Best Macbook Pro for use with FCP X for the money?

I am on a budget, but don't want to be frustrated with FCP X being slow or crashing. What Macbook pro configuration would you recommend? I'm currently considering 4 15" configurations that are below, but am open to any suggestions. I figure I can always get an external drive to upgrade the RAM, so I'm keeping that low to save. What processors, HD and video cards does everyone recommend? Thank you!
#1
2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4G
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5
#2
2.2GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4G
750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5
#3
2.4GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4G
750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5
#4
2.4GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4G
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5

Don't skimp on memory.
I personally use OWC for almost all of my Mac upgrades, especially memory and SSDs.
I'd highly recomend getting 16GB. You only have two slots, so it's not like you can add memory, you have to replace memory. I've seen many users post issues with FCP X who simply don't have enough memory.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/1333DDR3S16P/

Similar Messages

External Hard Drive for PowerMac G5 for use with FCP Studio

Hello,
I'd greatly appreciate any recommendation for an external hard drive for a PowerMac G5 for use with FCP Studio.
Thanks.
-graziemile

We see alot of Lacie issues here and elsewhere.
Drives fail... period. I believe you hear more about Lacie drives failing because they sell a ton more of them than many other suppliers. I've got 8 of em sitting right here on the desk and two more at the second station. I've lost one since I started using them years ago (and it had problems right out of the box) and I use them pretty heavy.
I understand that they use several different brands of drives in their enclosures, but from my experience they must have pretty good QC standards for what they package.
The guy said the G Techs were a little overkill for his needs. Lacie doesn't pay me. But if someone asks "how are Lacies?" I'll tell them they've been great for me and many others I know, especially if your requirements are capturing DV.
In five years, I ain't heard anybody say anything about it.
As for FCP. I love it! In 20 years of business, it's probably the purchase that's given me the most bang for my buck. But if you haven't heard people knock it, you've never met an Avid zelot, bruhhhhh, just the thought gives me shivers.
The drives X mentioned are designed for video work.
What Studio said, well he gives out some of the best advice on this board
(and maybe the most! ) and my reply to his post... that's why I used the little smiley face. No offence intended X.
I only meant to say that, in a world where software like FCP can do what it does at the price it does it, and drives like Lacie and G Tech can give you the storage they do for the price they do, the line between consumer and professional products is easily blurred.
rh

Ok, so basically my charger fell apart on my MacBook pro(2010) and I didn't have the money for a new charger, I got it in the states too if that's relevant. Basically my laptop will not charge, I bought a new charger yesterday and it's still no-use

Ok, so basically my charger fell apart on my MacBook pro(2010) and I didn't have the money for a new charger, I got it in the states too if that's relevant. Basically my laptop will not charge, I bought a new charger yesterday and it's still no-use,not charging . No green or orange light coming on on the new charger either.

It is one of the items that Apple gets criticized at regular intervals. The MagSafe connector is proprietary and unlicensable, so the company has a lock-in on the power options. And as you have now found out, your hijinks trying to avoid buying an expensive new charger may have caused more damage and led to a total no-charge condition.
If lucky and no physical damage has occurred (there IS a fuse in there somewhere on the circuit boards), maybe resetting the SMC can restore charge functionality, provided there is still enough juice: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

Im trying to update itunes version on my macbook pro to use with new mini ipad - Ive downloaded verion 11 but how do I update?? Thank-you

im trying to update itunes version on my macbook pro to use with new mini ipad - Ive downloaded verion 11 but how do I update?? Thank-you

What is the Operating System on your MBP...
Click on the Apple icon.. Top left in Finder...
 > About this Mac > Version...what does it say?
iTunes Support here > http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/

How do I do this to use OVerdrive media on deviceThe Apple device must be formatted for use with Microsoft Windows. The iTunes setting 'Manually manage music-' must be enabled for the device before you can complete the transfer.

I cannot make these directions work
I downloaded media on Overdrive MEdia on my PC
I have the overdrive media ap on my I pod touch 4g
this media is suppossed to be compatible w/I pd touch
Notes on Transferring OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks…
Most MP3 capable devices should play OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks.
If you intend to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an Apple® device, note the following…
iTunes® v9.0.2 (or newer) is required.
The Apple device must be formatted for use with Microsoft® Windows®.
The iTunes setting 'Manually manage music…' must be enabled for the device before you can complete the transfer. Adjust this setting in iTunes as follows…
Connect the iPod® to your computer.
If it does not launch automatically, open iTunes v9.0.2 (or newer).
In iTunes, locate the device in the left vertical navigation panel (under heading 'DEVICES'), and click the device.
The 'Summary' screen is displayed.
Place a checkmark next to 'Manually manage music…'.
Click the 'Apply' button.
The iTunes 'Summary' screen refreshes, and the changes are saved.
If desired, close iTunes.
Note that if an Apple device is connected to your computer, you can choose to simultaneously transfer a title to the iTunes Library and the Apple device. If you wish to only transfer a title to the iTunes Library, you must first disconnect the Apple device

Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device: Apple Support Communities
Also you said " I want to add them to my iCloud, and also back to my computer. " Note that unless subscribe to iTunes match, only iTunes purchases are stored in iCloud.
Also,
You can redownload most iTunes purchases by:
Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Store

Planning to purchase a new macbook pro to use with Sony XDCAM-EX

Hi,
I am planning to buy a new macbook pro, to use final cut pro to edit XDCAM-EX files.
I will be using a Provio 4MBCR with esata in raid 5.
Is anyone editing XDCAM-EX with a macbook pro?
If so, what is the performace like?
How many layers of video tracks are you able to edit or playback (multicam) without the need to render?
Thanks
Nazmul

You want to also post in the FCP forum area:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=939

HT1665 I have a World Travel Adapter Kit for use with my iPad. can the plug adapters also be used on the Mac Pro charger to charge up my laptop when travelling or is a special converter needed.M

I have a World Travel Adapter Kit for use with my iPad when traveling abroad. I know this charger can be used on an iPhone, can the plug adapters also be used with the charger of a Mac Book Pro or is a special converter required?

Is there any concern about the type of travel adapter kit? For instance, some instructions indicate they are for heat creating appliances (hairdryers, curling irons, etc.). I bought such a set, but do they present any issues if used with more delicate electronic circuitry (for iPads, iPods, or with camera battery chargers). I am leaving for the UK on Monday and need to get it right - are they too strong for the Apple products if they are not to be used with computers? What other options are out there?

2 imacs v 1mbp for use with FCP and motion.

I'm in need of advice. I'm in the market for a new computer(s).
Let me give you a rundown on my situation.
HOME COMPUTER- dual 800 1GIG ram G4. probably 6-7 years old -i got it 2nd hand in 03 i think-
(its about 6 years old and very noisy and update needed)
WORK COMPUTER- AL PB G4 1.5ghz 2gig ram 17". Bees knees when released almost 4 years ago.
(redering and Motion are getting beyond tiresome with how slow they are).
The WORK computer I do all my editing on while the HOME computer I use for internet surfing, itunes etc. I use FCP for editing wedding dvds, work related videos etc. but I'm thinking of taking a break from the wedding filming & editing business to concentrate on other things. I will still continue to edit and film but not as much in the past 6 years. As of last week I don't have any projects or side jobs in the pipeline but that may change within 6 months.
MY QUESTION- What should I get?
1. 1 x 2.6 Ghz 4gig Ram 17" MBP at around 3,500 dollars (i'm in japan so about 360,000yen) and then use my AL powerbook as my home computer
OR
2. 2 x imac 20inch with 4gig ram which i think comes in at just under the MBP price
OR
3. 1 x imac 24" 4gig ram & 1x imac 20" with 4gig ram.
Is final cut pro and motion3 going to work better on the imacs than on my current AL powerbook? surely!
I still use motion1 and that really pushes my computer to it's limits. and the last 2 years have been a hectic one editing wise so I didn't want to upgrade computers during the course of projects ongoing.
(playing with fire in my books)
THING IS i need to be able to edit at both work and home. I take a my laptop with me to work everyday, but if I were to get 2 desktops I could just use external hard drives for my projects (which I do anyway). That's why if both computers are desktops they both need to be able to handle motion 3 and fcp6 to a competent level. and if I got two desktops I could try and sell my AL PB. It's still in superb condition due to me keeping it sleeved whenever not in use.
I heard rumours that apple will be releasing new imacs sooner rather than later as well.
ANY thoughts would be highly appreciated.

From what I've read on this forum, FCP doesn't work properly with two video cards.
-DH

Hard drives for use with FCP HD/G5

I've been looking to get a new 500 gig hard drive for storing media for FCP HD. There is a big price difference between "G-Force" and "La Cie" drives. Does anyone recommend one over the other?

"G-Force" is a cartoon with heroes that dress up as birds. G-Technology is the company that makes the best external hard drives out there. G-Raid being the drive of choice.
BUT, what you are looking for is a drive to dump the p2 footage onto in the field, THEN you import from that drive to your media drive on your G5, right?
Acomdata drives are what I use. Specifically the Ondago one.
www.acomdata.com
Now, watch my P2 import tutorial while you're at it:
http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/pagewrapper.cgi?forumid=8&page=http://www.creativecow.net/articles/ross_shane/p2workflow/index.html
Shane

Aperture on MacBook, MacBook Pro, or stick with G4 PowerBook for now?

