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Best Video Editing Mac On A Budget

marioman38

marioman38

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
901
84
Lodi, CA
What is the best machine to buy for final cut studio on a budget?


I Could Use the portability of a laptop, but it's not a nessasity... Also, I'd be open to a used system, as i dont care if it's intel or PPC... Although if it were to be a PPC id only be a PB, or a G5 (imac maybe?)
 
Im not sure how much motion id use, what would use suggest if i used it very little, and what if i used it alot?

I'm currently on a 1.33GHZ 14" iBook w/ 768mb, it only has 32vRam, so i've never used motion before...

Thanks......
 
I recommend Intel as well, for sure. Do you have an external hard drive to store your footage?
 
islandman said:
I recommend Intel as well, for sure. Do you have an external hard drive to store your footage?
Click to expand...

Yea I have a Maxtor Onetouch II, i think its 200GB, it has both fw400 and usb...

If i were to get an intel like many of you suggested rather than a G5 pm or imac, or a G4 PB, i deffinatly be on the iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro side of things... the macbook/mini probably wouldn't be good due to lack of dedicated video card???
 
marioman38 said:
Yea I have a Maxtor Onetouch II, i think its 200GB, it has both fw400 and usb...

If i were to get an intel like many of you suggested rather than a G5 pm or imac, or a G4 PB, i deffinatly be on the iMac, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro side of things... the macbook/mini probably wouldn't be good due to lack of dedicated video card???
Click to expand...
Only Motion would be dependent on the video card. Core 2 Duo would take care of the rest.

Do you need the upgradeability of the Mac Pro? Otherwise a MacBook or Mac mini would be just fine. (Barring an installer block due to the GMA 950.)
 
I dont really need all the features etc. of the mac pro...

So we've limited it to these??
???????????????????????????
Intel Mac Mini

Macbook

Macbook Pro

and

Intel iMac

????????????????????????????

EDIT: How Much would i need Motion? Ive never used it before... I'd be making CKY type videos with my friends, and simple family videos, and 8mm/Hi8 transfer via A/D Passthrough....

I currently have a cheap-o Canon ZR85, but am planning on upgrading to a VX2000/VX2100 soon, if that matters... (Probably dosn't though)
 
marioman38 said:
EDIT: How Much would i need Motion? Ive never used it before... I'd be making CKY type videos with my friends, and simple family videos, and 8mm/Hi8 transfer via A/D Passthrough....

I currently have a cheap-o Canon ZR85, but am planning on upgrading to a VX2000/VX2100 soon, if that matters... (Probably dosn't though)
Click to expand...
Uh...why do you need Final Cut Studio again?
 
Ohh yea hmm, i think it's 5.0, but i could always hurry, and do the cross grade thing..

Yea, its 5.0.4
 
Portability would be nice, but not if it decrases performance too much...

Are refurbs dependable? Or maybe i'd be better to search ebay???

Not That im completly ruling out new or anything...
 
marioman38 said:
Portability would be nice, but not if it decrases performance too much...

Are refurbs dependable? Or maybe i'd be better to search ebay???

Not That im completly ruling out new or anything...
Click to expand...
Full Apple warranty on a refurb. If you wait a little longer you might be able to get a MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo.
 
Ah, i wasn't aware they came with a full waranty? is applecare avaliable too?

Yea, im in no true hurry, just within the next, oh, 2-4 months or so, id do the cross grade much sooner of course...
 
Eidorian said:
That's pretty much it now. The iMac Core 2 Duo is already available on Apple's Refurb page. The Core 2 Duo 2.16 GHz 20" iMac hopefully wouldn't break the bank at $1,299.
Click to expand...

Nah, it wouldn't break the bank... Thanks for the help!

I'll probably do a little research on the macbook pro, and the iMac...

Oh, one more thing... Any input onscreen size as in Portabilty vs. Price vs. niceness of being able to view more?

Thanks!!!
 
marioman38 said:
Nah, it wouldn't break the bank... Thanks for the help!

I'll probably do a little research on the macbook pro, and the iMac...

Oh, one more thing... Any input onscreen size as in Portabilty vs. Price vs. niceness of being able to view more?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
15" MacBook Pro - 1440 x 900
17" iMac - 1440 x 900
20" iMac - 1680 x 1050

Then again ALL of them support secondary monitors. More pixels would be beneficial.
 
Garden Knowm said:
HI MARI!

Please define budget...?

for 2-3 GRAND you can get a power mac dual 2.5 with 23 inch monitor on Craigs List..

This machine is smoking fast considering it is only 1-3 G's... You'll need 4 GB RAM... and IF youc an get a 30 inch display.. it makes ALL the difference!!!

here is an example

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bar/235437198.html
Click to expand...
It sounds like they're just using Final Cut Studio since they got a good deal on it with a machine off of eBay. 1-2 GB of RAM is enough for home movies.
 
1) My name is Matt
2) My budget would be 1-2k
3) I'm 14 (15 next month), and am very interested in video editing, and would highly consider a career in the industry when I graduate highschool/collage...
4) I use Final Cut, because iMovie isn't nearly featured enough for even the basic stuff id be doing...

EDIT: If i were to get a refurb MBP, would there be a big difference between Core Duo, and the Core2Duo when it becomes availabe? Or would it be neglegible?

THANKS GUYS!!!!!!
 
marioman38 said:
1) My name is Matt
2) My budget would be 1-2k
3) I'm 14 (15 next month), and am very interested in video editing, and would highly consider a career in the industry when I graduate highschool/collage...
4) I use Final Cut, because iMovie isn't nearly featured enough for even the basic stuff id be doing...

EDIT: If i were to get a refurb MBP, would there be a big difference between Core Duo, and the Core2Duo when it becomes availabe? Or would it be neglegible?

THANKS GUYS!!!!!!
Click to expand...
Core 2 Duo is a big enough leap in encoding abilities to warrant it over Core Duo.
 
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