Previous-generation Macbook Pro - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

allaboutmusic · 08-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Hey Apple people,

I have a 24" iMac and was thinking of picking up an Apple laptop at some point to complement it and eventually phase out my Windows laptops.

I was originally thinking of getting one of the new 13" Macbook Pros, but have started to see the previous generation 15" Macbook Pros selling for very reasonable prices (around GBP600-700). These models generally have Core 2 Duo processors (> 2GHz), Firewire and USB, plenty of RAM and good hard drive capacity, aluminium cases etc so seem to be reasonably well-specced. The one thing they don't seem to have is the 7 hour battery life and they are a little heavier.

Does anyone have any input about these particular Macbooks, or whether it is worth plumping for the newer ones? The newer ones are about double the price for a spec that doesn't appear to be significantly different (obviously design and certain features may differ).

Thanks!

Willravel · 08-18-2009, 06:49 PM

There's battery technology to take into account. New generation MBPs have this staggering battery life (I can personally attest that it's got a battery life nearly double the previous generation in practice).

Otherwise, the differences aren't all that great.

amonkie · 08-18-2009, 07:00 PM

Battery life is a great thing to have - I have a 13" macbook (not pro) that I bought in 2006. I think on energy saver my battery life is roughly an hour, give or take my processing needs at the moment. Really not that practical if I want to set up and do something intensive for more than 20-30 minutes.

Frosstbyte · 08-19-2009, 01:55 AM

If your battery life is really that low, amonkie, it just means you need to replace the battery. I have a MacBook 13" that's about a year and a half old and I still get 3-4 hours on a full charge without breaking a sweat. Watching movies or streaming video I get at least an hour and a half.

Certainly that's not going to compete with the staggering 7 hours of the newer models, but you can and should expect far more than 30 minutes to an hour, even with a bit older machine. Frankly, though, there are precious few times when you really need it to be more than four. If you can afford the new stuff, no reason not to pick it up, but if price is a concern, I think you'll probably be quite happy with a slightly older model.

Martian · 08-19-2009, 04:20 AM

Lithium ion batteries have a typical useful service life of about two years, depending on usage. amonkie's battery needs to be replaced, and if purchasing a used laptop you should probably factor the cost of replacing the battery into your decision.

Glory's Sun · 08-19-2009, 04:25 AM

what are you going to be using it for? I don't care what battery you have if you are using certain things it's going to drain it. I have a new macbook pro with the "super battery" and I can drain it in 30 minutes by doing a heavy duty Maya or After Effects render.

that and the keyboard on the newer models are tons better than the previous models. so is the touch pad (if you use it)

blktour · 08-19-2009, 12:13 PM

man. I want a new mac book. (not pro) that really slim one. doesnt have a disk drive i dont think,but i just want it for around the house on the couch.

I need to find it for about 1k and I might pick it up.;

allaboutmusic · 08-19-2009, 11:37 PM

Thanks for all the input so far, guys. I'm planning to use it mainly for music production. Recording, arranging, writing.

I think it's likely that most of the time, I will be using it plugged in. I have a Dell at the moment have very rarely used it unplugged. I also have a Samsung NC10 with a 7-hour battery life, and I very rarely use that unplugged either. OTOH, it's nice to have a computer where I could have a second battery and swap it out.

Glory's Sun · 08-20-2009, 06:14 AM

I'm happier with my newer generation, mainly because of the profile, keyboard and weight. If battery isn't much of an option and you don't care about the weight too much, then you can certainly get by on an older generation MBP. One thing to watch out for though, is on the older generation MBP's, the SuperDrive is notorious for just dying at random times. Apple maintenance isn't cheap so you may be better off in the long run getting a newer generation with an Apple Protection plan (3 yrs. minimum I say).

Willravel · 08-20-2009, 12:31 PM

If you're just using a basic program like Reason, I'd say you'd be fine with a ~2.0GHz dual + 2GB RAM. If you're going to use something a bit more advanced like Pro Tools (I LOVE pro tools), you'll probably want something a bit faster, maybe a 2.4 dual + 4GB.

allaboutmusic · 08-20-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccilvr

Apple maintenance isn't cheap so you may be better off in the long run getting a newer generation with an Apple Protection plan (3 yrs. minimum I say).

This is a really good point. I think it is probably worth saving up for a new one with AppleCare.

Will, I am a Logic Studio convert. Used to use Cubase and occasionally Pro Tools, but Logic suits my workflow better.

Willravel · 08-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Logic does tend to require a bit from your processor and RAM, not to mention it eats hard drive space like a mofo. I'm still working on my Mac mini, but I also have a MyBook 1TB external where I keep all my music.

I'd say get a 15" MBP circa maybe late 2008 with the 2.4 or 2.5 GHz processor, and because RAM is relatively cheap now, go for the whole 4GB (I believe it takes PC2-5300). It's going to cost you, but it will be well worth it and it should be a comfortable replacement for your iMac performance-wise.

Oh, btw, I use this monitor with my Mac mini, and it's truly outstanding. Unless you're thinking about dropping $900 on the Apple LED display, it seems a good option for working at home.

allaboutmusic · 08-20-2009, 02:19 PM

I'm not planning to replace the iMac, simply to complement it. Having said that, I intend to purchase a 24" LCD as a secondary monitor for it.

I quite fancy that 13" over the 15"... my Dell is a 15.4" laptop and it's rather big to bring around, and hence gets left at home. My netbook is closer to what I'd like portability wise, and I think the 13" would be a good compromise.

Screen size aside, are there other big differences between the 13" and 15"? I'm not fussed about the second Nvidia chip.

