Editing 4K on the 2017 13 inch base model?

[George Adey]

Just about to pick up a used 13 inch base model from 2017. 8GB Ram version.

has anyone got experience of editing 4K footage on FCPX on this Type of machine? I presume it runs ok?

 

[Glockworkorange]

Just about to pick up a used 13 inch base model from 2017. 8GB Ram version.

has anyone got experience of editing 4K footage on FCPX on this Type of machine? I presume it runs ok?

Base model with Touch Bar or non-touchbar?

 

[George Adey]

Base model with Touch Bar or non-touchbar?

good point, well there are options for either. I was looking at the one without touchbar

 

[Glockworkorange]

My recollection is that editing on that machine is certainly doable, but perhaps not the greatest experience.

I mean, you can edit 4K on a MacBook Air if you want; it just won't be pleasant.

The best value right now is the current base model 13 inch pro, which a quad core processor and a pretty reasonable starting price.

 

[George Adey]

My recollection is that editing on that machine is certainly doable, but perhaps not the greatest experience.

I mean, you can edit 4K on a MacBook Air if you want; it just won't be pleasant.

The best value right now is the current base model 13 inch pro, which a quad core processor and a pretty reasonable starting price.

the base model 13 inch is a good shout!! It’s either that or a maxed out 2015 15 inch! Similar price

 

[Glockworkorange]

the base model 13 inch is a good shout!! It’s either that or a maxed out 2015 15 inch! Similar price

I’d take the 15 inch in a heartbeat.

 

[George Adey]

Real

I’d take the 15 inch in a heartbeat.

really? I didn’t think it would be that close

 

[Glockworkorange]

Real


really? I didn’t think it would be that close

Quad core i-7, discrete GPU, 16 GB RAM, and a good keyboard?

I’d take the 15.

 

[Howard2k]

Quad core i-7, discrete GPU, 16 GB RAM, and a good keyboard?

I’d take the 15.

And faster wifi, probably faster SSD too (not 100% on that). I’d go for the 2015 too, unless portability was critical. Then see what the next 13” looks like if the 15” feels chunky.

 

[Glockworkorange]

And faster wifi, probably faster SSD too (not 100% on that). I’d go for the 2015 too, unless portability was critical. Then see what the next 13” looks like if the 15” feels chunky.

I agree. I didn’t consider portability, but if that’s not an issue, I think think the 15 is a no brainier. It’s a great machine.
[automerge]1577451506[/automerge]

And faster wifi, probably faster SSD too (not 100% on that). I’d go for the 2015 too, unless portability was critical. Then see what the next 13” looks like if the 15” feels chunky.

Also, you can swap the SSD on that 15 inch with a kit from macsales.com

 

[Plett]

2015 for sure. Quad core, and GPU is the key in this case. That said I have rendered 4k on less of a machine, luckily I am a short home movie guy so didn't have feature film to deal with, it was slow. FCP does a great job of utilizing the hardware at it's disposal.

 

[Fishrrman]

I think it would do "well enough" for 4k -- provided you worked from "proxy media".

But... there are reasons to avoid a used 2017, primarily -- the keyboard.
Apple does have a 4-year replacement program for failing butterfly keyboards.
But if the one you're considering was sold in 2017, that means you have only 1-2 years left on the keyboard, before a failure means that "you pay". And it's NOT CHEAP to fix.
Figure $700-750.

Do you want to risk that?

 

[fs454]

I'd go for the 15 inch 2015. 45 watt quad i7, 16GB RAM and a real GPU are all massively beneficial to dealing with higher res footage.

 

[waquzy]

good point, well there are options for either. I was looking at the one without touchbar

The only massive negative point to consider when buying the base 2017 nTB model is that it only has a single fan, whereas the Touch-Bar MBP comes with 2 fans.