MacBook Pro 2007 17" Died, need alternative solution to operate Final Cut Pro 7

[duffngitup]

Hello,

My 2007 17” MacBook Pro has died on me. It was old and I was hoping it would hang on a little longer to finish a few editing projects I had on Final Cut Pro 7, however the mother board has broken and I am looking at options of what to buy next.

The MacBook Pro was old and the battery was terrible, so I was really using it as a desk top, going through the process of getting everything off it onto hard drives and clouds, so it could just be used for final cut. The aim was to get another laptop for general use and word processing.

Now it’s broke though I was looking to get some advice on what to do next:

My plan is to buy a Mac Mini, a cheap one off eBay (£35-£100), that has a disc drive, so I could install Final Cut Pro 7, which I have the software for. I would only update the Mac Mini a few operating systems, so it works optimally, but still allows Final Cut Pro 7. If anyone knows the exact operating system that would be most optimal that would be helpful.

All my projects are in Final Cut Pro 7 and because I still have the software and I'm used to it, and also skint, I don’t really want to buy more modern Final Cuts or other editing software.


I'd be really grateful for some advice on whether this is all feasible and the most realistic/best/cheapest/smartest option? Or if other people had any other solutions I am all ears.
It would also be great if someone could tell me the last operating system that Final Cut pro works on that would be great. I've seen contradictions online.

Thanks

 

[pigoo3]

Welcome duffngitup. Yeah...sooner or later the old stuff finally gives out. Sounds like the #1 concern is purchasing another computer that can still run Final Cut Pro 7.

Here's what I would do. Visit the website Roaringapps.com:

https://roaringapps.com

Then look up Final Cut Pro 7...and see what the newest macOS version Final Cut Pro 7 will run with. Then...if you're looking to purchase a Mac-Mini...verify the Mac-Mini you're thinking of purchasing can run that macOS version.

As far as prices you mentioned (£35-£100)...unless you've already seen some Mac-Mini's selling for that price (that will run Final Cut Pro 7)...good luck. From my experience reading threads from our many UK members over the years...used computer prices in the UK are a good bit higher than here in the US.

If I was looking to purchase a used Mac-Mini via eBay here in the US with your budget of £35-£100 ($45-$130)...I would probably be thinking more $$$. Thus in the UK I would think prices would be even higher. Thus don't be shocked if you start shopping on eBay...and prices are more.

Good luck,

- Nick

 

[dtravis7]

I checked that site and Sierra is supported but not High Sierra nor Mojave.

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks for checking Dennis.

Looks like OP has a bunch of Mac-Mini choices. As far back as an Early 2009 Mac-Mini will run El Capitan (OS 10.11). Or as new as a 2014 Mac-Mini will run Sierra (10.12)...with 4 Mac-Mini models inbetween (a total of 6 Mac-Mini models to choose from). Guess it depends on OP's budget which to go with.

- Nick

 

[Rod]

I have to congratulate you on managing to keep a MacBook running for 12 years. That's no mean feat.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[duffngitup]

Haha! Thanks it was basically a desk top at the end though, the battery wouldn’t last 2 minute so unplugged!

Thanks for all the advise everyone.
Having followed your links and advice, I’ve narrowed it down to models up to mid 2010, after this date they stopped putting in the disk drive, which I need to install the final cut software.

Found some on eBay, but you’re right they are more expensive than predicted, a few cheaper ones, but for some reason the later models are less expensive? Is this because they are less rare? Thought it would have been the other way round?

Do you think I should get a 2010, or do you think the processing speed of the 2009 and before models would be ok and suitable if I am just aiming to use it for final cut and nothing else?

(Looking to get a cheap laptop or something for my word processing and general day to day use)

 

[pigoo3]

...I’ve narrowed it down to models up to mid 2010, after this date they stopped putting in the disk drive, which I need to install the final cut software.

I don't know the exact final goals of this newer Mac-Mini. I know you need or want it to run Final Cut Pro 7...but didn't know if it was a computer you wanted to keep for a while...or if due to budgetary limits it needed to be as low cost as possible.

