Advice on buying Mac Book Pro for Video Editing

Hi.

I'm on the verge of buying a MBP for HD video editing/Motion Graphics/Compositing work at home. The upgrade options offered by Apple have me a little stumped at what to choose for the best.

I don't need the fastest most impressive machine in the world but I would like one that doesnt have me going insane waiting for things to render and able to run FCP, Photoshop & After Effects at the same time without it grinding to a halt.

The base model I am looking at has these specs:

2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x2GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Would this be enough for my needs or would you reccomend upgrading anything?

Thanks for any advice anyone may be able to offer.

Stuart.

stusam81 said:

I'm on the verge of buying a MBP for HD video editing/Motion Graphics/Compositing work at home.

I don't need the fastest most impressive machine in the world but I would like one that doesnt have me going insane waiting for things to render and able to run FCP, Photoshop & After Effects at the same time without it grinding to a halt.

Click to expand...

Those two statements are mutually exclusive.

You can upgrade RAM and Hard Drive after market, but not the processor or video card. Get the best processor and video card you can afford, waiting an extra paycheck if need be.

To be honest, If this is going to be a primary machine, if you don't get a 2nd monitor, get the 17". The more room you have on the screen for FCP/CS5, the more your eyes will thank you.

I have the 17", fully decked out, and would not even think of dropping down to any other model from this point on.

Any particular reason you are not considering a desktop? You will in fact need a top spec'ed machine if you plan on running your intented apps simulateously...
You will need to upgrade your RAM right out of the box...and will also require an impressive graphics card....as suggested already.

Personally, I went with the MBP because I didnt want to, actually refuse to, be tied to a desktop at all. The top end 17" is beefy enough to work with the apps listed without issue.

But, upgrade RAM to max first. Get best Processor and Video card - these 2 pieces can never be upgraded.

I'd really need a laptop because I'll be using it on the road as well as at home (plus the missus wouldn't go for a new computer in the front room ;D ).

Would 8GB RAM do the trick and do you have any recommendations for graphic cards?

Also, why would the 13" MBPs have better processors than the 15"?

It seems the more answers I get, the more questions open up!

Thanks for your help!

You have to look at all the stats of the processors, not just the GHz.

8GB is the MAX you can put in the MBP.

you have to get the 17" to get the AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB GDDR5

The 15" only has the 512 MB card on the top end.

You will be best served to look at the specs on the Store. Build some and see what it gets you.

Officially from Apple...8 gig is the max. ram for the latest generation of MacBook Pros. But users have found that they can actually be upgraded to 16gig.

- Nick

Ah ok, good to know.

Would I notice the difference with the extra 0.2GHz offered on the higher end 15"?

stusam81 said:

Ah ok, good to know.

Would I notice the difference with the extra 0.2GHz offered on the higher end 15"?

Click to expand...

Doubtful...but the higher end 15" also comes with better graphics hardware.

- Nick

Thanks again.

Last question on the 17"...

Would the 7200rpm Hard drive make a noticeable difference over the 5400rpm?

stusam81 said:

Thanks again.

Last question on the 17"...

Would the 7200rpm Hard drive make a noticeable difference over the 5400rpm?

Click to expand...

Maybe a little...but probably nothing major.

- Nick

In video editing the 7200 will make a HUGE difference over 5400 rpm, *particularly* if the op is working with HD video.

Just be aware that the 7200rpm will also have some effect on battery life over the 5400 for obvious reasons.