Macbook Pro Question Pre Purchase

crot0019

Well-known member
Hey guys out there I am about to buy a new Macbook Pro 17 inch. I not sure whether to upgrade to the i7 or to get the 4gb extra of RAM? I can only afford one or the other. The computer will be used for Final Cut
 
Hey guys out there I am about to buy a new Macbook Pro 17 inch. I not sure whether to upgrade to the i7 or to get the 4gb extra of RAM? I can only afford one or the other. The computer will be used for Final Cut


ALWAYS get the fastest processor available as you cannot upgrade that within this computer. Ram can always be bought at a later time. This computer comes with 4Gbs of ram which is pretty solid already.


Now if you were going to pay for the $400 upgrade you can use $50 for a 7200 rpm HD , $200 for the processor upgrade and be fine.


If I had $2300+ for a computer right now though I would get the new Imac I7 which is a faster computer. Now if you need it in the field then yes, a laptop is always king.
 
I have a different view. Buy the best value you can afford in total costs for all the hardware you'll need.

The upgrade from the i5 to the i7 is about $200.00.

Take a look at the testing here:

http://www.barefeats.com/mbpp18.html

Is that marginal increase, in my view, worth the extra $200.00 to you

However, I do agree that the iMac i7 is a much more powerful machine that the MBP i7.

And Rob Morgan's test indicate as much.
 
Final Cut Pro only utilizes 4GB of Ram anyways. Motion could use more. But if it was my decision I'd choose the i7 because as suggested you can always upgrade the RAM later.

Edit: If mobility wasn't necessary I'd suggest passing on the macbook pro and just get the i7 iMac. Cheaper and wayyy faster, not to mention a 27inch screen!
 
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Final Cut Pro only utilizes 4GB of Ram anyways. Motion could use more. But if it was my decision I'd choose the i7 because as suggested you can always upgrade the RAM later.

Edit: If mobility wasn't necessary I'd suggest passing on the macbook pro and just get the i7 iMac. Cheaper and wayyy faster, not to mention a 27inch screen!
I too am looking at buying a new Mac, and am trying to decide between the 17" MBP and iMac.

The iMac seems to be more power and value for the money, but the MBP seems more expandable with the Express Card slot.
 
I too am looking at buying a new Mac, and am trying to decide between the 17" MBP and iMac.

The iMac seems to be more power and value for the money, but the MBP seems more expandable with the Express Card slot.
I think it boils down to what you will be editing. If it requires using the express card slot then maybe it's the better alternative.

If you believe you will need to be able to take your editing machine into the field or if getting editing jobs means you going to them instead of them going to you, then maybe MBP is better.

I was having a hard time justifying spending loads of cash on a machine when I didn't know if or when I'd get editing jobs or when I'd be doing my own projects. I was dead set on getting a Mac Pro, but realized how much more extras I needed to buy after the initial purchase to make it an editing station - more ram, scratch disc, monitor etc.

So I decided I'd start with the 27inch iMac (i went i5) because it makes such a nice home computer that is capable of editing quite well AND down the road if I get to the point I need a Mac Pro, I have a beautiful 27inch 2k monitor to go with it if I so wish.

So it boils down to practicality. If portability is a must, then Macbook pro. If not, I'd look at options.
 
I just bought an i7 MBP and I'm planning to buy 8 GB of memory from eBay, it works out cheaper for me that way.
 
Well to be honest a laptop is always great to have. It is very useful having a laptop on scene to transfer files and even encode if you have too.

Imac is faster than the new i7 MBP , but in all honesty they are all great computers. The ideal setup IMO would be to have a nice laptop and a Mac Pro or Imac at home.

peace
 
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