Pro Tools LE 7.3.x with MacBook


The Apple MacBook models listed as "Qualified" are supported with 003 Factory, 003 Rack, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro, Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 Micro, and original Mbox systems with Pro Tools LE 7.3.x for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger). Mid 2007 models are compatible, but not tested with 7.3.x.

Additional Notes:
  • Pro Tools LE 7.4.2 or higher is required for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
  • Pro Tools LE 7.3.1 or higher is required for 003 Factory and 003 Rack

Compatible with Pro Tools LE 7.3.x for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)


These models shipped with Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

Qualified MacBook Models
  • MacBook 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo (T2400) (MA254LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo (T2500) (MA255LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo (T2500) (MA472LL/A, black)
  • MacBook 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T5600) (MA699LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200) (MA700LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200) (MA701LL/A, black)

Mid 2007 Models — Not Tested with Pro Tools LE 7.3.x — No Known Issues
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200) (MB061LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7400) (MB062LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7400) (MB063LL/A, black)

Not Compatible with Pro Tools LE 7.3.x for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)


These models shipped with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Late 2007 "Santa Rosa" Models
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7300) (MB061LL/B, white)
  • MacBook 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7500) (MB062LL/B, white)
  • MacBook 2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T7500) (MB063LL/B, black)

Early 2008 "Penryn" Models
  • MacBook 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T8100) (MB402LL/A, white)*
  • MacBook 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T8300) (MB403LL/A, white)
  • MacBook 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (T8300) (MB404LL/A, black)
*On October 14, 2008, Apple reconfigured this model with a DL "SuperDrive" and lowered the price.

Late 2008 "Unibody" Models
  • MacBook 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P7350) (MB466LL/A, aluminum)
  • MacBook 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (P8600) (MB467LL/A, aluminum)
Note: these models do not have FireWire ports

Where to Find MacBook Specifications


Apple Website:
Other Resources:

Compatibility Alert


Use of Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Original Mbox, or Other USB Audio Devices on the Left-Rear USB Port Is Not Recommended
  • There are 2 USB ports on the left side of the MacBook models listed above.
  • Due to internal USB architecture issues on the MacBook, use of Digidesign, M-Audio, or third-party USB audio devices is supported on the front USB port only (the port farthest away from the screen).
  • Use of such devices on the rear USB port is not advised because it may cause audio interrupts and/or dropped samples.
  • However, the use of an iLok on the rear port has been qualified and is fully supported.

Additional Requirements



Installation Requirements
  • DVD drive required for Pro Tools LE 7.3 installation DVD
  • Not required for Download-only Pro Tools LE 7.3 installation
  • Pro Tools LE software will not work without a Digidesign Pro Tools LE hardware interface connected
  • Pro Tools LE supports the use of any single supported Pro Tools LE audio interface. Simultaneous use of multiple Pro Tools LE hardware devices is not supported.

System Software
  • Pro Tools LE 7.3 is officially supported on Mac OS X 10.4.8 & 10.4.9
Please see the following for important information:

Mbox 2 USB Interfaces and "Santa Rosa" Intel Macs
Although Mac OS X 10.4.11 has not been tested or qualified by Digidesign, preliminary reports suggest that Mac OS X 10.4.11 may contain fixes for some of the Mbox 2 USB interface problems such as kernel panics on newer Macs with the Intel "Santa Rosa" chipset. If you are experiencing kernel panics with an Mbox 2 USB interface on a late 2007 Mac, download and install the following:

Audio Record/Playback Drive Requirements

Total System RAM
  • 768MB minimum required for Pro Tools LE 7.3 - More Recommended
  • More RAM increases overall system and Pro Tools performance
More RAM highly recommended for sessions with:
  • Large amounts of audio
  • Large edit density
  • Large DigiBase databases
  • A large number of installed plug-ins
  • Options like DigiTranslator
  • Simultaneous use with MIDI sequencers
  • 1.5GB total system RAM or more required to reliably achieve maximum track count with DV Toolkit 2 & Music Production Toolkit Options (see next item)

DV Tookit 2 & Music Production Toolkit Options — Maximum Track Count Information



The purchase of either of these options expand a Pro Tools LE system from 32 total voiceable tracks to up to 48 mono or 48 stereo tracks at up to 96 kHz (interface permitting*). To help achieve maximum track count, Digidesign recommends the following:
  • 1.5GB total system RAM or more
  • 2 or more FireWire drives dedicated for audio record and playback
*Maximum Sample Rate
  • 003, 003 Rack, Digi 002, Digi 002 Rack, Mbox 2 Pro - 96 kHz
  • Mbox 2, Mbox 2 Mini, Mbox 2 Micro, Mbox - 48 kHz

Officially Qualified with Pro Tools LE 7.3


  • FWx Record/Playback Option for VENUE D-Show Systems
  • Control Surfaces:
    • Command|8
    • Control|24
    • Mackie Designs HUI
    • CM Labs MotorMix

Maximum Performance Guidelines



General Guidelines - All Systems
  • Recording to the system startup drive is not recommended or supported
    • Although limited recording and playback of audio tracks may be possible using the internal drive, a separate external dedicated audio hard drive (or multiple drives) is required for maximum performance and track count.

Pro Tools Does Not Support Sleep Mode
  • In the Macintosh System Preferences, launch Energy Saver, click the Sleep tab, and disable all Sleep features
  • Set "Put the computer to sleep when it is inactive" to Never.
  • Do not manually put your computer to sleep when running Pro Tools.

Known Issues
  • Pro Tools does not support RAID technology. Please do not activate this feature on any Pro Tools recording drives.
  • FireWire 800 drives are not supported for record and playback with Mbox 2 Pro systems
  • USB drives are not supported for recording with any Pro Tools system
Keywords: DigiSupKW DigiSupKW_Compatibility ; PlatformKW_Undefined ; ArticleID 24152 ; OldAnswerbaseID ;