Does Apple Do Sales?

Why do you need that model? Are you an experienced editor doing high volume professional editing? If so, I can understand you requiring it.

If you are not, almost any Mac made since 2012 will have no problems editing 1080p or even 4K material and save you a small fortune.

In Australia we have Apple refurbs.

They come with a guarantee.

Check your local Apple online store.

Al

The length of a video has very little effect on the capability of the computer. Even the cheapest computer can handle many hours of video effortlessly.

What does take processing power, is when multiple tracks and layered effects are used, which doesn't sound as though that would be the case with you.

Price has little or no effect on the longevity of a product. Very expensive and complex machines are just as likely to fail as cheaper ones

For the editing scenario you painted, even the cheapest Windows laptop should be perfectly capable. The main difference you would see with a faster (more expensive) machine would be that rendering and exporting times would be quicker.

If you need to export your videos quicker then you will need a faster machine but if you don't mind leaving the computer alone to get on with its work for 2-4 times longer, then a slow cheap one will suffice.

I have 2 iMacs . . . a prehistoric 2008 model and a fairly new 2017 one. They will both process hours and hours of 1080p video but after editing, the new one will only take about a quarter the time to export a master copy for distribution.

You may have noticed that I use iMacs. This is because they give far more bangs for your buck than laptops, including massive screens and I don't need portability. You may need something you can carry around.

iMovie is an excellent and very underrated editing program.

It will probably be more than sufficient for the videos you envisage.

FCP X has many additional features but these tend to be specialised and only of use to experienced editors making very complex films.

The visual and audio quality of films from iMovie are exactly as good as those from FCP X or any other editing program regardless of price.

What you ned to be aware of when reading reviews or getting opinions is that many people have different motives for what they recommend.

Some may have financial incentives and others may just be the type of person who must have the "best", most expensive and newest item available. Others simply jump on the band-wagon and chant what all the others are saying.

Every editor has his/her own particular requirements, so the people advising you may be referring to features etc. that don't apply in your case.

If you get a Mac, use iMovie and if you find it can't do something you require, ask on the forums. Usually you will find there is a way.

Of course, if after trying and enquiring, you find that it cannot do a vital task you need, you can then consider FCP X.

That was quick! Your response came within seconds of me posting.

Note the last 3 sentences that I later added to my post. . . .

You may have noticed that I use iMacs. This is because they give far more bangs for your buck than laptops, including massive screens and I don't need portability. You may need something you can carry around.

I have to say I would agree with Al. Get a refurb. An older machine will be obsolete much sooner and have a much shorter useful life. Unfortunately most Apple Store are closed at the moment. They were a good source of refurbs as Apple turns them over as soon as new models come out or every month or so.

Amen to those last few comments Ian.

My son only has an iPhone X.

That's the camera and NLE.

What comes out of it after some editing work is remarkable.

Al