Macbooks

Go for the macbook pro, i don't think final cut can run on integrated graphics (I could be wrong), it's alot more money but it's worth it.

 

1) It will run FCP, DVDSP, and Soundtrack... Motion and Color may not install. Color will not work if you get it to install as it is very GPU dependent.

2) If you want to run Color and Motion then yes, the extra money is worth it. I mean, if you are spending $1,300 of FCS2 then you'd like to use all of the components, correct? The larger screen and faster ports will also help out a lot.

3) It's not stupid, plenty of people do it. But if it is their main editing machine, it is usually a MBP.

 

Those are the old old ones. John Lewis are notorious (at least with me) for being one step behind on Macs.

But the principle is a good compromise (I'd definitely go for the Pro) if money's tight.

 

1. it will, but I can tell you from my personal experience, it is VERY annoying and sometimes it gets stuck for a while, etc. altough the new generation of Macbooks are better than the one I had, I wouldn't take the chace...

2. YES! you will find out that the upgrade is not only for editing... the MBP is much stronger than the Macbook... you will have smoother work in general, and in my oppinion, its worth it.

3. I think that you should concider an external HD... because editing can sometimes get easly to 10 Gb projects, etc... if you can, I would recommend you an external HD( if you can 250Gb+ its awesome), and put all your editing "settings" (capture, render, projects, etc) on it... if you can't afford it by any chance, you need to know that only the Final Cut Studio is like 30Gb (or more if I am not mistaken) and as someone that will probably use the laptop for other things, you will notice that the space will run out quickly...


well, I hope I helped

 

Apple are selling the old low end base model in their refurbs section for £929. Which I think is excellent value. I bought one and run FCP quite happily