Final Cut Pro on a Macbook?

Question

Level 1

35 points

Final Cut Pro on a Macbook?

It truly falls into a hazy region, but will Final Cut Pro application run on a MacBook?

The studio does require a dedicated graphics card for Motion, but I imagine the superb 2d graphics capabilities of the MacBook integrated card would do fine. I believe it delivers ATI 9600 2D equivalent performance, which is good enough for FCP.

Sheesh, with two desktops and an older iBook knocking around, it would be great to have a mobile FCP solution that won't require a massive cost commitment. Gotta save for the next Powermac upgrade!

PowerMac Dual 2 Gig G5 -- Waiting for Woodcrest... Mac OS X (10.4.6)

PowerMac Dual 2 Gig G5 -- Waiting for Conroe..., Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on May 16, 2006 4:00 PM

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Answer 1

May 16, 2006 4:06 PM in response to mugwump88

Buy Final Cut Studio 5.1, and you'll happy. It can run on both Intel and PowerPC Macs.

EDIT: Are you a Mugwumps fan? From the days of Mama Cass and the others, before the Mamas and the Papas?

http://www.dennydoherty.com/dream7.html

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Answer 2

David S.

Level 7

20,630 points

May 16, 2006 4:07 PM in response to Brian Conner

Brian, perhaps I missed something your response, but do you understand that FCP 5.1 WILL run on the newly released MacBooks, the iBook replacement?

The new laptop uses 64 Mbs of shared RAM without a discrete video card

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Answer 3

May 16, 2006 4:08 PM in response to David S.

Thanks for catching my too-quick-read. I meant the MacBook Pro, of course.

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Answer 4

mugwump88 Author

Level 1

35 points

May 16, 2006 5:36 PM in response to mugwump88

I suspect it's the same as Aperture -- it will install and run fine, but will not be officially supported by Apple phone support. From the Aperture forum:

"Aperture does run on the new MacBooks, but it is NOT officially supported, due to limitations with the graphics card. This means if you call AppleCare, you'll simply be told that you're running Aperture on an unsupported configuration. It's an "at-your-own-risk" experience.
That being said, Aperture will install and run on a MacBook...at least you're not disallowed from using it. No hacks needed!
And of course, Aperture is fully supported on all MacBook PRO models.
Joe Schorr
Sr. Product Manager, Aperture
Apple

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Answer 5

Panny1

Level 1

14 points

May 24, 2006 9:20 AM in response to mugwump88

I was in an Apple store and asked about Final Cut Pro on the new macbook - 2 of the staff told me categorically that it won't work on the macbook at all because it doesn't have a graphics card... has anyone actually got Final Cut Pro working on a Macbook?

Also, if it does... what's the performance like? the intel chips should be much quicker than the imac G5 i have.

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Answer 6

David S.

Level 7

20,630 points

May 24, 2006 9:22 AM in response to Panny1

http://www.creativemac.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=43717

Kinda of surprising.

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Answer 7

Panny1

Level 1

14 points

May 24, 2006 3:51 PM in response to David S.

Thanks for that... looks like that not only will it work, but it will be much faster than my current setup on the imac G5!

Strange how the Apple staff were so adamant that it wouldn't work!

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Answer 8

May 24, 2006 4:00 PM in response to Panny1

Probably because there's more involved than just putting a couple of clips into a Timeline, added a few filters and rendering. FCP is far deeper than that, as you know.

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Answer 9

David S.

Level 7

20,630 points

May 24, 2006 4:11 PM in response to Panny1

In my view, working isn't the issue.

It is to what degree it does work.

How are you going to manage one firewire bus, a shared graphics card and no way to add a second FW bus for capture?

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Answer 10

Panny1

Level 1

14 points

May 24, 2006 4:30 PM in response to David S.

I was looking for a mobile solution... will still have my desktop imac setup for capture etc. But when travelling at least I can continue my work.

So is there any restrictions? anyone been using FCP on the new macbook and could give feedback?

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