I’m after a new laptop on a budget to run Ableton Live 10 and after some advice…
I’m looking at a Mid 2012 MBP Quad Core 16gb 2.3gz. Can anyone see any issue with buying a machine of this age given that it has relatively decent spec’s? I’m using a late 2012 iMac which aside from the fact that it has died on me a couple of times, it has no problem running Live 10 with Max.
Just wanted a 2nd opinion before I fork out on one.
Thanks
It all comes down to price.
How much are you paying?
Does it have an SSD?
How long do you want it to last until your next upgrade?
If a late 2015 quad with 16GB is only a couple hundred dollars more, it may be worth waiting until you can afford it, as it will last longer, especially with future operating systems.
The pci-e SSD speed alone is much higher, making the overall system snappier, even when the machine has to use swap memory.
My wife has that same 2012 quad that you are looking at. We put an SSD in it, but it is getting a bit long in the tooth for her uses (Adobe Creative Cloud graphics apps). The older screen resolution and shorter battery life are the things that contribute to it showing its age.
Coincidentally, she also has the 2012 iMac (previously my studio Mac) which doesn’t show its age as much, thanks to the larger display and the fact that you don’t sit as close to a 27" display and notice the lower resolution.
I would recommend not buying a 7 year old laptop, even if it is an Apple one. Laptops run hotter than desktops by design, are more susceptible to issues caused by dust/particle buildup, and in general, the parts wear out and are nearly impossible to replace.
It’s perfectly fine to use a computer you already own that is that older, but you have no idea what quirks you may be buying into with a 7 year old machine from someone else. The computer’s specs may be able to run the software just fine, but I would be concerned about reliability at that point.
It might turn out just fine, but just take into account the risk.
Yea fair points. I was looking at one for £450, I don’t really want to spend over £500 as it’s not something I really need, I just wanted something for producing when travelling.
I also ready that the 2012 ones are the last ones that can upgraded, that was another reason I was looking at them.
It’s sold as refurbished if that counts for anything?
My iMac has had numerous problems which I bought 2nd hand in 2016, it works fine at the moment but I’m always wondering if today is gonna be the day it just randomly dies again. I’m just not prepared to pay the prices of new Macs and I’ve also heard they’re not great for music production anyway. I’m also not completely opposed to Windows if anyone has any recommendations in this price range, it will be primarily used for Ableton Live 10 with M4L and Traktor software.
Cheers.
I’d be wary of a MBP of that vintage. My early 2011 MBP just bit the dust (logic board / GPU failure, look it up). If you proceed, you might want to check to see if this model is in the time frame where this issue is rampant. If it has the original board, I’d say it’s only a matter of time before it craps out. I replaced mine with a brand new 13" Macbook and I’m really happy with it so far.
I’m posting from a late 2011 macbook, which is just barely limping along as far as web stuff goes, but it will still run Reason and Ableton OK. Reason gets bogged down and clicky if I ask too much of it, but I made the mistake of updating too late in the game.
It would not surprise me if an old laptop flat out refused to run Ableton 10.
Thanks. Anyone any alternative recommendations around the £500 mark?
If you can find one, 2015 15’ MacBook Pro. I bought mine new and holds up pretty well.
Reckon the following would hold up? …
Apple MacBook Pro 15.4" Retina Display Mid 2015 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 16GB 256SSD
Are you set on an Apple computer? No chance of a Windows PC?
No like I was saying earlier I’m open to Windows too, originally I set on Mac but the more I’ve looked into it the more I’m breaking away from that mindset.
Definitely open to suggestions.
Look into Lenovo ‘Think’ laptops. I’ve used one recently (only briefly, belongs to a family member) and it was a very capable and powerful machine.
Yeah that’s pretty much what I got
Just be careful, because the earlier models of the 2015 MBP had a recall for battery problems.
I just traded in a 2013 MacBook Pro, which still worked great, but I spent and upgraded to one of the new 16-inch MacBook Pro’s. I also have 2016 and 2017 MacBook’s (12-inch) and a 2017 MacBook Pro 15-inch, which means I have extensive experience with the Apple’s butterfly keyboard, which has been nothing but grief: returns to the shop every few months for a free replacement keyboard, and months of annoying keyboard action and non-working keys while delaying the repair. What’s more Apple’s quality program only does keyboard replacements for 4 years, so that I’m forced to unload otherwise perfectly good laptops at a loss, long before their useful life has come to an end. In that case, I strongly recommend holding off until you have the money to get a post-butterfly keyboard MacBook, currently only available in the expensive, but wonderful, 16" model. As people point out, going with a 2012 is asking for disappointment, though I must say that my 2013 MacBook 15 never disappointed, and I used it hard, leaving it up 24/7 for years. It’s just that it’s noticeably slower than this new 16", so that I plan on getting a second new 16" with the lovely feeling keyboard action.
My advice: Go for the 2015 if possible, if only for the few more years of OSX compatibility you can expect.
My mid 2015 mbp 15 with 2.5 i7 has been a trooper. It replaced a 2012 MBP 15" 2.7 (which apple offered for $200 or so due to battery stock shortage) My 2015 then got a battery recall earlier this year, so a month ago apple did the battery/mouse pad/keyboard replacement + they replaced the screen for free. $1300 of work and I didn’t have AppleCare. Props to apple for the care factor. Was pretty happy with the 2012.
Now the 2016 16" has come out, am waiting a bit to suss the reliability and will upgrade in the next 12 months. Still happy with the 2015 though, its my daily workhorse, as was the 2012 before that.
2019 16"…
I just bought one today… will let you all know of any issues.
Catalina OB beta timing couldn’t be better.
Not to derail the thread.
Good to see another 2015 recommendation.
I remember Olle saying it was the most used individual computer of OB users.
“Air con broken” brain today. Thanks for the date pickup. “On topic” aside, would be interested to hear how the “2019” one goes once you dig into it. I am refraining from Catalina at present as ableton 9 and C6 essential atm.
I was running ableton, serato and Adobe on a 13" MacBook Pro 2012 and ,8gb dual core i5 with no issues. Used it out live for years with zero issues.
I’ve just bought a 2012 retina 15" quad core with 16gb which is at least twice as powerful so can’t why it wouldn’t run better than my current MacBook.
I don’t have huge daw sessions but I run around 16 tracks and use ableton usually with diva, reaktor, serato sample and massive.