Suitability of MBA and MBP for FCPX ...

Hi there,
i am going to purchase either a 13" Macbook Air or Macbook Pro & plan to use FCPX on it.
the problem is I discovered the following:-
a) the anount of RAM is so low as compared to my iMac whic has 32gb RAM.
b) i always read that it is better to get a dedicated video RAM but most of the latest MBA and MBP only comes with on board video RAM.
c) the HDD though is a flashed based but is so small, start from only 128gb. Could it be that Apple wants us to buy an external HDD ?
cheers & thanks

RyanManUtd wrote:
… But for me, what is important is that when I am editing on the timeline, I hate it when it becomes slow. Sometimes even the beach balls appear.
So in my case, better to have a fast processor or a bigger RAM ?
I have never seen a beachball using FCPX (see my specs: I'm on the very low end of hardware).
(I've seen crashes … it's not all pink here )
Aside 'no background rendering' … or manual initiated rendering (to see complex compos in real-time…) :
Imho, it's all about 'delivery': put each stream on its own 'platter' = no beach balling, no stutter
And with stream I don't mean the source(s), but what you see on screen:
in case, you do pic-in-pic, compounds, MultiCam, you see 2/several streams - then, I recommend 2/several drives …
to over-exaggerate:
when you put the sources of a 4x camera MultiCam on 4 different drives ==> no stutter, no beach balling at all, even on antique, underpowered systems… ok, that's over-the-top, my several external, simple usb3 drives deliver each 2-3 fullHD streams flawless ...
best practice is it anyhow to separate Events from app/OS/cache…
I would suggest a min. of 16GB Ram.
The number-crunching (rendering) is mostly done on GPU, not CPU.
Last, silly comment: benchmark tests test benchmarks!
Means: FCPX + MacOS + Apple hardware sums up 'higher' than expected.
Don't be too focussed on GHz and stuff, no -user is interested in …
Shall I link again to my stunt? (some board members: "Nooo, not again!!" <yawn> )
I do link to my stunt ... >> 4x 4k Multicam on MacMini

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Thinking of getting a 15" MBP for FCPX... few questions...

Hey everyone,
I am thinking of getting a MBP for FCPX.
I am new to Mac's and have always used PC's but with all of the trouble I have had with my PC's lately, and the fact that I have an iPhone, iPod, and everything seems to be moving to the "cloud" I think it is time to go with what seems like the superior product, an Apple Laptop
So my question to you:
I am on a budget, but don't want to be regretting not spending enough in the long run.
I want to do some video editing and I have always used Sony Vegas in the past. With FCPX only being $300 now, that seems much more reasonable than the way FCP7 was previously priced.
What sort of system spec's should I shoot for?
I am reading that the minimums are as follows:
Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better.
2GB of RAM (4GB of RAM recommended).
OpenCL-capable graphics card or
Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later.
256MB of VRAM (512MB of VRAM recommended).
Display with 1280-by-768 resolution or higher.
OS X v10.6.8 or OS X v10.7.5 or OS X v10.8.2 or later.
2.4GB of disk space.
So if I got a 15" Macbook Pro (without Retina display... do I really need the Retina?) here are the specs and my questions:
2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz Or should I go for the 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core?
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GBI figured this would be a good upgrade from the 4GB of RAM
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpmATA versus SSD? What size do you think?
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen DisplayAre the high-res glossy or anti-glare any better? Is the regular screen pretty easy on the eyes?
Any other tips or suggestions for what to get? I want this to run as smoothly as possible, and I want this to be a computer that will last me a few years. I am currently on year 5 of my laptop PC, so I hope that the Apple's are as good of a product.
Thanks!

