Interesting time to jump or not to jump…

[Craig Seeman]

[Peter Lloyd Culley] “”You use a mac don’t you?”… But when is the new macpro coming out? Oh the comedy;)”

I think Apple’s sequence of computer release was well thought out (or a very happy accident) regarding Thunderbolt. The need for Thunderbolt in MBP which goes beyond the single model with the Express port is great. The need for Thunderbolt in iMacs, to give it professional expandability is great. MacPros have PCIe slots so while Thunderbolt is certainly a new open door, the immediate need isn’t quite as great. Apple may be looking for other “enticers” to happen to make a new MacPro a highly desired purchase, such as new CPU chips.

My guess is the new MacPros will be coming soon but I’d venture it’ll be after Lion and some may say not until Intel get the next latest greatest chip set out the door.

What Apple has gained is that the entire MBP line becomes a viable portable edit system. iMacs become a viable lower cost professional work station. I suspect FCPX, along with new Thunderbolt storage and Video I/O peripherals coming shortly, will sustain those hardware sales while Apple cooks up the next MacPro.

I do see the MacPro line evolving over the next year or so as a result of Thunderbolt. It’s conceivable that an all Thunderbolt (sans PCIe) model may happen although I wouldn’t think that would be this year. It’s a direction I can guess at for next year or following.

So if you get a MacPro now you should be fine with PCIe slots. A year or two from now might be a very different world though.

[Ben Holmes]

[Craig Seeman] “So if you get a MacPro now you should be fine with PCIe slots. A year or two from now might be a very different world though.”

That’s why I’m delaying new Mac Pro purchases. I’d rather wait for a new form factor, thunderbolt model with new processors. If I need other units in the next few months, I’ll purchase used probably – to be honest, to run FCP7, my 8-Core 3.0Ghz Xeons are still just as quick as most 12-cores. And this will eventually change. I can wait.

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/community/communitydetails/?UserStoryId=8757

[Tom Brooks]

It’s not so much the capabilities of the various busses. PCIe is just as capable as Thunderbolt in terms of moving data. It’s how the ease of use and other advantages of Thunderbolt will affect product development for that connection as opposed to another. For example, AJA is developing new portable video I/O devices with Thunderbolt. They are talking about 4K throughput and the like. If all the good stuff is developed for Thunderbolt, we’ll all go there eventually and anything without it will be obsolete.

[John Davidson]

Pete – wait. Don’t buy anything. I’d put good money on a new Mac Pro refresh coming with Thunderbolt in August/September. The rumor sites are awash with hints that new hardware is being withheld until after Lion’s release in July. A little wait time can save you lots of money.

You’re right – big times are coming for Apple products across the board.

John Davidson | President / Creative Director | Magic Feather Inc.

[Matt Callac]

[Ben Holmes] ” to run FCP7, my 8-Core 3.0Ghz Xeons are still just as quick as most 12-cores”

Yeah, but AE Renders are a whole new story, and for me that’s just as important as FCP rendering…if not moreso.

I’d still wait on buying a new Mac Pro till Thunderbolt one’s come out. Actually I am doing that right now. I’m do for a new machine but will be waiting however long it takes.

I might be wrong on this…but thunderbolt is kinda useless at the moment as of last time I checked there weren’t any thunderbolt drives available yet. So you really aren’t missing out on anything yet.

-mattyc

[David Roth weiss]

[Matt Callac] “I might be wrong on this…but thunderbolt is kinda useless at the moment as of last time I checked there weren’t any thunderbolt drives available yet. So you really aren’t missing out on anything yet.”

I think that’s absolutely true, at least for the most part. Whatever TBolt devices are available (Promise, CalDigit???) the choice is very limited and may best be left to those who enjoy being guinea pigs at this point.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Matt Callac]

[David Roth Weiss] “Matt Callac] “You forgot to mention the part about David always being one of the first people to step up and help everyone…and also the part about how he’s just a nice dude all around with a great sense of humor.”

Have you ever thought about a career in public relations? You’re hired!”

Hey, DWR,

I just read through the “Re: Larry Jordan speaks about FCPX” thread from yesterday. You hired me to do your cow PR work and I totally was asleep on the job. Sorry, I wasn’t in this board yesterday when I could have been of assistance to you. I believe you were suppose to pay me in Tacos. Feel free to withhold my taco allowance for this month. I’ll gladly resign if you wish.

-mattyc

[David Roth weiss]

[Matt Callac] “I believe you were suppose to pay me in Tacos. Feel free to withhold my taco allowance for this month. I’ll gladly resign if you wish.”

It was pizza Matt, but if you prefer tacos that can be arranged.

Meanwhile, it does appear you’re still needed, so don’t give up yet…

THNX,
DRW

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Matt Callac]

[Matt Callac] “[David Roth Weiss] “Money? You want actual money?

Hold on there just a minute Matt, we’re discussing PR for film, video, TV, etc. As you know well, we’re all supposed to do all this strictly for our art and our love of the game. Money is just so very capitalistic.

What about pizza, a credit, and a copy of the DVD? That seems to work on Craigslist…”

Dude, I didn’t say anything about money. I just said “what” will you pay me. Pizza…If that’s all you can afford will work, but I’d much prefer tacos.”

I’ll certainly take pizza as it beats a copy of the DVD, but preference is always tacos.

-mattyc

[Bob Zelin]

so Pete – exactly what are you using. There is no shame (and now there should be pride) in running a Windows 7 HP Workstation with Adobe CS5.5. This combination should outperform the new FCP X. There is no reason to be an outcast – this may be the smart decision for the near future. And you know, Pete – you can run CS5 on a MAC too ! (what a revelation !).

Bob Zelin