Hello there,
My question may have been asked and answered already, but I can't find it so I'll ask anyway.
I am currently running a 1.67GHz PowerBook with 2 GBs RAM, 120GB hard drive and - while at home - a 20" Apple Cinema Display.
I really want to use Aperture as my sole import, export and management tool for raw files, however photography is my hobby and in my working environment the only way I can get time out to take photographs is if I can provide feedback - images - to people around me to make it worth their while covering for me while I snap away.
That was a long sentence!
The problem I have is that on my PowerBook Aperture runs at an infuriatingly slow pace compared to Adobe products. This is not a problem when I am at home, but as I mentioned, at work I need instant results. Can anyone who has used Aperture "in the field" on both a PowerBook and a MacBook/MacBook Pro comment on how much faster images render etc? Import and export are fine, but I want to be able to make changes and move on to the next image without having to sit and wait for completion of the last one.
So can anyone tell me whether making the jump to a MacBook/Pro would make enough of a difference over the PowerBook to be worth the outlay right now, or am I better to just sit tight and wait for the next MacBook Pro edition. In the meantime using Lightroom, or else missing some fantastic photo opportunities while at work?
I am running on a clean OSX install with a library of nearly 8,000 images around 2,000 of which are various forms of raw. I am currently using a Nikon D200 with raw file sizes of >15MB.
I have Aperture running on its own, no other apps are open.
I am only shooting raw, so score the JPEG suggestion from your lists!
Only advice from people who have actually USED the products mentioned please. Plus I am not slating Aperture, or in any way deriding Apple products, just asking for sound advice.
12" 1.33GHz PB G4/15" 1.67GHz PB G4/Dual 2.0GHz PowerMacG5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

The MacBook Pro weighs only 6 ounces
more than a MacBook, and is thinner; hardly a "boat
anchor."
I am using a 12" Powerbook because it is the smallest laptop they sell. The 15" MBP is not a weight or thickness issue. The thing is just to dang big in the other two dimensions to transport and use in the field. You can't use it on a airplane seat in coach. It won't fit in a normal laptop bag. It's too big. The 13" MB is too big too, but is much closer to what I'm looking for. Maybe I'm really looking for a subnotebook VAIO that runs OSX...
Also, the extra screen real estate makes it
a much more functional Aperture box.
I have a quad g5 with multiple monitors as my primary Aperture machine. I want a machine for the field.
If you really
want a powerful laptop with a quality small screen my
guess is we will see one by this fall.
From your mouth to Steve's ears.. Perhaps the real problem is that Aperture is relying on the GPU so extensively that a machine with a blazing fast dual core CPU can't run it due to graphics limitations. Remember, this is NOT a high framerate 3d game, it's photo workflow software...
--tom
Quad G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Best video camera to use with iMove '11 for iMac

I'm looking for the best video camera with no difficulties for iMovie. Just to be able to plug in the camera with out having to load additional software or any other difficulties.
Or if any one else knows what type of file format is specifically needed for macs? MPG4 or AVI?
Thank you!

John Vonk wrote:
You wrote :
I'm interested to buy a Nikon photocamera Coolpix S8100.
This camera is NOT on Apple's list of supported cameras to use with iMovie 11. Nor is the camera Canon SD3500 as mentioned by you, I thought ...
Do you think I could use the Coolpix S8100 camera as well with iMovie 11 ?
Or could I meet a problem ?
In my opinion, the camera will work with iMovie '11, HOWEVER....
I have a Canon SX30IS bridge camera [that is, not a camcorder], and the HD videos work absolutely fine on iMovie with one - for me - important problem.
As my camera is also not supported, when any number of short video files are loaded in together, iMovie will not understand the sequence they were taken in, and MAY load them in a fairly random order into a project.
This is not a problem where one or two files are concerned, but where there are more, it can be a major problem if you want them used in sequence.
You either have to load them into the project one by one, manually, or be able to identify clearly from the thumbnails which is which, or the order will be all wrong. It IS possible to relate what you see as a thumbnail back to the original file, but only one file at a time, so you can't use the thumbnails to work out the order, if the images shown don't do that for you.
I have used videos from 5 unsupported digital cameras, and even an 8mm cine conversion file quite successfully, so I have no doubt that the Nikon will also work.

