Apple has just released a new MacBook Pro that we can now be spec up to 32 GB Ram. We posted a story last week on Pro Tools Expert about the rumours surrounding the next MacBook Is Apple About To Release The Powerful MacBook Pro That Pro Tools User Have Been Waiting For?
Prices start at $1,299 for the base 13" MacBook Pro:
- 2.3GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640
- 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
- 128GB SSD storage1
- Retina display
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
... with the top of the range 15" MacBook Pro costing an eye-watering $6,699:
- 2.9GHz 6-core 8th-generation Intel Core i9 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz
- Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory
- 32GB 2400MHz DDR4 memory
- 4TB SSD storage
- Retina display with True Tone
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Apple claims the new MacBook Pros are "More Pro", it's hard t argue with that statement with how the top of the range 15" spec list reads. These boast a ten-hour battery life which is pretty amazing given the increase in ram and processors, but will it run Pro Tools?
Here is Pro Tools 2018 Minimum System Requirements for Mac:
- Intel® Mac with Mac OS X 10.11.6, macOS 10.12.6 or 10.13.3
- Please find version specific qualifications in the macOS Compatibility Grid below.
- Intel® Core i5 processor (Pro Tools Standard), Intel® Core i7 processor (Pro Tools Ultimate)
- 16GB RAM (32GB or more recommended)
- Internet connection for installation
- 15GB disk space for installation
- USB-port for iLok authorization (iLok 2 or iLok 3 required)
- PCIe slot for HDX or HD Native card (incl. one power connection on motherboard), Thunderbolt-port for supported PCIe-chassis
- or USB-port, FireWire-port or Thunderbolt-port for CoreAudio-supported audio device
- Supports 64-bit AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools
... we reckon Pro Tools will perform beautifully on these new MacBook Pros, at some point in the near future we'll get our hands on one of these and run a Pro Tools performance test.
Visit the Apple website for a full list of models available and to configure your dream MacBook Pro.
What do you think of the new MacBook Pro? Is the "Pro" finally back in MacBook Pro range or are the audio Pros looking at other laptop alternatives?