Used MacBook Pro or New MacBook Air? Use for Logic Pro

axloz on 05/11/2023 - 14:20

Hi guys, I'm not really up with the Apple tech, but I'm wanting to get into using Logic Pro (audio production software) and am faced with some questions around specs..

For $1200-1500 I could get into the following:

1 - New Macbook Air - M1, 8gb / 256gb
2 - Used Macbook pro - M1, 8gb / 256gb (possibly larger SSD if I find the right deal)
3 - Used older 2019 Macbook pro - i7 based - 16gb / 512gb or larger (these are likely cheaper than either of the above by a couple hundred bucks)

Anyone have experience with these and using Logic pro?

My audio production work won't be too complex - recording some live instruments and using some VST based drums and synth samples. No orchestral arrangements etc though…

Battery life is not a big deal for me, most of my work will be done docked. I do like being able to take my work to a studio sometimes though, otherwise I'd consider a mac mini.
Screen size is not a huge deal either.
Fan noise etc might be an issue, but its not been with my now quite old PC that I've been using..

Computing Apple Computer Laptop Ultrabook

Comments

  • Hybroid on 05/11/2023 - 14:30
    +1

    On the Geekbench 5 multi-core CPU benchmark, which evaluates CPU performance, MacBook Air (M1, 16GB RAM) scored a 5,962 and the Pro (M1, 16GB RAM) netted a pretty similar 5,925.

    Performance difference between the Air and Pro (both M1 chips) is negligible with normal variances.

    I would opt for a brand new one with full warranty and peace of mind. It'll last you many many years.

    https://www.tomsguide.com/face-off/macbook-air-vs-macbook-pr…

  • sicaboy on 05/11/2023 - 14:32
    +1

    Personally I would pick new air. Btw for $1500 you can get the M2 air when you pay with 10% to 15% off Apple GC

  • AustriaBargain on 05/11/2023 - 14:57

    I like the Touch Bar, but considering Apple just retired it you probably shouldn't get too attached to it. Some good Logic Pro controls tho https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/logicpro/lgcp94a1c475/…

    So I'd get the Air.

  • axloz on 05/11/2023 - 15:08

    Thanks guys. I'm wondering if 8gb ram will be enough though? The older flavours will come with 16gb for less bucks..

    Warranty stuff aside (which is valualbe of course) - its coming down a question of 8gm ram with an M1/M2 chip, or 16+gb ram with an intel chip. I'm not sure how logic pro will perform between these two platforms.

    I have caught some youtube reviews from audio guys who all seem to say the M1/M2 chips are better (which I'd totally expect), but then there are some plugins and vst's that have to run in a legacy mode to work with the apple silicon.. I also fully realise that I may be splitting hairs here and both will be good solutions :)

    It sounds like a new air is the way to go.. And maybe I stretch for 16gb ram in a new MB Air… Anyone in the market for a kidney? :)

    • AustriaBargain on 05/11/2023 - 15:48

      How many samples and stuff do you use? I've never used audio production apps, but I've heard they can benefit from more ram if you have lots going on in them.

      • axloz on 05/11/2023 - 17:40

        I have a small collection of vst synths and drums. Likely about 12-15 midi tracks running various things in any one tune. Plus about 6-8 recorded audio tracks. They're never all playing at the same time though, different ones will come in and out through the tune. Probably 8 tracks total running at any one point in time..
        I think the software usually pre-loads as much as it can into ram as soon as you open the project though.

        • AustriaBargain on 05/11/2023 - 18:44
          +1

          You should try to get as much ram as your budget will allow anyway, if you plan on keeping the MacBook for as long as possible. You can plug in external storage in a pinch, and you can store stuff in the cloud, but you can't plug in or download more ram. Unfortunately.

  • Ynk on 05/11/2023 - 16:32
    +1

    You will be much better off with any M-series the Air will be fantastic - Don't get an intel model, Apple will rapidly stop providing OS/software updates for them now that they don't sell any Intel models - They run hot, noisy and poor battery life.

    If you order new from Apple directly you can trial it and return it free of charge for a full refund up until 8th January under their holiday return program. I would suggest you get a new Air with 8gb and see if it does everything you need to do :)

  • p1 ama on 05/11/2023 - 22:22

    For $1200-1500 I could get into the following:

    1 - New Macbook Air - M1, 8gb / 256gb
    2 - Used Macbook pro - M1, 8gb / 256gb (possibly larger SSD if I find the right deal)
    3 - Used older 2019 Macbook pro - i7 based - 16gb / 512gb or larger (these are likely cheaper than either of the above by a couple hundred bucks)

    For $1200-1500, you should be able to get an upgraded M1 Air / Pro on eBay with 16GB RAM, which I would highly recommend, particularly if you're going to be using a lot of plug-ins and effects. Also FWIW, from my experience owning a few M1 devices, 8GB of RAM definitely can chug if you're doing more intensive tasks (sure, it's fine for the 95%+ of users who just use their computers to check social media and type up Word docs).

    There's practically no difference between an M1 Air and an M1 Pro unless you're doing a lot of work which requires sustained performance (e.g. 3D rendering, statistical simulations…etc.) as the Air will downclock itself after a while when the chassis can no longer keep the CPU cool.

    If your budget can stretch another few hundo, you can start getting a used 14" Macbook Pro with the M1 Pro for ~$1800 or so. It'll be the 8-core CPU version, but you get a substantially better machine with much better usability (better keyboard, better build quality, far better display).

    I would suggest avoiding anything Intel at this stage. The Intel chips used are multiple generations old now and are far behind both modern Intel/AMD processors and Apple M1/2/3 processors in terms of performance. Also dubious support from future updates of both MacOS and software for Intel architecture given they're all aging quickly.

  • FaultMaterial3322 on 06/11/2023 - 23:18

    https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/digitalstore-apple-macbook-air-…
    with
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/809151

    I've done my research the day before yesterday. sorry for the late info. but the second hand macbook still not too bad imo

    • axloz on 07/11/2023 - 20:51

      Dang, I missed the 10% kogan first discount.. Did it apply to these macbooks?

      • FaultMaterial3322 on 07/11/2023 - 22:44

        yes, I can see $14XX in my cart with coupons applied. But I still not pull the trigger because of second handed

  • tekisei on 07/11/2023 - 09:01

    For $1200-1500 I could get into the following:

    1 - New Macbook Air - M1, 8gb / 256gb

    Actually you can get the base M1 for $1139 PM at Officeworks + bonus $100 worth of flybuys points from the current Celebrations card deal (you need 2 x flybuys accounts) + bonus $28 worth of flybuys points from Onepass trial, which gets you very close to $1k for M1.

  • axloz on 16/11/2023 - 22:00

    Thout I'd post an update here. I ended up getting a used Mac mini. M1, 16gb ram, 512gb SSD. I'm running it through my laptop dock, which gives me keyboard, mouse, and network connection via a USB port. Separate HDMI cable to the monitor, which has 4 inputs, so we're golden. :)

    Now to get all the softwarez installed!

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