How can I determine the latest version of FCP that works w late 2011 15” MBP?

[MisterSensitive]

I have a reliable 15” late 2011 MBP that I tricked out w 16G RAM and a 1TB SSD HD. It won’t upgrade past Sierra. I’m trying to find out the latest version of Final Cut Pro that runs on it. I’m sure the info is out there somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. If I have to get an ancient version, I may look at other products, but of course I’d prefer FCP.

thanks!

 

[AZhappyjack]

I have a reliable 15” late 2011 MBP that I tricked out w 16G RAM and a 1TB SSD HD. It won’t upgrade past Sierra. I’m trying to find out the latest version of Final Cut Pro that runs on it. I’m sure the info is out there somewhere, but I couldn’t find it. If I have to get an ancient version, I may look at other products, but of course I’d prefer FCP.

thanks!

I believe that the Mac App Store will only give you the latest version that your system can run. I have no idea what the "correct" version is, but the MAS does. That's the only way I know to find out for sure.

 

[fhturner]

I have a reliable 15” late 2011 MBP

Oooooohhh...don't tempt fate like that! The 2011 MBP 15s are some of the LEAST reliable MacBooks around, thanks to their flawed AMD GPUs. Better knock some wood to be safe. 😁

You should be able to run close to the newest version of FCPX on your machine. Your 2011 will actually go to 10.13 High Sierra, and that should allow you to run FCPX 10.4.6. Beyond that (FCPX 10.4.7+) and you have to have Mojave 10.14.6.

 

[MisterSensitive]

Oooooohhh...don't tempt fate like that! The 2011 MBP 15s are some of the LEAST reliable MacBooks around, thanks to their flawed AMD GPUs. Better knock some wood to be safe. 😁

You should be able to run close to the newest version of FCPX on your machine. Your 2011 will actually go to 10.13 High Sierra, and that should allow you to run FCPX 10.4.6. Beyond that (FCPX 10.4.7+) and you have to have Mojave 10.14.6.

thanks. Ive owned it for nine years and it’s been solid. If it dies, I’ll get it fixed or upgrade, since I make music on it all the time. I’ll try to upgrade to high Sierra and see how close I can get. I hate that I have to purchase it first to see what version I’ll get, even though, yeah it’s a great bargain.

 

[fhturner]

thanks. Ive owned it for nine years and it’s been solid. If it dies, I’ll get it fixed or upgrade, since I make music on it all the time. I’ll try to upgrade to high Sierra and see how close I can get. I hate that I have to purchase it first to see what version I’ll get, even though, yeah it’s a great bargain.

You don’t actually have to purchase it to know. If you keep Sierra, you’ll be able to run 10.4.0. FCPX 10.14.1 Requires High Sierra. And if you do upgrade to High Sierra, you can run up to FCPX 10.4.6.

 

[MisterSensitive]

Thanks! And the built in graphics processor(s) in my old MBP won’t be a limitation?

 

[kohlson]

Thanks! And the built in graphics processor(s) in my old MBP won’t be a limitation?

Compared to what?
As noted above, High Sierra is last OS you'll be able to upgrade with this system. Not sure why you say Sierra is the latest you can get, as according to Apple Support this MBP supports HS.

IIRC, that leaves you a couple of notches shy of the latest FCPX. In their later FCPX releases, Apple has been making performance improvements by utilizing Metal GPUs - though there are lots of other improvements. These may or may not matter to you.

FCPX has relied on both dGPU and iGPU across the workload - import/timeline/export. The GPU is much more efficient than the CPU at many tasks. So what you have will be a limitation compared to a more modern system.

I wish I had good advice for you on this, but if you don't already own FCPX then you'll have to pay $300 for software that you will never be able to upgrade, at least on this MBP.

You could explore other NLEs, like DaVinci, but be sure to check to see if your system is supported.

 

[MisterSensitive]

Compared to what?
As noted above, High Sierra is last OS you'll be able to upgrade with this system. Not sure why you say Sierra is the latest you can get, as according to Apple Support this MBP supports HS.

first of all, thank you for your informed and detailed answer. You’re right that HS is available, although, my old unit thought it was maxed out at Sierra, but I downloaded HS and it installed fine. The only App it broke (so far) was mainstage.

IIRC, that leaves you a couple of notches shy of the latest FCPX. In their later FCPX releases, Apple has been making performance improvements by utilizing Metal GPUs - though there are lots of other improvements. These may or may not matter to you.

im not doing precision work, so as long as it can display decently without the Metal GPU, I’m fine.

FCPX has relied on both dGPU and iGPU across the workload - import/timeline/export. The GPU is much more efficient than the CPU at many tasks. So what you have will be a limitation compared to a more modern system.

i figured as much. I assume that would be a major issue w 4K video.

I wish I had good advice for you on this, but if you don't already own FCPX then you'll have to pay $300 for software that you will never be able to upgrade, at least on this MBP.

yeah, I’m leaning towards Premiere Elements, which I can get bundled w PS Elements for $79 (I’m in the K12 world). I know it’s not nearly as feature rich as FCPX, but as you noted, I won’t have invested in SW I’m locked into. The latest Premiere Elem runs on HS, and the demo runs fine.

You could explore other NLEs, like DaVinci, but be sure to check to see if your system is supported.

again, thanks. This MBP is on bonus time. It’s my DAW workhorse and one of these days it’ll bite the pooch and I’ll have to pony up for a new one. Until then, I’m squeezing as much utility out of it as I can. After 9 years, it’s still a pretty amazing machine!

 

[kohlson]

it’s still a pretty amazing machine!

I agree. Note that you are one of the lucky owners. Many, many of these 2011 MBPs had defects related to the GPU. Recall and everything. There is a separate thread here on MR on how to make systems which have been adversely impacted operable once again.

Premiere, and *Elements, are good packages. I should point out that "lock in" goes to a different dimension wrt Adobe. While Elements are perpetual licenses (fee upgrades), the upward path is CC, a subscription license. And while your finger memory will still work, if you move off the hardware platform, you'll have to buy it again.

iMovie's upward path is FCPX, a 1-time perpetual license (free upgrades). But of course, you're stuck with Mac OS.