Best Mac laptop for music apps?

[R Krizman]

I'm looking into getting a laptop to run Reason and a light M-Box version of
Protools, and there seem to be two top contenders, but with different screen
sizes. Anybody using the 17" screen version instead of the 15"? I'm wondering
how the more screen real state balances against having a larger and more
cumbersome laptop. Does it still fit nicely on planes, etc?

Any other thoughts about music on a Mac laptop. There are a few small MIDI
controllers available--anybody use these?

Thanks,
Rick

[R Krizman]

<< The screen, on the other hand, does make a big difference. The extra
screen size comes in handy just about the entire time you're using it.
The extra size in general is not more cumbersome, it's more comfortable.
>><BR><BR>
Thanks Bobby,

Ever use a USB powered MIDI controller with your setup? And what do you record
your data to--internal drive or some sort of portable external?
I'd think you could partition the internal and use one section for data, but
what do I know?

-R

[lobby b]

The only complaint I've heard is that they're too wide for the
seat-back tray tables in coach. Shouldn't be a problem if you only fly
first class......

Dexter808
NYC

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> The only complaint I've heard is that they're too wide for the
> seat-back tray tables in coach. Shouldn't be a problem if you only fly
> first class......

Which you can probably afford, if you can afford a 17" Mac. What do
you carry it in? I can't find a case I'm happy with for my 15" Dell
(which has a bulge on the front edge that makes it just not fit all
the standard cases).


--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[BananaHead]

(EggHd) wrote in message >...
> Rick,
>
> I asked if it was 17 as it seemed wide, but he insisted it was 15.


Riiiiight. WIDE!? You guys work this stuff in there on purpose
right?

Back on topic...my 15 inch seems plenty big. I have looked at my
friend's 17 inch, and while it is impressive, I do not know that that
kind of size is really required to perform the task at hand. Perhaps
I just have envy but I do not know if it is really worth the sizable
dollar elongation. I guess it can't hurt if you can afford it. Then
again...

OK, I'll stop,

-BH

[EggHd]

<< Riiiiight. WIDE!? You guys work this stuff in there on purpose
right? >>

Maybe it is a 17 and he doesnn't know? I have a g3 pismo and his screem is way
bigger.



---------------------------------------
"I know enough to know I don't know enough"

[Dave]

> > The only complaint I've heard is that they're too wide for the
> > seat-back tray tables in coach. Shouldn't be a problem if you only fly
> > first class......
>
> Which you can probably afford, if you can afford a 17" Mac. What do
> you carry it in? I can't find a case I'm happy with for my 15" Dell
> (which has a bulge on the front edge that makes it just not fit all
> the standard cases).
>
>
> --
> I'm really Mike Rivers - )

I just sold my 15 and got the 17" and my first plane trip with it (last
week) went fine. It was slightly bigger than the seatback tray and you
couldn't open the screen all the way but it was enough to be able to watch a
DVD. I tried using a shoulder bag but went to a backpack (Brenthaven)
specifically made for the 17". It sure saved my back at Macworld.


dave
www.morrisonphotographics.com

[Richard Jernigan]

Not exactly OT for your questions, but...

I've had a 1 GHz G4 17" PowerBook for about a month. I rented a
15-incher for about six weeks last winter. I haven't been on the road
with the 17-incher yet, but I plan to give it a workout when I go to
Latin America and Texas in November/December. I like both. I like
the 17-incher better. The display is great--movies are excellent, and
the real estate is useful for complex apps.

I run Logic Platinum 6.0 and record from an Apogee Mini-Me.
Absoulutely seamless integration. I don't really stack up the tracks,
but the PowerBook plays all the Platinum demos with no sweat. But
then I wouldn't expect the demos to be set up to stress the machine.

RNJ

[Steve L.]

Is the resolution much higher on the 17"? That could give you quite a bit more real estate if you can put up with
smaller icons and such.

"Richard Jernigan" > wrote in message m...
| Not exactly OT for your questions, but...
|
| I've had a 1 GHz G4 17" PowerBook for about a month. I rented a
| 15-incher for about six weeks last winter. I haven't been on the road
| with the 17-incher yet, but I plan to give it a workout when I go to
| Latin America and Texas in November/December. I like both. I like
| the 17-incher better. The display is great--movies are excellent, and
| the real estate is useful for complex apps.
|
| I run Logic Platinum 6.0 and record from an Apogee Mini-Me.
| Absoulutely seamless integration. I don't really stack up the tracks,
| but the PowerBook plays all the Platinum demos with no sweat. But
| then I wouldn't expect the demos to be set up to stress the machine.
|
| RNJ

[Marc Heusser]

In article >,
"Steve L." > wrote:

> Is the resolution much higher on the 17"? That could give you quite a bit
> more real estate if you can put up with
> smaller icons and such.

