Laptop question:

S

sbryan

Well-known member
I have an 13" MacBook, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0ghz, 2GB DDR memory, and 80GB hard drive. Is it worth the extra money to move to a 17" MacBook Pro, in addition to the cost of Final Cut Academic Suite? (I would sell the 13" MacBook. I couldn't employ two laptops . . .)

I have a Windows XP desktop PC that I built with the Adobe Production Studio, but I wanted to phase it out in favor of a laptop -- being able to work from anywhere sounds pretty sweet doesn't it?
 
Well yes it will be faster, the video card is better the question is ... do you have the budget? Editing on a 13¨ display is not that easy though.
 
external display? Perhaps a little 10 inch monitor or something? Was actually thinking about a mac today. I'm a PC guy and I can't think of the pros and cons of a mac. I know nothing about them. Can anyone direct me?
 
Evan S said:
external display? Perhaps a little 10 inch monitor or something? Was actually thinking about a mac today. I'm a PC guy and I can't think of the pros and cons of a mac. I know nothing about them. Can anyone direct me?
Click to expand...

The Mac interface is much more intuitive than Windows XP, in my opinion, and that comes from a PC guru.

I have a Dell 24" display that I got on a clearance or some such deal that can connect to a MBP using a DVI connection. Too bad I won't be able to take it to school with me on the coast. That's why I'm looking at the 17" right now.

If I wait until Leopard, the value of my MacBook will drop . . .
 
I don't know about Mac being more intuitive, unless they changed within the last 6 years. I had to learn Mac during my Graphics course in College, and found them to be as frustrating as a PC, but not as flexible.

Transferring file between the two became a pain. because Mac likes to "hide the file extensions" so that the "User doesn't get confused". PCs really need those extensions, or they're lost. This format or that format won't work well with Mac, but PCs handle pretty much anything you throw at it... as long as you have a file extension and a plug in. Mac mice have one button, Windows mice rule with that right mouse click. Windows crashes, but so do Macs- Just ask any owner about the "Spinning Beachball of Death".

Ultimately, the ONLY reason to switch over, is software. FCP to be exact, but they have a couple other programs too, and they might not be too bad. Mac certainly isn't better or worse than a PC, but because Mac charges like two or three times as much for it's systems, they tend to get a an elitist attitude.
 
You'll notice that the common vein in all the responses to your question and to any OS debate questions is subjectivity. Most comments are IMO or IFAIK or a similar disclaimer, and for good reason; it all boils down to preference. Some people do their best work on a Mac, others on a PC. Period. The single most important thing (assuming that you're not required to use a certain tech by contract or employment) is that you are completely comfortable with what you're using. If you've been using Adobe on XP for years and can edit in your sleep, why change? On the other hand, if every time you sit in the bay you think to yourself "This could be awesome if I just had tools that made more sense", you might want to consider a change. If you think that better/different tools will make you a better artist, don't waste you money. Right Now, you can find machines with similar specs and prices on both sides of the fence, so get what makes you the best artist.
 
Go for the MBP. I don't even know if FCP Suite will let you install Motion on a Mac Book due to its lack of a true video card. I have the Core 2 Duo 2.16 MBP and it handles FCP very nicely.
 
Capt Quirk said:
I don't know about Mac being more intuitive, unless they changed within the last 6 years. I had to learn Mac during my Graphics course in College, and found them to be as frustrating as a PC, but not as flexible.

Transferring file between the two became a pain. because Mac likes to "hide the file extensions" so that the "User doesn't get confused". PCs really need those extensions, or they're lost.
Click to expand...

I work with macs and PC's all day long and transfer via networks and to pc based backups and a mix of vista machines in there as well, and never had a problem like that.

1170790348.jpg
 
Like I said, it's been a few years since I used Macs, and that was my experience. That, and having to finish my 3D project at home, on my PC, because my Mac in class kept crashing. So, I guess I'm just prejudiced because of those experiences.
 
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