to the iMac spec is doubtful but this should not be a concern.

I use a Mac pro in my small room home studio, and don't notice much heat from it, but I do have tube amps and other hot stuff going so I probably wouldn't notice it anyway:lol:

There is a little noise, but nothing compared to my older G4 dual.

I stayed away from using a laptop because my kids destroyed the last two I had ( one via dropping on the floor, one via chocolate milk spilled into the keyboard)!

You won't regret using a mac pro!

mikehalloran wrote:A third party monitor increases the output - how much depends on the brand (some quite a bit). In any case, heat is not a big concern for owners of the current hardware as many have stated.

Thanks for that, i'll keep it in mind.

mikehalloran wrote:A preliminary report indicates that the new hex core processors and 27" monitor will be even more energy efficient than the current generation

So the extra I would pay for a hex core might be made up for by cheaper electricity bills in the long run!

crduval wrote:You won't regret using a mac pro!

No. I know I won't! Whereas I get the feeling that I may regret buying an iMac at some point.

There's no mention of the new Mac Pros on the UK apple websites yet although the iMac refresh has been released. If the recent launch of the iPad is anything to go by, then the Mac Pros may not be available over here til September/October at the earliest.

Which in all honesty suits me fine. I tend to write better in the winter anyway.

The darkness inspires me..

I think you could use ether but you made a good argument for the pro. If cost is the main issue go iMac if not good Pro, IMHO.
I have mine loaded and I do not feel heat coming from it; 8 core, 16G ram, 4 drives, upgraded video card, 2 super drives and a MOTU card. I do not hear the fans just the drives running. And years from now when the Mac is old you can use it to grate cheese.

I use my G5 to trim my toe nails. Saves me from bending over.

twistedtom wrote:I think you could use ether but you made a good argument for the pro. If cost is the main issue go iMac if not good Pro, IMHO.
I have mine loaded and I do not feel heat coming from it; 8 core, 16G ram, 4 drives, upgraded video card, 2 super drives and a MOTU card. I do not hear the fans just the drives running. And years from now when the Mac is old you can use it to grate cheese.

In all honesty, I think I could use either too. Or even perhaps neither...

I didn't say that cost wasn't an issue. I said let's pretend it isn't.

That's what i'm doing anyway.

MIDI Life Crisis wrote:I use my G5 to trim my toe nails. Saves me from bending over.

YUK!

Reminds me of a story I heard once about a person who obsessively collected his/her nail clippings for about 50+ years. In the end they'd collected the weight of an adult elephant in toe and finger nails and their ceiling collapsed!

Must be nice to have enough extra space to store an elephant you nailed...



Reminds me of when I was in high school... NEVER MIND!

Ok the new Mac Pros are now on the Apple UK website.

There's no way I'll be going for the hexacore westmere at nearly £3000. So I guess it's either a brand new quad at £1999 or something second hand (although i'm a little reluctant to do the latter).

I was round my folks house the other day and noticed that my dad had got himself a nice new 32inch LG TV to replace his not so old 22inch LG (to the despair of my mother). On examining his older LG i noticed that it has an array of inputs on the back, including an input for a DVI cable. He is now mulling over my request to take the TV off his hands for use with my new mac.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. At the very least i'll never have to buy nail clippers again!