Will my Macbook Pro run Final Cut Pro X Okay?

[magus90]

Hello

I am new to the mac world, and to FCP. I have had a macbook for a few years now but used for nothing more than light use.

I just upgraded to a new Macbook Pro 13 inch. And i was curious how it would handle FCP. I am trying to decide between keeping my 3 year old 2014 macbook pro, and using the upgrade money to buy an imac instead?

I will just be editing 1080p web videos for a youtube channel. Probably nothing longer than 20-30 minutes at most. And very minimal effect or anything. And no 4k.

I5 2.7-31ghz Intel Iris 6100
8GB Ram
256 SSD

Thanks in advance!

Joe

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Welcome to Mac-Forums..

Video/photo editing requires a combination of a lots of memory, lots of storage (to store raw footage) and fast CPU to perform the work. Assuming your MBP is a dual-core, as opposed to quad-core, you are in the middle of the pack there. 8GB RAM is OK, but 16GB would be better. As far as storage, you should employ an external drive for long term storage and only use internal storage for things you are actively working on. Otherwise, you're going to run low on space and cause issues for macOS..

 

[magus90]

Welcome to Mac-Forums..

Video/photo editing requires a combination of a lots of memory, lots of storage (to store raw footage) and fast CPU to perform the work. Assuming your MBP is a dual-core, as opposed to quad-core, you are in the middle of the pack there. 8GB RAM is OK, but 16GB would be better. As far as storage, you should employ an external drive for long term storage and only use internal storage for things you are actively working on. Otherwise, you're going to run low on space and cause issues for macOS..

Thanks! I am concerned about the Iris 6100. If it were the pro 6200, i might feel a little better, but the 6100 i was worried might drag.

Same with the 8gb of ram. And with these specs and a dual core, i bet rendering will take a century.

You just can't upgrade, which as a PC builder, drives me abasolutely mad with Macs lol So you have to make sure from the purchase date, you by what you need.

I made another thread in the notebooks section, but i was also wondering how long a Macbook pro is supposed to last? Mine is going on 3 years old and covered until december. Am i prematurely upgrading this thing? I was worried it was going to burn out soon, so that is why i was upgrading. But if this will last me another two years, i would rather use this money for an Imac.

It gets at least 8 hours of use a day and has 750 battery cycles

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The machines don't burn out per say. Most people get many years of enjoyable use as long as you match the machine to the work. I use a 15" MBP for my work and have been so sine 2012. For a short period of time before I upgraded to my current MBP, I had to switch to a MBA for about 4 or so months and those were very excruciating since the machine just isn't capable of doing what I need to do with it.

However, that was my wife's machine which is just for basic browsing, some word processing and streaming videos. For these things it has and continues to work great..

To that end, the graphics chip is another component of a good video editing rig and the 27" iMacs do have the right combination for this..

My suggestion is for you to use what you have and see how you fare, once you feel like you are becoming unproductive waiting for things, then you can look at doing the upgrade with a better understanding on what you really want in your next machine..

 

[pigoo3]

Hello Joe...welcome to Mac-Forums.

I just upgraded to a new Macbook Pro 13 inch.

I5 2.7-31ghz Intel Iris 6100
8GB Ram
256 SSD

You mentioned that you just upgraded to a "new" 13" MacBook Pro. Hopefully you realize that this 13" MacBook Pro is an "Early 2015" model...and is at least 2 model releases old. The most current 13" MacBook Pro is from "Mid-2017"...and was only released a little over 8 weeks ago. Was this really a "brand new" computer...or a used computer that is "new to you"?

You just can't upgrade, which as a PC builder, drives me abasolutely mad with Macs lol

It gets at least 8 hours of use a day and has 750 battery cycles

If this 13" MacBook Pro has 750 battery cycles on it...then it's certainly not a "new" computer (as mentioned in post #1)! And thus is about 2+ years old.

Regarding upgrading & Mac's (specifically MacBook Pro's in this case). Yes the RAM is soldered onto the logic board...and not upgradeable. The storage is upgradable...but it ain't cheap.

As far as upgrading the CPU or GPU (and mentioning being a PC builder who is frustrated with the non-upgradability of Mac's). How many Window's laptop's have the ability to upgrade the CPU or GPU?

- Nick

 

[magus90]

Hello Joe...welcome to Mac-Forums.



You mentioned that you just upgraded to a "new" 13" MacBook Pro. Hopefully you realize that this 13" MacBook Pro is an "Early 2015" model...and is at least 2 model releases old. The most current 13" MacBook Pro is from "Mid-2017"...and was only released a little over 8 weeks ago. Was this really a "brand new" computer...or a used computer that is "new to you"?



If this 13" MacBook Pro has 750 battery cycles on it...then it's certainly not a "new" computer (as mentioned in post #1)! And thus is about 2+ years old.

Regarding upgrading & Mac's (specifically MacBook Pro's in this case). Yes the RAM is soldered onto the logic board...and not upgradeable. The storage is upgradable...but it ain't cheap.

As far as upgrading the CPU or GPU (and mentioning being a PC builder who is frustrated with the non-upgradability of Mac's). How many Window's laptop's have the ability to upgrade the CPU or GPU?

- Nick

1- Yes the "NEW" macbook i am talking about is a 2015 you are right. It is in NEW condition, which is what i meant. Not new as in the latest model. TBH i am not a fan of the new model Macbook, hate the keyboard, hate the lack of magsafe, and no usb ports is a drag. Which is why i went with a NEW 2015 model.

2- In post 1 i specifically said,

"I am new to the mac world, and to FCP. I have had a macbook for a few years now but used for nothing more than light use.

I just upgraded to a new Macbook Pro 13 inch. And i was curious how it would handle FCP. I am trying to decide between keeping my 3 year old 2014 macbook pro, and using the upgrade money to buy an imac instead"

That is the macbook that i am referring to having 750 cycles and never said was new.

3- I never said you could upgrade the CPU or GPU on a laptop, i was talking about the upgradeability of the Imac because that is what i am looking to purchase and you need to make sure you buy what you need upfront because you can't really upgrade them. Where yes in a PC, you can upgrade literally everything at any time. In an Imac you can upgrade the RAM, and the HDD.

Maybe the posts were confusing. Sorry

 

[pigoo3]

In an Imac you can upgrade the RAM, and the HDD.

Maybe the posts were confusing.

Yes...a lot of info there. The 2014 MacBook Pro...the "new" 2015 MacBook Pro...and possibily getting a new iMac I guess confused me. Lol

Can you please restate what the main question/concern is (for us "easily confused" people)?? I would be more than happy to comment...others I'm sure as well.

- Nick

 

[ferrarr]

I think you will be able to get at least another 3 years from your 2014 model year MBP. It will seem slower, compared to the iMac you purchase, so understand that.