MacBook 15" to edit?

According to the answers I got to my earlier posting re: Editing with a PowerMAc, everybody seems to agree that it is too old...
I need to buy something then....
One thing is that I need portability.(and enough power/speed so I can work)
Another thing is that I am not getting paid yet to edit and therefore budget is an issue.
I am basically trying to get the best possible for not too mucho di nero!

Some people suggest and old PowerBook and a used Quad ($2500 total)
I was thinking of a new 15"MBP ($1700 with student discount)

Wondering if anybody's editing using a MBP 15".

Do you guys have any input?

generally, not even a "state of the art" portable is going to compare to even last, last years high-end desktop. period.

just doesnt work that way.

there are all kinds of connectivity/video/bus performance issues that portable machines simply cant measure up to for space/heat reasons.

which is why i gave you the advice i gave you in your last thread...

My personal machines are a Dual 2Ghz G5 kitted out for uncompressed HD (old faithful)

and a MBP 15" which I'm using to cut on site edits with DVCAM, Uncompressed SD and DVCproHD

I like to hook up the MBP to an external monitor such as my old 22" CRT or a Cinema Display or last project a HD projector to give some more screen realestate.

Its no problem editing on a 15" just a slightly different work flow, rather than have everything in front of you, you'll find there is a fair bit more scrolling.

Speed wise my MBP is a CoreDuo2 2.66Ghz and very fast at rendering and is marginally faster than old faithful - although only 8x DVD burner stings a bit compared to my 16x in the G5.

If you get a MBP for editing with FCp you MUST get the full 3GB (2GB will do at a push) and 7200RPM Internal HDD - an external keyboard (I have the new apple one and its great) and good mouse or better still; a wacom tablet.

Editing on a reduced keyboard set is frustrating unless you want to remap loads of keys...

You will need an external HDD - don't use the MBP internal HDD for storage of video files, this is true of desktop macs as well.

My preference at present is a removable 2 bay FireWire 800 RAID which I can stripe as RAID 0 for speed or use as RAID 1 (Mirrored Drives) or a JBOB.

I picked up a good case for c. £68 ($136) and 2x 1TB Hitachi Deskstars for £203 each ($406) but you can use any SATA II HDD(s) you like and extra Caddies cost £9 ($18) so if I need to get more storage its just that plus a new bare drive saving £££ ($$$).

Heres the model I use: [www.span.com]


Ben



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]

Thanks, Wayne, for your good advices.
However Ben seems to be pretty happy with his MBP.
I already have an external HD, keyboad and all. Also have a Studio Display (2002... clear frame.. Studio or Cinema?...).
But i hear you Wayne. Just need to hear more from other MBP users.

just take careful heed of what ben said "...marginally faster than old faithful" and his old faithful is a dual g5. get a quad g5 and you'll change that equation pretty quickly AND still save several hundred bucks.

ive made my point. ill shut up and let you make your own decision.

thanks, Wayne.
I take everybody's opinion/advice for what they are: Opinions.
I really apreciate your input and will keep you guys posted on my purchase.
In the meantime, my PM G4 will have to behave and work hard!

Ben and I have very similar setups! Though my MBP is first gen 1.83 CoreDuo, with only 1.5gb of RAM.

My Dual 2ghz has 3gb of RAM.

Generally I find they perform *about* the same. There is no doubt on processor intensive tasks, the G5 still wins (encoding DVDs, high format rendering).

Can exactly the same work be achieved on the MBP (without Color). IMO yes. Just might take you a bit longer

My 2c.

thx

a powerbook is pretty expensive if budget's an issue.

if you are just looking to replace a PowerMac,
and you're not lusting for funky portability,
then the best value around is an iMac, IMO

get a 24" iMac coupled with a 19" LCD for extra real estate
don't buy the RAM from apple, but buy good Kingston RAM,

and you've got a good system for simple work


nick

The other thing to note is heat...

You have to keep the MBP cool if you use it for longer periods; so a stand that allows good airflow and working in a room that has cool air and low humidity is a must. Otherwise you can get random quits of apps when the temperature gets too hot - this goes for all computers but laptops by design aren't as good at dissipating heat as the PowerMacs/MacPros.

Totally agree with Nick on the RAM - never buy Apple RAM unless your boss is paying - Kingston or Crucial RAM have served me well in all my Macs and saved me 100s (possibly 1000s) over the years.

Just make sure you earth yourself when handling and pluging in the modules!

I also agree with Wayne on the Quad G5 but for a couple of things - many new hardware and software seems to be Intel / PCI-Express only such as the Blackmagic Intensity HDMI card [blackmagic-design.com] and the REDCINE app from RED [www.red.com] and whilst the QG5 uses PCI-e you may not be able to use certain apps/hardware - check your upgrade path before you make a final decision.


Ben



For instant answers to more than one hundred common FCP questions, check out the LAFCPUG FAQ Wiki here : [www.lafcpug.org]