Computer Purchase

[Herb Sevush]

James –

Given your needs what other choice do you think you have – do you think Dell or HP makes laptops that run Final Cut?

Herb Sevush
Zebra Productions

[Nate Stephens]

For that budget limitation, A Mac Book with iMovie, Photoshop Elements and extra ram will tap you out…

It is always necessary to put one’s budget in-perspective with one’s needs and dreams. Before the Boss really believes that he can make his next Network TV Spot with just Quicktime Pro….

FCP, Mac Pro, Mac Book Pro, HPX500, HVX200, Betacam, Dvcam
Write for the Edit, Shoot for the Edit, Edit…..KISS Principle

[James Haefner]

No, not at all. I want a MAC. I was just trying to get peoples input before I make the purchase.

[Todd Reid]

Wanting Photoshop, FC AND a computer for that amount is not very feasible.
There are some less expensive options, but if you want to edit for broadcast, you can see that just the computer alone is more than your budget and that is the most bare bones MacBook that they offer, so I’m not sure what kind of performance you will get.

Also, these cheaper options are that way for a reason, they don’t have anything near the functionality of the full versions. You may quickly outgrow them. The good thing is that you can start small and upgrade (with cheaper upgrade pricing) when that happens.

For some perspective, I’ll tell you that for HD editing, I designed a system that cost almost $20k (without a tape machine), and I wouldn’t say my system is high-end by any stretch.

Buy what you can, then add to it when budget allows.
I suggest to buy a beefier computer, and utilize iMovie to start you out,
then add photoshop, then Final cut (I recommend the full version cause you get several
programs all in one)

good luck.

FCE – $200
Final Cut Studio – $1300

Photoshop (full)- $649
photoshop elements – $100

lowest MacBook Pro – $2000

[Todd Reid]

One other thing I just remembered.

You say you have a 500gb external, I assume that its firewire 800.

If you plan on using a firewire camera, ajahd or other device, you may have to get an additional firewire bus.
MacBook Pros have an express34 slot, that you can get a firewire adapter to add a bus,
but a better option is to get an express34 sata adapter and a sata drive. Some Lacies come with sata already and are fairly cheap.

This will make the editing experience much less painful.

hope this helps

[John Foley]

To run Final Cut Express, you can use a MacBook, but you are limited to DV and HDV with the poor Apple codec fro HDV.

To run Final Cut Studio, you need a MacBook Pro. Then you are only limited to what material you can get in-out. Apple Motion andn Color use the video card GPU heavily.

I would not try to use a 15″ MBP unless I had a dedicated 23″ LCD attached screen. I use an Apple MacBook Pro 17″ 2.33 Ghz with 3 GB Ram and upgraded 320 GB 5400 Rpm disk drive. Also a Firmtek Express 34 2-eSATA port adapter and a two eSATA enclosure. I can swap in different drives and (unlike Firewire) never fail to mount.

I run Final Cut Studio and Logic Studio plus Photoshop CS3 and Encore DVD. This baby, although mearly 2 versions old, works extermely well.

[James Haefner]

Hey John:

Thanks for your post. I bought the MCBPro and FCS2. Will keep you posted. thanks.