As Tony writes, try to get the faster machine if you can afford. fcpx needs: a fast hard drive, a fast processor and lots of memory (ram).
Just a bit of my own experience: I am presently working with fcpx 1005 on a retina macbook pro (15", 2.7GHz, 16GB ram, the faster video card, and 500GB SSD internal drive). I was waiting for a mac pro so I settled for this machine and it lives up to all my expectations. I am editing material in ProRes 1080p30 with a lot of processing (effects) and usually 4-5 layers. The machine performs better than I would have imagined.
- Internal hard drive: of course the internal SSD hard drive helps but you can skip that if money is tight. Try and put a 7200 rpm drive, the price difference should not be so great and there still will be a difference.
- RAM is vital: on a regular project, as soon as you use color correction and plugins fcpx eats all the ram it can get. I used to work on a 6GB ram macbook pro until last summer and needed to quit and relaunch fcpx constantly. Now I have 16GB in the new macbook pro and the memory-hungry situation is just slightly better. The performance of course is much better in the sense that fcpx tends less to forget things, to show the beach ball or to act erratically. All this is due to lack of RAM. So do not spare on that and put in the maximum your machine can take.
- The speed of the processor will make a difference between smooth and less smooth performance, and render times of course.
- fcpx, also, is now GPU optimized and a faster video card in the macbook pro will make a definite difference. Same as for CPU.
- external hard drives: don't even think of editing on your internal drive. Think that all your system and apps are installed there, so you want to keep this drive from running hot and die prematurely.
Use USB3 or eSATA drive enclosures. With an adaptor expresscard (like sonnet) you will get a decent performance and be able to read several ProRes 422 layers and a lot of ProRes Proxy layers and not despair in front of a sluggish machine. (I just upgraded from eSATA to TBolt RAID. This also helps with hi-res material and when you load an event with a lot of video files - much faster display). But both usb3 and eSATA are quite fine. If you can try and use a dual-drive enclosure you will get a real measurable performance boost.
- Screen: the retina is showing the images with a LOT better definition than the regular monitor. It is not too relfective. In studio, with a normal lighting arrangement it is fine. My other machines were all non-reflective and of course that's perfect. Stil the retina without question is better.
What else… well good luck.

Newest MBA or MBP for large applications at the same time?

Love the newest MBA and really want it - the reviews are so fantastic - but I am simply afraid of making the same mistake I've made in the past and ordering the less powerful machine. I currently have a Dell and an HP, and neither will allow me to use photoshop CS5 BY ITSELF with any efficiency, let alone while open with other applications such as internet explorer. The quality of webcam conversations with Skype is also very poor, despite a very fast internet connection. I am fed up and converting to Mac, just not sure which one to get - but I need it to be the best for PS and Skype. Advice from those who have used the newest MBA? Thanks!

Ferrell, I have done what you suggested. I clicked onto the Spaces icon in the upper control panel and assigned spaces to six apps: Mail, Safari, iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, and iWeb.
The problem is that if I am one app and I want to put something into that app, then the minute my mouse cursor goes to get that other thing, the original application into which I want the thing put GETS WHOOSHED OFF THE DESKTOP. What I want is for the original app to remain open whilst I go to retrieve a file or folder, and stay open while I put that thing into the original app.
How does one turn off Spaces? I don't mean to delete all the names from the settings.I mean, just turn it off for a while so I can do something which requires for two apps to be open at the same time????
~ Lorna in Southern California

MBA or MBP for me?

I'm planning to get the MBA. But what do you guys think? I went to Apple store like 7 times already to check both of them out! I'll be using it as my MAIN MACHINE. I'll use it for
-browsing web (a lot) for Facebook, YouTube, email, twitter, sports
-light photo editing (nothing like the pros only as a hobby)
-about 150 music and 250 photos
-maybe Xcode and other apps
-I WANT IT TO LAST FOR ATLEAST 4 years
-I want to be able to bring it to my friends house, school (high), and other places
What do you guys think? Tell me which model of which machine I should get (ex. 128GB, 4GB ram, MBA)
Thanks!

MBA is a secondary computer, not a Main computer.
So get the MBP.

