Wait for new Macbook Pro?

[Bobby Cullipher]

Sorry… this question is following the same thread. To be used for video editing with FCP 6.6/7/X, as well as Adobe After FX and Premiere Pro 6.

[Chris Harlan]

[Bobby Cullipher] “Sorry… this question is following the same thread. To be used for video editing with FCP 6.6/7/X, as well as Adobe After FX and Premiere Pro 6.”

I get that Bobby. But I think you need to spend more time looking around at other threads. And, even in this thread. The short answer is that the computer you spec-ed out is fine for all of the above, but maybe not the best choice in all instances. You need to be more forthcoming about the demands your work puts on a system, before anyone can tell you if your system will live up to the demands. Below is an example I gave you earlier. Before anyone can answer your questions, you need to give us the same kind of information.

Hey Bobby!

I have the newest 17″ Macbook Pro with the faster processor and 8 gigs. When I’m using it, my media usually resides on either an eSATA 2 platter RAID or a 2 TB Little Big Disk, all connected through thunderbolt. No SSDs. My source materials are mainly ProResHQ 1080, 23.98, 25, 60i. I find editing in FCS and Avid VERY smooth, and in many ways comparable or slightly better than my 2008 8 core. Where the 8 core still clearly wins, are big renders. I’ve played some with Premiere, and it seems okay too, though I’ve not used it enough to say definitively.

[Bobby Cullipher]

Thank you, Chris! I apologize for not giving the specifics.

Our workflow is the standard, which means there is no standard. We typically shoot/edit XDCAM 1080i60 and h.264… but we receive and edit most every format imaginable. We also do some logo/graphic design and animation, composite and green screen.

I appreciate the confirmation that your system works well in your application. I’m mostly concerned with the specs of the system I noted, and hoping to find someone with a similar system that can give an apples to apples comparison. The performance of the graphics card they are suggesting is my biggest concern… it’s what they suggest over the nvidia quadro that Dell highly recommends, but not avail on macbooks. I’m very sorry if my questions seem simple…. but, I’m not a tech guy in any way, which is why I’m here. People like me flock to these forums for advise and guidance from those that have experienced/resolved the issues we’re facing.

Thanks again!

[Chris Harlan]

Well, here’s the deal. The specs you are pointing out have a slightly less powerful CPU and a potentially significantly less powerful GPU then the specs I said are working for me. But, you have double the RAM. Given the variety of programs you want to run, I personally, would not worry as much about the RAM and more about upgrading the video card. Adobe wants 1 GB vRAM for Mercury Playback on the gfx cards. The card you mention is currently sold via Apple with only half of that.

Also, I–along with most editors I know–am not a fan of the glossy screen, but if it doesn’t bother you, that’s your biz.

XDCAM, on an external RAID, should be just fine. I don’t use it much, but it has a fairly low bit rate. As to h.264, I seldom use it as source material. When I do, I generally transcode. The system you’ve spec-ed is adequate for many uses. Others, not so much. I, personally, would get the better gfx card, faster processor, and anti-glare. Will it be enough at that point? It would for my uses, but for me it is also a second machine.