MCP Graphics Card Question For Video Editing

[deeve]

I posted something over in the buying advice section, but after 660 views no answer. Thought I might have better luck here..

I currently have a Mid 2009 13" MBP with 8gb Ram, 2.26 dual core processor and 160GB HDD. I got a a GoPro for Christmas and found that the machine just isnt up to the task of editing the videos with Premiere 11. My uses for the machine are general use, along with beginner-hoping-to-learn/grow Video and Photo editing. At this point the current MBP I have cannot even play the raw vids in any of the 1080p, let along the higher res smoothly to edit. I have tried all kinds of things with the help from the Adobe forum and after all was said and done, the problem seems to be too slow/old of a CPU to handle the higher quality clips. Poor thing is maxed all the time. Any kind of rendering takes 60+ minutes for even 10 min vids shot at 1080p30fps. I did recently discover that 760p videos seem to work ok for editing..just rendering takes quite a while.

I am looking at getting a new Mac. So far I have narrowed down to a current 13" MCP 2.9 i7 with 8gb of RAM and the base 750gb 5400RPM HDD. Any upgrades to both of those specs I can do myself. Other option is a 15" MBP, but not sure on the specs I would be happy with. I know the 15" models have a little bit slower CPU, but have a dedicated GPU.

Questions are: Will the 13" work out well for what I want-concerned about the on-board graphics being able to handle the editing. Like I said, just beginner level video editing stuff, but hope to get better. How much does the graphics capability have to do with video editing?

If I go with a 15" model is there that much difference between the different CPU's or GPU's for my need?


Thanks!
DAVE

 

[ET3SW]

I know the 15" models have a little bit slower CPU, but have a dedicated GPU.

Not true. The 13" models have a dual core chip and the 15" models have a quad core chip. The 15in is going to be a much better bet especially if you are planning on doing more advanced things with the machine.

 

[GermanyChris]

Why don't you get a desktop and keep your portable as a portable..1080p won't be to taxing base MP and they're in the refurb store for 1800..

At least with the desktop you won't have to listen to the fans at 6K while rendering.

 

[deeve]

Not true. The 13" models have a dual core chip and the 15" models have a quad core chip. The 15in is going to be a much better bet especially if you are planning on doing more advanced things with the machine.

Thank you. The 15 would have a significant boost all around then. I just saw i7 and thought quad core. I was blinded by the 7.

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Why don't you get a desktop and keep your portable as a portable..1080p won't be to taxing base MP and they're in the refurb store for 1800..

At least with the desktop you won't have to listen to the fans at 6K while rendering.

I thought about the desktop, but the problem I have with those is my understanding is that you cannot upgrade them so you have to get whatever you think you might want at the time of purchase. I also don't like the idea that if a hard drive crashes you are stuck with having to get it repaired by Apple.

 

[GermanyChris]

Thank you. The 15 would have a significant boost all around then. I just saw i7 and thought quad core. I was blinded by the 7.

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I thought about the desktop, but the problem I have with those is my understanding is that you cannot upgrade them so you have to get whatever you think you might want at the time of purchase. I also don't like the idea that if a hard drive crashes you are stuck with having to get it repaired by Apple.

Not on a Mac Pro..

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC560LL/A/refurbished-mac-pro-28ghz-quad-core-intel-xeon

 

[deeve]

ahhh. I was thinking iMac. I never looked at the Pros but I think I will.

 

[deeve]

You know, I still like the MBP. Seems you get a lot of bang for the buck ( especially refurbed) and the ability to upgrade. Now,how much does the GPU effect things. I'm not into games, but like I mentioned above some video and pic editing.