[suckfuldotcom]

$2299
550MHz PowerPC G4 @ 100MHz
256K L2 cache @ 550MHz
256MB SDRAM memory
15.2" 1152x768 screen
20GB Ultra ATA drive
CDRW
ATI Mobility Radeon w/16MB DDR video memory
Gigabit Ethernet
56K internal modem
2 USB & 1 FireWire Port
Airport Ready

vs.

$2298
733MHz PowerPC G4
256K L2 cache
128MB SDRAM memory
15" 1024x768 monitor
40GB Ultra ATA drive
CD-RW drive
NVIDIA GeForce2 MX
Gigabit Ethernet
56K internal modem2 USB & 2 FireWire Ports
Airport Ready

Usage: Final Cut Pro for DV independant documentary and film productions, as well as typical email, productivity and internet stuff.

Questions:

1) What is the component bottleneck for FCP? Processor speed, bus speed, HD speed?

2) How much storage is enough?

3) How much screen space is enough?

4) How much RAM is enough?

SdC

[prutz11]

Originally posted by suckfuldotcom:

1) What is the component bottleneck for FCP? Processor speed, bus speed, HD speed?

2) How much storage is enough?

3) How much screen space is enough?

4) How much RAM is enough?

SdC[/QB]

I have a 500mhz Tibook and run FCP 2...
1. not really sure but I can say it runs great... 2. there is never enough... and I find myself using my EDL a LOT.... but it works well...
3. I do hook up a second monitor when doing any real work... the Ti screen is big for a laptop but you always need more... there are plenty of ways to use it. But I guess the question is enough and it is enough space. 4. 512 works fine for me, but I do short format stuff... so it depends on you... but as always more is better.

The question is what kind of person are you? I like to move around while working on stuff and there is no cooler feeling than working on a movie outside... if that souns nice to you you will be happy with the Ti... but if you want things to render fast and to maybe add a realtime card down the line than say hello to your powermac... Also drive space is always a concern if I had 100 gigs let me tell you it would be full... but I can live with 20 for the joy of motion.

yep so I am sure i did not answer your questions but what the hey
-will

[macaddled]

Well, here is my 2¢:

I have a TiBook 400 from work, and at home I have a desktop AGP g4 400. I edit video on both....

Now, I love my powerbook but it's definitely more comfortable to edit video on the desktop. The screen is bigger, even if it runs at same (similar) resolution. Overall the desktop mac feels snappier. Also storage is not an issue there, whereas I'm constantly up against it with the TiBook.

Also 2 firewire ports are nice for camera + FW drive. I get dropped frames when I try to digitize with the camera -> FW drive -> TiBook daisy chain setup (no surprise there.)

So, the TiBook is certainly a workable solution if you need the mobility, but if that's not an issue then definitely get the desktop.

oh, to answer the questions:
1)dunno
2)a terabyte would be nice. seriously, if you get a desktop get a second drive that is dedicated AV. The IBM Deskstars are real fast -- and they just announced 120 gb models.
3) two monitors rock. plus an ntsc monitor (for semipro a cheapie 13" will do.)
4)why skimp? a gig of name brand RAM
is like $150. max it out.

edited to answer q's too.

[ 11-14-2001: Message edited by: macaddled ]

[Demonhood]

1) What is the component bottleneck for FCP? Processor speed, bus speed, HD speed?

-- I'd say processor speed. The faster your machine, the faster you can render all those fun little effects/transitions that you've added into your project. HD speed is imporant in accessing things, but you really don't need an UW SCSI or faster drive to do DV work (altho it is nice ). A nice video card is good too. A radeon or geforce should do nicely.

2) How much storage is enough?

-- Enough? What is this word you speak of? Depends on how big the projects you wanna do are. Anything 60GB or better should do for now. You can always expand.

3) How much screen space is enough?

-- one 19" minimum. I'm going to get a second Radeon and hook up my other 19" (currently on my PC) to get more real estate.

4) How much RAM is enough?

-- 512MB is a good minimum. But RAM is cheap, so shoot for 1GB+ if you can.

[suckfuldotcom]

Sorry to bump up an old thread, but does the new combo drive change the balance in favor of the TiBook for FCP? Also, does FCP 3 change the comparison?

SdC

[Hydra]

The TiBook with the combo makes a nice package better but you need to look at what is the biggest priority. If you can use the portability of the Ti, go for it. If you don't need the porability the desktop may be the way to go. I would only go with the Ti book if it was the 667 model as it has some serious advantages over it's slower brethren when it comes to FCP3.

FCP3 needs a Tibook at 667 in order to do the real time effects while the 733 desktop would be able to do some of them. The slower Tibook may be able to do them in the new offline format that is a big plus for FCP on laptops where space is a premium (but I'm not sure). The ability to do the RTeffects is proc. dependent and scales with the horsepower you have available. In any case you will need to add much more ram esp. if you plan on using FCP 3 under OSX. If your funds are limited you can now get a special on the LCD's from Apple but I would avoid the 15 inch LCD as 1024x768 is a little cramped for FCP (even the TiBook has a higher res) A better solution would be to buy a big 19 or 20 inch CRT that is much cheaper than the Apple Lcd's.

The best place ti get the opinions of true pro's are the discusion boards over at 2-pop which is a site dedicated to all things FCP. Go there and you won't regret it.


I have a dual 800 and Apple just shipped my FCP3 upgrade and I can't wait to get it. I'm far from a pro, just a hack, but I love FCP and FCP 3 looks like a huge upgrade.


Jerry C.
2-pop

[NeoMac]

Wait for MWSF and then buy the low-end PowerMac + display, like you have listed.

Laptops are only really usefull to real road-warriors -- the kind of people who go home for vacation.