Mac Pro vs. MacBook Pro

F

FrankCapella

Member
I was gearing up for my MacBook Pro purchase following today's announcement that there would be no update when I decided to hit "chat now" on the apple store web site. After some talk, the operator/salesman was really pushing for me to get a Mac Pro instead. I ALWAYS go through this agony when faced with a desktop vs. laptop decision and I thought I'd ask here. While apple people tend to be knowledgeable, I get a different response when I ask actual video professionals.

Would you recommend a Mac Pro or a MacBook Pro for use with Final Cut Studio 2? For those of you who have experience with both -- what are the drawbacks of each set up? Which do you prefer?

I'd be using the system mainly to edit my short film. BUT I worry that there may be an unforeseeable time when I'd really regret sacrificing mobility. What are your thoughts?

How did you make your decision?
 
I´ve been editing on a MBP the last months and you know what: I´m sick and tired of it!
But I also need MBPs for capturing from the HVXs, so the MBP was the first choice.
Since the new MacPros are out, we´ll finally get our own one and I´m really looking forward to finally having an edit STATION, a place were everything runs together nicely.
In your case, I´d still get the MBP, because you CAN edit your short with it, can take it around and maybe capture to it - man, when on set you´ll ALWAYS find use for a MBP, capturing, monitoring, backup, script revisions aso...
 
That's what I keep thinking: I'll need a MacBook Pro to capture from an HVX. But if a MacBook Pro will get tiresome editing on after a few months .... jeez, what am I supposed to do?
 
If budget allows I'd get a MacPro and then find some cheap, even used, windows laptop for capturing in the field.
 
Go with the latest MacBook Pro. When I hook mine up to a 23" or 30" monitor, an external keyboard and Wacom tablet, I forget all about the fact that it's a laptop. For basic editing and titling work, it's more than enough for me.

Except when I have to render out some complex (or very large) file. But that's when I take a break and go to the coffee shop.

Go with the MBP. You won't regret it, methinks.

--SM
 
But how would the windows laptop work in conjunction with the hvx? With a windows laptop, will I be able to convert to quicktime files? Will I be able to watch the footage?
 
Someone can (and will) correct me if I'm wrong, but basically you're just using the Windows machine to offload the cards. They're still .MXF files you're working with at that point.

Once you're on the Mac, you can either ingest them into FCP via Log & Transfer, or use Raylight to edit with the native .MXF files.

--SM
 
I edit on the latest mac pro and its amazing. But for your cercumstances I think you would be fine with a mac book pro and a 23inch cd with alot of external hard drives
 
I went with the Mac Book Pro, been editing on it since August. I have no problems with it. I have it maxed out, with an additional monitor, my mouse, and a jog wheel. It does everything fine for me. I personally love it. Runs a little hot though - so you might want to get a fan control program.
 
I had been editing on a powerbook, then I bought a mac pro. No need for a macbook pro since my powerbook can ingest P2 on set, and the upgradeability of the mac pro is really a plus. My girlfriend's got a gig and a half of RAM in her macbook pro (2.0 intel core duo) and my mac pro runs circles around it.

If you have nothing, then a macbook pro would be great, since it serves both purposes. but if you want a dedicated editing facility, then mac pro is your best choice.
 
Well since I just sold one of my XL2's, I was able to order the new MacPro. I considered going MBP but I don't need portability as much as I need upgradablity. (are those words?)
I use every app in Final Cut Studio 2. So far I have 6 gigs of RAM and 2 hard drives (320GB and a 500GB for scratch). I did sacrifice a little on the display though, I just
got a 24" Samsung instead of the 23" Apple display. It was about $350.00 less.
 
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