Pro Tools 8 and The New Macs

It’s been an age old issue… If I update, will it work?

DigiDesign has never been the best about keeping their software compatible with the latest and greatest hardware for macs, but thats why we’re here.

The newest offering from Apple (June 09 Macbook “Pros”) actually made things better on some fronts…

Macbook Pros (as of June 09, all All aluminum body Macbooks are Pros)
- Pro Tools LE / M-Powered – Some type of Firewire on ALL Macbooks and Macbook Pros now, making All Macbooks and Macbook Pros Compatible with Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered via FW 800 to 400 Adapters
- Pro Tools HD – Now, instead of all Macbook Pros being compatible with Pro Tools HD (Via an Express Card to PCIe Adapter and Chassis) now ONLY the 17 Inch is Compatible. It’s the only Macbook Pro that still has an express card.
Macbook Air
- Not officially supported, but will work with Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered with any USB device.

Here’s the run down of All the new and old intel macs and what their standing is with Pro Tools.

Pro Tools LE and M-Powered First… Then Pro Tools HD.

Pro Tools LE 8 and M-Powered 8

Mac OS
- Pro Tools 8 is Compatable with all Version of Leopard (10.5) 10.5.5 and Above
Mac Computers
- Mac Pro
  - All Intel Compatible
  - For Models with out a Firewire 400 Port, Firewire must be Via Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter
- iMac
  - All Intel Compatible
  - For Models with out a Firewire 400 Port, Firewire must be Via Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter
- Mac Mini
  - All Intel Compatible
  - For Models with out a Firewire 400 Port, Firewire must be Via Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter
- Macbook Pro
  - All Compatible (INCLUDING new June 09 Versions)
  - For Models with out a Firewire 400 Port, Firewire must be Via Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter
- Macbook Air
  - Not Supported (No Firewire, USB Ports Only)
  - One could use a USB Interface and Record to the internal drive, but this is not recommended.
- Macbook
  - Plastic Body Macbooks Compatible (Because of Firewire 400 Port)
  - Uni-Body Not Supported (No Firewire, USB Ports Only) This does NOT include the new Macbook Pro’s (recently bumped up from Macbooks, to Macbook Pros)
  - One could use a USB Interface and USB HD/Internal Hd, but this is not recommended

Basically what the compatibility Issues come down to is the availability of FireWire Ports. Although, One can work around this. The Hardware (Mac) it’s self is fully compatible.

Pro Tools HD 8

Mac OS
- Pro Tools 8 is Compatable with all Version of Leopard (10.5) 10.5.5 and Above
Mac Pro
- All Compatible
Macbook Pro
- All Pre June 09 Models Compatible VIA Magma ExpressCard to PCIe card and chassis.
- June 09 Macbook Pros
  - 13 and 15 Inch Models are not compatible due to lack of ExpressCard Slot.
  - 17 Inch Model is Compatible due to ExpressCard Slot.

Please, keep in mind that all the compatibility listed in this story does NOT include peripheral software, such as plug-ins. These Must be checked separately.

Also, Just because the software and can run on your mac, does not mean all other requirements are met (external/internal work disc, ram requirements, ect, ect.).

Please check the following pages to make sure your peripheral software and hardware are also supported.

All said and done, the new Macbook Pro line seems to be great for Pro Tools 8 users. As long as you don’t mind spending a few extra bucks on a Firewire 800 to 400 Adapter. But hey, firewire is firewire after all.

Check out the new MacBook Pros on Mac Mall…