06-13-2009, 10:50 PM

So, I'm a filmmaker with a 6 year old G4 desktop and I'm ready to get something new and much more powerful.

I've been doing research for a while now, but still have some questions.

I've been leaning towards getting the new 15" Macbook Pro 2.8 GHz (with 4GB RAM, 500GB hard drive and two graphics cards), but am also wondering if the iMac 3.06 GHz (with 4GB RAM, 1T hard drive and 512mb graphics card) could be a good option.

What would the benefit of a laptop be? Portability is a decent bonus, but I don't really feel like I'll be taking my computer out of the house much. I do some traveling film work, so at times having a laptop could be nice.

The specs seem to be the same, though the iMac, fully loaded, is cheaper (as is the Apple Care Protection Plan) and would even have twice the hard drive capacity.

Also, is one more reliable than the other?

I'll be running Final Cut Pro, After Affects (possibly Motion from time to time), DVD Studio Pro, Photoshop, etc. regularly. I'll also be using external hard drives. My filmwork is often uses many effects in FCP and currently takes forever to render (at a recent test at my local Apple Store, all current units tested were surprisingly quick). What would render my footage quicker, particularly while using an external drive?

What would you choose?

Thanks so much for your time, I really appreciate any advice you can give me.

06-13-2009, 11:06 PM

Either machine can run and do what you want it to do.

Desktop machines are always more powerful than a notebook.

Originally Posted by tooalive

What would the benefit of a laptop be? Portability is a decent bonus, but I don't really feel like I'll be taking my computer out of the house much. I do some traveling film work, so at times having a laptop could be nice.

You answered your own question here.

Originally Posted by tooalive

The specs seem to be the same, though the iMac, fully loaded, is cheaper (as is the Apple Care Protection Plan) and would even have twice the hard drive capacity.

And again here. Stop stalling and just get the iMac. >_>"

06-13-2009, 11:18 PM

I dont know much about film making, but I assume the iMAC is the best as you will be watching on the big screen...

06-14-2009, 01:27 AM

Thanks for the input. I actually was set on the laptop until just finding out about the new iMac today. Decisions must be made. My brother's iMac crapped out on him, but many people seem to have problems with laptops in general...

06-14-2009, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by tooalive

Thanks for the input. I actually was set on the laptop until just finding out about the new iMac today. Decisions must be made. My brother's iMac crapped out on him, but many people seem to have problems with laptops in general...

Same thing happened to my Profs. iMac. He makes tutorials with his brand new iMac and it died on him.

Things can happen, but since it's still under warranty Apple fix those kind of stuff for free.