Is the 13-inch: 2.7 GHz macbook pro a good choice for DSLR editing?

[dadirector89@yahoo.com]

Ok. I'm about to buy my 60D next week and want to get a new laptop to edit my HD footage on. I need a Macbook pro that can edit HD video well and that wont slow down my workflow. Of course Im going to be editing with my external Hard Drive, but I want to know if the 13-inch: 2.7 GHz macbook pro will be able to handle my FINAL CUT PRO work flow. It's only 1200 dollars from the apple store.

 

[vision_filmz]

If you are looking for pure power than the Base level iMac is a better/faster computer.... A lot faster.


But to answer your question, yes the 13" MBP would be fine. The only problem you might run into are certain plugins that might require the use of a dedicated/stronger graphics card. The 13" MBP has an integrated graphics card which is not that good.

 

[CF01]

I'd get something with a higher resolution. If you want a macbook I'd go either 1680x1050 or 1920x1200

 

[M. Gilden]

If you are looking for pure power than the Base level iMac is a better/faster computer.... A lot faster.

Clearly he is interested in a Macbook. If he were interested in the most power for his money, he wouldn't be looking at a Mac in the first place.

Not trying to start the whole Mac vs PC thing again, but I do think that sometimes people need to be aware that there are options. Just like we don't all go recommending the 7D as the greatest DSLR for video, even though its the one most people have heard of before.

Back to the OPs question- it should be OK, but you haven't really given a lot of details re: that laptop. What CPU is it (2.7Ghz can mean a lot of things, and there's a HUGE difference between i3, i5 and i7)? What NLE do you plan to edit with (some, like CS5, are more efficient at editing DSLR footage directly than Final Cut, etc)?

EDIT: I see the OP stated preference for FINAL CUT. I retract my comment, as there is no other option.
While I still stand behind PCs as great choice for powerful editing on a budget, if FC is the NLE of choice, you're stuck with Apple's selection and pricing anyway.

 

[dadirector89@yahoo.com]

The reason I'd like to stick with Mac is because I've already been using Final Cut Pro for about 4 years now and am quite fond of it. Before FCP it was Vegas...but I MYSELF prefer FCP. How about the 15-inch: 2.0 GHz? Here's the link to the specs http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/specs.html[/URL

 

[vision_filmz]

Clearly he is interested in a Macbook. If he were interested in the most power for his money, he wouldn't be looking at a Mac in the first place.

Not trying to start the whole Mac vs PC thing again, but I do think that sometimes people need to be aware that there are options. Just like we don't all go recommending the 7D as the greatest DSLR for video, even though its the one most people have heard of before.

Back to the OPs question- it should be OK, but you haven't really given a lot of details re: that laptop. What CPU is it (2.7Ghz can mean a lot of things, and there's a HUGE difference between i3, i5 and i7)? What NLE do you plan to edit with (some, like CS5, are more efficient at editing DSLR footage directly than Final Cut, etc)?

Judging by the Op's earlier post and now which I just seen he commented , he uses FCP. Also lets be real here..... You either use Avid or FCP in the professional world. Secondly I would rather have a Mac which comes out once a year than Pcs that come out every month and fall apart left and right. You can't open that can of worms and then say you didn't want to open it. Secondly why would I use a Pc which people create virus for daily... DAILY. Macs are less likely to catch a virus as well. Finally name me 1 Pc computer that has an Led screen and the specs an iMac has for $1199.....

 

[M. Gilden]

Judging by the Op's earlier post and now which I just seen he commented , he uses FCP. Also lets be real here..... You either use Avid or FCP in the professional world. Secondly I would rather have a Mac which comes out once a year than Pcs that come out every month and fall apart left and right. You can't open that can of worms and then say you didn't want to open it. Secondly why would I use a Pc which people create virus for daily... DAILY. Macs are less likely to catch a virus as well. Finally name me 1 Pc computer that has an Led screen and the specs an iMac has for $1199.....

You are very mistaken about a great many things in this post- but I would love to continue this elsewhere, as I really did mean what I said about the can of worms.

 

[mrchirster]

Pcs that come out every month and fall apart left and right. You can't open that can of worms and then say you didn't want to open it.

Mate, there is no answer to this question. I work on Macs all day at work but have PC's at home with Mac OSX. Running fine for 2 years now. PC's are not less solid and sometimes not even less expansive than a Mac!

 

[daihard]

Wow...the Mac verse PC dilema... LOL, Personally I love Macs... Both guys are right though. The PC and Macs both have their strengths when it comes to video editing.
As far as Mac books go, I think the screen and connectivity options work well for portable video needs. You can always grab an external monitor if you need more resolution. The newer models have Thunderbolt and a very nice graphics card. I wont go into details, because of course PCs can have some nice configurations as well. But the new FCP and Lion could keep me to Mac side.

The question was about Macs, and he was familiar with FCP.

The bottom line: The Macbook will do the job, a bit slower then an iMac or Tower. But for basic FCP needs and light After Effects/Motion, you will be fine for a few years.
Of course spring for more RAM and have a nice fast external HD spare. The smaller screen will suffice, but you will need a nice "phat" external for your final checking.

Really, FCP will edit just fine on most Macs. Graphics and ram become an important factor when your applying large filters/effects. The processor and number of them will make a difference in Rendering times. If your not pressed for time always, then a lower end Mac book will be just fine.

Side note: The MacOSX on a PC, works okay. However I have run into a few glitches. Basically, I use the PC thats sitting around only for an "Apple Qmaster" render farm. Along with my iMac, I can render my final projects a little faster. But I personally stick to the Mac for editing. I have SOny Vegas and CS5.5 - both computers... but still prefer FCP. Premier is something I may start to work with more, since its 5.5 upgrade though = Then I may see if the PC version is faster.

iMac i7 (early 2010) and PC Shuttle i7 2Gig Geforce (Mid 2009)

 

[Gary Huff]

If you will be working in Final Cut Pro, then all of your video will be ProRes LT anyway, and that MacBook Pro should have more than enough power for you.

 

[M. Gilden]

I see now that the OP mentioned a preference for Final Cut. That means PC isn't an option and I apologize for opening that can of worms.

Retracting my recommendation for editing on a budget.

EDIT: Just to mention one more thing to the OP- in another thread, you mentioned that McCormick Brothers video, and how much you wanted to emulate their look and style. That was color corrected in After Effects, and edited in Vegas (available only on Windows). Not that you couldn't do the same thing in FCP, I'm sure you could. I just want to make sure that you're aware of alternatives that are available and work well.