any 15" macbook pro from 2010 or now will run fine.

Whilst you should really go for a 15" if you can afford it, I've the base model early-2011 13" upgraded to 8gb of ram and I have to say it runs SL and ME smooth as butter.

Was a bit worried about the integrated graphics but I'm delighted with it.

My pre-unibody mbp runs ssl n me just fine.

Any Macbook & Macbook Pro from 2008 and up to date will do fine..

exactly

Ram is cheap 3rd party, so upgrade any one you buy to 8gbddr3. U may not need to but if your buying a MBP you can afford $50 more. and its worth it.

+1

I have a Mac Book Pro 13 "with 8GB ram and runs well

Then why does my 2.53ghz / 8GB mid-2009 Macbook Pro 13" run it so poorly?

Serato runs absolutely seamlessly, but I've found that it struggles with video (in both ME and VSL) so I figured it must be down to the low-level onboard graphics card.

Am I doing something wrong? Obviously I'd much rather not have to buy a new laptop haha.

could be that its a dual core and new ones are core i5's and the poor onboard video card.2011 is not the much better i dont think but it is better.

make sure you get the upgraded video card with 1gb RAM and you are gold

I have the 2.2 i7 quad core with 4GB RAM and it laughs at VSL and ME. My older pre-unibody 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo was starting to struggle a little bit.

Im sad about that MBP update. :( I barely own mine 2 months and they come out with one that has the 2 things i wanted more than anything, better video card, and faster speed 750gb HD,

17 inch i referring too.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I just had a thought; what version of SL are you all running? I remember reading that VSL works better with an older version (1.6.3?) and I've only tried running it with the newer versions...

Would it be worth trying it with an older version, and if so, is it even possible to use 1.6.3 and 2.3 on the same machine? Since I updated to 2.3 my computer doesn't even recognise my SL1 or SL3 when I load up an older version...

older versions dont support 64 bit os.... stay with the 2.0's and above.

2.2 has been solid for me with ME and/or VSL

I'm still just using Snow Leopard, want to give Lion a few months to get super-stable before I risk upgrading.

Either way, it doesn't seem like the version is the problem after all... Maybe I should just try a clean install or something.

Hello VSL / Macbook Pro users.

I hope this post is in the right thread. I searched and felt this might fit here and also didn't want to start a new thread.

Will be ordering the new laptop soon. Primarily doing mp3s but when I spin with a buddy of mine who is all set up on VSL, I will use his gear and some of his mp4s. He is on ME btw and helps since I just have an mp3 library.

specs fr the apple site

"2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x4GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
Backlit Keyboard (English) & User's Guide
Accessory Kit"

I've been told that the specs should work well and to eventually upgrade to 8GB through a 3rd party. My concern and question is about the display. Does having the HI-Res display (antiglare or standard) make a difference in video output or is that just for your own viewing pleasure of your VSL screen? I'm leaning towards not...and it would save me some $$$. At the same time, I play outdoors once in a while "sunday after style gigs" and I think I would benefit from the "antiglare" screen.

cheers and happy new year!

Makes no difference to your output... Except maybe pushing those extra pixels on your control screen will work your graphics card a bit harder.

But that MBP should have more than enough grunt either way. Just get the screen you prefer.

makes no difference on the output only for your viewing pleasure.
i have that same one but the 2.3 ghz cpu and I love the anti-glare screen.

Curious if anyone with the "Late 2011" MBP has successfully put Snow Leopard on it.

Since these are really just a minor "speed bump" of the MBP generation that originally came out in early 2011 (and originally shipped with Snow Leopard) I would think it would work...just wondering if anyone here has actually done that.

i will say the Hi-Res Anti-Glare screen on the 15 and 17 is just dope. i highly recommend paying the extra ducats for it.

on a side note i have a brand spankin new late 2011 17 still in the box with a 512 ssd. I copped it from some dumb dumb for $2500. i'm debating on exchanging it for a 15.

I would keep the 17 inch. I will never go back to a 15 inch. I need the extra screen space I use serato with ME and modul8 at the same time.

dude the 17 will be bad ass. 15 are too small the extra screen space is so worth it. plus having rhe ssd in it will make it stupid fast.

I had a 17" 2010 and it was too big for me and i'm not some scrawny kid.

I got a 2011 15" and love it. Only thing I miss is the extra usb port, but I can do everything I could have with the 17" on this one. I also sold the 17" for more than I paid for the 15" and it's the highest model they sold in Feb 2011

Sidenote, the size was great for djing especially with ME and SSL.
I didn't like the size when I was at home on the couch or in bed. Just felt to big to drag around the house
Some gig spots were tight fits also and it always fit, but was sometimes snug

@phat & puma - thanks for your posts. I am contemplating on the screen resolution or going up in ram now....or just get the $1700 15inch MBP.

get ram from crucial.

Buy an apple refurb, saves lots of money and apple pretty much makes em brand new looking and still have the 1 yr warranty.

you guys pushed me over the edge. i opened the seal. i am the proud new owner of a late 2011 MBP 17. extra screen resolution is ridiculous compared to my old 15.

@puma - i've heard about getting refurbished but didn't know of the reputation of the 2nd had product. thanks for the tip on that and also "crucial". i've also heard new egg has some decent prices on ram.

i take it that i could find a refurbished link on the apple site. the 1yr warranty is great and i will probably opt for an extended warranty. i take care of my stuff but shit happens. my 1st SL laptop the hinge broke so i had to open and close the lid a certain way. this happend a couple weeks after the extended warranty ended. my current lap top took a fall while inside a sleeve and inside the soft brief case when the strap broke. i can't use the cd drive now.

cheers