TroikaTronix Forum: Isadora: Hardware Platforms: MacBook vs. MacPro


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MacBook vs. MacPro

mc.guesser
Novice

Apr 22, 2007, 12:02 AM

Post #1 of 4 (2236 views)
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MacBook vs. MacPro	Can't Post

I bought a MacBook for the purpose of running Isadora.
I needed a quick fix so I bought a laptop ASAP, not saving double the money to get a MacBook Pro. I was happy with the results (once I got the RAM up to the 2 Gig max) and was able to run through all the effects of "Video Toy" and stay at a constant 30 frames per second.
Now that I've really started to experiment in live venues and enjoy the versitility of quartz files, I'm dragging the FPS down to (I hate to say it) ... ten. It's rare but between 15 and 20 is common.

Now I'm driven to save all the money I can to buy the dual-quad Mac Pro and fill that $$$ucker to the brim with the full 16 Gigs.
It's 4 grand for the RAM alone so I plan to get the system bare boned which still stands over the 4 thousand $ mark.

I'd like to know of I really need to get the dual-quad to be satisfied.
I just don't want to feel short-framed when I prepare to exibit a 2 or 3 staged show on a new beast.

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Mark Coniglio
TroikaTronix / Moderator

Apr 22, 2007, 1:48 PM

Post #2 of 4 (2219 views)
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Re: [mc.guesser] MacBook vs. MacPro [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well the Mac Book Pro has a number of speed advantages besides the video card. But for sure the video cards in the Mac Books are sub-standard -- many operations happen in software. But, if you're just using a Projector actor, this isn't going to be a _huge_ limitation.

But that being said, a few tips: 1) You don't need 16 gigs of RAM if in fact nothing is being swapped to disk -- why not look at the Activity Monitor applicaiton to see if this is in fact happening. 2) The disk drive speed has a big impact on movie playback; get a 7200 rpm one. This may be more important than an excessive amount of RAM, especially if you are playing full res movies.

Hope that helps,
Mark

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Mark Coniglio / TroikaTronix
Creator of Isadora

mc.guesser
Novice

May 28, 2007, 2:13 PM

Post #3 of 4 (2021 views)
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Re: [Mark Coniglio] MacBook vs. MacPro [In reply to]	Can't Post

So, when I go to buy a Mac Pro, not the MacBook Pro, and I do want to stack it with video cards to allow for three presentation video outs and one control monitor, do I need to get the dual quad or will 4 processors be enough?
Also, of the two different video cards, Radeon and the GeForce 7300, is there a major difference when working with Isadora?
Any advice for buying a Mac Pro tower for Isadora would be helpful.

emopaul
Novice

Dec 25, 2007, 4:26 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1381 views)
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Re: [mc.guesser] MacBook vs. MacPro [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm using an extra GeForce 7300 in my Mac Pro tower and am able to split a 1280x1440 DVCPro codec QT movie across the 2 DVI outputs without stuttering.
This gives me the equivalent of 2 synced 720P movies on playout.
I think I just have the stock RAM (528 or a gig).
It's pretty impressive.
paul lundahl
creative director
eMotion studios
http://www.emotionstudios.com

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