Powerbook G4
17" 1440x900
15" 1280x854
12" 1024x768

iBook
12" or 14" 1024x768

Marc

--
Marc Heusser - Zurich, Switzerland
Coaching - Consulting - Counselling - Psychotherapy
http://www.heusser.com
remove the obvious CHEERS and MERCIAL... from the reply address
to reply via e-mail

[Josh Brandt]

In article <znr1059264562k@trad>, Mike Rivers > wrote:
>
>In article >
writes:
>
>> The only complaint I've heard is that they're too wide for the
>> seat-back tray tables in coach. Shouldn't be a problem if you only fly
>> first class......
>
>Which you can probably afford, if you can afford a 17" Mac.

Ha, I wish.

I could fly first class, but I spent all my cash on this powerbook.

Josh
(actually a 15", but I bought it when it was 3200 bucks)

--
J. Brandt / /

[BananaHead]

(EggHd) wrote in message >...
> << Riiiiight. WIDE!? You guys work this stuff in there on purpose
> right? >>
>
> Maybe it is a 17 and he doesnn't know? I have a g3 pismo and his screem is way
> bigger.


Sorry, I was working the penis joke angle. It's tasteless I know.

It was probably a 15". They really are quite large. I've been
working on mine for 6 months and I never get tired of looking at it
and the size is adequate for me. The 17" aren't really much taller,
just wider. It just seemed to me like a large price jump for a little
wider screen and backlit keys. Although that backlit thing sure would
be nice for dark clubs.

-BH

[LeBaron & Alrich]

R Krizman > wrote:

> << The screen, on the other hand, does make a big difference. The extra
> screen size comes in handy just about the entire time you're using it.
> The extra size in general is not more cumbersome, it's more comfortable.
> >><BR><BR>
> Thanks Bobby,
>
> Ever use a USB powered MIDI controller with your setup?

I think you owe it to yourself to check the MIO, perhaps even the ULN-2
version. Firewire interface good. (1 GHz TiBook, 15")

Might not work so well if you need PT.

> And what do you record
> your data to--internal drive or some sort of portable external?

Separate partition to the internal HD, w/FW HD's for backup, copy, etc.

> I'd think you could partition the internal and use one section for data, but
> what do I know?

Plenty, but that's not my problem.

--
hank alrich * secret mountain
audio recording * music production * sound reinforcement
"If laughter is the best medicine let's take a double dose"

[LeBaron & Alrich]

Mike Rivers > wrote:

> writes:

> > The only complaint I've heard is that they're too wide for the
> > seat-back tray tables in coach. Shouldn't be a problem if you only fly
> > first class......

> Which you can probably afford, if you can afford a 17" Mac. What do
> you carry it in? I can't find a case I'm happy with for my 15" Dell
> (which has a bulge on the front edge that makes it just not fit all
> the standard cases).

It ain't yo' fancy schmoozer's lap top case, but Lowe's had had lots of
$24.68 tool cases that just happen to fit a Mac G4 laptop + MIO + power
supplies, interconnects, etc. Ineffable price/performance. Dice foam,
other foam, tool pouched panel, made in China.

--
hank alrich * secret mountain
audio recording * music production * sound reinforcement
"If laughter is the best medicine let's take a double dose"

[LeBaron & Alrich]

EggHd > wrote:

> A friend had the 1 gig power book with the 15" screen I was using it with
> him the other day and I thought the screen was plenty big. I asked if it
> was 17 as it seemed wide, but he insisted it was 15.

I use a 1 GHz G4 laptop, w/15" screen. Away from the desk the screen is
better than adequate, and at the the desk the TiBook drives a variety of
external monitors directly. I am quite happy with the setup.

The 1 GHz and 867 MHz TiBooks might be the last of the dual-bootable mac
laptops, if one is interested in those sorts of things. (At the moment,
having access to both OS9 and OSX can offer lots of options.)

The hippest person I've found to get this stuff from is Dan Metiview,
who set irreproachable standards for customer service when at MHL, and
now does the same at PC/MacConnection. I'm helping a music teacher put
together a G4 laptop system, and dealing with Dan to do it.


Dan Metivier
PC Connection / Mac Connection
v 800-800-0014 x71442
f 603-683-0880




Usual disclaimers apply.

--
hank alrich * secret mountain
audio recording * music production * sound reinforcement
"If laughter is the best medicine let's take a double dose"

[R Krizman]

<< I use a 1 GHz G4 laptop, w/15" screen. Away from the desk the screen is
better than adequate, and at the the desk the TiBook drives a variety of
external monitors directly. I am quite happy with the setup. >><BR><BR>

Thanks Hank. I expecially love that it's all screen (no gratuitous plastic
border). I'm trying to muster the enthusiasm to spend an extra 700 clams on
the 17", but so far it's no go.

-R

-R

[LeBaron & Alrich]

LeBaron & Alrich > wrote:

> The hippest person I've found to get this stuff from is Dan Metiview,
^
"Metivier"

Duhh.

> who set irreproachable standards for customer service when at MHL, and
> now does the same at PC/MacConnection. I'm helping a music teacher put
> together a G4 laptop system, and dealing with Dan to do it.
>
>
> Dan Metivier
> PC Connection / Mac Connection
> v 800-800-0014 x71442
> f 603-683-0880
>
>
>
>
> Usual disclaimers apply.

--
hank alrich * secret mountain
audio recording * music production * sound reinforcement
"If laughter is the best medicine let's take a double dose"