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Author: Topic: What Macbook do I need to edit video using FCP?
PloughMan
Member
Posted: Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:34AM
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I recently took a course in documentary making and we learned how to edit our films using Final Cut Pro.

It is something I want to continue, however I am hampered by my lack of a Mac.

I want to get a Macbook for this reason, but I know little to nothing about Macs and need some advice about what specs should I be looking for.

I don't want to spend more than £1,500 but I need something that will comfortably run the latest FCP.

I've heard you can get a good deal on refurbished Macbook pros, but that you'd also need an external harddrive. What size are we talking about here? What do you need to bear in mind when buying a Macbook for video editing?

Other things, are graphics and processor speed important? can anyone recommend a good place to pick up a cheap Macbook or has anyone got any advice on buying Macbooks?

Your help will be much appreciated.

thanks, AP
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Author: Topic: Re: What Macbook do I need to edit video using FCP?
Jaded
Member
 Jaded
Posted: Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:24AM
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PloughMan,

Pixel count is important too, unless you will be running an external monitor. External disk would be good.

I've run FCStudio 2 on a single core 2.16 processor.
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Author: Topic: Re: What Macbook do I need to edit video using FCP?
replica
Member
Posted: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:30AM
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PloughMan,

I posted something similar to you not so long ago and I'm now the proud owner of a MBP 2.66 from the refurbished store. I got an external mac authorised dealer to fit a bigger, faster hard drive as I'd read that was important and you can't unfortunately, upgrade components from the refurbished store. Someone on here mentioned the following website though and it's a great resource, talking about photography but it's relevant:

http://macperformanceguide.com/index.html

Good luck!

Replica
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Author: Topic: Re: What Macbook do I need to edit video using FCP?
PloughMan
Member
Posted: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:03PM
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replica,

I'll have a look at that site, thanks for the tip.
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Author: Topic: Re: What Macbook do I need to edit video using FCP?
matt
Member
Posted: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:03PM
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PloughMan, esteemed colleagues...

Just pitching in here with a little anecdote:

Bought my wife a Black Macbook with the idea of sneaking FCS on there just in case my main machine (a MacBook Pro) died.

The results were not happy. The graphics chip does make a lot of difference.

I'd have to say that, whilst it is possible to use FCP on a MacBook, you will really want to use a MacBook Pro at some stage soon after embarking with your MacBook, so if you're buying a machine to edit with, GO PRO.

I've always cut on a laptop, from WallStreet (the black curvy G3 based PowerBooks) onwards. If I didn't have to cut in any random location with questionable access to power, and I was on a limited budget, I'd choose an iMac over a MacBook Pro, and a MacPro over an iMac, but my MacBook Pros have done me proud.
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