Seeking new camera for use with FCP

Right now, I get dropped frames when I import video, whether via direct FireWire from my Panasonic 601, via my VCR or when I run video through an ADS converter. I run the video into a LaCie 500 GB Big Disk Extreme and I can't imagine that FireWire would not be enough to bring in video without dropped frames. I have read many posts here and all seem to lead to the hard drive, which mine should be more than adequate.
I had intended to upgrade my camera last year, that did not happen, so looking at doing it now. This camera will be used for personal use, not for gigs. But I do not want to get a camera that will A) not dump video into FCP without a fight and B) continue this dropped frame garbage (if it has anything to do with the camera at all).
I need to be able to hook the camera up to the FW port, got to log & capture, hit play and watch that sucker take the whole piece without a hiccup. It never made sense to me that FCP would not just keep capturing video even if there is a gap between segments. Maybe I am just missing a setting, but that never made sense to me. I can see it losing sync, but doing the whole stop-drop-&-roll makes no sense to me as a user. Granted, I am not an engineer.
Any hints on good affordable cameras are appreciated. I still have about 30 home videos of 90 minutes length to get on DVD, so I am leaning back towards miniDV again. If someone can make an argument otherwise I am all ears.
Thanks!!
jf

What device control setting are you using? there is firewire ntsc, and firewire ntsc basic. Try changing that to see if it makes any difference.
In your user preferences there are options to set how fcp reacts on dropped frames and timecode breaks during capture. Check that these settings are to your satisfaction.
Are you attempting to capture now? Or are you logging and capturing/batch capturing?
Personally I suspect that it is the Lacie BigDisk causing the problem, in that you're trying to capture video, perform device control, and send the video to the external drive, all via firewire. Try capturing to the internal drive. Also, a lot of cameras don't play nice with other stuff on the firewire bus. All the fw ports on a mac are on the same bus so it's sometimes necessary to actually unmount the drive before trying to capture. I'd try all these options in the interest of establishing what the problem is before you spend money trying to fix it.
You'd really be better off getting a big internal SATA drive to use as your media drive, much better value and faster.

Buying used G4s for use with FCP

How well does FCP take advantage of dual-processor capabilities? I'm debating getting a G4 dual 533 vs. a G4 1.0 GHz machine. Which would work faster? Or are they both too painfully slow to even be worth it?
Thanks for helping the new guy!

My G4/400 is now 5 years old (I upgraded the processor last year to 1.5 Ghz). It works extremely well with FCP 5.0.4 with my particular setup - certainly very very usable and not at all painfully slow. But I'm not editing Hollywood blockbusters.
The only limitation is that I can't install Motion, but I knew that before I bought FCStudio.
Don't know anything about comparable performance of old dual-processor G4's.
Reagrds
Robert
How well does FCP take advantage of dual-processor
capabilities? I'm debating getting a G4 dual 533 vs.
a G4 1.0 GHz machine. Which would work faster? Or are
they both too painfully slow to even be worth it?
Thanks for helping the new guy!

I have the late 2013 Macbook Pro 15 inch with apple care, and the display flickers in a certain spot at a certain brightness. Has anyone ever had this issue, and what did you do about it?

I doubt this is a GPU issue i've restarted my Mac, but the shape of the flickering area is in a cone shape comming from the bottom edge from the right side in about 2 inches. I'm thinking this is a failing display?

Apple will cover it if it was an accident or defect. Take it to a nearby Genius bar. I'm guessing its a graphics card or display issue. But the symptoms of a damaged GPU for me were different. I had issues with my last 13" MacBook Pro non-retina mid 2012. If I set it down or moved my machine, my screen would flicker and the pixels would be completely off and the whole system would freeze, even if I wasn't using it. If it fronze when I didn't use it, it would get REALLY hot. Like I said, if it's an accident and less than a year old, Apple will cover repairs. If it's older than a year and it was accidental, AppleCare won't cover it. If it was a defect, it will be covered as long as the AppleCare hasn't expired. If you buy a MacBook through BestBuy, you could buy BestBuy Care which covers accidental and defects. My friend fried his last machine with water and apple was going to charge him the price of a new machine and BestBuy charged about $900 and then he paid extra to upgrade to a new retina display.

My macbook pro keeps freezing with vertical lines on the screen

I have a 2010 macbook pro that has worked wonderfully until now. As of late it keeps freezing with vertical lines across the screen. To me this indicates a hardware problem, but I ran a diagnostic (restarted while holding D) and it didn't find any errors. It seems that it happens when I move or bump my macbook, leading me to think it may possibly be a disk problem, but I'm not sure how to check this. Anybody else ever have this problem or could suggest a fix for it?

You can try a pram reset, which might help with the display, but the bumoing thing is what concerns me.
PRAM reset:
Power down, power back up and hold the following keys before the start up chime.
option, command, P, R,(no commas) continue to hold these keys till you hear the start up chime 2 times then release.
Reboot see if this helps, the bumping part scares me.
Hope this helps

Best Macbook Pro for use with FCP X for the money?

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