Apple Macbook Pro the most convenient loseloss music server solution?

stump4545 · « **on:** 15 Nov 2009, 12:53 am »

is an apple Macbook Pro the best all in one solution for a lossless music server in my rig?
i know the macbook pro is not cheap, but i like macs and was thinking about even using a mac mini with a monitor but then i would need a separate keyboard and mouse and to use everyday it might be easier just to use a laptop.

any thoughts on would could be better then the laptop idea? i do not mind spending a little more as long as it works good since i'm going to be using it everyday.

thanks.

Crimson · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Nov 2009, 01:31 pm »

If you don't want a kb/mouse, then yes, a laptop is convenient. Even a regular Macbook will do the job.

stump4545 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Nov 2009, 11:27 pm »

would you recommend a mac mini w/ monitor, imac, or laptop, or maybe even an olive opus 4 to use as a loseloss music server?

which in your opinion offers the most in terms of convience for everyday ease of you for wife?

any thoughts on the olive opus 4 server? looks real simple to use but not sure how it holds up in real life.

thanks for the help

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:12 am »

I have 3 macs in the house, an older MacMini G4, a Powerbook G4 and my 2009 Unibody MacBook Pro. If budget is constrained, then even a MacMini would do. Nevertheless, one thing that I have noticed is that the spec, Apple Laptops are longer lasting and more reliable (when I compare the G4 computers I have.) Of course, I do not know if this applies in the same way with the newer MacBooks vs the MacBook Pros. My Powerbook G4 was the equivalent to the newer MacBook Pros. It is about 4 years old, it has dents, scratches, it had stuff spill on top and with all of this, it still works 100% but not as fast as it once felt especially due to all the more graphics intensive nature of the web today.

The best compromise would be a 13" refurbished MacBook Pro. This model has the small foot print factor, it will be quick and it has the newly integrated battery which can last you a good 5-7 hours...I just cannot believe how durable and lighting fast charging are these new batteries.

In retrospect, if I knew how large were the 15" MBPs, I would have purchased the 13" in a jiffy.

Crimson · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:27 am »

I use both a CoreDuo iMac and a black Macbook for audio duties, with the iMac used as a dedicated music server. I haven't had issues with either, and I agree that Apple laptops are workhorses. I'm thinking of replacing the Macbook with a 13" MBP (I love the portability of the 13" models), but I'll stay with an iMac or Pro if I ever get the itch to upgrade the music server. I don't have any experience with either the Mini or the Olive.

mshan · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:33 am »

If you have an extensive music collection, I personally find the iTunes interface the best to use.

You can remote desktop your server (if it's another Apple computer). It's better if resolution of two screens is comparable, otherwise seeing full screen on low resolution laptop can be hard.

You could also store all of your music on something such as a Windows Home Server, with iTunes rips into Apple Lossless and just access that library as a shared library from your Macbook Pro.

Apple refurb store products are often like new and come with full warranty: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=OTY2ODY3Nw

I've owned a couple Mac Minis (previous generation) and at least for me, the exhaust fan spins up too audibly for music server uses in same room.

Apple TV exhaust fan never seems to spin up, and as long as you use the Apple interface, it is quite snappy. You are stuck with either it's optical output or analog outputs, though.

A Hackintosh'd Dell Mini 9 is totally silent, but the keyboard sucks and the 1024 x 600 screen resolution makes iTunes difficult to see via remote desktop: http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/dell-mini-9-os-x-discussion/

stump4545 · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 12:49 am »

i was thinking of an apple laptop but now im thinking a smaller refurb imac might be my best bet. i could get one for about $800, its compact, itunes, and easy to burn cds into my library right from my rig and my wife will find it easy to use, easier then streaming from a remote location i think.

Doublej · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 01:15 am »

Quote from: stump4545 on 17 Nov 2009, 12:49 am

i was thinking of an apple laptop but now im thinking a smaller refurb imac might be my best bet. i could get one for about $800, its compact, itunes, and easy to burn cds into my library right from my rig and my wife will find it easy to use, easier then streaming from a remote location i think.

Why not a brand new Macbook for $799 after $200 mail in rebate from MicroCenter?

stump4545 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 01:28 am »

i was originally thinking of a macbook but some people said that the power supply is suspect when using a laptop in plugged in 24/7 in sleep mode. not sure if that is true but i do like the all in one package a laptop offers (less clutter in my living room and WAF)

mshan · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 01:32 am »

I believe iMacs have 3 separate fans, but they don't seem as intrusive as that of the Mac Mini (I own a 24 inch white iMac).

