[Big Tom]

Hi, I'm looking at finally making the switch from a Windows based PC to the new Macbook (2.0 GHz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD). I want to get into video editing and have a quick question about doing this on the Macbook as opposed to the MBP.

Am I right in saying that the dedicated graphics card in the MBP isn't really going to make that much difference when video editing? (compared to the 2.0 GHz Macbook with the integrated graphics card)

From what I have read in other posts on the forum the main things to consider when editing video is the CPU speed and amount of RAM and HD access speed. Is this correct?

If so am I right in thinking the Macbook should be able to handle this without any major problems?

Thanks.

BTW - Great forum. It has been a very big factor in convincing me to make the switch to Mac - At last!

[elcheapo]

The macbook will run all the applications in Final Cut Studio. Motion is somewhat limited but small projects do run ok.

[Big Tom]

Thanks, would the MBP rectify the motion issue? or am I better off saving some money and going for the Macbook?

[mduell]

Yes, the MBP would be better in Motion.

I think you're going to find 1280x800 rather cramped for video editing.

[andreas_g4]

So Motion definively runs on a MB?

[harrisjamieh]

Yes, I have it running on my MacBook and it runs fine, just a tad slow on previews and stuff.

Just a note about FCP on a MB (which could also be extended to the MBP in certain configs)... When using multicam in FCP, I cannot use more than 3 DV streams at a time without the thing jumping a stuttering. I can, at a push, run 4 DV cams at once. My best guess is that this is due to the hard drive speed, as my iMac with the same proc only differs from my MB in HD and graphics, and it can handle 6 streams fine, and graphics are not used in FCP.

[Big Tom]

Thanks for the speedy response!

I think I'm going to go for the MB on the basis that I am only just getting into video editing and this should be adequate for what I need initially (Along with a large external screen). If I need a more capable machine in the future I will have to look at upgrading then.

Thanks

Tom

[joel_v]

i have a macbook, and will be doing alot of editing in the near future. from the reviews ive read, it seams to run alright. as long as you have the universal binary version final cut studio.

theres a review on a macbook (from a video editing perspective) here.

and benchmarks on final cut studio apps (using both the MB and MBP) here.

[Big Tom]

Thanks a lot joel that's just what I was looking for!

[i_wolf]

However, were those benchmarks conducted on the same version of OS X and the same version of Quicktime. The answer is no. So in essence it makes that benchmark null and void. Recent builds of quicktime are much quicker on intel hardware than prior builds. I would suspect the MBP would have shown higher results across the board if the updates had been applied... e.g. the first test something is clearly wrong with the testing methodology. A 2.16 core duo should be showing a bigger difference over a 2GHz core duo than that benchmark implied and there certainly isn't anything in the 2GHz to make it quicker than the 2.16 model