Trying to restructure my setup

[VinylxScratches]

I currently use a old Macbook that uses a 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo process. I have 2 gigs of ram in it along with a 200 GB 7200 RPM drive.

It's beginning to show its age. I like to produce hip-hop music on it and processing wav files and chopping up samples is slow. I also have a Pentium Dual Core desktop that I have built. I can't use both machines at the same time. I have learned that. I VPN into the desktop to use it for file processing and programming. I think I'm much more suited using virtual machines on the Macbook but it's very slow.

Would getting a faster Macbook help with Virtual Machines or will it still feel choppy? I'm a Visual Studio programmer which is Microsoft only.

I'm thinking about selling the Macbook and desktop PC I built on ebay then buying a newer Macbook.

Is there any streaming programs out there that stream and NOT transcode to the Xbox 360?

I'd like to stick to a laptop. I do PC repair sometimes and like to bring my laptop to use as a tool to ensure things work properly.

 

[Kmax82]

I'm pretty positive that Connect360 and Rivet both don't transcode, they simply stream to Xbox360.

As for Virtual Machines, you really need 4 GB of RAM in order to seemlessly run a VM. You can do it with 2GB of RAM, but I have MUCH better luck with 4GB. I don't even notice it's running now.

 

[VinylxScratches]

Alright thanks, I will order some more ram when I get the new Macbook.

What do you use VMware or Parallels?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Originally posted by: VinylxScratches
Alright thanks, I will order some more ram when I get the new Macbook.

What do you use VMware or Parallels?

Parallels has shown that it has better performance, but VMware you can use any number of virtual machines because it is so large. It is up to you. They all have trials so use the trials and decide.

 

[alevasseur14]

I don't think you'll even be able to run 4GB of memory with your MacBook. You should look into the maximum supported memory before you spend any money.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: alevasseur14
I don't think you'll even be able to run 4GB of memory with your MacBook. You should look into the maximum supported memory before you spend any money.

Originally posted by: VinylxScratches
Alright thanks, I will order some more ram when I get the new Macbook.

 

[alevasseur14]

OOPS! Guess I shouldve been paying more attn to class than my phone! My mistake!!!

 

[Kmax82]

I actually find VMWare to be faster than Parallels. I keep trying Parallels 4 as the newer updates come out, but still always prefer VMWare's speed and stability.

 

[VinylxScratches]

If I install 4 GB of ram in my current Macbook, 3.5 GB will be utilized right?

I'm trying to figure out what to do.... It might be more feasible just to keep my current machine but I really want a new one :-x.

 

[Kmax82]

I believe it's capped at 3 GB actually.

 

[TheStu]

1.83 Core 2 Duo would be capped at 3GB. You might see 3.3 I think, but I am not positive. It isn't until the later gen Core 2 Duos that you could get full access to 4GB RAM (I think it was a chipset limitation of some kind)