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Computer issues.

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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
Firstly, I liked to say that I have done a fair bit a research on this and searched on NS as well so sorry if this is a repost. Basically, I'm currently using a Dell Studio 1535 laptop and am undecided whether to upgrade to a new Macbook Pro 15" 2.53GHz with 4GB RAM and I5 processor.

I am going into University this year to study film and moving image production, and will be predominantly using it for video and sound editing, which my current laptop is unable to deal with.

Basically NS, I am asking whether you think it would be worth spending a little money on my current laptop to upgrade it to a good enough spec to handle HD footage editing, Or should I just stump up the cash and go for the Macbook Pro?

Sorry for the extremely long post.
+K for any helpfull advice.
Jun 29 2010 7:07PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,072
For your major, an upgrade to a macbook pro is a great idea. You don't exactly need to get the newest generation though. Check out refurbished models on apples website, you can snag a MBP with good stats for under 1500, instead of spending 1900 on a new one.

Now, the referb will be slower, but it should be fast enough for what you need to do. If you have the budget for the newest generation, i would do it, considering the better stats.
Jun 29 2010 7:28PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,072
I forgot to ask, do you NEED a laptop? iMacs are usually about 500 dollars cheaper for the same stats, with a bigger display. Just listing options.
Jun 29 2010 7:32PM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
Well, I would really prefer a Macbook to be honest purely because it'll make it a lot easier to get my work into university and everything like that. I have also been looking at other alternatives such as the Dell Studio XPS 16 which has similar stats to the Macbook Pro 15" - The Dell has Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 520M(2.40GHz,3MB cache)with 1GB ATI® Radeon™ HD 565v graphics, 4096MB 1067MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048] and 500GB (7,200rpm) Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive. Being similar to the Macbook Pro, I'm unsure whether to save some cash and go for the Dell or just go for the Macbook Pro.
Jun 29 2010 7:40PM
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Snipeskier
Posts: 156 - Karma: 440
You don't always have to look at Mac. Though they are very simple to use and come with a lot of the software you'r need in their "standard"editions, you can always "Find" that software online. Here are some great sites for getting high powered laptops that would be great for what you're doing...

www.CyberPowerPC.com
www.asus.com

Don't get too carried away when on CyberPower though cause during the customization it can get a bit pricey.

I recommended the PC because they tend to be much cheaper than the Macbooks. With the extra cash you can use it to buy accessories for cameras and recording devices, ect.

If you need any help creating your computer send me a message I'd be more than happy to help.
Jun 30 2010 9:45PM
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.cam.
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 48
also the toshiba qosimo http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Qosmio-X505-Q870-TruBrite-18-4-Inch/dp/B0034RK0WO/ref=pd_cp_pc_0
Jul 1 2010 12:08AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,234
merp derp you cant run final cut on a PC, and i'm ignorantly assuming OP will be using FCS for most of his work. Seeing that he's looking to do sound editing as well (soundtrack pro in the suite is intertwined with FCP very nicely)
Jul 1 2010 12:43AM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
I wasn't necessarily needing to use FCP for my work, but I see that to be one of the large plus' with a Mac. I also hear that they are much easier to use and with all the support and everything provided by your local apple store and everything like that I think I'm leaning more towards the Macbook Pro 15" considering I need to be producing more professional work for my University projects and everything. Not that having the best equipment makes you a good videographer or anything like that, but I think that the process seems easier to achieve on Mac software.
Jul 1 2010 5:25AM
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Snipeskier
Posts: 156 - Karma: 440
Thats if you don't know how. You can create a separate partition on you're hard drive and run linix, which in through you can run a Mac OSX emulator to run any thing you want, with the power and cost stability of a PC. Don't be hatin.
Jul 2 2010 12:54PM
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