new mac for final cut

[hansolo669]

I gather from your post, that you might only need a decent MacMini, iMac or MacBook Pro, current or one or two generations ago, if all you want to do is learning by doing. Those machines are still quite capable ( I edited on my G4 iBook with a 12" display once, it was hard due to the low resolution with Avid Xpress DV Free, but it got the work done with DV material) for what you wanna do, editing DV material or even material from those new HDD/Flash cameras with HD capability.

If all your footage comes from consumer or prosumer cameras, there is no need to edit uncompressed, as those cameras record compressed.

You also need fast external HDDs, Firewire 800 will suffice for that.

I personally recommend the current 17" MBP, for its 1920 x 1200 resolution and its ExpressCard slot, which gives you the ability to add additional ports if needed.
The MBP also gives you enough mobility, if that is needed too.

But a MacMini or iMac might also go.

This purchase will help you editing for the next three to five years, unless you get a good paying job and can update sooner, if necessary.

Some questions to help you (and other posters) get a clearer picture what you want and might need.

What will be the source of your footage? - DV, HDV, H264 encoded footage found on most file based consumer cameras, something else....

Do you need portability?

Do you need expandability?

What will be the final product? - video DVD, Blu-Ray, YouTube, Vimeo, other ....

How important is screen resolution for you?


That's it for now, it's quite late here.


PS: Don't take the following as an insult, but if English is your first language, you should work on your spelling, as that will come in handy for future job applications, and it also makes reading a bit hard.

Have a good evening...

and a good evening to you helpfull sir

What will be the source of your footage? - most likley what ever the standerd is for consumer cameras

Do you need portability? not especily im getting a lappy for that

Do you need expandability? it wold be help full

What will be the final product? - youtube and dvd

PS: Don't take the following as an insult, but if English is your first language, you should work on your spelling, as that will come in handy for future job applications, and it also makes reading a bit hard.

no offense or insult taken, and english is my first language. i have a bit of a disibility when it comes to writing.though for jobs and school i use spell check and spelling dictionarys all the time. i do apologize i just dont take that time just for a forum

also im editing my orginal post to make more sense

 

[spinnerlys]

and a good evening to you helpfull sir

What will be the source of your footage? - most likley what ever the standerd is for consumer cameras

Which will be DV, HDV (in extreme cases) and most of the time H264 encoded video, which has to be converted to AIC during import to properly edit it.

Do you need portability? not especily im getting a lappy for that

A Windows/Linux laptop?

Do you need expandability? it wold be help full

For what? Most Macs can have their RAM expanded, but only the current 17" MBP and the MacPro allow further expandability with ExpressCards (MBP) or capture, video or other cards for the MacPro.

What will be the final product? - youtube and dvd

This will also require some (not much, unless you're dealing with dozens of hours) processing power, for transcoding and such.


Personally I would go with a MacMini or 21.5" iMac in your situation.

If you need more screen real estate, you can either buy a big second (or for the Mac Mini first) display, as both support output to a 30" display.
Or you get the 27" iMac, but then I would go with the i5/7 model, as it would speed transcoding times up considerably.

And if you don't mind lugging a 17" MBP around, you can go with that, and add a second display (up to 30") to it for home use.

If you don't need the ExpressCard in the MBP, the 15" (entry model or the one with the graphics card) will also suffice your needs, as it too supports a 30" display.

I hope I did not add to your confusion.


At home I have a 20" iMac for small editing jobs, if I need more power and screen resolution I take my 17" MBP, which is carried around in a backpack.

 

[hansolo669]

"A Windows/Linux laptop?"

god no i have a windows lappy right now but want to upgrade to a mac soon

"For what? Most Macs can have their RAM expanded, but only the current 17" MBP and the MacPro allow further expandability with ExpressCards (MBP) or capture, video or other cards for the MacPro."

true, but i wrote that at like...9 last night so pinch of salt for that one

"If you need more screen real estate, you can either buy a big second (or for the Mac Mini first) display, as both support output to a 30" display.
Or you get the 27" iMac, but then I would go with the i5/7 model, as it would speed transcoding times up considerably.

And if you don't mind lugging a 17" MBP around, you can go with that, and add a second display (up to 30") to it for home use.

If you don't need the ExpressCard in the MBP, the 15" (entry model or the one with the graphics card) will also suffice your needs, as it too supports a 30" display."

usefull stuff

"At home I have a 20" iMac for small editing jobs, if I need more power and screen resolution I take my 17" MBP, which is carried around in a backpack."

most useful part

"I hope I did not add to your confusion."

none added just taken away

personally i'm thinking of going with a core i5 imac, and a 15"mbp for other stuff
i was playing with the macs in futershop (Canadian best buy...but we also have best buy:\) and the imacs, 17" and 15" mbs took everything i could through at them. to bad the mini did't have a mouse

 

[hansolo669]

hows this for confusion:
new mp=high 2-3k
new core i5/i7 imac= high(and medium) 2-3k
old mac pro with preformance roughly equal to the imac= low 1k to low 2k

good
imac= new(better warenty), no need for moniter
new mp= high upgradability, hugh amounts of power
old mp= power equal to imac, lower price, high upgradability

bad
imac= low upgradeability, high rate of doa(core i7/i5), high price
new mp= extra moniter, high price
old mp= extra moniter

conclusion: old mac pro wins with lower price, equal to imac(corei7/i5) power, and lots of upgrade options