What shall i buy MBA or MBP for 4years

recently the macbook air has been updated and i was wanting a latop that will last me for 4 years (my old intel core 2 duo lasted for 3 years).
the following specs that i am configuring for macbook air 13" is, 1.8Ghz i7, 4GB RAM, 256GB flash storage
the following specs that i am configuring for macbook pro 13" is, 2.7Ghz i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
the only difference i find is the MBA is undervolted, Hi-Resolution 1440x900, faster SSD
the difference i find in the MBP is HD camera and more ports including SuperDrive
please help me choose the correct one because i want a notebook that will last me for 4 years.
money is no issue since i have already got spare 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD

While I love my Air, and believe such a machine could easily last 4 years, I suspect that you probably want the Pro. Why? Well, because you can upgrade it if you need to.
You don't say what you're going to be doing on this computer. I knew, when I got my 11" Air, that even in four years I'd probably wouldn't need a larger hard drive or more RAM. I knew this because over the years I've simplified my life and I'm not putting everything on my computer the way I used to; I delete more stuff, and keep big files on an external drive. Except for upgrades, I don't put on new programs, etc. I also knew that I'd be doing more traveling and needed lighter and slimmer--so, looking to the future, an Air was right for me.
But if you're not doing that, if it looks like in four years you'll need something to handle bigger programs and keep plenty of data at your fingertips, then you want the Pro, for sure. Because even if you don't get enough now, you can upgrade it later, have it meet your growing and changing needs. You can't do that with the Air. What you get now is what you'll have four years later, whether or not you feel it's gotten too slow or too small for you needs. That's perhaps the biggest and most important difference if you're looking at these computer long-term: You cannot upgrade that Air. What you buy now is what you have for its lifetime.
The Pro can grow and change with your needs over its lifetime. So, I'd recommend the Pro...unless, of course, you are totally in love with the Air. I always say to default on what you love, as you know you'll be happiest on that

MBA vs MBP for engineering use

Hi,
I'm planning to buy either a MacBook air or MacBook pro but am little confused as which way to go. I'm an engineer and so will be using VMware for heavy engineering softwares like Xilinx, modelsim and orcad. So im looking for help from someone with experience in this regard
Thanks

While the Macbook Air & MacBook Pro are offered both with models that have i5 and i7 processors. The Air offers dual core processors 1.6 Ghz i5 or a dual core 1.7Ghz i7. The MBP 13 base offers core i5 at 2.4 Ghz, or a dual core 2.8 Ghz i7. Slightly faster then the MacBook Air. If you go up to a 15-Inch Macbook Pro you get even more power with ether 2.2 Quad Core i7 or a 2.4 Quad Core i7. Those extra cores give you lots more power when plugged in, and it will be a noticable boost in VM. thats twice as many cores as the MacBook Air.
The Macbook Air and the 13-Inch Macbook Pro have the same Advanced Intel HD Graphics 3000. But the 15-inch MacBook Pro also has a AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5, or a AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5. Having the Radeon graphics card means the computer has lots of 3D rendeirng power! if your using cad this is a great benifit for the 3D models you may be working on. Or even just running Mac OS X and Windows 7 at the same time. (it's also nice for gaming)
The Macbook Pros also offer more storage space. the 13-Inch & 15-Inch base models of the MacBook Pro has twice the space as the top end MacBook Air. Running Dual OS takes up allot of space. So having the additonal space is going to be really handy.
Plus your getting extra ports. A built-in super drive will make it easier to install window 7 or any other disk based software.
if it was me, and I was using the computer for enginering I would be looking at a 15-Inch MacBook Pro because of the quad core, and Radion Graphics.
Also, you would benfit from finding out the exact software you want to run; and exactly what are the requirements to run it. That way you can make sure you get the right graphic cards, and more then enough ram. Also keep in mind if you want to run windows in VM. your going to need extra ram. because mac OS X is going to want ram too.

Can I use the same power cord on my MBA and MBP?

Traveling with a friend using a MBP, I have MBA. to save weight/space can we use either power cord with both?

Yes, but take his. His will charge yours fine while yours may be a little short on wattage for his.
Be aware of the different angle of attachment of course.

Can I download FCPX on my imac and MBP using the same apple ID?

