What kind of computer should I buy?

G5 PowerMac. Many of the good plugz are still PPC only.

You'll spend a lot more on audio hardware than you will on the computer, in the end.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Any recommendations for minimum specs (I think they vary even within the same model) or good retailers?

HOLLA.

C:
First look at what kind of software you want to run in order to determine specs. Ableton Live tends to be a ram hog, Logic wants more speed, etc. Rule of thumb is to make sure you get a 7200rpm hard drive. Take libcrypts advice, you want to save the $$$ for a quality audio/midi interface and controllers.

Yeah, like a mouse

iMac widescreen

Learn what you can do with the software and the bare bones of your system before spending a dime on outboard BTW, I've wasted about $600 on controllers I never use not to mention thousands upon thousands over the years on shit that is now utterly useless to me

Apple.com has decent refurb deals, and you can get AppleCare with 'em (for the full 3 years). They may have a 2.7GHz G5 once in awhile if you keep an eye out.

Applecare is the best support in the industry, so it's a good argument to buy from Apple when you can.

I think I might save up for a powermac G5...

Does anyone have any recommendations for what specs to get? I think I am going to be running Logic on it.

I might get some other program(s) too but definitely Logic.

I really know nothing about computers so any help would be great...

I'm actually considering a Quad G5 or a Mac Pro, if I'm going to save up and buy something I want it to be worth my effort and capable of lasting a long time before its outdated...

I can get a employee discount from Mac (from someone I know) and a student one on top of that so I might be able to afford a nicer computer easier.

Does anyone have any advice regarding this decision? (Especially regarding what add ons I would need for the Mac Pro?)

I might be going overboard but I think it might be worth it...

I think you only get one discount at a time.

I would not advise purchasing any non-intel models at this point unless you like the feeling of abandonment.

I would be amazed if you need more than a new iMac maxed out for a home Logic project.

Do not buy a G5

new imacs are nice

The person who can get me the discount said she can do both at the same time (I'm sure you're not actually supposed to but whatever).

I mean, I have a Triton, firewire and other music equipment so I'm trying to have a little studio going on. Also I'm into photography, and art/design and I'm trying to become professional in those fields as well as music (I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm hoping to do professional level stuff eventually and don't want to buy a new computer).

The iMac I have is one of the old ones and I was having trouble running Logic on it...

Is it really a bad idea to buy a new computer? (how long is the wait for the intels?)

You're probably right, but if I can get a decent discount (maybe even on top of the refurb) I may be able to get a great computer for about 2 g.

Is a Mac Pro really a bad idea for what I want?

Oh okay, I read that wrong as I thought the intel based computers hadn't even come out yet from what you wrote.

Yeah, I'm thinking about a Mac Pro that's intel based, something like the 2.66 ghz one.

dude the top of the line iMac is still less than the base model Pro and it's got 2GB ram as shipped

But also a crappy screen. Unless you're into glare.

Colin, if you're a student, look into the Apple Student Developer discount program. You pay $100 up front, but then get a huge, one-time discount on a computer. The base Mac Pro goes from $2499 to $1999, and you also save quite a bit on Bluetooth, Airport, graphics upgrades, etc..

http://developer.apple.com/products/student.html

I'm a little concerned though because I'm seeing some reviews of the iMacs by consumers that are really unhappy with it, saying its
really buggy, the display colors are messed up etc.

You might be right though on it being a better buy.

nice.

yeah i think thats the discount the girl who works for mac was talking about...

if you're looking at an iMac, but willing to spend Mac Pro money - how about a Macbook Pro and an external monitor if you want something larger than 15"?

They have two different student programs. The regular student discount can be used repeatedly, but is quite a bit smaller and doesn't require you to buy into the program.

Milo, I have a bunch of top of the line music equipment and logic, and I'm also interested in photoshop, and other photography and video programs.

(I'm hoping of being able to do some of this stuff on a professional level soon)

Can a macbook pro really handle all of that?

Also, if it around the same price as the Mac Pro, are there any other advantages other than its portability?

Why not just get the Mac Pro then?

It has the same processor and RAM as an iMac, the only difference is the (stock) hard drive - 5400rpm laptop drive vs. 7200rpm desktop drive. Apple will install a 7200rpm drive for you as a build-to-order option, putting them on equal footing there.

Photoshop, video editing, Aperture/Lightroom, etc. are absolutely doable with a MBP - dunno much about Logic, though. But since Apple doesn't use a dedicated sound card, I assume even that's identical from MBP to iMac.

Portability is pretty much it. Also size, noise and heat if the computer is going to sit in your main living area. The fans on my MP are pretty loud and it will warm a room up. But if it's a separate area or those aren't concerns, then the MP is great.

I really hate the new line of iMacs is all.

I haven't seen them IRL, does the screen really glare? my last-gen iMac screen doesn't have a problem.

Yeah, they changed the screen completely - it's now got a piece of shiny glass sitting in front of the LCD (which is a glossy screen itself, I've heard). Glares worse than any CRT I can remember.

My father bought one to replace his Core Duo iMac - shoulda kept that one.

does anyone know anything about buying a laptop in the US and converting the power for another country? is it difficult? expensive?

to milo:

Hmmm...

If it can run all those programs fine, one would assume Logic would work fine too (I can double check somewhere).

I'm actually going to be going back and forth from Queens to LI to Brooklyn to NYC a lot so maybe springing for a Mac Book Pro might be a good idea.

Thanks for the info on that and the student deal, I'll have to look further into both!

sunny it is neither difficult nor expensive - laptop power supplies can handle just about any voltage. it's 10 bucks or so for an adaptor i think, and you can get those in airports, electronics stores, etc

really? thats great! my mom is looking at buying one and they are ridiculously priced in AUST so I suggested she get one here. i guess it will work out! thanks.

logic works fine on my macbook

the mac store says a mac pro with 2 gb is only 2000, factor in a nice discount and it looks like a good deal...

that's what im leanin towards...

whoah that student developer thing looks like something i'm gonna have to hook up next year

does it matter if I graduated and got my degree? I still get e-mail from the department

I had to fax in a class schedule (which, for the semester in question was like Basketweaving 202 or something), but if you could get someone to write a letter saying you're a student pursuing independent research or something, maybe that would work?

Whatever you do, don't buy RAM from Apple, Colin. You can get it online way cheaper, even w/ student discounts (www.macsales.com has always been good for me). Installation is a snap - pop off the side, pull out a riser, insert RAM.

Hmm Hmm

I don't know why that guy told me Mac Pros were 2g, they start at 2500.

I think I'm gonna save up for one anyway...

If you downgrade the processors from 2.66GHz to 2.0, you save a lot of money. He might have been talking about that.

apparently you can put up to 4Gb of RAM in the latest Macbooks

Macbook Pros, 4GB
Macbooks, only 3GB

When will machines ship with 10.5 preinstalled

aka not bundled

next month

oh wait it is next month already

I emailed the "computer store at the nyu bookstore" to ask.

whoa. how closely do they vet the ADC applications?

not at all

wawaweewa

a co-worker made an interesting observation: home use of a mac may facilitate the separation of work and personal life much as staying in a non-conference hotel. Unless you're a graphic designer, etc. also something about leopards and caching your computer on an external hard drive.

unless you use a mac at work

I'm actually gonna get a 2.4 GHZ iMac...

I just got a job at the Apple store too!

Does that come out of yr first 10 paychecks?