iMac i5 vs i7 real life difference for average user

[Ozfrog]

Hello,
I have a similar question. Currently running a 2008 Core 2 Duo which is starting to wilt under the pressure of 3 user accounts and trying to run El Capitan efficiently. Getting very slow at booting and opening apps.
I am often in need of running Logic Pro X, Mainstage and Finale concurrently and have been considering upgrading. But to an i5 or i7?
The difference in price in the 2nd hand market is approx 100% with the same 16G of RAM.
For stage work as a musician, my MBPro under Mojave runs
Mainstage adéquatly.
All advice welcome.

 

[EugW]

Hello,
I have a similar question. Currently running a 2008 Core 2 Duo which is starting to wilt under the pressure of 3 user accounts and trying to run El Capitan efficiently. Getting very slow at booting and opening apps.
I am often in need of running Logic Pro X, Mainstage and Finale concurrently and have been considering upgrading. But to an i5 or i7?
The difference in price in the 2nd hand market is approx 100% with the same 16G of RAM.
For stage work as a musician, my MBPro under Mojave runs
Mainstage adéquatly.
All advice welcome.

Is that iMac8,1? What clock speed? That machine should run fine if you put an SSD in it. In fact, it would probably run OK with a FireWire 800 SSD. However, that would be for basic use, not music production.

However, if you want to get a new iMac, I would suggest waiting until the 6-core models come out, and then buy an entry-level or near-entry-level 6-core i5. That would be more than sufficient for your needs.

Which MacBook Pro do you have, and do you need something more powerful?

 

[Ozfrog]

Is that iMac8,1? What clock speed? That machine should run fine if you put an SSD in it. In fact, it would probably run OK with a FireWire 800 SSD. However, that would be for basic use, not music production.

Hello and thanks for the quick reply.
My iMac is “late 2008” so I think an 8.1 I’m out of the office so I can’t give you clock speed. I use it essentially for preparing my musical activity, then I transfer just the Mainstage - concert to the MBPro.
My main beef with it are the v. slow boot time and idem for launching software.

However, if you want to get a new iMac, I would suggest waiting until the 6-core models come out, and then buy an entry-level or near-entry-level 6-core i5. That would be more than sufficient for your needs.

I’m not in the market for a new machine, so I’m looking at the 2nd hand market. Good i5s are going for ~800€ but i7s are more like 1600€ if both have 12G of Ram and 1To mechanical drives.

Which MacBook Pro do you have, and do you need something more powerful?

My MBPro is a 13” Retina, about 2 years old and perfect for all my musical needs. (Enjoying discovering Mojave at the moment)
I will check out dealers for the SSD drives you recommend if that makes better economical sense than changing the iMac for an i5.
Cheers.

 

[Ozfrog]

My MBPro is a 13” Retina, about 2 years old and perfect for all my musical needs. (Enjoying discovering Mojave at the moment)
I will check out dealers for the SSD drives you recommend if that makes better economical sense than changing the iMac for an i5.
Cheers.

Checked - a 2nd hand i5 with 12Go RAM and 1To mechanical drive works out cheaper than any of the SSD drives.
I think I will walk this walk.
Thanks
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My MBPro is a 13” Retina, about 2 years old and perfect for all my musical needs. (Enjoying discovering Mojave at the moment)
I will check out dealers for the SSD drives you recommend if that makes better economical sense than changing the iMac for an i5.
Cheers.

Checked - a 2nd hand i5 with 12Go RAM and 1To mechanical drive works out cheaper than any of the SSD drives.
I think I will walk this walk.
Thanks