Hello, I am just wondering how it works with mac store apps. I use both my imac and MBP for my work. Will I have to re buy FCPX for both, or can I use it on both with the same apple id? This works with apps on my 2 iphones and ipad, but I was not sure about imac and MBP.
Thank for any info you can give

Don't mention it. Although I'm one of those dispised Americans. Worse yet, I come here for four or five months then leave. Then I tell all our American friends awful lies about Canadians.

MBA instead of MBP for main computer?

Hi, I'm currently trying to decide between the 13in. MBA and MBP. I'll be a junior in college and have finally decided to update my aging five year old Dell (the screen is coming off, it's gotten so bad). I was considering the 13 MBP two years ago, but they were still using Dual Core 2 processors. I'll be carrying my computer around campus, on flights home, and going abroad with my new computer, so its kind of annoying the 13 in MBP is still using the same chassis from four years ago.
I'm comparing the 13 in MBA with 256 SSD, i7, 8GB RAM (for about $1600) to the 13 in MBP base model for $1099 (assuming 500 GB HD and i5 are fine for my needs). I'll be using it as my main computer for all the usual tasks (word, PP, internet, videos) as well as some Photoshop work. Do you think the MBA can handle my needs? I use my computer pretty much all day, every day. I greatly prefer the MBA form factor, display, and SSD, but when talking to someone at Apple, he said that I would notice a significant performance lack on the MBA compared to the MBP, which is concerns me, especially for the extra $500 or so. I know the battery life estimate is the same, but is that true in actuality?
At this point, with everything moving the direction of the air, does it make sense to still get a Pro for the performance? Also, my budget is relatively flexible after waiting for so long...would it be a decent investment to go for the SSD in a MBP instead?
Thanks!

Limnos,
I think that comparing durability between the two is a near "push", in gambling terms. Yes, the MBP is more "sturdy" in construction, but extra mass is also a detriment. Extra mass can result in greater force when jostled or dropped. I've owned Air's and Pros. I would feel less nervous if something were to be dropped on the Pro, but less so if my Air were to be dropped. Mind you, my machines have always sported aftermarket hard shells, and transported in a reasonably well padded stiff case (I'm using a Level 8 case now).
Overall, I suppose I would have to give the Pro a slight overall edge in overall resistance to damage, but it is entirely manageable. Probably the biggest worry is the lack of any extra glass layer protection on the MBA screen, as the the 13" Pro has.

MBA vs MBP: Should I buy?

I was hoping to get some opinions from some of you who have the Macbook Air.
Currently I have a Powerbook G4.. the second to last revision before the Intel switch: 1.67Ghz G4/1Gb RAM/160Gb HD/ATI 9700 w/128MB.
Here is my dilema: I am going to be buying a new Apple laptop as early as tomorrow 2/15. I was originally planning on buying a 15" Macbook Pro fully maxed out in every made to order configuration, but all my research has led me to believe that an update to that product line is imminent. I am the type of person that likes to have the best/most powerful thing for the sake of having it even when I may not use it to the limit of it's capabilities, but I am also very impatient and don't know if I can wait for the update whenever that may happen while my $$$ burns a hole in my pocket.
So, I began thinking about what I actually do with my PBG4.. I used to do music production and graphic design but not so much anymore. Mostly I watch movies and surf the net, I do convert movies and music quite often, but don't really utilize all the IO that I have (except S-video) I have been tempted by the Macbook Air, but I am wondering if I will regret giving up all the power and IO of a Powerbook or Macbook Pro.
I know if I get a Macbook Pro and they release an updated version shortly after my purchase I will be totally burned.. but I am wondering if I could live within the limitations of the Air?
Just interested in getting some opinions from those of you that have the Air or both MBA and MBP..
Many thanks,
James

