Apple PowerBook 17″ 1.67GHz – How does it hold up in Final Cut?

[Daniel Weber]

What planet have you been on? No G5 powerbook coming. Intel based powerbooks will be the next processor upgrade step in 2007.

Your powerbook will be fine for the next few years. FCP runs fine on the setup you have stated. I would also look at another monitor and some external hard drives.

What format will you be editing in?

HDV is kind of a stretch on a powerbook. It can be done but is better on a dual G5.

Dan Weber

[Dan Chosich]

I’ve been on the Windows planet most of my life. Thanks for answering my questions, it helped me out a lot.

I read that the Powerbook G5’s were too hot and noisy for Apple’s liking, however, these articles were written in the beginning of the year. I didn’t know if anything changed since then.

Yeah, I plan on getting another monitor and external drives.

I’ll probably only be editing miniDV, nothing too high end, definitely multiple layers though (usually 2 video, at times 6 layers of audio). I don’t know what else I could possibly be editing for school projects, I doubt it will be HD stuff – though I could be wrong.

Thanks again for you help.

[Daniel Weber]

Sorry if I came across as a little harsh in my response. I thought the rumors of a G5 laptop had been put to sleep, that’s all.

If you are doing DV only then a Powerbook is a great tool for you.

I have edited all over the world with my powerbook and it is amazing what you can get done with such a small tool.

I have owned both a 17″ and a 15″ powerbook and have been very happy with both models.

The extra space on the 17″ is worth it if you don’t mind the larger size. Not for use on a plane in economy seating!!!

You will not be sorry if you go ahead with the Powerbook purchase. I think that it should be standard equipment for every student.

All you need is a good deck and a Panasonic DVX100a and you set.

Good luck in school.

Dan Weber