My indecision is final - editing on a powerbook.

[Sphereskin]

I'm upgrading my MacBook Pro as it's past it's shelf life, 15" duo 2.93 8gb 512 graphics, as I need to do some mobile final cut editing using 1920 avi files. Mostly straight cuts - few transitions and simple effects. 3 layer of video max and 2 soundtracks. Max length 20 minutes.

Some compressor in downtime for unused footage. Photoshop work a given, but even editing 200 mg scans has never been an issue.

Since whatever I buy I also have to get a AJA XT IO whatever I'm wondering if I could save some cash and get a 13" I5 16gb ram and 256 Ssd. mobile and low power consumption.

Do I need the i7 13"? The i5 looks more pushed than they bother to do the i7.

Do I still need the 15" additional graphics card and the quad i7?

It looks great on screen until the price hits me.

Thanks for the thoughts in advance.

 

[Freyqq]

It's a macbook pro. Everyone is going to be confused.

 

[leman]

You don't really need the i7 and you don't need the GPU. A 15" model (with a quad core CPU) will certainly speed up some things for you, but I don't think you will notice it much with your usage pattern. I'd say that 13" will serve your needs just fine. It will certainly be much faster than your old machine.

 

[barkmonster]

Look out for discounts on the 15" i7 on places like Amazon etc... before jumping on the 13" i5, the price difference can be a couple of hundred between the Apple retail of the 13" at times. I've seen the 2Ghz 15" i7 for just over £1,300 in the UK but it fluctuates all the time and that's barely a few hundred more than the retail of the entry level 13" Retina i5.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

If refurbished doesn't scare you, I'd see what's in the refurb store for late-2013 models. You might find some nice specs for a good price.

 

[FSMBP]

It's a macbook pro. Everyone is going to be confused.

Yeah - I thought he was talking about **wanting** to edit HD video (with layers) on a 2005 PowerBook. I did 720P on a PowerBook once and it was a chore. haha.

 

[Sphereskin]

MacBook Pro right.

Upgrading my MacBook Pro with a new MacBook Pro

Er...

Duo to i5 or i7 with bells.

 

[ColdCase]

Is your video coming in FCP ready (ProRes)? If not, transcoding is a heck of a lot faster with more cores and more CPU power. GPU discrete perhaps helps but an i7 at least.... unless you are a patient editor...

The newest Compressor and FCP apps take better advantage of the i7 feature set.

There are a number of comparisons tests about, I don't have a link off hand.