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Purchasing advice
I have to get a new MacPro system. Here’s what I’m looking at. Wondering if anyone can help point me in the right direction to find “good” pricing on some of these components. I am looking to buy new, and quality is a concern, but not pay through the nose as much as possible. I can’t believe what Apple charges for RAM and HD upgrades.
1. Final Cut Keyboard
2. Aftermarket performance RAM, or at least Apple quality.
3. External RAIDs, firewire is fine, or eSata
4. 23″ Cinema Display, it seems that Apple has discontinued this model when introducing the new MBP 24″ model, at least on their site. But it’s available on other sites, like macmall.com, Lowest I saw was $879.That should do it.
Thanks
Naiche
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5 Replies
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I get my RAM from http://www.otherworldcomputing.com. Everything else you should be able to find at http://www.bhphotovideo.com. I dunno know if you’ll find a 23″ monitor though. I’ve been looking for another too. It annoys me that Apple discontinued it.
Robert J. Grauert, Jr.
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Thanks Robert,
I was going to ask if OWC made sold good upgrades. I guess you’re happy with the RAM since you’re suggesting it? Have you tried their RAIDs?
Yeah, don’t need a 30″ but do need HD, so I guess I’m going to have to look elsewhere…someone suggested the Dell 2408WFP. Would anyone recommend that one?
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Also, does anyone use the Shuttle Pro and is it worth the $90 price tag?
I plan on getting a final cut keyboard, so is this overkill, I know it served a specific function, but people got along fine without it. Is it a big workflow timesaver?
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“I was going to ask if OWC made sold good upgrades. I guess you’re happy with the RAM since you’re suggesting it? Have you tried their RAIDs?”
I am happy with their RAM. I just bought more and upgraded my computer to 13GB. You won’t need that much RAM if you aren’t working in Motion or After Effects though. 4GB will be fine if you are working mostly in FCP and doing some audio editing in Soundtrack Pro.
As for their RAIDs, I have no experience and don’t know much about them. I don’t use a RAID since I don’t need one. I’m still working in SD with DV or DVCPro50. Even in some HD codecs like XDCam HD and DVCPro HD, eSata drives should be fine.
“Yeah, don’t need a 30″ but do need HD, so I guess I’m going to have to look elsewhere…someone suggested the Dell 2408WFP. Would anyone recommend that one?”
I’ve read that Dell monitors don’t generate accurate contrast/luminance levels. It shouldn’t be a problem is you set up an external video monitor and set the color bars and use that as the final reference to see what your video image truly looks like.
“I plan on getting a final cut keyboard, so is this overkill, I know it served a specific function, but people got along fine without it. Is it a big workflow timesaver? ”
I just use the regular keyboard that came with my Mac. I think the more you use FCP, the more you will remember the keyboard shortcuts. So in my opinion, it’s not really a necessity. Doesn’t really save you any time.
I don’t think the Shuttle Pro you mentioned is a necessity either. If you want to scrub through your footage quickly, just press “J” or “L” or use the mouse.
Robert J. Grauert, Jr.
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BTW,
Thanks for the input Rob.
Proceeding accordingly…
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