Willravel · 08-20-2009, 02:25 PM

The 13" wasn't a MacBook Pro until very recently. They had lower specs.

Glory's Sun · 08-20-2009, 02:38 PM

I have a 15" MBP.. and can't imagine going with a 13". The new profiles on the new MBP's make it easy to keep a 15" and not worry about the bulk.

08-18-2009, 06:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	Previous-generation Macbook Pro Hey Apple people, I have a 24" iMac and was thinking of picking up an Apple laptop at some point to complement it and eventually phase out my Windows laptops. I was originally thinking of getting one of the new 13" Macbook Pros, but have started to see the previous generation 15" Macbook Pros selling for very reasonable prices (around GBP600-700). These models generally have Core 2 Duo processors (> 2GHz), Firewire and USB, plenty of RAM and good hard drive capacity, aluminium cases etc so seem to be reasonably well-specced. The one thing they don't seem to have is the 7 hour battery life and they are a little heavier. Does anyone have any input about these particular Macbooks, or whether it is worth plumping for the newer ones? The newer ones are about double the price for a spec that doesn't appear to be significantly different (obviously design and certain features may differ). Thanks!

08-18-2009, 07:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Battery life is a great thing to have - I have a 13" macbook (not pro) that I bought in 2006. I think on energy saver my battery life is roughly an hour, give or take my processing needs at the moment. Really not that practical if I want to set up and do something intensive for more than 20-30 minutes. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

08-19-2009, 04:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Lithium ion batteries have a typical useful service life of about two years, depending on usage. amonkie's battery needs to be replaced, and if purchasing a used laptop you should probably factor the cost of replacing the battery into your decision. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

08-18-2009, 06:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	There's battery technology to take into account. New generation MBPs have this staggering battery life (I can personally attest that it's got a battery life nearly double the previous generation in practice). Otherwise, the differences aren't all that great.

08-19-2009, 01:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Frosstbyte Winter is Coming Location: The North	If your battery life is really that low, amonkie, it just means you need to replace the battery. I have a MacBook 13" that's about a year and a half old and I still get 3-4 hours on a full charge without breaking a sweat. Watching movies or streaming video I get at least an hour and a half. Certainly that's not going to compete with the staggering 7 hours of the newer models, but you can and should expect far more than 30 minutes to an hour, even with a bit older machine. Frankly, though, there are precious few times when you really need it to be more than four. If you can afford the new stuff, no reason not to pick it up, but if price is a concern, I think you'll probably be quite happy with a slightly older model.

08-19-2009, 04:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	what are you going to be using it for? I don't care what battery you have if you are using certain things it's going to drain it. I have a new macbook pro with the "super battery" and I can drain it in 30 minutes by doing a heavy duty Maya or After Effects render. that and the keyboard on the newer models are tons better than the previous models. so is the touch pad (if you use it)

08-19-2009, 12:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
blktour Psycho Location: Anchorage, AK	man. I want a new mac book. (not pro) that really slim one. doesnt have a disk drive i dont think,but i just want it for around the house on the couch. I need to find it for about 1k and I might pick it up.;

08-19-2009, 11:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	Thanks for all the input so far, guys. I'm planning to use it mainly for music production. Recording, arranging, writing. I think it's likely that most of the time, I will be using it plugged in. I have a Dell at the moment have very rarely used it unplugged. I also have a Samsung NC10 with a 7-hour battery life, and I very rarely use that unplugged either. OTOH, it's nice to have a computer where I could have a second battery and swap it out.

08-20-2009, 06:14 AM	#9 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	I'm happier with my newer generation, mainly because of the profile, keyboard and weight. If battery isn't much of an option and you don't care about the weight too much, then you can certainly get by on an older generation MBP. One thing to watch out for though, is on the older generation MBP's, the SuperDrive is notorious for just dying at random times. Apple maintenance isn't cheap so you may be better off in the long run getting a newer generation with an Apple Protection plan (3 yrs. minimum I say).

08-20-2009, 12:31 PM	#10 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	If you're just using a basic program like Reason, I'd say you'd be fine with a ~2.0GHz dual + 2GB RAM. If you're going to use something a bit more advanced like Pro Tools (I LOVE pro tools), you'll probably want something a bit faster, maybe a 2.4 dual + 4GB.

08-20-2009, 02:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Logic does tend to require a bit from your processor and RAM, not to mention it eats hard drive space like a mofo. I'm still working on my Mac mini, but I also have a MyBook 1TB external where I keep all my music. I'd say get a 15" MBP circa maybe late 2008 with the 2.4 or 2.5 GHz processor, and because RAM is relatively cheap now, go for the whole 4GB (I believe it takes PC2-5300). It's going to cost you, but it will be well worth it and it should be a comfortable replacement for your iMac performance-wise. Oh, btw, I use this monitor with my Mac mini, and it's truly outstanding. Unless you're thinking about dropping $900 on the Apple LED display, it seems a good option for working at home.

08-20-2009, 02:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
allaboutmusic Aurally Fixated	I'm not planning to replace the iMac, simply to complement it. Having said that, I intend to purchase a 24" LCD as a secondary monitor for it. I quite fancy that 13" over the 15"... my Dell is a 15.4" laptop and it's rather big to bring around, and hence gets left at home. My netbook is closer to what I'd like portability wise, and I think the 13" would be a good compromise. Screen size aside, are there other big differences between the 13" and 15"? I'm not fussed about the second Nvidia chip.

08-20-2009, 02:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	The 13" wasn't a MacBook Pro until very recently. They had lower specs.

08-20-2009, 02:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	I have a 15" MBP.. and can't imagine going with a 13". The new profiles on the new MBP's make it easy to keep a 15" and not worry about the bulk.