which mac to get?

M

matt9b

Well-known member
I'm getting an apple mac for video production and audio production.

As I'm going to be editing films (up to one hour programmes and films) in HD, which spec do you think I should get? I'm funding this myself, so obviously I'm looking for performance for as low a possible cost.

I plan to be using FCP, Vegas (on Windows on Mac), and After Effects. I'll be using HVX200 and G35 for filming.

I currently have a PC and a Power Mac dual 1.8, but the powermac 1.8 dual can barely cope with my audio production needs, let alone video production in HD.

I thought I should give the pros on here a chance for input before I go ahead and dive in and buy! What are the minimum specs I need?


Thanks! :)
 
I would get a Refurbished Macpro quad from the apple store. They start around 2grand or so and that would give you what you need. They go pretty quickly.
 
filthrich said:
I would get a Refurbished Macpro quad from the apple store. They start around 2grand or so and that would give you what you need. They go pretty quickly.
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If they start around £2k, isn't it worth me just buying an 8 core brand new for £1.7k?
 
Ah, you're talking in $, sorry I'm in the UK, £. So new macs here start from £1.7k. The one you're talking about is about £700. However, here on the mac site, they sell that for £1499, so it doesn't make sense to buy that when you can get double specs for a brand new one for £1749...

£1499 for a quad-core refurbished, the link is here: http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore.woa/wa/RSLID?sf=w2YF4JXY4AHCAJCDF&nclm=Certified

£1749 for new 8-core link is here:
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/mac_pro?mco=NzY2NzAz

I guess I will go for the basic £1749 model and buy a raptor HD for it- unless anyone has any other suggestions? thanks :)
 
rick3000 said:
Figuring out which Mac to buy can be a tricky game. Personally, I would buy the newest Mac possible because it will not get outdated as quickly as something that is older. That said there is nothing wrong with an older Mac. I would say any MacPro, or G5 Quad PowerMac can serve your needs the only difference is that the more power you get the faster it will render, etc. Depending on your budget and time frame I would wait a month or two longer. Apple is expected to revamp their entire lineup by the end of the year (just rumors). If I had 2k pounds I would get a 3GHz MacPro with 4GB maybe 8GB of Ram.
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2k pounds won't go that far. I've ordered the 2.8Ghz for £1.6k and I'm buying 2 x 1TB HDs and probably a raptor (will see how the other drives cope first), and an extra 2GB RAM totalling 4GM (might get more- will see how performance wise it copes)
 
I just did that math figuring a pound was $2 US. I guess there just charging more. But that sounds like a good setup to me.
 
rick3000 said:
I just did that math figuring a pound was $2 US. I guess there just charging more. But that sounds like a good setup to me.
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yeah its common knowledge we poor british sods seem to have a hard time with prices. We're charged a lot more for gear, so it takes longer to save for it, or we have to do what we can with less.
 
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