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FCP 5 on powerbook g4 1.5 ghz
Anybody out there using FCP 5 on a powerbook? I have a chance to pick up a 15″ 1.5ghz with 2 gigs of RAM, I’d like to know what I’ll like and what I’ll hate about editing with this hardware (I already know what I like and hate about editing with this software).
Thanks
Jamie
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10 Replies
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I have a 17″ PowerBook with 2 GB or RAM, and editing on it works just fine. I don’t usually have a bunch of video or audio tracks
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Yes, FCP5 runs fine on a 15″ 1.5 PB with 2 GB RAM. Motion is also fine, if you stick to simple stuff like text animations. Runs best with DV media, but I’ve also played and edited DV50, uncompressed 8-bit SD and 720p/24. The most maxed out I’ve run it is with an external Cinema display and dual FW800 LaCie drives, plus an external keyboard. Worked like a champ on 60+ hours of docu footage (DV).
Also driven AJA IoLA, as well as Avid Xpress Pro + Mojo on this unit.
Sincerely,
OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
If I were you, I’d wait a few more days until the announcements from MacWorld come in. There’s rumors and speculation about dual core laptops (I’m not trying to start or proliferate any more rumors here), but if the rumors turn out to be true, a dual core laptop would be pretty sweet for FCP.
Also, I’m sure there’ll be plenty more B stock/refurbished items coming up for sale as people will try to liquidate their current stock to make room for the newer technology.
Jeremy
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G5 Dual 2Ghz <> 4GB RAM <> FCP 5.04 <> Kona 2
ATTO 42XS <> Huge Systems 4105 Fibre
OS 10.4.2 <> QT 7.0.3 -
Its already been said but you’ll be fine. The new MacBook Pro was released but it will not run FCP yet so its two fold in your faovr. the price of that powerbook just dropped a bit. I have a 15″ 1.25 with 2gb of ram and it is great for smaller stuff but if your used to a desktop sitatuation you will see slower renders obviously. I use mine mainly with a g-raid and dv footage back and forth from the office (dp 2.5) and home. it allows me to spend alot more time with my new baby.
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I should point out that although the MacBook Pro looks nice, there is no FW800 port and no PC cardbus slot (now a new standard). It comes with 1GB RAM, but most likely the slots are populated, so to increase RAM, you’ll have to throw out the existing RAM and buy the full amount you’ll need.
Although Pro Apps will go native in March, there is as yet, no way to tell whether running apps via Rosetta will be faster or slower. Most likely the same, as slowness in emulation will be offset by the faster processor speed. That will affect Word, Excel, After Effects, Combustion, Red, Photoshop, etc.
A good machine if you are buying today, but not worth replacing a 1 or 2-year-old PB, yet.
Sincerely,
OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
My powerbook is four years old and in desperate need of an overhaul.
The reason why I told Jamie to wait is valid though. No native FW800, but there’s the expresscard/34 slot that will be nice. We can start attaching our laptops to small SATA RAIDS, who needs FW800 then? Everyone’s making a big stink about no native FW800, but if you were really truly editing on a powerbook, you needed a some sort of cardbus to separate your dv camera/deck from your fw800 drive anyway. If you go with the faster processor and the 1 GB of RAM, the 1 GB is one stick (not two) so you won’t have to throw it out and get a new one. I got this info off of the apple website, who knows what’ll happen when they start to ship.
I’m sure running apps in Rosetta will be slower, but I don’t need microsoft word to be blazing fast anyway. As long as FCP works native I’m good. I think, though, I might be even more patient and wait for a 17″ model.
I was told a rule long ago that buy the best, fastest, most loaded computer you can afford today so you can hold on to it longer and get more use out of it in the future and it has really held true for me. If you are in the market for a laptop, today, why would you even consider a G4 Powerbook knowing what will be here right around the corner. Jamie, save your money and wait til February, unless you have a job in January.
Jeremy
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G5 Dual 2Ghz <> 4GB RAM <> FCP 5.04 <> Kona 2
ATTO 42XS <> Huge Systems 4105 Fibre
OS 10.4.2 <> QT 7.0.3 -
[JeremyG] “My powerbook is four years old and in desperate need of an overhaul.”
Then agreed – you are a good candid for this upgrade.
” but there’s the expresscard/34 slot that will be nice. We can start attaching our laptops to small SATA RAIDS”
I don’t think there are any cards yet, or there? The better direction is Gig-E. That’s now included with the new MBP and a direction drive folks seem to be working on.
“1 GB of RAM, the 1 GB is one stick (not two) so you won’t have to throw it out and get a new one”
That’s good.
“I was told a rule long ago that buy the best, fastest, most loaded computer you can afford today so you can hold on to it longer and get more use out of it in the future and it has really held true for me.”
Absolutely. Plan on getting 3 years out of anything you purchase today. At the 3 year point, you’ll start to feel dated, but it won’t be obsolete at that point, yet, if you purchase wisely.
Sincerely,
OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
Olive and Jeremy you both have valid points. I do agree with when purchasing new gear go all out. But hinging on the fact to let brand new machines work the kinks out before you drop the cash. I am sure in 6 months there will be a rev 1 on the macbooks and express3/4 cards will be out and every thing will be fine. Alot of people are already migrating to sata cards but still use fw800 everyday.
Secondly, will Word, Excel, and adobe producs have to run through rosetta if they are written for both mac and pc. Please don’t quote me but i remeber something in one of Steve job’s keynotes that the fore mentioned application were already being rewritten or “tweaked” to run nativly on the intel macs. I think it was a mistake on apple’s part to release new hardware without supported software. is anyone even sure iLife runs nativly? my trusty old powerbook has been with me for almost three years and worked to the bone. For someone looking to buy a portable solution today i would recommend picking up the used powerbook as opposed to ordering a new macbook pro.
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[bill] “Secondly, will Word, Excel, and adobe producs have to run through rosetta if they are written for both mac and pc. Please don’t quote me but i remeber something in one of Steve job’s keynotes that the fore mentioned application were already being rewritten or “tweaked” to run nativly on the intel macs. I think it was a mistake on apple’s part to release new hardware without supported software. is anyone even sure iLife runs nativly?”
Check the Apple website. Any software branded as “Universal” has been natively compiled for both. Other software has to run under Rosetta and will work. If it really relies heavily on processor-specific functions, it will not work under Rosetta. So for instance, the ProApps will have to be updated to “Universal” versions before they will work and those will be available in March. Some update pricing is listed on Apple’s site.
Sincerely,
OliverOliver Peters
Post-Production & Interactive Media
Orlando, FL
http://www.oliverpeters.com -
Oliver you are correct, i was typing slower than i was thinking. What I meant to say is in order for these application to survive they have to be able to run nativly. Running through rosetta is a joke at this point. I am sure it is faster than virtual pc but the idea of having to run anyhting through an emulator is nuts. I apologize for loosing track in my previous post. It is just that since the announcement all sorts of crazy things are runnign around these boards.
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