Really, IMO, you should wait it out until the MBP is refreshed. If you absolutely cannot, then it's going to be a difficult decision on your part. When you break down the specifications, the MBA is really not "new" in the sense that it still uses the 65nm Merom microprocessor. This processor is set to be eventually phased out by the new Peryn, 45nm processors that were announced in late January. So if you go with an MBA today, you're almost dropping the cost of the baseline 15" MBP for a notebook that is essentially last year's technology. Not to mention that the RAM in the MBA is not upgradable, and the HD uses an outdated parallel ATA interface (ie slow).
Additionally, you need to really consider your needs in a notebook. If you still do music production and graphic design at all, then the MBA is probably going to be a huge disappointment. Remember that this thing wasn't meant to be a desktop replacement like the MBP. Apple's target consumer for the MBA is someone who needs a second or even third computer for situations where portability is a must, and is willing to sacrifice speed and power to get it.

13" MBA or 15" MBP for a musician, amateur photographer, and college student?

Now, if I had it my way I'd wait for the next MBP release, but alas my mother says I must buy a laptop now.
I've heard that the MBA is great for just about every average user's needs, but I do use my computer for more than the average user does.
Right now I'm using an HP desktop which I'll be bringing with me to college: 6 GB RAM, an i5 2.67GHz processor, and a 512 GB HDD at 7200 rpm.
It has a sucky monitor, but I'm going to replace it very soon.
I'm excited to get my Mac and use Aperture with it, because I tried Lightroom and found that it is not good enough in terms of workflow, so I did not purchase it (pricey) and am just using the Nikon software included with my camera.
I work with RAW files and often import 8 GB of them at a time and edit them, convert them to jpegs. The processes are all just a little slow, with the conversion to jpegs being the worst by far. That could be because I'm using the Nikon software, though. I recall that Lightroom was lightyears faster at that.
My point it, I WANT to use the Macbook I get as my primary photo editing machine. Is this realistic? Can either of the machines I'm looking at really handle that?
The 13" MBA would be too small, wouldn't it?
If I got the 15" MBP, I'd get the hi-res screen as well.
But the MBA is just so beautiful and portable. I'm worried that the MBP will feel like a burden. Then again, 6 pounds isn't that heavy still. And I know that if I buy the MBP, they will release a new one and I will feel remorseful, but, hey, a new model will always be around the corner.
And I couldn't afford a SSD if I got the MBP. :/
If I get the MBA, it will be maxed out.
I will also probably be purchasing an external hard drive for photos in the next 6 months, so I'm not concerned about 256 GB on the MBA being too little.
As far as other uses of the computer, I do some audio recording and editing. How good are the two machines at Garageband?
I'll do a lot of word processing for school. I like to stream video, listen to music.
Also, I love the HD cam on the MBP and hate the one of the MBA. I will be Skyping a lot this year.
Oh my GOSH. Sorry for writing so much and being disorganized. Thanks for reading! Haha.

From what I see on Twitter and blogs, a lot of photography pros are picking up the new MacBook Airs as their road machines because with the new Core iX processors they are quite acceptable for performance. I've mostly read about them using Lightroom, though, and not as a primary machine, so you should take some of your raw photos to an Apple store and run some Aperture tests to see how it feels. Do you think there is enough room to see everything, or does it feel cramped?
The main problem with the MacBook Air is not being able to put more than 4GB RAM in it, but with the SSD you might not notice the lag as much. For most people the Air is a fantastic computer. I use the 15" MacBook Pro, because I use other graphics apps where I need room to display documents, filmstrips, palettes, etc. so I need mor pixels, and also because I need to be able to have more RAM.
I would guess that GarageBand wouldn't be a problem on any new Mac, assuming you're not piling on heaps of effects.

A New MBP (and one for the road: any highly-recommended external drive for.

