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Computer buying options for editing!! HELP!

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*karma*
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 328
so i have about 2 grand give or take willing to put into a computer, i edit i know i need a powerful computer but im torn between an imac and a macbook pro anyone have any suggestions???
Jun 15 2010 7:01PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
MacBook pro 15" and if u need it a monitor
they r really powerful and way more convenient cuz they are laptops
Jun 15 2010 7:06PM
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*karma*
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 328
see yea im torn cause i get way more bang for my buck with a desktop but i would really enjoy to be on a laptop and not a desktop....
Jun 15 2010 7:18PM
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Mooserz
Posts: 2945 - Karma: 32
I just bought the 17 inch macbook pro. Im running final cut express off of it and it works really well. Yeah it is a massive laptop but its really nice to have a big screen to review my footage on and be able to take it where ever I need
Jun 15 2010 7:23PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
Depends on what you want to do with it. Generally speaking both are powerful enough. That being said, if you dont plan on every having to take it anywhere, I would say definitely go with iMac. For $2000 you get a quad core processor (compared to the duel cores in the MBPs. While MBPs do have core i7/i5 processors, the mobile versions of them are only duel core), much more powerful graphics card, higher resolution display, and generally higher end components.

That being said, i just got a 15" Macbook Pro, the Core i7 model, and i love it. I have done a small amount of messing around with final cut and it runs great. Plus it has the added convenience of a laptop. My reasoning was that it will be my college computer and I will want to be able to take it around with me.

Basically, either one will be great, it just depends on your specific needs.
Jun 15 2010 7:26PM
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Skittle.
Posts: 2537 - Karma: 718
if you want to take it from place to place get the mackbook pro, if you just want it to stay in one place, get the imac. i would prolly get the mbp though so you can take it with you if you go on a trip
Jun 15 2010 7:28PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
yeah, I just got the 15 inch but unless you really cut back on what you put into it it's not going to come out anywhere close to 2k but you can really build a bomb ass 13 inch if you don't mind the slightly smaller size. I jus like the bigger monitor for reviewing and editing footy.
Jun 15 2010 7:28PM
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*karma*
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 328
so i could just make a real legit 13inch and then just buy a monitor for editing in house... thanks all so much this is a huge help
Jun 15 2010 7:32PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
Careful here. You can buy a pretty nice 13in MBP, however they did not get the bump to Core ix processors in the last refresh. They are still using Core 2 Duo. For most applications, those are still fast enough, but for things like video editing, Core ix processors really shine. Its actually a pretty huge perfomance difference. Take a look at these benchmarks to get an idea. http://www.anandtech.com/show/3659/apples-15inch-core-i5-macbook-pro-the-one-to-get/3 . Notice how far behind the 13in is all cases. I would stay away from the 13in at this point. You can get do much better for not that much more, and still well within your budget. The sweet spot for a lot of people like you seems to be the 15in MBP with Core i7, as far as laptop solutions from apple go.
Jun 15 2010 7:39PM
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*karma*
Posts: 1072 - Karma: 328
thanks alot man this is prob what i will do go with the 15inch i7 you are def right... and it isn't a terrible price.
Jun 15 2010 7:45PM
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StevenR
Posts: 1372 - Karma: 33
Glad i could help. You definitely wont regret it if you decide to go with that. I love the shit out of mine.
Jun 15 2010 7:49PM
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skithesprings
Posts: 9086 - Karma: 1,349
Haha, with the student discount mine (15" i7 8gigs ram 500gb hard drive) came out to a touch over 2400 before the 300 dollar protection plan. I almost cried during checkout, but it was so worth it.
Just get the 15 inch i7, you woln't be disappointed.
Jun 15 2010 7:52PM
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