Pondering a MBA. Can it handle Final Cut 7 or ProTools

[td2243]

Hey there,

I've only recently started considering getting a laptop. Do you guys think the 13" can handle Final Cut Pro or ProTools for recording. I was thinking about an iMac, but the portability is enticing. I would upgrade the ram to the max, and do the i7 model, but would that work for my needs? Thanks for the help.

Daniel

 

[july142]

will probably handle low track counts with Protools im sure but it all depends what vst you plan on running... video editing for me I leave up to windows desktop, but i also game on the desktop and mix music...I have the base model air just writing, web, photoshop, fireworks, and sketch work on ableton for music... i also paid around 1000 for the air so I'm getting for portability than performance.

 

[td2243]

I just saw that it can only go up to 8MB of ram. Definitely not meant for serious users. Thanks

 

[Boyd01]

FWIW, I run FCP 6 on a 2013 i7/8gb/512gb MBA with no problem.

 

[lamar0607]

i run FCP7 just fine on a 2009 iMac with just an Intel Core 2 duo at 2.93 with just 4GB Ram...the program is old so you don't need the high end systems. Also "your needs" vary massively so you'd have to elaborate, although it sounds like you jumped to the conclusion you weren't going to buy one.

 

[NutsNGum]

I just saw that it can only go up to 8MB of ram. Definitely not meant for serious users. Thanks

Srs, I know guys that make a good living using only a MacBook Air. It is for serious users, just not for video editors.

 

[Alekto]

will probably handle low track counts with Protools im sure but it all depends what vst you plan on running

The CPU won't affect the track count. The SSD/HDD will. It's a PCie SSD. It does 700mb/s. That's A LOT of tracks.

Of course if you have a bunch of EQs and compressors on every channel, it's going to get bogged down a bit.

 

[mrjohnnyglass]

The CPU won't affect the track count. The SSD/HDD will. It's a PCie SSD. It does 700mb/s. That's A LOT of tracks.

Of course if you have a bunch of EQs and compressors on every channel, it's going to get bogged down a bit.

This. I'm running Logic Pro X on my 2013 i7/8/128 and it's a solid, beastly device. I'm currently mixing a project that has 28+ tracks per song. And that's with a total of 68 plug ins per song. I'm able to monitor and render without any issues. It does get a little hot, but that's about it.

 

[budgynana]

Pro Tools has now largely mitigated the need for fast local storage - not connected by USB - by caching to memory so 8GB might not be enough, but the ssd will make up for things somewhat.

 

[electronique]

This. I'm running Logic Pro X on my 2013 i7/8/128 and it's a solid, beastly device. I'm currently mixing a project that has 28+ tracks per song. And that's with a total of 68 plug ins per song. I'm able to monitor and render without any issues. It does get a little hot, but that's about it.

Thanks.. nice numbers.

Your post just confirmed my next upgrade will be an Air.