MacBook Air/Pro + Monitor vs. iMac + $500 Windows Laptop for SCHOOL and video

[Dan-Ibanez]

My son uses his 2012 27" iMac for online school and video editing. He will be returning to in person school in January. I am debating either purchasing a $500 8 gig Windows laptop for school use and keeping the old iMac or buying a new Mac laptop, Air or Pro, and "donating" my 27" monitor that I have and selling his old iMac - getting him to one machine.

The processor scores for the current MBA blow his 2012 27" iMac out of the water - but can a MBA or a MacBook Pro actually handle video editing? My 2012 13" 2GB MBA is still in business for my middle son doing online schooling... but it could never on its best day do any video processing.

I'm hung up on a desktop being better than a laptop. Am I worried for no reason? Thanks.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Many highly successful YouTube vloggers have been shooting and editing 4K video on their smartphones for several years.

My guess is that a contemporary Mac (desktop or notebook) will be largely sufficient for a middle schooler's video creating needs.

That said, a $500-700 Windows ultrabook should be a fine enhancement should he be compelled to run Shotcut, Davinci Resolve, etc.

If you want to put a super powerful video creation tool in his hands, you should consider an iPhone 12 Pro so he can output Dolby Vision HDR content. He can download iMovie for free or spend a few bucks for FilMic Pro.

The old paradigm of "expensive powerful camcorder + expensive powerful notebook computer running expensive powerful software" has been obsolete for years.