iMac Vs Mac Pro for Logic 9 etc

[modz1]

I'm about to make the investment into a new studio based computer. The Mac Pro is an obvious 'go to' but I, like everyone else, pay full dollar for Mac gear and (also like everyone else) have to watch the £££'s

My old G5 is staying in the studio as a second machine (and one that contains too much data to simply wipe and stick on fleabay yet) but a new intel Mac is needed now. My usage will be product testing (for DV Forums and 'Musical Notes' Blog), running Logic 9 in (low/medium intensive) recording, mixing and post-prod roles, and some digital imaging work (Photoshop, Aperture etc).

I've had a chat with one of Europe's leading Apple Pro-App specialists, who's recommended, taking the above 'usage' considerations into account, that a 24" iMac would be more than sufficient.. My other friend and colleague is a gear-head, running a massive amount of live plug-ins and a heavy workload of sessions and he's adamant that the further substantial investment into Mac Pro territory is the way forward.

You chaps have any comments on this pls?

[sureno]

Mac Pro - that is all that needs to be said. end of!!!

[Maccy]

I run a 24" 3.06ghz iMac and it can handle everything I throw at it with no probs.

If I had the cash, I would've gone for a Mac Pro without a doubt, although the all-in-one unit was attractive to me and meant I didn't have to factor in extra monitor costs etc.

I suppose it's all down to budget

[terminal3]

The iMac is basically just a Macbook Pro with no expandability and a bigger screen, power-wise (although the speeds cap out a little bit higher due to better cooling).

Here's the thing: with an iMac, you have ZERO ability to add any busses for any data transfer of any kind. This means you have ONE bus that has to be shared between:

Hard disks
Audio interfaces
DSP devices (Liquid Mix, Duende, Powercore, etc)

... and if any of these are USB then they also need to share with iLoks, eLicensers, MIDI instruments, controllers, etc.

Even a previous-gen 15" MacBook Pro (or current gen 17" MacBook Pro) has an Expresscard slot so you can add another bus for these if you need to.

Of course, it goes without saying that the Mac Pro is an even better solution because you can add PCIe cards - 3 of 'em - plus you can use fast internal secondary hard disks for mission-critical work without so much as a hiccup.

Sorry dude, but if it were me I'd get very disappointed with an iMac very quickly, but that is just me and I have a lot of stuff that needs connecting to my computer at any given time.

Side thrifty note: the best bang-for-your-buck comes from the Apple Refurb store (accessible through http://apple.com/uk/thestore) - you can save a couple hundred on sometimes very-current stuff (and often even more on previous-generation kit) - and if you log in through an account at http://www.quidco.com (free, but they take your first £5 in earnings every year) you will get a 4% cash rebate on the ex-VAT total of your purchase as well. So that's the best way to stretch your £s...

One more word of advice - if you are looking at Mac Pros, I would actually *avoid* the previous generation - the speed difference is just too great. Hold out for a Nehalem version, preferably a 2.66 or faster... it will probably last an extra two years at least!

Anyway, I know that the screen etc become additional costs with the Mac Pro too but you can buy what you can afford - audio does not need a top-of-the-range monitor. Photoshop, maybe, though, so set your priorities and spend accordingly.

[sureno]

you dont need an apple screen, im running an old 19' dell, if you can afford a mac pro go pro!!!

[modz1]

Thanks for the replies so far guys , especially your in-depth info T3 which is most appreciated..

[modz1]

PS.. already got a super dooper widescreen Samsung at the mo so screen is done/dusted if a Mac Pro..

[DV Daz]

Been running logic 8 on a 24" 2.16 iMac for a couple of years and handles everything I throw at it (I produce House & Techno with loads of plugins), however, I did max out the ram which wasn't that expensive, got that from crucial ram. Nice having the 24" screen too. Only downside is it has limited firewire and usb ports. Get a lot of bang for your buck!!!

[tyronehowe]

I agree with T3. Save up until you can get a Mac Pro – there are simply too many advantages. PCIe expansion, room for 4 internal SATA drives, very fast 4 / 8 core processors and so on.

Originally Posted by modz1

running Logic 9 in (low/medium intensive) recording, mixing and post-prod roles, and some digital imaging work (Photoshop, Aperture etc).

If that’s the case, an iMac would suffice – but will your requirements stay like that? The lack of upgradability of the iMac means you will most likely be needing to change it more frequently than a Mac Pro.

My Mac Pro is now “old” – an early 2007, and it’s “only” four core – but it runs very, very well. My father has a two year old 24” iMac – it IS a superb machine, but then again, he doesn’t do music.

Go for the Mac Pro – and then start saving for a big, high quality monitor. No, it doesn’t have to be Apple, but it has to be good quality. I have a 23” Apple cinema display and it is simply sex in a screen.

[kay7]

I have an imac 24, 3ghz and im happy . No ptobs at all yet. Using Logic + plugins. But im thinking of getting a macpro. You just cant compare these two! And yeah...the worst bit is £. I just read reviews, advices and then test it@ Apple. Just follow your heart