Jay Video

Q: Which machine is best for Video Editing?

Hi everyone,

 

I am currently having a debate in my head and will try to explain the situation as best as possible.

 

I currently own a:

 

27" Mid 2010 iMac

 

Processor: 3.2GHz Intel Core i3

 

Memory: 12GB 1333 MHz DDR3

 

Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5670 512MB

 

OS X 10.9.1

 

I am thinking of selling as my partner has a newer model Imac and as Professional Videographers/Filmmakers, I think especially because a lot of our work is on the road, it would be wise to have 1 Imac and 1 Laptop as opposed to 2x Imacs (Only 1 is ever used at a time).

 

Now completely removing the aspect that my partner has a newer Imac with a better processor etc.

 

I am looking to buy a MacBook Pro. The Screen size isn't an issue. I simply want a machine that can "out perform" my current iMac to justify selling my iMac and replacing it with a MacBook Pro.

 

The current model I am looking into is the one at this link - http://store.apple.com/uk/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MD101B/A&step=config  the 13" MacBook Pro

 

It will have:

 

13" Screen which will most likely use a bigger display (Monitor)
2.9GHz Dual Core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz)
8  GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM (2x 4GB) NOTE: I will likely add another 8GB if possible for a total of 16GB.

 

I'm not sure what Graphics Card or dedicated RAM it comes with.

 

So which is best, my current 4 year old iMac or the newer MacBook Pro listed above? I edit using Adobe CS6 (After Effects, Premier) and FCP7 with DaVinci Resolve for Color Grading and ProTools for audio.


On a side note: Is it only the new Retina Display machines that can output 4k?

 

 

Thank you in advance.

iMac

Posted on Apr 23, 2014 6:35 PM

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Q: Which machine is best for Video Editing?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Michael Grenadier,

    Michael Grenadier Michael Grenadier Apr 24, 2014 4:59 AM in response to Jay Video
    Level 7 (20,362 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 24, 2014 4:59 AM in response to Jay Video

    Here's the problem.  Any new mac will come with Mavericks installed and will probably not allow you to install an older operating system.  Although many people are working with fcp in Mavericks it's kind of hit or miss.    And if you start having problems, they may be impossible to solve.

  • by RatVega™,

    RatVega™ RatVega™ Apr 27, 2014 10:13 AM in response to Jay Video
    Level 4 (2,005 points)
    Apr 27, 2014 10:13 AM in response to Jay Video

    Michael makes a very good point here. If you wish to continue with FCS3 (FCP7) you should probably keep both your current machines so you have back-up. If you need a laptop, just get one.

    On a side note: Is it only the new Retina Display machines that can output 4k?

    I've seen some stuff on limitations on driving 4K screens on the Retina machines and a revision of Mavericks coming that should allow higher frequencies, but outputting 4K is an altogether different thing. It is my impression that anyone short of a major studio is cutting large-format shows in 1080 as a proxy and then conforming to 2K-4K.  Probably best to leave 4K playback to a new Mac Pro, the data rates are probably beyond what an iMac/MacBook can handle.

  • by ImageGeneration,

    ImageGeneration ImageGeneration Oct 16, 2014 1:14 PM in response to Jay Video
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 1:14 PM in response to Jay Video

    You can do as I do and create a partition on either your iMac or a new MCP. On one partition I run OS 10.6.8, and on the other I run Mavericks. FCP 7 has some gamma issues sometimes in Mavericks, so for color correcting, I shut down, turn it back on and boot into the 10.6.8 partition. I am starting the transition to FCP X but I need to keep 10.6.8 and FCP 7 because I frequently have to revisit past projects. I'm on a 2011 MBP but will likely move to a new iMac.

  • by Studio X,

    Studio X Studio X Oct 19, 2014 10:36 AM in response to ImageGeneration
    Level 7 (27,059 points)
    Oct 19, 2014 10:36 AM in response to ImageGeneration

    Not going to work for the OP.

     

    For years Apple has set up boot conditions that will not allow an older OS than the one that was originally shipped with the machine to be installed. This means if you purchase a new laptop that ships with 10.9, you will not be able to install/run 10.8 or earlier.

     

    x

  • by ImageGeneration,

    ImageGeneration ImageGeneration Oct 19, 2014 8:57 PM in response to Studio X
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 19, 2014 8:57 PM in response to Studio X

    Good to know - and very frustrating. Thanks for the heads up.