Macbook Pro advice

Ok so I finally have enough funds for a new lappy and am hoping to make the Mac switch by the new year. I have a couple of questions I hope you all could help me out with here regarding Macs in general & using one with TSP.

My main dilemma is 15" or 17"? This is my big hangup because my current HP has 4 USB ports and I am a gear slut. The 15" only has 2, so I'm cutting back with either size I choose! I'm definatley going to buy one of those new X1's, but on the 15" you can only plug in 1 controller while using the audio 8! If I decide to buy another controller (or additional X1) in the future I am forced to use a hub. This idea does NOT excite me.

I'm very interested to know if there are alot of 15" users who wish they had a 17". (Insert dirty joke here.) I really like the size & portability of the 15" and that it accepts SD cards. But the 3 USB ports on the 17" is a HUGE selling point for me. Bummer it does not have an SD slot. What is the point of including it on one and not the other? The 17"inch is a bit heavy and hard to fit in my backpack. I have a 17" now and while I love the screen, the thing is so heavy it's ridiculous.

Next up is the way Traktor is displayed on each screen. I was hoping some of you guys could provide screen shots of TSP running 4 decks with all deck details opened up. I want to compare the real estate of each size screen side by side as I understand the resolution is significantly higher on the 17". I'm assuming this makes for a roomier TSP viewing experience and I enjoy using 4 decks.

Lastly, I'm apprehensive about when to buy. Maybe some of you who have owned several MBPs could share some advice. I read here - http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/ - that the MBP is in the middle of its product cycle. I have also heard that they will be introducing the MBPs with quad core processors. My goal is to buy the beastiest b*itch of a computer that I can bc i want it to last and still be capable of handling whatever the future holds. I am also curious about how often Apple introduces new models. Is it better to stick with what I've got for now and wait for the new model? Or should I just wait for the quad cores? Maybe someone with processor knowledge could share the ballpark price the optional quadcore might be?

Lastly, RAM. From what I understand 8 gigs is overkill as TSP cannot even address this much memory. Is this accurate?

I know there are A LOT of questions in this essay of a post but this is a serious investment for me, I make most of my living through DJing. I also know there are a sh*t ton of experts on this forum with all sorts of specialized knowledge who have helped me before. My main issues are 15" or 17" and when to buy, based on this whole mid-cycle thing and quad-core rumor. Any and all feedback is most graciously welcomed. THANK U & ROCK ON!

 

I have a MBP 15" and it works perfect for my needs. 4 decks with full detail leaves very little browser room, but a macro on a midi button or keyboard shortcut can make up for that. When I use the other 2 decks I usually don't display them as it's often a deck duplicated loop or hotcue samples. This decision depends greatly on how you use Traktor. With TC I spend equal parts beatmatching/riding the pitch, searching for the next track, looking busy tweaking rotaries. If you are a controllerist running 4 decks, jumping to hotcues, setting loops and browsing maybe the added realestate of 17" makes up for the lack of portability. (the font and deck details will be smaller with greater resolution, but that's what you are using now and it's what you are use to seeing.)

USB inputs: I have no fear of a USB hub especially an express card hub.

RAM: 4 is plenty

Quad Core: Don't think Traktor can utilize more than 2. If you are running multiple applications then it might work out better with multiple cores. (There was a recent post about Quad core on a PC) Who knows about the future, but a greater number of cores should become the standard and will increase performance greater than increased clock speeds if applications are written to take advantage of the greater number of cores.

I say buy the MBP now with the understanding you'll be buying the next big thing in 2 years anyways because nothing is future proof (or even future resistant.)

 

If you plan for for year end then better wait for next generation, hopefully with express slot return on 15``. Now this is the main advantage of 17`` MBP not just extra USB.
I find 15`` the best compromise, 13`` is OK as secondary notebook but is tiring if used exclusively.
I hope next generation will have 15`` MBP with express slot and hopefully full HD resolution 16:9 display.

