Imac for pro tools use??

[postmanpat]

hi everyone!

i just stumbled upon this site, wow such a wealth of knowledge here, so many informative threads and posts,

i started this thread because basically my knowledge on computer hardware is limited,

i've decided to study audio engineering, the problem however is i need some new equipment, mainly a new computer, i've loved my ibook g4 for four strong years now, and i want to continue my love affair with a new mac.

what i'm looking at is an upgraded imac 20"

2.16ghz
2gb ram
500gb HD
upgraded graphics card
and the extended warranty

my question is though, will this be enough power to run pro tools smoothly, and maybe even final cut pro, down the line?

also is a 500gb HD a good idea, or is a firewire portable drive better?

2gb of ram enough?

would it be better to upgrade the processor as well to 2.33ghz?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

basically i need this computer to last at least four years, the majority of my time will be spent editting and recording music on it, however there will be a little final cut pro editting, nothing big mind you just a 5min starsky and hutch styled cop show :dive:

thanks for reading my long winded post,

and hi i'm pat! nice to meet you

 

[giulio]

Hi Pat, welcome!

I got a 2.3Ghz imac last fall. 2GB ram, 256HD and better video. It's been doing me VERY well. I run my business off of it. I've never seen a beachball [knock knock].

I think you should get more ram though, and the 2.3 processor upgrade, and the 24". It's easy to recommend those things, being that I'm not paying for any of it =)
If you can only get one of those upgrades, do the ram.

 

[postmanpat]

Hi Pat, welcome!

I got a 2.3Ghz imac last fall. 2GB ram, 256HD and better video. It's been doing me VERY well. I run my business off of it. I've never seen a beachball [knock knock].

I think you should get more ram though, and the 2.3 processor upgrade, and the 24". It's easy to recommend those things, being that I'm not paying for any of it =)
If you can only get one of those upgrades, do the ram.

hi giulio,

crikey! that's alot of upgrades, i was thinking of more ram, but it's crazy!
In order to go from 2g to 3g of ram it's another 900AUS!

that's a bit too much for me, if i was doing alot more video editting i'd look into the 24" but i think 20" should be large enough, as for the processor upgrade, that is possible but is it needed?

Although i want a great mac, i don't want alot of bells and whistles that i don't need,

pat

 

[AnatomyOfARyan]

hey pat, welcome to the forum.

you will have no issues running Pro Tools on that system. ive owned several macs using pro tools which lower specs than that with little to no issues. 2 gigs of ram will be enough to record 8 simultaneous tracks and bounce the track down running numerous plugins.

currently, im running pro tools on a 1.83 core duo imac with 1 gig of ram and i dont have issues.

as far as final cut pro, upgrading the graphics card will do the trick. with those specs, youll be good to go. good luck, and again welcome to the forum!

 

[giulio]

Shop around for ram. Apple is the most expensive place to buy ram from.

 

[AnatomyOfARyan]

looks like an imac that is just up your alley just went up for sale in the buy/sell forum.

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57945

 

[postmanpat]

hey guys thanks for all the help, i've decided to go for the following mac,
i can't wait hopefully i'll post thoughts, pic's and vid's in the next few weeks, maybe even some music clips!

2.16ghz
2gb ram
500gb HD
upgraded graphics card
and the extended warranty

pat

 

[Audio.Trench]

Will it run pro apps smoothly?

Of course!

I'm currently using Photoshop CS2, Final Cut, and Logic express on my G4 iBook (specs under my avatar).

An iMac of this speed should have no problem at all.