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 07:08 am »

Quote from: Doublej on 17 Nov 2009, 01:15 am

Quote from: stump4545 on 17 Nov 2009, 12:49 am
i was thinking of an apple laptop but now im thinking a smaller refurb imac might be my best bet. i could get one for about $800, its compact, itunes, and easy to burn cds into my library right from my rig and my wife will find it easy to use, easier then streaming from a remote location i think.

Why not a brand new Macbook for $799 after $200 mail in rebate from MicroCenter?

This looks like a good deal....yes - no - maybe...

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0321997

stump4545 · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Nov 2009, 02:13 pm »

thanks for link. $799 is a good deal!

oldmp3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 Nov 2009, 01:55 am »

For ease of use, you might consider the AppleTV.

You can stream or sync your music from iTunes on another Mac or PC.

Beautiful interface on your big screen TV or a separate monitor and control it with the little iTunes remote.

Or if you don't want to use a separate screen/monitor, use the Remote app on an iTouch/iPhone.

avta · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Nov 2009, 02:28 am »

I prefer Mac Mini's. I bought a used one on eBay with a G4 processor about 4 years ago. I had no problems using it to rip cd's, process music files or send files to my Squeezebox. It has a g wireless card but that was not a problem. I recently bought a new Mac Mini because i wanted an Intel processor so I could run Windows as needed. I like this set up because it is not expensive and you can change the monitor, keyboard and mouse if you want to upgrade or have problems with a piece of hardware. To be honest as far as performance is concerned, the old Mac Mini sounds as good as the new one. I play ripped cd's as well as downloaded hi-res music files.

JackD201 · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Nov 2009, 10:47 am »

I'm currently running MBP into airport express my only beef is the heat the MBP has to suffer.

Ultimately I'm going G5 -> Sonos -> DAC controlled by iPod touch and iPhone. I'm working on 7 zones each connected to the G5 server via CAT 6.

I listen mainly to vinyl and the digital file library is still made up of AAC and 192 and 320 mp3s as they are at least for now, only for convenience. The problem with Sonos is that it seems they'll just be stuck with 16/44.1. On the other hand what I like about it is that it is a snap for the wife and kids to use and is fuss free in that regard. They're also small and easy to hide away.

I'll let you guys know how things go.

gqmagic · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Nov 2009, 04:19 pm »

Quote from: oldmp3 on 19 Nov 2009, 01:55 am

For ease of use, you might consider the AppleTV.

You can stream or sync your music from iTunes on another Mac or PC.

Beautiful interface on your big screen TV or a separate monitor and control it with the little iTunes remote.

Or if you don't want to use a separate screen/monitor, use the Remote app on an iTouch/iPhone.

Bingo doesn't get any better, easy to use, sync it and forget it

mshan · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Nov 2009, 04:40 pm »

Macbook Pro and iMac gives you Front Row interface, plus iTunes interface for easier search if you have a large library.

Apple TV is basically silent, though (mine had ever so slight notebook hard drive noise perceptible from say a couple feet away, but exhaust fan never spun up; the top of the AppleTV gets fairly hot because I believe it is designed as a large passive heat sink).

HDMI video out of the Apple TV looked really good, a step above the integrated GMA950 graphics of the previous generation Mac Minis; don't know how current generation Nvidia graphics stack up vs. Apple TV (I think it was basically an Nvidia 7300 mobile graphics chip). Apple TV has about a 1 Ghz cpu in it, along with 256 MB RAM; still very responsive if you use stock Apple firmware, sluggish to unuseable if you try and add aftermarket software such as is available at ATV Flash.

sl_1800 · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Nov 2009, 03:31 pm »

I have used a macbook as my music server for the past 6 months and it works very well. It is a 3 year old black macbook running Leopard. I run Insomnia on it so I can shut the lid and the unit stays on all the time.

AllynW · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Nov 2009, 04:05 am »

I use a Mac Mini as a music server and I share it's Desktop wifi with a Mac Book Pro. The servers monitor/keyboard/mouse are stored and all functions are controlled from my MBP. The Mini just sits there next to my TT looking cool. That's what I call convenient.

Levi · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Dec 2009, 04:59 pm »

I recently bought a 15" unibody Macbook Pro 2.8Ghz for my back-to-school present and really love it's performance. I compared it to my older 2yr old Macbook Pro.

It runs faster with Windows 7 installed. In my opinion it is not an "audiophile" enough for me. Perhaps the USB dac is the weak link. Definitely convenient. aa