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Final Cut Pro Machine Questions
Hi,
I had a quick question about buying a new machine for Final Cut Studio 2.
Here is my scenario:
I don’t have an endless supply of money so I am trying to keep the cost down. But I need the system to do professional level work. Either freelance or if I find Full-Time work that I can work from home and still continue freelance on the side. Regardless I am not looking at decks or inputting the footage from a camera. If I use it at home the video would most likely be on a hard drive.
My initial thought was: From the Apple Store
Macbook 2.0 GHZ, Add 2 GB of Ram to have 4 GB total. Get the DVI adaptor so I can have a 2 monitor setup even if the monitors are mismatched sizewise. I have a 19″ Westinghouse Widescreen with a DVD-D input. The graphics card that comes with it is the NVIDIA GEForce 9400M.
Now from there I get Final Cut Studio 2 and the Adobe Production Premium CS4. So I am still spending a lot of money here, at least for me but need Final Cut and the CS4 software as well since that is what my background is in and I have to use Aftereffects, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
So overall I am looking at about $1800 for the Macbook, $1300 for FCS2 and $1700 for Adobe Production Premium CS4.
I was also wondering do all the MACS come with virtual PC or is that another cost because I have Cinema 4d for the PC and don’t have the money to Upgrade that as well.
But the main thing is will the Macbook with the 4GB of RAM and the NVIDIA GEForce 9400M be able to run all this software speedily ?
Or does someone have other suggestions for a better setup. The max i can spend is 5K and I am just wincing thinking about that much. The other thing is am weary to get anything from EBAY or sites like that because I have had multiple problems getting things of those sites and with spending this much money am a little leary.
Thanks for your help.
Chris Holland
Editor/Animation/Design
hollandedit.com -
3 Replies
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Get the MacBook Pro. The MacBook lacks a firewire connection of any kind…so no way to attach a firewire drive (recommended for HDV and DV editing) nor can you attach a camera via firewire to capture this footage. It is useless as an edit machine. Get a MacBook Pro. Look at the refirbs. Not only does it have firewire, but also an expansion slot (express34) so you can add additional firewire slots or eSATA slots.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
You might want to try Premiere first to see if you like it. That would save you $1300., and the integration with AE and PS is awesome. I frankly prefer it to FCS2 as an overall editing/effects package.
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Thanks guys. I am ruling out the Macbook and if I get it I am going with the Macbook Pro.
Eric,
Thanks for the thought. I actually already know Premiere and like the integration. I am coming from an Axio LE system but I am in the Denver market, just moved, and everyone wants Final Cut Pro so since it is the only one I have left to learn at this point it is what I have to get. And my strength is in Aftereffects so I need that as well.
If anyone has anything else let me know.
Chris Holland
Editor/Animation/Design
hollandedit.com
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