Apple Policy on new Macbook Pros hurting FCS Users

[Scott Sheriff]

“When you have to edit in the field is the only solution. “

Well, that is simply not the case. A laptop is not the only solution, in the field. It’s your solution in the field.
I have worked on plenty of remotes that had full editing suites, both linear and NLE in the truck. Sure I’ve seen laptops on news shoots where there was a MBP in the ENG truck. It was there to cut simple packages in the field, and yes people bring them to do rough cuts on the set. But I also know people that have full desktop systems in Pelican cases and they set them up on the road.

So, if you had a choice of two edit bays. One with a MBP and a pair of headphones. And the other had a full blown desktop system with two large monitors, near field audio monitors, RAID, etc. Would you really choose the laptop bay over the desktop? To me there is a difference between ‘do-able’ and preferable.

Ok, your in the field, and your traveling so light that all you can bring is a laptop, and there is no AC power. Sure it happens, but how many FCP users find themselves in this situation on a regular basis? And then we can throw in guys that have a desktop, but also use a MBP on location, and then add those that are on such a tight budget, the laptop is all they can afford. Add them all up, and that sounds like the minority in both the FCP users, and in the MBP users. This is probably why Apple isn’t catering to this group. The marketing guys figured it didn’t represent the majority of MBP buyers, or what they are using them for.

Scott Sheriff
Director
SST Digital Media
https://www.sstdigitalmedia.com

[Brad Kopp]

but the 17″ won’t fit in the saddlebag on my motorcycle.

Moto Guzzi rider
dog lover w/wife, Ex & 3 kids

[Zane Barker]

[Brad Kopp] “but the 17” won’t fit in the saddlebag on my motorcycle. “

Umm yea… thats just asking for early hard drive failure.

Hindsight is always 1080p

[Michael Craven]

[Shane Ross] “I have the generation BEFORE the SD card implimentation. I too find it stupid. They need to offer a 15″ with SD card, and one for the Express34.”

I also use the same model as Shane and wouldn’t give it up for the new models. Another thing I don’t understand is why Apple didn’t add USB 3.0 support either. At least I can add it to my 15″ because it still has a card slot!

[Jonathan Clauson]

My first editing computer was the black PowerBook G3 when Final Cut was 1.0 on OS 9 and it helped me pay my way through college when I bought it back in ’98 when I was in HS. Since then I have always had a preference for portability but in the last year I have finally started to really edit in earnest and I find myself more and more wishing I had a tower since I am stuck on my MacBookPro and iMac.

To the original poster’s point, Apple’s portable line just doesn’t seem like it is meant for hard core editing. Using Motion on a battery on a 17″? Man that drains a battery faster than a parched man finding a glass of water.

I am flying to NJ next week to finally meet my biggest client face to face and work with their lighting and camera crew to help speed up production and what not and I wish I could bring a tower with me to do things a lot faster.

Anyway, that is just my 2 cents. 🙂