potential macbook owner... need some help

[indoplaya313]

hey everyone,
this is my first post here, and i just wanted to say hey.
For a while now, i have considered moving from the computer i currently have to a Macbook Pro laptop. This computer i have now is windows. I want to get into screenwriting and a good amount of video editing. It will also be used for classes and AIM, watching DVD's and writing papers, as well as itunes and music.

Would the macbook pro be good for this? I get an educational discount too, and money really isnt that big of an object. I would probably get the 200GB hard drive and 3 gb ram.

would this be good, or would i benefit more form something else?
let me know

thanks

 

[kaidomac]

Yup, that'd be perfect for you. Although I would recommend going with a 5400rpm hard drive instead of the slower 4200rpm 200gb drive. As far as screenwriting goes, check out the Montage screenwriting software from Mariner:

http://www.marinersoftware.com/sitepage.php?page=104

For video editing, you can start out with iMovie and then get into Final Cut Express or Final Cut Pro. iChat supports AIM as does Adium, Apple's DVD player or VLC will let you watch DVD movies, and iTunes will handle all of your music needs. Sounds like a great choice! I would recommend getting a Speck case to protect the outside from scratches:

http://www.speckproducts.com/15mac-seethru.html

 

[flilow06]

Incredible machine... you won't be disappointed. Everything sounds good, except I definitely wouldn't get the 200gb HD as it's a 4200rpm. I would stick with the 120gb it comes with, or the 160gb upgrade, and get like a 320gb external HD for $100 if you really need that much space.

Edit: Bahhh... kaido beat me to it! I hate it when that happens!

 

[kilo15]

If you are going to do video editing then definitely get the pro. The mac book can do everything the pro can, even some light editing but it will frustrate you.

Mac book for everything mac book pro if your doing video.

 

[snoslicer8]

Have yet to delve into the heavy video editing, but my MacBook Pro has handled everything I've thrown at it with ease. This includes transcoding multiple videos, so I think you'd be set. FYI, my specs are in my sig, and I have a 320 GB external for media, and a 120 GB external to mirror my internal as a backup. I keep all music for my iTunes library stored on my internal drive so I'm never without it, but all of my videos are stored on the external merely due to storage limitations.