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fcp users: 2006 2.66 mac pro or 2008 3.08 24″ imac?
fcp users: 2006 2.66 mac pro or 2008 3.08 24″ imac?
i am a new final cut pro user. my needs are lightweight-i won’t being using color or even motion-just cutting short projects in sd/hdv/hd.
my budget is limited. i am looking at local craiglist offerings.
the two machines i am most interested in are a 2006 2.66 mac pro and a 2008 3.08 24″ imac.
the imac comes with the nvidea geforce 8800/512 video card. the mac pro nvidea geforce 7300 gt/256 video card.
the mac pro comes with 4gb ram expandable to 8gig. the imac comes with 4gb ram and is filled.
the imac comes w/500gd hard drive. the mac pro comes with 2×500 gb hard drives and is able to take 2 more internal hard drives.
the imac “comes” with a 24″ 1920 screen. i would need to buy a decent monitor for the mac pro.
both come with airport.
the mac pro has many more firewire in/outs. the imac has one fw400 & one fw800 which i imagine are on the same bus. neither have any esata ports.
the bus speed of the mac pro is 667, the imac bus speed is 800.
the imac has 2 more years of applecare. the mac pro does not come w/applecare.
i can get both machines for the same price-$1400.
the is my 1st final cut pro dedicated machine, not my last.
so all u final cut pro users, which machine would u buy and why?
thanks in advance to all who care to share.
be well
rob
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5 Replies
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As we have stated many times on this very forum, a desktop with multiple processors will beat out a laptop and iMac everytime, especially when it comes to renders.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.STOP STARING AND START GRADING WITH APPLE COLOR Apple Color Training DVD available now!
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walter-thank u for the quick reply.
i had looked over previous posts which discuss this issue but i wonder if a blank statement such as “mac pros are always faster than imacs” is allows true.
taking in the differences between video cards, bus speed & architecture, the websire barefeats compared mac pros to imacs. https://www.barefeats.com/imac09b.html
the mac pros came out ahead BUT these were all current or near current systems.
in my original query, i’m wondering about the original mac pro 2.66 (are they all quads?) vs last year’s winter 2008 imac 3.08.
now u might still be right that the mac pro is still faster, i’m just wondering if that is really true when comparing 2006 vs 2008 machines.
as always, thank you in advance for sharing your considerable experience.
be well
rob
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Rob,
I’ve worked with the 2006 Mac since it came out. We’ve kept things upgraded, added more ram and raids when we needed them, and they still outperform the new iMac that’s in the office. I’ve also worked on the Macbook pro. I’m with Walter on the recommendation here. Even if you do go with the iMac, you’ll get the system that you get. With the tower you’ll be able to add and customize as you go.
Josh
Digital Media, Thought Equity Motion
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i appreciate the feedback. along w/posting on creative cow, i also posted on dvxuser.com & dvinfo.net.
all seem to suggest that the mac pro is the way to go. i knew the idea of using the imac would be functionally okay but in time i would want more. i was willing to allow that learning curve to take some time then move the 24″ imac into its role as a machine for my home. that said, i am a video professional who now wants/needs to edit his own efforts-or at least make the 1st attempt. my needs are rather simple-mostly cuts and simple transitions all which can be easily accomplished on a imac w/4gb of ram and a 512 video card. where i am less secure is in the rendering time and dvd burning time. i imagine the mac pro would accomplish both tasks much quicker.
the difference in price between a mac pro and an imac is $1k which translates into 4 days of me paying one of my editors to sit w/me and go thru my footage. i’m sure once i get up and running on a mac pro, i’ll find 4 days “savings” to justify the cost.
at this moment, i’m leaning towards an 8 core. sounds like a bit over the top but the pricing for the cheaper models with additional ram and quicker video card leads me to believe the 8 core is the sweet spot in the used mac pro market.
of course, ymmv (your mileage may vary)
be well
rob
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Rob:
I have a imac 3.06 with the 24″ screen and 4GB of RAM. I love my computer but I also have to agree with everyone who recommended the mac pro too.
Simply put, the imac is what it is, you are working with less processors, limited in the RAM and even things like less firewire ports add up too (in favour of the mac pro). The 24″ screen is glossy and nice looking on the imac but after reading up on lots of material regarding calibration of monitors, it’s probably not the best screen in terms of editing color on. I do have a very keen eye for color, so it doesn’t really bother me but I know what people are refering to when it comes to the glossy screen… it throws you off slightly when you grade color, especially if it hasn’t been calibrated properly or you are working in a room with crappy lighting.
Go with the mac pro (as if you needed any more encouragement haha). Get a nice monitor and you’ll be thrilled with this for sure.
The only reason I never got the mac pro is due to $$$, that’s it. I got a great deal on the mac pro but it feels as though I’m driving a automatic car when I really wanna drive a manual lol. A nice mac pro is my present once I finish my first documentary, I’ve already decided this 🙂
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