Is Macbook PRO 15 mid 2012 better than Macbook AIR 2015 for 4K video editing?

Hi,

There are several factors to consider:

CPU speed, the 2012 is faster in single core tasks, and almost twice as fast in multi core tasks, which you'll be utilizing with video editing (see pics below).

GPU: this one I'm not sure on. The 2012 has a discrete GPU with 1GB of dedicated RAM, while the 2015 has integrated graphics with shared memory. You'd have to find GPU bench tests to see which GPU is faster. But also consider that the 2012 had a GPU repair program out for it (expired), as too many machines experienced GPU issues: https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

With either machine, and video editing, it would be much more desirable to have 16GBs of RAM, but neither is upgradeable.

The 2012 has a full array of ports, while the 2015 only has two USB and one Thunderbolt ports. The 2012 also has a digital/analog headphone jack, while the 2015 only has analog.

To tell you truth, I don't think you want the 2015 due to its shortcomings. And the GPU risk on the 2012 is very real. If possible, I'd keep looking. If you simply want the better machine for video editing, the 2012 is better.

I have that exact MBP mid-2012 model but I have upgraded the hard drive to a SSD and the RAM to 16GB (not too difficult!). I have edited a lot of HD projects in the last few years with no problems.

However.....

I've recently being looking at 4k stuff and when I start a 4k project I get the message:

So I guess it is saying it will work but don't expect it to work well! The problem is that the graphics card has only 512MB dedicated memory and 1GB is the real base limit.

Searchin99 wrote:

Note that 2013 and later models and are not consumer upgrade-able!

RAM is not. Flash storage is from Macsales/OWC.

Searchin99 wrote:

P.S. If you buy used, be sure to check the speakers (not blown out) and that the USB ports (and others) are fully functional. I'd also recommend meeting the seller at the Apple Store genius bar (with an appointment) and having the genius person give it a thorough check. They are set up to do that. Also check the administrator account (can be put in your name) and, of course, that it isn't stolen (not as easy).

And the battery, which could easily cost another $200: go to System Information > Hardware > Power > Battery Health > look at the Condition and number of cycles.

Also check that the seller has followed each of these guidelines so you don't have any trouble: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065

Hi,

Who is TS? Are you talking about me, tjk?

I am indeed talking about the 2012 Retina model, as my pictures show. What makes you think otherwise?

With regard to the 2012 MacBook Pros (MBPs), I wasn't aware of the GPU issue. However, I have two of them, got both of them used and since they were cheap enough that wasn't a problem. The things I like about the 2012 MBPs is they have USB 3.0, the hard drive is easily upgrade-able by the consumer to a SSD, and the memory is likewise easily upgrade-able. With the prices of SSDs and memory as cheap as they are it really makes it easy to upgrade.

The advantage of the SSD is it is so much faster (that's a given), but it also consumes less power so if running without a connection to the Mag Safe the computer would run longer. Another plus is, should the computer be bumped while the SSD is running there wouldn't be the problem as compared to a hard drive. The memory can be really boosted up from what was in the original machine. These two upgrades, and the fact one can replace the battery when it needs to be, are the three major pluses for the 2012 MBP.

For starters, check the Other World Computing web pages for upgrades. Note that 2013 and later models and are not consumer upgrade-able!

Anyway, that's my biased opinion.

P.S. If you buy used, be sure to check the speakers (not blown out) and that the USB ports (and others) are fully functional. I'd also recommend meeting the seller at the Apple Store genius bar (with an appointment) and having the genius person give it a thorough check. They are set up to do that. Also check the administrator account (can be put in your name) and, of course, that it isn't stolen (not as easy).

There are three 2012 (mid) MBPs and a comparison between them is here: http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=MacBookPro9,1

The 2.3 is shown to have 512 MB of VRAM while the 2.6 and 2.7 has 1 GB.

However, I have a 2.3 version which doesn't fit the specs in the above link and has this:

Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 VRAM 1536 MB

NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512MB (for the display)

Not sure what this means but perhaps the VRAM includes the 512 MB from the 650M?

I haven't done 4K yet due to storage space limitations.

To keep the computer cool, I support the rear of the case with a couple whisky corks (they were free, came with the bottles) so there is an air space under the case to help keep it cool. Also, the slight keyboard angle makes for better typing.

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. Does FCPX show hardware requirements for editing 4K?

So either will handle 4K, but the 2012 will do it much faster. The big question, then, is the 2012s potential GPU issues.

This story is partly true, the repair program only involves the retina version of the MacBook Pro 2012, not the NON-retina version TS is talking about.