finalcut pro with mackbookpro 15" i5 vs imac 21"

[vidit]

Simple said I am hoping someone out there has been using final-cut pro with mackbook-pro 15" i5 version 2010 its has 5400 hd but can be ordered with a 7200Hd if that makes a difference. Versus final-cut pro using the Imac 21.5-inch:3.06GHz

I am trying to decide what to purchase between the two

I am already aware of the cliches: portability vs price vs storage etc.

Is one that much better for editing, rendering, etc than the other. Or any other feed back actual users may have??? Thank you very much! Rod

 

[leekohler]

Make sure you get a firewire 800 external hard drive to use as a scratch disc. You should be fine with either. Of course the ideal is a Mac Pro with two internal drives.

 

[vidit]

mmmmm

but what would be your pick? have you used finalcut on either one?

 

[MikeinJapan]

Because the iMacs (except the i7 (not sure about the iMac i5)) all use laptop hardware I'd say the i5 as it is newer hardware and should be faster even at a lower clock speed. Also I think the graphics card is better too but not 100% sure. In the real world I'd say the MacBook pro is a little faster but has a smaller screen.

So either a big screen or portability and a little more speed. It's a hard one but I'd go for the iMac as the screen size really helps while editing. How about a MacBook pro i5 and an external screen when you can afford it?

 

[leekohler]

but what would be your pick? have you used finalcut on either one?

Neither. I would not use either machine for video editing as it's pretty intense. I'm too paranoid about frying drives and such, but that's me. I know a lot of people use both of them for editing.

But if you're going to use one, do the MBP for portability.

 

[vidit]

thanks for the info.. "but" is there anyone out there that has actually used used finalcut on either or''?

 

[kimballc]

vidit, I have used - as of late - the 15" Macbook Pro for full HD editing (Prores files derived from Sony NX Cam footage). The move to the Macbook Pro was necessitated by the NX cam footage not being editable on my old PowerMac G5.

My experience has been fairly trouble free, the MacBook Pro has been quick enough for small projects. I, too, am deciding now whether the MBP will work for longer form projects - I am about to begin a full-length doc and I may use my MBP pr invest in a new MacPro.

All in all, a MBP will do the work. For best results, use an external high speed drive and a larger display.

K.

 

[mark28]

Simple said I am hoping someone out there has been using final-cut pro with mackbook-pro 15" i5 version 2010 its has 5400 hd but can be ordered with a 7200Hd if that makes a difference. Versus final-cut pro using the Imac 21.5-inch:3.06GHz

I am trying to decide what to purchase between the two

I am already aware of the cliches: portability vs price vs storage etc.

Is one that much better for editing, rendering, etc than the other. Or any other feed back actual users may have??? Thank you very much! Rod

If you're going to use heavy 3rd party plugins/filters, both machines are way too slow. Personally, I'd save up for a Quad Core Core i7 iMac or one of those Mac Pro.

Else both machines are fine.