[Faulty_Toast]

hi, I am a pc user currently, but wanting to switch over to mac, since i will be doing some video editing and I like the macs interface and many other things. My question is, will a powerbook be enough for my needs or would a powermac be better for me. Here is what i will be using the computer for.

Video editing, a few short 15-30 minute films i am working on, nothing exeeding an hour, and won't be using many (if any) special effects. will be using programs like FINAL CUT EXPRESS and mabye Final Cut Pro HD, won't be using MOTION or anything like that though.

web browsing, e-mail, putting songs on my mp3 player and so forth, some multitasking.

Light game playing, such as mabye once and a while a civilization game or mabye a warcraft game, nothing much though.

I really like the ability to be able to take the powerbook with me, and move it around. But i do not won't to invest in anything that won't fit my needs, and will be execptionally slow when loaded with final cut express and other things. I could aslo get an external hard drive for video editing, but could i install the final cut programs on the external hard drive? THanks.

[mduser63]

I think a Powerbook should be OK for you if portability is important. However, if you're planning to move beyond simple editing in the future, I'd look at getting a Powermac. It sounds like the editing you want to do is going to be fairly light weight though, so the Powerbook should be OK. Do make sure you upgrade the hard drive to the 5400 RPM drive when you order. Also, you may want to wait a couple weeks. It seems quite likely that Apple will be releasing updated Powerbooks soon. It'll probably be a fairly minor update, with just slightly faster processors, and possibly the 5400 RPM drive as standard, but even so, if I were you I would wait and see.

By the way, I'm a recent switcher to the Mac platform. I used PCs for a very long time before I switched, and one of the main things I did/do is video editing. I couldn't be happier with my switch to the Mac.

[Randman]

The PowerBook sounds as if it'll meet you needs. Get as much ram as you can afford, PB15 and 17s take 2GB while the 12 can go to 1.25GB.

[eatinwokout]

^ i agree... go with the 15" or 17". try and max out ram and upgrade the hd. you will have no problem running FINAL CUT/FINAL CUT PRO on the powerbook. plus you'll have the portability to move your work around with you wherever you need to go.