Possible YouTube channel & Current Computer VS New

[MilleDav01]

I am currently contemplating starting a youtube channel and have a macbook air. I will most likely be editing a video a few times per week.

I currently have a MacBook Air 2013 with 4GB of ram 13.3" Base.

Is it possible to encode and export on an 8GB ram macbook air OR should I look at selling my current macbook air and upgrading to the MacBook Pro W/ Retina Display?

I will be using an external thunderbolt hard drive as storage, so I do not need a TON of hard drive space.

Does anyone here make youtube videos? I have bought Final Cut Pro X, what else do you use?

Any other recommendations. I do not want a desktop because I will be going to school in England at the beginning of next summer so I need something fairly portable.

Do you think 16GB of ram is necessary/required? because I don't know if I'm willing to pay $300.00 for apple ram.

Thanks!

D.

 

[silvetti]

How long are the videos you will be rendering/uploading ?

 

[MilleDav01]

Time

I would guess 8-12 minutes.


Thank you!

 

[Altemose]

I would guess 8-12 minutes.


Thank you!

Since you bought Final Cut Pro, why not do a test video? That will tell you if you need more power under the hood or not.

 

[bigeasy_uk]

Of course you can encode video for youtube on your MBA, it's quite powerful. People did the same thing using pentium 4's with 512mb ram, it was just slower!

Will your MBA do it as quickly as a rMBP? Probably not.

I'd do what Altemose said and do a couple of test videos to see how it fairs. If you are happy with the performance then there is no need to upgrade .

Out of interest, where are you studying in England?