Just in case the budget isn't too much of an issue...and if you wanted to keep it a while...don't let the fact that newer model Mac-Mini's don't have an internal optical drive. The solution...purchase a low cost external optical drive.

You can purchase as new as a 2014 model Mac-Mini and still be able to run macOS Sierra (which according to the Roaring Apps website)...is the newest macOS that's compatible with Final Cut Pro 7. And of course with a newer Mac-Mini...you get better performance. Not saying you must get a 2014 Mac-Mini...but don't overlook the possibilities of getting a newer model Mac-Mini (without an internal optical drive)...if you can find something that fits your budget & performance needs.

- Nick

 

[Rod]

Sorry i know this is totally unrelated but its interesting using Brave browser with Ad Block off for our site. Here is your post Nick, complete with advert.



I guess I'm just not used to this intrusive stuff but in the interests of supporting our host.......

 

[duffngitup]

Thanks for this.

Well my budget is a little limited but would like the Mac mini to last. Just looked at disk drives on eBay and they range from 8-£20. Would a cheap one like that be sufficient? Connecting via USB?

If so that could well be an option to have that fast speed for editing.

Thanks,

James

 

[pigoo3]

Just looked at disk drives on eBay and they range from 8-£20. Would a cheap one like that be sufficient? Connecting via USB?

That's about the price range I would expect...actually maybe even better.

Remember (as far as I know)...you should only need to use the optical drive when you need to install Final Cut Pro 7 (unless it needs to be in the drive for security reasons). Once Final Cut Pro 7 is installed...you shouldn't need the Final Cut disk in the drive...or even need to have the drive connected to the computer. This is why I say get as new as a Mac-Mini as the budget will allow...for the best CPU & GPU performance.

I wanted to mention something else. Is there a reason why you wanted to get a Mac-Mini...was it due to it being a lower cost computer? As I'm sure you know...video editing is probably one of the more hardware intensive things that can be done on a computer. There are folks out there that spend $10,000 or more for the best Apple computer money can buy to do video editing.

Having said this...Mac-Mini's are usually not the first choice for video editing...but...a newer Mac-Mini will certainly be much better than the older 17" 2007 MacBook Pro.

- Nick

 

[duffngitup]

That does sound like a better idea. You’re right in thinking it would just be used to install final cut then it would be done.

It was a budget issue really, but I do have limited space, I have toyed with the idea of getting a Mac Computer unit but decided with the space the Mac Mini is best.

I will take a look and see what I can buy from the web then.

To conclude though I’m looking to get a Mac Mini as late as Mid 2014 running maximu operating system of Sierra, and an external CD-ROM drive.


Thanks for all your help

 

[pigoo3]

If space is an issue & Mac-mini will fit...sounds good. If it were me...once you find a Mac-Mini that works for you...take that amount of money as a reference point...and see what sort of iMac or MacBook Pro you could get for the same money. Want you to get as much computer performance as you can for the money spent (I'm sure you do too). Never know...another model computer for the same money might give you a better overall package.

- Nick

 

[chscag]

I have toyed with the idea of getting a Mac Computer unit but decided with the space the Mac Mini is best.

You need to think about that. A Mac Mini is really not a space saver. Yes, it has a small footprint, but let's not forget that you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse/trackpad, and lots of connecting cables. Actually, an iMac takes up less space. And of course even better would be a 13" MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.

 

[pigoo3]

chscag makes a great point. One of the original concepts of the Mac-Mini when it was first released back in 2006...was that it was an inexpensive way for Windows users at the time to give an Apple computer a try. Part of this was the lower price of the Mac-Mini...but the 2nd part was those Windows users already had a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and possibily a set of speakers. Thus a Windows user looking to make the switch ONLY needed to purchase the computer.

In your case having a 17" MacBook Pro...you may or may not have these peripheral items already. Thus they would be an extra cost on top of the Mac-Mini purchase.

- Nick