maybe used Mac: Book or Mini, M1 or Intel

[mschnell]

We have two potential customers (seemingly using garage band up til now), who want us to show them what Reaper can do.
They both use Macs, but I never even touched such a thing.

But as even more such request might come up, we consider purchasing a maybe used Mac. We don't need performance, but of course would like a hassle free workflow.

Being a techie, with M1, I definitively would not want to run Reaper in emulation mode !
And for this purpose I would not like to spend too much of our budget. Of course we do have a monitor for the thingy.

We want to use a 7pre Reaper version, as the Media lane feature is an absolutely essential part of the "lesson".

What makes most sense ? A Book or a Mini, an M1 or an Intel ?

Thanks for any comments !
-Michael

[mlprod]

Which ever M mac will work great. Mini if you want desktop an Air if you want laptop.

[7enz]

m1 mac mini, 16gb ram is what i would recommend..
if you are only less serious about making big projects etc... then you can get away with the 8gb version
but ideally 16gb is the better choice

[mschnell]

This is exactly what I supposed.
Is there any chance to get a used one ?

[ronmac]

Originally Posted by mschnell

This is exactly what I supposed.
Is there any chance to get a used one ?

Apple sell refurbished machines at a discount, with full warranty. You can find them listed on the Apple web page for your location (usually a menu item at the bottom of the main page).

[mschnell]

refurbished @ Apple: 739 €
new or whatever @ZOXS: 609 €
weird new world ....

[mschnell]

I suppose a standard Monitor can be connected to a Mini.
Do we need a special Apple keyboard (and mouse) or does a "mini" work with a PC USB keyboard ?

[7enz]

Originally Posted by mschnell

I suppose a standard Monitor can be connected to a Mini.
Do we need a special Apple keyboard (and mouse) or does a "mini" work with a PC USB keyboard ?

standard PC keyboard&mouse should work fine... given that those 2 items will take 2 ports consider purchasing a powered USB-hub...
be aware that unpowered usb-hubs are okay, if using low powered devices, the moment you start adding devices that draw too much power on single usb-port, it's been said that you can potentially brick a m1... *shrugs*

[mschnell]

Thanks a lot for all that information !!

[mschnell]

Originally Posted by 7enz

standard PC keyboard&mouse should work fine... g

Great !
I'll get a powered USB Hub
Am I really correct assuming a non-apple monitor will work ?

[7enz]

Originally Posted by mschnell

Great !
I'll get a powered USB Hub
Am I really correct assuming a non-apple monitor will work ?

hdmi monitors should be fine

[mschnell]

Sorry for being a PITA.

Did my first steps with Reaper on a potential client's Macbook (Intel), I could use for half an hour.

I installed the v7.0pre universal file.

Some stuff I failed to grasp:

"P" with any of the control keys did not show the preference window, but only a beep.

I had no time not fetch a standard Audio Box of mine.

The only (understandable) audio device shown was the "Mac Microphone". (No speaker ???)

I attached a Yamaha keyboard through USB which I suppose provides as well audio as Mid via USB. Still no (understandable) additional audio device,

But It came up with a "Yamaha piano" Midi device wich I selected and think I did enable.

I could not select same in a track (no time to double check the Midi device window).

I could record from the internal Mic, but I could not play back.

(Of course I recommended buying a decent Audio interface box).
Thanks for any Mac specific tips.

[7enz]

there are a handful of useful utilities to keep docked...
1 audio midi setup
2 activity monitor
3 settings
4 launchpad

[mschnell]

Thanks a lot for your tips.

Right now, with no access top any mac, and no experience on same, I don't understand a word, but I'll keep the reference...

[Tale]

Originally Posted by mschnell

"P" with any of the control keys did not show the preference window, but only a beep.

On macOS it's usually Command-Comma (,) to open preferences within an app.