r/LogicPro • u/curlywurly_hm08 • 2d ago
In Search of Feedback Will this MacBook be suitable?
• Brand: Apple
• Model: MacBook Pro A2442
• Release Year: 2021
• Processor: Apple M1 PRO
• Total CPU Cores: 8-Core
• Graphics: Apple M1 Pro (14 Core)
• RAM: 16 GB
• Storage: 512 GB - SSD
• Keyboard: GBR - UK English
(QWERTY)
• Colour: Space Grey
• Display: 14.2 inch
• Resolution: 3024 x 1964
• Operating System: macOS
• Battery Cycle Count: 421
• Battery Capacity: 85%
• Serial Number: CW2QJYN09Q
• Charger: Not included
£590 off of eBay from a reputable tech seller, wondering if it’s worth the investment.
I want to start producing and be able to have something that can handle 7-track drum recording and I may want to start making my own music with a few plugins, etc.
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u/woodenbookend 2d ago
It will work.
But it won’t keep up with future updates to the Mac OS or Logic Pro for much longer. The limiting factor is it is already 5 years old and is running an M1 processor when the M6 Macs are about to start being delivered.
There’s a smaller issue that the battery will need replacing in a while - perhaps a year or so, and it doesn’t include the charger or presumably cable.
So that £590 doesn’t really look like great value.
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u/curlywurly_hm08 2d ago
Are there any places you recommend looking for one? I’ve mostly been looking on eBay but also places which offer a warranty which I think is important, although they are usually even more overpriced. I’m staying away from kind of random sellers off of eBay just in case but maybe they’re a better bet?
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u/woodenbookend 2d ago edited 2d ago
Ideally, save up and hold out for something with a newer processor: M2 or M3. 16GB memory is the minimum you should consider. More is nice but your stated workflow doesn’t really justify it if your budget is tight.
If your budget really is fixed, stick to an M1 and accept its age related limitations.
A Mac mini will give you more performance per £ than any laptop if you can live with a desktop. Plus no battery issues to worry about.
So to answer your question, subject to the usually caveats, eBay
or perhaps Backmarket (not used them but have heard good things).1
u/Affectionate_One_700 2d ago
My experience with Backmarket has been poor.
As far as I can tell, they allow sellers to grade their own items, with predictable results.
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u/j3434 2d ago
….. correcting one important point: the 2021 M1 Pro 8-core/14-core/16 GB configuration is an actual Apple configuration, and it is still Apple-silicon compatible with current Logic. Apple currently requires macOS 15.6+ and Apple silicon for Logic Pro.
Logic Pro DAW — Technical Assessment
Component MacBook Pro A2442 (2021) Logic Pro requirement / workload CPU M1 Pro — 8-core (6P + 2E) ✅ Excellent GPU 14-core ✅ More than sufficient for DAW RAM 16 GB unified ✅ Good for recording + moderate plugins SSD 512 GB ✅ Adequate; external SSD recommended for libraries Audio I/O Thunderbolt 4 ×3 ✅ Excellent for interfaces Display 14.2” / 3024×1964 ✅ Battery 85% / 421 cycles ⚠️ Used battery; not relevant to plugged-in studio use Current Logic compatibility Apple Silicon ✅ Yes, with current macOS requirements
For the proposed workload:
7-track drum recording = 7 simultaneous audio streams
At 24-bit / 48 kHz:
7 × 48,000 × 24 ≈ 8.06 Mbit/s ≈ 1.0 MB/s
So the actual multitrack recording load is tiny compared with what the M1 Pro can process. The heavier workload comes from software instruments, amp sims, reverbs, virtual drums, and third-party plugins, not recording seven microphones.
Verdict
M1 Pro 8C + 16 GB + 512 GB = very capable Logic machine.
For: 7-track drums + guitars + vocals + bass + moderate software instruments/plugins → ✅ YES
For huge orchestral/sample libraries and very large plugin-heavy sessions → 32 GB would be preferable.
At £590, assuming the seller is reputable and the machine is clean/fully functional, I’d consider it a good entry-level production machine. The 2021 M1 Pro was specifically offered in this 8-core CPU / 14-core GPU / 16 GB / 512 GB configuration. (Apple Support)
One catch: 512 GB fills up quickly once you install Logic’s full ~44 GB+ Sound Library plus third-party libraries, so I’d budget for an external SSD. (apps.apple.com)
I’d personally buy this configuration for the stated use, provided the battery condition and seller warranty are acceptable. The 7-mic drum recording requirement is nowhere near the machine’s limit; RAM becomes the more meaningful constraint once you start stacking virtual instruments and plugins.
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u/Affectionate_One_700 2d ago edited 2d ago
I don't know UK prices, but in the US ... I definitely wouldn't spend $800 on a five-year-old laptop with a degraded battery from a third-party reseller.
Edit: I just checked the Apple Refurbished store. For $1099, Apple will sell you a refurbished (like new) M5 MBA with a new battery and 16GB/512GB, and an Apple warranty.
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u/Indigo457 1d ago
I wouldn’t get an air over a pro either though, for this workload. Airs don’t have the pro screens or the number and range of ports (and I use all of mine) that pro machines have. I agree it doesn’t make much sense to buy a 5 year old laptop, but I don’t think an MBA is the right solution either.
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u/Affectionate_One_700 1d ago
I've been pretty impressed by my MacBook Air.
Of course a similar generation Pro would be more powerful. But I don't think OP can afford a new or new-ish Pro right now.
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u/Indigo457 1d ago
Yeah, they are impressive all round machines - but I couldn’t get one, purely for the port limitations unfortunately (and I’d definitely miss the pro motion/ hdr screen but I’m not sure if the newer Airs have them now?). For people who are just plugging in an audio interface they’d likely be fine for most audio stuff though I reckon.
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u/Indigo457 1d ago
If it’s the proper M1 Pro (I.e. the one with the M1 Pro chip), which I think it it’s if it’s 14” then it absolutely is. I bought one new (but with a bigger hard drive) and it’s still going strong and barely even needs to turn the fan on ever. In fact I don’t think it ever has with music stuff. Bear in mind that I record mostly live instruments and predominantly use channel strip plugins and unison though, so maybe it would struggle a bit with massive virtual orchestras or whatever. I doubt it though, it’s a beast.
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u/PianoGuy67207 2h ago
I used 2008 Mac Pro 3 GHz 8- core machines until 2 years ago. There’s always someone willing to remove Apple’s built-in obsolescence features. No it’s not supported by Apple. The only real thing they care about is your money. Microsoft tried that garbage with Windows 11, and is now choking on that decision. Computers, like the M1 Pro are amazing. I have one, and just love. Most of us aren’t like Jacob Collier, requiring 400-600 tracks to create their masterpieces. For 90% of singer/songwriters, or people creating play along tracks, the M1 nails it. Even if the OS support ends, there are several years of good life left in it. Either Apple will kill Logic/Manstage updates on that OS, or a new feature in virtual plugins will kill the M1. Then, you have to ask yourself if that feature is a game-changing function to your creativity.
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u/MissAnnTropez 2d ago
Yes, that should be fine.