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PineappleM5

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 6, 2011
1
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Hello, I am looking to buy a 2011 Macbook Pro. I am having a hard time trying to figure out which one would be the best to buy. It's between the All the models for the 13 and 15. Im going to be using it to record and edit HD content with final cut pro. Also i will be using programs such as Photoshop, After affects, and Cinema 4D. Thankyou in advance. Oh Yeah I will be using screen flow and some lightweight gaming.
 
I'd probably consider the 15" then. It has a lot more processing power for rendering, etc. If it doesn't stretch your budget, the high end would be better, but you could definitely do what you want with the lower end. The 13" would work as well, but you would definitely be able to see the benefits of the 15"
 
id go with an ultimate air, unless you want a big screen. then id go with a low end 15 with a SSD.
 
Editing HD video on a MBA? No no!

my friend has one and does it, its really not that bad. if you're just doing short 1-15 minute clips its just fine, its not like he's going to shoot a 3 hour blu ray movie? but i guess he could lol
 
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13 inch = screen too small with low res
15 inch = screen size moderate but with hi res, better gpu = sweet spot for mobility + performance
17 inch = better gpu with nice large screen you can get with hi res but a little bit heavier and bigger

If cost aint a problem choose between both 15 n 17 for your work.

Glossy or ag? = your preference
I have tried both and i returned the glossy cos i like the silver bezel
Both screen are almost equal in colors and not much of a screen quality difference.
Ag is washed out slightly but still very nice colors
Glossy is vibrant than ag but glare is not a prob if position well
In extreme light condition, both ag n glossy are worse and doesnt help.

Hope it helps
 
my friend has one and does it, its really not that bad. if you're just doing short 1-15 minute clips its just fine, its not like he's going to shoot a 3 hour blu ray movie? but i guess he could lol

Actually we just know he wants to edit HD video, we can't assume what kind of project. Advising him to buy a MBA is really not a fair suggestion.

I would go with any of the MBP, but at least a 15" and this for the screen estate, required by software like Cinema 4D or FCP (Motion needs 1600x1000 minimum, see the requirement page).
 
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Actually we just know he wants to edit HD video, we can't assume what kind of project. Advising him to buy a MBA is really not a fair suggestion.

I would go with any of the MBP, but at least a 15" to the screen estate, required by softwares like Cinema 4D or FCP (Motion needs 1600x1000 minimum, see the requirement page).

if he does graphic intensive once in a bluemoon id still recommend an Air!
 
You probably have never used FCP this way but when you use it intensively you need a good CPU for your rendering and a FW port for your scratch disk. None of these are available on the MBA... Never go for a MBA unless it's a temporary solution.
 
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13 inch = screen too small with low res
15 inch = screen size moderate but with hi res, better gpu = sweet spot for mobility + performance
17 inch = better gpu with nice large screen you can get with hi res but a little bit heavier and bigger

Surely people use external monitors in their office/home so you only have the low res when out and about (where portability is more important). At least, I would never work on even a 17 inch laptop at home without a larger external monitor.
 
I really don't think 13" is that small, I've had it now for a few days and watching Netflix or working in apps isn't too bad. It's small enough that it's nice to carry around, but I don't think it's too small that you need to squint to see things on the screen. You can't beat the price, either.
 
I really don't think 13" is that small, I've had it now for a few days and watching Netflix or working in apps isn't too bad. It's small enough that it's nice to carry around, but I don't think it's too small that you need to squint to see things on the screen. You can't beat the price, either.

The thing with apps like FCP is that you get plenty of windows to manage with. It's a bit small on a 13", although this format is also my favorite ;)
 
if he does graphic intensive once in a bluemoon id still recommend an Air!

haha you are obssessed!! :D

i would say it depends on what else you want too. I had a similar dillemma as i use FCE a lot but considering FCP, and a hell of a lot of video conversion using turbo.264. But i really wanted the portability of the 13". Obviously i realise the quad-core of the 15" is a beast but the dual i7 13" will be plenty enough for me and for me the 15 is too big for comfortable portability, just my oppinion :)
 
my friend has one and does it, its really not that bad. if you're just doing short 1-15 minute clips its just fine, its not like he's going to shoot a 3 hour blu ray movie? but i guess he could lol

But you dunno what grade of HD video editing he's doing ;) He might shoot 3 hour movies later down the line and then he'll have needed the MBP.
 
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