What to buy for editing?

A

alejanse

Member
Hi,
I am now done with the 10 mandatory years of school.
High school is next ( I am from Norway, here we start in 1st grade at the age of six, then we start high school the year we fill 16. Think it's abit different from USA.)

So, I've applied for something we call Media and communications here in Norway, where the classes are based on design, visual communication and such. And from What I've heard and seen other do on this line of eduction, they use alot of photsohop and make alot of movies.
Therefor, I started thinking that maybe a Mac would be good for something like this, where I can install FCP, Photoshop, after effects and such too use at and for school.

The only problem is; Can I use a laptop for this? And where can I buy a mac for a reasonable price withing 800-1500$ (Can probably go 500-700 $ higher.) ?

I am going to use a XH-A1 for the moviemaking atleast. Don't think anyone else where I live has any camera that can beat it.

Thanks for your time and thanks for all help I recieve.
Also, excuse my bad english.

Sincerly
Alexander
 
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I would get whatever platform your school uses - Mac or PC would both work fine for this. I do everything you just said (and alot more) with a PC without a hitch. It of course can be done equally well on a Mac too. Lets not turn this into another Mac/PC debate, but I'd go with what you are being taught on for now. Not sure on Mac prices but I would imagine 2000 could buy you something that would work. Look into educational licenses for the software, it can save you a bundle there. Seems like there may even be educational discounts on hardware as well.
 
jdajda said:
I would get whatever platform your school uses - Mac or PC would both work fine for this. I do everything you just said (and alot more) with a PC without a hitch. It of course can be done equally well on a Mac too. Lets not turn this into another Mac/PC debate, but I'd go with what you are being taught on for now. Not sure on Mac prices but I would imagine 2000 could buy you something that would work. Look into educational licenses for the software, it can save you a bundle there. Seems like there may even be educational discounts on hardware as well.
Click to expand...

But is a laptop good/fast enough to handle 1080p film?
 
Depends on the laptop. I'd get a desktop though just to have the screen real estate and non cramped keyboard and a real mouse. I've tried editing on powerful laptops and it was just two cramped. Desktop also has 2 20" widescreens so maybe I'm spoiled to those a bit.
 
hehe, 2x 20's. Don't even got that now :p
But, the reason I want a laptop is so I can use it at school, or whereever I go. Like taking it with me on-set and such.

and some of the mac's comes with 19'' widescreen. not too cramped if you ask me ^^
But thanks for the help man.
 
ok a 19" laptop would probably be just fine. I forget my current laptop is tiny in comparison to many (12.4" screen). As long as you had a real mouse with you in the bag somewhere it would be ok I suppose. I'd look at the requirements of the software you'll be using as spec'd by the manufacturer. That should give you a good baseline as to how much power you'll really need. Not sure where to buy a mac other than www.apple.com...
 
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...se&mco=3856D31F&node=home/macbook/macbook_pro

Most promissing I found is the one above.

"17inc 2.4ghz
  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 1680 x 1050 pixels
  • 2GB memory
  • 160GB hard drive1
  • 8x double-layer SuperDrive
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 256MB SDRAM
Ships: Within 24 hours
Free Shipping
$2,799.00"

Sounds kinda good, also they have FCP as an example in one of their pictures on the site. =)

Any one that can give some feedback on this product, experiences with it etc. ?
 
alejanse said:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...se&mco=3856D31F&node=home/macbook/macbook_pro

Most promissing I found is the one above.

"17inc 2.4ghz
  • 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
  • 1680 x 1050 pixels
  • 2GB memory
  • 160GB hard drive1
  • 8x double-layer SuperDrive
  • NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 256MB SDRAM
Ships: Within 24 hours
Free Shipping
$2,799.00"

Sounds kinda good, also they have FCP as an example in one of their pictures on the site. =)

Any one that can give some feedback on this product, experiences with it etc. ?
Click to expand...


that system is very expensive, for that much money you can build a pc rig that instantly kills that mac system. I have nothing against macs, but its just so expensive:Drogar-BlackEye(DBG . Imagine building an Intel Core 2 Quad with 4GB ram and 256MB+ video for less than that!

i know the workflow is good compared to win32 but man, 2799!! are you frelling kidding me!?!?
 
dcrin3 said:
that system is very expensive, for that much money you can build a pc rig that instantly kills that mac system. I have nothing against macs, but its just so expensive:Drogar-BlackEye(DBG . Imagine building an Intel Core 2 Quad with 4GB ram and 256MB+ video for less than that!

i know the workflow is good compared to win32 but man, 2799!! are you frelling kidding me!?!?
Click to expand...

Actually its pretty much inline with other BRANDED LAPTOPS on the market.
 
Yeah I think its a fair laptop price - you could build an outstanding desktop for much less but for a laptop that sounds fair. I understand wanting to edit mobile but I still would go desktop for a main editing rig. Spend your time at school shooting and doing pre-prod. And with the extra money you can buy more things like lights or audio gear or ramen noodles. Theres always something you can buy :)
 
ncje said:
Actually its pretty much inline with other BRANDED LAPTOPS on the market.
Click to expand...

correct, if you're buying the laptop for highend use. video,cad,3d,gaming. but i say go desktop and build a rig good enough for less money and spend the extra cash on something else.

the good ole' days, indies used to be cheap. its amazing what people did with little money they had but now we are spoiled! :) we want to spend more money even though you can get something better performance wise for less.

But thats my take. :beer:

good day.
 
I'd be inclined to do the same at this stage of the game, get yourself the most bang for the $ - that's a no name build yourself PC. I think Kholi made a thread about building a PC to run macosx if you needed to go the FCS path.
 
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