If I order a new MBP 17" for architecture and planning grad program, will SL come installed on the machine? Is SL considered a whole new OS or jut an update to Leopard? I am not even sure I am wording the questions correctly, so I apologize if I am not. I stopped at Tiger because the Leopard OS looked a bit too intimidating for me back then but I think I can deal with it now. Is it a big set-back that I did not learn how to use Leopard and now I am getting SL?
thanks for any help in this area.
I will throw this out there. I also need a decent but very heavy duty external hard drive to use for the work done with CAD. Any recommendations on a top-of-the-line heavy duty external hard drive? I guess the case is the main thing but the drive should be able to take some extra abuse because I baby the MacBook Pros but sometime the external drives get the abuse. I think USB2.0 is good enough for what I need.
Thanks Again

I would imagine that you could turn up good and bad reports on any drive. I have been highly satisfied with my 3 LaCies, two dating back to 2004. And, LaCie has very good phone support.
I use only clones and drag and drop for data changes between clonings. If I had to choose one method of backing up, then I definitely would use this process. Still, one can take a dual approach other than mine. The idea is to have a clone, which is updated fairly recently, to serve as a fail-safe, system backup, and restoration device. And, one could still use TM for day-to-day backups because of the flexibility it allows in moving backwards in time to retrieve data and because it updates automatically frequently. I want to experiment more with TM. So, I will move to this sort of dual system in the near future--as soon as I figure out which partition on my main external I can do without.
For cloning, I like SuperDuper because it has the ability to make incremental clones--thus, shortening the recloning process significantly. CCC is good, but I have never used it. Actully, Disk Utility is a highly respectable cloner, but it does not have as many options as the others, including not having the ability to make incremental clones.

I just bought a MBA and I need to move my photos and itunes to an external hard drive (from my old MacBook Pro) because they won't fit on the Air. I got the photos moved fine and I followed an online tutorial to move the necessary files for itunes, but i

I just bought a MBA and I need to move my photos and itunes to an external hard drive (from my old MacBook Pro) because they won't fit on the Air. I got the photos moved fine and I followed an online tutorial to move the necessary files for itunes, but it didn't work. The files copied fine, but when I tell iTunes on the Air to look at the external drive for the library, it doesn't find anything. What I copied was the entire iTunes Media folder. So, how do I move the necessary iTunes files from my old Pro to a external drive so I can access them from my new Air? Whew!

iTunes- How to move the library to an EHD
After you move the library you need to open iTunes by first depressing the OPTION key then launching iTunes. You will be given a choice of which library to use. This can then be made a permanent change, if you wish, in the Advanced section of iTunes preferences.

Third Party RAM and SSD for MBP's???

I found MACSALES.COM GREAT SITE!!
Crucial SSD's !
Is it really that difficult to install the SSD and or RAM as I am hearing on the new Aluminum Chassis???? Any sites explaining how to DIY?
BTW is the DDR3 OWC RAM Other World Computing - 1333DDR3S08S Item Not Found on par with the Crucial IBM quality??
APPLE SITE: "4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 8GB"
Does this mean there is two slots for RAM? It is not possible to buy 2 8GB DDR3 RAM for the 17 MBP? Only a max of 8G's?

Is it really that difficult to install the SSD and or RAM as I am hearing on the new Aluminum Chassis???? Any sites explaining how to DIY?
Look under *Tech Support* on the www.macsales.com site for instructions on how to install a SSD or HD and also for RAM. It's a 10 minute process for both. Look for the late 2009 or 2010 MBP models, the process is identical.
BTW is the DDR3 OWC RAM Other World Computing - 1333DDR3S08S Item Not Found on par with the Crucial IBM quality??
Question doesn't make sense please re-phrase it.
Does this mean there is two slots for RAM? It is not possible to buy 2 8GB DDR3 RAM for the 17 MBP? Only a max of 8G's?
Yes this is clearly stated in the system specifications.
Roger

My MBP Screen goes gray and asks for restart when trying to open Adobe raw

My MBP Screen goes gray and asks for restart when trying to open Adobe raw files. Even when I try to populate raw images in the brige the scree wipes gray and says I have to restart. I am using CS2 and the latest version 3.7 of Adobe camera raw. I can however open raw images in preview. Please help! OS ver. 10.4.9 2.16ghz intel duo core processor.

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
What you are getting is a kernel panic, caused by one of the issues my FAQ* discusses:
http://www.macmaps.com/kernelpanic.html
* Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Suitability of MBA and MBP for FCPX ...

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