I currently use an ancient PowerBook G4 from summer '04 and am in desperate need of an upgrade!
Professionally, I shoot and edit video and create motion graphics. At work I have a stock Mac Pro from January '09 (not sure on exact specs, but I think it is a fairly fast setup) which has been able to handle everything I've thrown at it.
I'd like to be able to produce the same kind of video and motion graphics that I do at work at home, and am looking for a new primary system. Because software runs at such a high price, i'm looking to save anything I can on the hardware setup.
For this new system, I'm planning on editing short form 1080p video and motion graphics. I understand that the iMac does not have an interface for data transfer, aside from the ethernet jack, that could handle an external source of high def video. Since I will mostly be editing short form video, I expect that the hard drive space will be sufficient for current-project storage.
I don't really think I have the money to spend on a Mac Pro, and i'm desperately in need of a new system. I'm fine with not having the fastest system, since this is for personal use, but I'd like to be able to handle HD video without too much lag. Will the iMac's graphics card and processing power be sufficient for my needs? I'm also open to looking at the MBPs, but since I'm not looking for a portable solution, and the iMac has the gorgeous built in monitor, I'm thinking that with a MBP (even with the looming upgrade) I'm going to be paying for portability that I won't need.
I'm seriously considering the iMac 27" i7 with a standard configuration, and then upgrading with 3rd party RAM. Can anyone explain why I should or should not make the purchase? Can I provide any other information?
Thanks!
Professionally, I shoot and edit video and create motion graphics. At work I have a stock Mac Pro from January '09 (not sure on exact specs, but I think it is a fairly fast setup) which has been able to handle everything I've thrown at it.
I'd like to be able to produce the same kind of video and motion graphics that I do at work at home, and am looking for a new primary system. Because software runs at such a high price, i'm looking to save anything I can on the hardware setup.
For this new system, I'm planning on editing short form 1080p video and motion graphics. I understand that the iMac does not have an interface for data transfer, aside from the ethernet jack, that could handle an external source of high def video. Since I will mostly be editing short form video, I expect that the hard drive space will be sufficient for current-project storage.
I don't really think I have the money to spend on a Mac Pro, and i'm desperately in need of a new system. I'm fine with not having the fastest system, since this is for personal use, but I'd like to be able to handle HD video without too much lag. Will the iMac's graphics card and processing power be sufficient for my needs? I'm also open to looking at the MBPs, but since I'm not looking for a portable solution, and the iMac has the gorgeous built in monitor, I'm thinking that with a MBP (even with the looming upgrade) I'm going to be paying for portability that I won't need.
I'm seriously considering the iMac 27" i7 with a standard configuration, and then upgrading with 3rd party RAM. Can anyone explain why I should or should not make the purchase? Can I provide any other information?
Thanks!
