Suggest best older Macbook Pro/Air model for 4k edit

[Tech-Zero]

Hi,

I am planning to buy Mac seconds for short film 4k edit and export. Which is the best previous year/older model Macbook than can do it? I understand that the processing time will be more on older Macbook's.
I have gone through some online reviews which suggests Air 2017 can do it. Which older Pro & Air model support 4k editing without much issues?

 

[profcutter]

2015 15" with discrete GPU. No question.

 

[Tech-Zero]

2015 15" with discrete GPU. No question.

Thank you. I beleive you mentioned about Pro model. And, How would Air 2017 perform compared to 2015 Pro model? Any advantage?
[automerge]1594113140[/automerge]

2015 15" with discrete GPU. No question.

will the below model work? It's 13.8" though.
MacBook Pro i5 MD101/h/n A1278 Intel Core i5 Turbo Boost processor speed upto 3.5ghz laptop 2015 Dec.
Core i5 2.5gh 8gbram expandable upto 16gb 500gb sata harddisk 1.5gb Intel HD grapix card. 13.8wide HD sreen

 

[profcutter]

MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" Mid-2015 (DG) Specs (Retina Mid-2015 15", MJLU2LL/A*, MacBookPro11,5, A1398, 2910): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15" Mid-2015 (DG). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

A 2013/2014 would also probably work. You’ll want the discrete graphics model, that means it has a separate chip for graphics (GPU), not just the built-in graphics. Both types were sold. The 15 inch is far more powerful than the 13, I wouldn’t try to edit 4k on a 13 inch of that vintage. The computer I listed there is approximately equivalent to a 2019 13” machine. As for the MacBook Air, it’s really not designed for that kind of work. You may get it to work for short periods, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

 

[Fishrrman]

I agree with profcutter in reply 2 above.

Be aware that ANYTHING "older" has the potential to have problems when editing 4k. Certainly a MacBook Air.

If you want to avoid "issues", use Final Cut Pro AND be sure to use the option to "create proxy media" when importing your video clips. This will GREATLY improve performance in the editing process.

 

[Tech-Zero]

A 2013/2014 would also probably work. You’ll want the discrete graphics model, that means it has a separate chip for graphics (GPU), not just the built-in graphics. Both types were sold. The 15 inch is far more powerful than the 13, I wouldn’t try to edit 4k on a 13 inch of that vintage. The computer I listed there is approximately equivalent to a 2019 13” machine. As for the MacBook Air, it’s really not designed for that kind of work. You may get it to work for short periods, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Thank you for the detailed explanation. Got an idea now.