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macbook choice for after effects and video editing
HI. I’m not too too new to video editing and after effects and i would like to buy a laptop so i can do editing on the go. I really would like to purchase a macbook but i cant seem to decide if i need the mac book or the macbook pro.
i would prefer getting the pro because of its video card but i like the macbook(not pro) because of its better price. Can i really get buy on a with video editing (after effects, premiere pro, etc) on a macbook (not pro)? is a videocard really necessary?
I dont think i do that much intense editing. i read something that said the video card is good for intense rendering and for open GL(not to sure what open gl is). does this mean that without the video card i wont be able to get really good previews in the preview window unless i edit?
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8 Replies
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hmmm…..
seems like i’ll be okay if i get a macbook(not pro) because i use after effects and premiere pro and not final cut.sounds about right?
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Check the adobe.com specs for the CS3 video suite. I don’t think you’re going to be happy with the lower end Mac portable.
https://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/production/systemreqs/
bogiesan
This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”
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My two cents:
Get a MacBook Pro. Anything involving video, be it editing, motion graphics, or VFX is going to be very processor/RAM intensive. I think Dave, in his infinite wisdom, summed it up by saying you may be saving money in the wrong place if you get a MacBook. No reason to buy a new computer that’s going to have limited functionality out of the box.
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My two cents: I have a 2.4gb Intel Core Duo MacBook Pro with 4gb of RAM as my main platform. I use Final Cut Studio, Adobe Production Suite, Shake, Blender, etc., often concurrently. It’s a little slow sometimes, but, man, it’s a pretty amazing tradeoff. I’ll trade some seconds of render time for the portability. I’ve been doing this stuff since a B&W G3 and FCP version 1. Night and day. But don’t settle for the Macbook, go for a max’d out MacBook Pro if you’re serious about what you do.
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There are three major reasons why you want the Macbook Pro for it’s graphics card:
Reason One: Most NLEs can use the graphics card to offload some processes for real time editing (not rendering), even with straight edits with no effects. You can get more RT with a graphics card than without especially if you use any of the FX plugins. All of this is relevant for editing and not for AE which is all processor and RAM based.
Reason Two: So you are saying to yourself, “I do not do a whole lot of NLE work and use mostly AE, maybe the Pro is too much for what I need.” Not so. When Snow Leopard comes out in a year with Open CL, AE with then be able to use the GPU and the VRAM as a third processor for rendering. This will be a huge performance boost that the consumer Macbook would lack.
Reason Three: The graphics card resides on a PCI Express bus that the consumer Macbook does not have. This would allow you expansion options for say, a SATA RAID array in the future.
And remember, even if the NLE is only using limited GPU resources, the OS is not, which in the case of the Macbook Consumer, offloads GPU RAM requirements to the main system RAM which gives AE less RAM to work with. Save yourself the hassle, start calling yourself a professional, and get the Macbook Pro.
Michael Bloodgood
Senior Editor
Horizon Entertainment GroupAh yes, the laser fields
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Sorry for the duplicate posts, the server was running so slow
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WOw thank you guys. I’m pretty sure about my decision now. Going with the pro.
Now…one question. I found a good deal on a macbook pro but its one of the 2007 models (2.2 core 2 duo).
should i take the deal or are the 2008 models really really faster?
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hmm
things have changed since the situation i stated. I really need a laptop for video editing on the go(planning a big trip) and need one maybe as soon as nex monday. Sad to say, right now i cant afford the macbook pro(because of the triP). I dont really plan on using final cut, so….can i just settle for the macbook rite now. ould it be wise, as i only use after effects and adobe programs most.
I can upgrade to a pro nex year some time when the new ones come out? any inputs on this?:(
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