 

Did the express slot disappear from the MBP 15"? Mines 9 months old and I have one. Wow, things change fast.

 

Ill tell you in about 7 hours when i go pick my new MBP up.

So excited... i know , i know its just a bloody laptop but...

 

And I think you like it. You're about to lose control and I think you like it.

 

Yes they did, only 17`` has it now. It is as stupid as dropping FW before and hope same way express will come back to Pro- if it is still aimed at pros.

 

What exactly is the advantage of the express card slot? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I just assumed the SD slot was better as it's a poular form of storage...

@ Karlos, are you buying a 17" today?

 

No mate a 15" , in fact im installing Traktor on it right now.
I have an alu 2007 MBP so im used to a 15" . I have a 12" iBook which was ok for Traktor 3 but id struggle with a 13" MBP for Pro, my eyes are getting squiffy.

I got a non-glossy screen option and the screen bezel is silver not black so its all very shinny and metallic. Never seen one with a silver screen surround.

No express card port on this which is fine i as use a Presonus Firebox a lot so im fine with the ports it has.

 

Nice good luck with it man. You'll have to let me know how u like that display. i am tempted to get the same one bc i live in south beach, miami and often play pool parties. i'd imagine that screen has better visibility in the bright sun. the way the guy @ apple explained it to me was that the colors just werent as vivid or deep.


Ps - still not sure what an express card slot does

 

when is the new MBP coming out ?

 

Yeah its not as glossy and showy but then i dont look at pr0n on my MBP.
Ive seen glossy screens in clubs and the club light get to shiny shiny on the screen.
Matt screen all the way.

Im told that the Tablet is next in January. Theres an average of 200 days between MBP update and we are at about 140 days so id guess another series in Feb or so.

I couldnt wait , my current MBP is making strange noises and has started eating CDRs:S

 

#1 using lowest latency soundcards with RME, even Indigo you can get as low as 0.3 ms which is 10% of even best FW/USB cards
#2 you can multiply your USB/FW ports
#3 UMTS and all kind of other cards

This is the lamest thing Apple ever done, and the ridiculous propaganda( as SD was something groundbreaking) is just putting salt into the wound as if users were imbecils. Card readers can be found on even cheapest pc laptops since years
SD is consumer standard (it is not even standard because there are numerous formats that are as popular) there is nothing "Pro" about it, OK for Macbook but not for Pro.
In practical use people more often use Bluetooth or cable to transfer files instead of pulling card out from whatever gadget so usability is highly questionable even for regular consumers.
Another problem is the rather quickly changing "mainstream standards" of the cards- there was MM, SM,Flash which are passe, even Sony`s Memory stick stays same with the name but changed sizes thrice. USB or even express slot reader cost around 5$ so you can easily get what works for current formats but most of those readers, unlike the MBP build one, can read all the formats.
Have no clue why Apple did it. OK card reader hardware is under 1$ while express is definitely more but does few $ makes such a difference.

 

i dont own my MBP and planning to replace my computer by a new MBP but i dont know if i should wait till the new one comes out and the difference in specs ... what do u suggest i should do ? is there a whole lot difference between the new MBP and the previous version ? or just difference in RAM?

 

guess i'll wait for the new model then. would love to see a 15" with the resoulution of the 17" and with more USB ports. I'd buy that in a heartbeat

 

I dunno mate. I dont know any info on the new series. My mate who works at the apple store isnt aware of any new range until the Tablet touch screen range comes out.
To be honest any new range will probably be more expensive.
I got all i need on this new one. I wouldnt sweat the specs of anything new coming out. I was gonna go nuts on a 3.0ghz superMac but i figured , whats the point if my 2007 2.16ghz Mac is more than enough so i got the 2.5ghz.
It will be more than enough for a good few years and was tons cheaper.
Makes me laugh when people post up issues and claim that they have 8gig super laptops so they shouldnt have any problems.

If you see a good deal, go for it.