Being (mostly) an Intel guy, I am amazed that it seems I am the first one to post about the new MAC Studio. It CERTAINLY seems to tick both small(-ish) form factor and monster powerhouse boxes with quite a few build options. It’s also reported to be very quiet and very cool running, always a welcome thing. Without further adieu, please check out the NYT’s Wirecutter review linked below.
One of the cons noted is that it’s not possible to upgrade the Studio after configured and purchased although fast external storage add-ons work well after the fact due to the Thunderbolt ports. My own personal experience is that I have (almost) never upgraded my builds other than storage, so that would not be a deal killer for me.
And here is the link to the Mac Studio on Apple’s website. Click on the ‘Buy’ link to bring up the various configuration and accessories menu which will allow you to virtually build your device and see the price for your selections.
I did check out the Studio a few days ago when I got the introduction email from Apple. It looks inviting. Maybe when I get tired of my Mac Mini I’ll look at it some more.
As one of my software vendors said about samplers - isn’t the variety of choices wonderful.
@Funky40 - many of my posts about hardware include my favorite statement - know your requirements. You only need what you need, and there are usually alternatives up or downscale from that point that get the job done. Technology is always changing, so what was impossible today is possible tomorrow. A shout out to @dhj Deskew too as their “glue” provides so much continuity and choice.
@Funky40 My original assumption was that there was a master Apple or Mac topic in Hardware but there isn’t one. Not for Intel either, and Windows/OSX is software, although it does run on hardware(!), and either does or can be made to run of a variety or non-native hardware or software(!!).
Anyway, I couldn’t really find a master “bucket” (see this search Search results for 'apple #hardware' - Gig Performer Community) so I went with what seemed to be what people are generally doing. Another great feature in this Community is the Search feature - it works so much better than other community software!
I was a software engineer 30 years ago, now a sales manager for chemicals. I used to profile software tasks and it is a deadly difficult job. As a part time, amateur musician, I had 20 years experience with windows notebooks, I turned to an M1 MacBookPro just one year ago.
As a musician, because I have no skill and no time to face a real software profiling analysis, I state the following.
With an M1 based 13" MacBookPro, 16 giga RAM and 2 tera SSD, I never had an issue playing live, using my computer and GigPerformer, during dozens of live gigs.
I often use Kontakt for brass and strings, I often use crazy short buffers, I often have 70 songs configurations with huge number of racks.
Only drawback is that I must wait something like 1 minute to open a setlist, but from that point on I never saw any issue.
My suggestion is that with an M1 and 16 giga RAM, with GigPerformer you get an incredibly powerful workstation, whose limits are insane.
Just because we are always looking for the best, I tried to sell my 13" to buy a 14" with M1pro CPU. I was not able to find a serious buyer, but this has no effect on my performance on stage.