hello, I am thinking of upgrading the computer system to get a bit faster overall speed. Question: if I want to stay with Mac, which machine would be adequate - either a new Mac mini Dual core i5 or i7 (with 8 or 16 GB RAM) or a „small“ Mac Pro, 12 GB RAM and 4 core processor?
I don’t use sound libraries.
Any advice on what would be useful?
thank you.
If you don't use sound libraries and you're only interested in getting notes on paper, it's arguable whether a high-powered computer will make much difference at all. What are you presently using?
at the moment I am using a computer from 2008 (MacBook Pro with 2.4 Intel Core 2 Duo and 8 GB RAM). The computer works fine after 6 years(!), it stalls whilst writing backups and the fan speeds up after having done some work. Still, after 6 years...
In the specs for Sib 7.5 a SSD is been recommended. Is this just for working with sound libraries?
the only real reason why I’d like to upgrade might be the noise of the fans who do not really sound healthy. It is also a bit distracting I have to confess...
ps: using the MacBook Pro with lid closed and external screen
Even cheaper, open it up and clean the fans yourself. Takes a couple of minutes and requires no specialist knowledge other than using a screw driver to remove the bottom case.
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Fraser Sims
G7 on XP, Sibelius 7.1.3 on 10.6.8, and the slightly buggy scorch 1.2 on iOS 6
>Even cheaper, open it up and clean the fans yourself. Takes a couple of minutes and requires no specialist knowledge other than using a screw driver to remove the bottom case.
This is search for instructions on how to do this, so you can judge the difficulty for yourself:
Yes, I cleaned my 2009 macbook pro fans and they definitely stopped racing. Well, they only occasionally do so. Just get the special screw driver to open the mac up and then use compressed air to carefully spray out all the dust bunnies.
I have now cleaned the two fans (attachment shows „before“) and I guess this must have been helpful. Still the fans speed up after a while - I guess the computer does have to do some work.
There have been reports elsewhere of expensive damage done to MacBooks by overheating caused by running with the lid shut. Maybe it was one particular model. Yes, I know they SAY you can.
I have - as a try - restarted the computer in safe mode. Very nice, fans run quite..
But just for a while - then they start spinning up again - some kernel_task keeps the machine busy..
For me, it's the battery, already replaced it once and replacement is on it's way out again after 18 months.
But I still prefer it to a windows laptop.
;o)
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Fraser Sims
G7 on XP, Sibelius 7.1.3 on 10.6.8, and the slightly buggy scorch 1.2 on iOS 6
I bought the Mac mini now (i7 Processor and 16GB RAM) and I must say, Sibelius runs extremely snappy - had forgotten how well it can work. There was no problem with reactivating Sibelius 7.1.3. I had to go for top specs of this model, as RAM can not be upgraded at a later time. Same with processor. So I am ready for the future (= next five years I guess). So far no issues, machine runs _extremely_ quite (and does hardly use any power by the way).
Fan.jpg