Apple MBP 15" quad w/ 1gb video card question

rafikiwilliams

Well-known member
I am looking to purchase a new computer. Must be a laptop. Primary use will be editing and live capture.

I currently have a 1st gen macbook core duo and imac 3.06ghz core 2 duo.

Will an upgrade to the 15" macbook pro quad i7 2.2ghz, 8gb ram, 1gb video card be a noticable upgrade in speed for editing and rendering?

Any input is appreciated. Looking for the fastest laptop i can get for around $2500

Thanks all!
 
also i will be using external FW800 drives to edit off of. Would it be best to get a 7200rpm internal drive or a 128gb SSD and only have software installed on the machine?

I am looking for quickest rendering speeds, would SSD running the software help?
 
I bought one 2 days after they came out and it is really fast. I can run entire Final Cut Suite very well. I chose to remove the internal DVD drive and replace it with a 7200RPM HDD. It is faster then my FW800 and internal so I can edit anywhere without a drive attached. The mod is fairly inexpensive but very nerve racking when you are inside a brand new laptop replacing parts. I will be upgrading to SDD when budget allows. Hopefully the price will drop before budget allows. I debated for over an hour on whether I wanted the 17" or the 15" with high res screen. I decided on the stock 15" and upgraded RAM myself. Since you are in Maryland I recommend finding a Microcenter near you as they are on sale right now. I got mine for $200 off retail.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/DDAMBS0GB/
 
SSD boot/system drive helps by speeding booting and app launch times.

It also as an SATA III interface, while the optical drive is based on SATA II. But remember that it has the Thunderbolt port, which promises 10 Gbps transfer when drives are released laster this year.

Both Lacie and Promise will ship external TB drives, and Lacie's will be buspowered at 400-600 MB/s depending on how it is configured.
 
Can anyone say sth about the smaller 15" with the 256mb GRFX card?
I´m wondering if it has to be the bigger card, when just using FCP on the MB and not Motion...
I´d rather put that mone yin a highres non-glare screen...
 
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