Macbook Pro: Dual Core i7 vs. Quad Core i7 for iMovie

The quad core is significant increase in computing power...video editing can be very cpu intensive. Also, more memory is a big help. You could consider the memory from a source such as OWC, www.macsales.com where you can get the 8GB fro something like $70, depending on current pricing. The have lifetime warranty and on-line videos to show you how.

Jason, I really can't swear to iMovie only using 2 of four cores. Other regulars on here talk about how cpu intensive their video editing is so I would be inclined to go for the most cpu power first, memory second since you can always add memory yourself for a lot less money. But you cannot upgrade the cpu after purchase.

You might want to compare the tech specs on those two machines in more detail...bus speed, L2 memory, graphics units, to see what else you are getting for the additional cost...it is more than just the 2 vs 4 core cpu.

Then ask yourself for my work which will probably be the best route to take?

Ralph has pointed you in the right direction regarding RAM. Both MBP'a will do the job, but I suspect the 15" machine will have the edge. That aside, another consideration is the screen size it self. Larger is better to put it simply. I have 17" MBPs for that purpose. That becomes a very big price jump, but I'm spoiled.

Another factor to consider in working with video, is storage. Video files can become very large. Think about external storage and data flow for various types of connections. Another advantage of the 17" MBP that it can accept and eSata connection (with an appropriate express card) where as the other MBPs cannot. esata is significantly faster than Firewire, which in turn is faster than USB. Naturally the enclosure will have to be eSata compatible. Faster yet will be the Thunderbolt connection, but as of now I am not aware of any compatible enclosures.

Ciao.

That is true, when I bought my OWC Mercury Elite Pro in September I wanted Thunderbolt but could not find it anywhere. Settled for that external drive because it takes eSATA, Firewire 400 and 800, and USB. With a new MBP 15" use it as Firewire 800 and have pretty decent response. Would like faster, but such is life 🙂

You will want more than 8 GB RAM - I have 12 and am reasonably happy with the performance of my mid 2010 i3 although I wish it was faster. But, rendering takes time no matter what - a friend of mine at a major TV station told me that they run 6 or more computers at the same time to try to keep up with editing and rendering the stories coming in from field reporters. And I'm sure they'd have pretty good equipment as well as software. I'd go for the fastest processor you can afford, buy it with the standard RAM and add a minimum of 8 GB or 12 GB from OWC (macsales.com), and get the largest hard drive you can. As an example, I worked on a one hour video a while ago: during the process, with my creating/adding special effects, etc., the files in my project folder grew to about 300 GB total. And you need plenty of empty hard drive space to be working with the video as well. Also, don't forget an external drive to archive your files when done.

Thanks babowa, glad to see we are on the same wave length...go first for what you cannot change, cpu, then what you can change. Memory and storage.

OWC is a great place, as I said, I have their 2 TB external drive, and love it...they go as big as you want and you can start with what you can afford and add more later.

Good to hear from you again.

Speculation though it may be, I would not discount the idea that even if iMovie does not *currently* use 4 cores that does not mean it never will -- perhaps will with the next update.

Buy a better CPU, and a good screen (I purchased 15 in MBP with hi-res -- 1680x1050 -- and anti-glare.

Upgrade HD and memory at OWC or Crucial prices.