Macbook ( macbook pro) configuration

[Check 6]

I have a friend that wants to get an MBP or MB for basic video editing. What is the minimum configuration he should look at i.e. processor, memory, HD and video card. He is on a low budget but buying less than the minimum is false economy. Thanks

 

[simsaladimbamba]

HD or SD? iMovie or something else?
Anyway, any C2D Mac should suffice even with HD footage (if properly transcoded, which iMovie does during import from footage on a camcorder).

 

[Check 6]

HD or SD? iMovie or something else?
Anyway, any C2D Mac should suffice even with HD footage (if properly transcoded, which iMovie does during import from footage on a camcorder).

At this point he will use I movie

 

[Check 6]

I was hoping for more comments so I could help my friend out. This will be his big switch to Macs

 

[theSeb]

How low is his budget exactly?

 

[Donka]

Is he buying new or second hand? What does he use currently as a guideline?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I was hoping for more comments so I could help my friend out. This will be his big switch to Macs

What more do you want? And since you didn't provide an answer to the "HD or SD" question, there can't be a really good answer, as I could use my 2004 iBook to edit SD footage from a DV camcorder and I could even use one of the first iMacs from 1999 to do the same.
HD is a different beast, but with iMovie any C2D Mac (late 2006 and 2007 models and later) will do the job.

 

[SDAVE]

The low end 15" MBP will suffice. You need screen estate to edit, so a 13" will be out of the question.

Tell him to go to an Apple store and look at the 15" MBP, HiRes display and non high res. Remember non glossy version costs more too.

4GB is Ok, but he can buy 8GB+ himself and install it. Save a bunch of money.

Also get a 7200RPM drive if you're going to edit internally. Should be enough for HDV or H264.