Processor Speeds (specifically using Finale and GPO)

[jhadbulldog]

Hello, everyone. I am looking to buy my first mac in the coming months. I have found that the Air is quite appealing, with perhaps one flaw. The most extreme program I will be running will be Finale 2011. It comes with a sampling of Garritan Personal Orchestra. GPO's site lists the minimum requirement for the processor to be 1.8 GHz. Does this mean that the app will always need the full 1.8 in order to run well? I assume that it wouldn't. If anyone has any personal experience with this app, it would be great to know how it typically runs. The 13 inch Air comes with 1.86 Ghz. So, if I have email, internet, and basic things like that running in the background, will that Macbook Air run successfully?

Thanks for your help!

 

[TMRaven]

A lot of the taxing cpu things that people do in everyday use includes flash. Now however, since 320m supports hardware acceleration on osx, you won't find it as much a problem anymore.

If you really need the extra performance, I wouldn't put it past apple to introduce sandybridge based airs in the latter part of this year.

 

[jhadbulldog]

Can you explain what hardware acceleration is? Also, as far as I know, those programs are primarily audio, so flash wouldn't have that much of an impact, correct?

 

[Mac Composer]

I use both Finale & GPO on my MBP. Remember minimum requirements are just that, the minimum. If you think you're going to playback a fully orchestra on something with minimum requirements, you're in for a surprise. Your audio will consist of a lot of sputtering and stuttering.

I haven't checked Finale's minimum specs. but I don't think you'll have a problem there. GPO however stores the samples in RAM, so you definitely should get the 4 GB.

Make sure you give equal consideration to the 13" MBP. That can handles 8 GB and can be upgraded in other areas as well. And if you can wait a few months, the new MBP's will look even more inviting.

 

[jhadbulldog]

Thanks for your input! I know that whatever I decide to get will have the maximum ram (whether 4GB or 8GB) and a solid state drive. That means the only thing cutting it close is CPU. You say that GPO depends most upon ram? I'm definitely considering the MBP, but the downward slope of the MBA is so comfortable to work with. I will wait until the MBP revision, and if possible, the next MBA revision before I buy. I am looking to buy at the very latest in July, since I'm off to college in August. My number one goal with this computer is to run Finale and GPO as near to perfect as possible within my budget.

 

[Mac Composer]

I know what you mean about the Air's form factor. My wife has one and it's very comfortable to hold and doesn't get hot.

On the other hand, I use Finale to make my living, and no way would I give up the extra HP it has for a thinner package. The MBP also has firewire. That's important for audio. I also use the VSL sample libraries and they need to be installed on a separate HD. So I would either have to remove my optical drive and install a second HD in that slot, or use an external firewire drive. These options aren't available on the Air.

I also run Logic and ProTools and depending on what type of music you write, you might need the processing power for other audio apps.

Just different things to remember when buying your Mac.

 

[sunrisemusic]

if you have the time to wait, definitely wait to see how the new MBPs turn out.

You could also contact Garriton and finale folk, I don't have enough experience using heavy sample libraries, but I'm guessing if you're going to be using garriton a lot, the more HP the better as per other posters' advice.