I have a Canon HF100 and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro. Question: Would the upgraded model offer any significant benefits for editing AVCHD? The upgraded model has a 2.53 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz processor. Both have the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, although the upgraded model has a 512 MB cache vs. 256MB. If both models are going to be equally bad (and I need to be using a desktop with more power), I will probably just get the base model. I'm a newbie and haven't yet tried to do any editing. Thanks for any input!

I have a Canon HF100 and am considering purchasing a new Macbook Pro. Question: Would the upgraded model offer any significant benefits for editing AVCHD? The upgraded model has a 2.53 GHz vs. 2.4 GHz processor.

All OS X NLEs convert AVCHD to another codec (AIC or ProRes) so the computer power only helps the speed the conversion process.

What editor will you use? I fell in love with iMovie 08 so much I wrote a book about it. It is the first leap ahead in editing video in a decade. So big a leap that it seems to confuse folks who use traditional software. It really works great with AVCHD!

I am planning to use iMovie 08. Sounds like this should be good/sufficient for home movies and such? In terms of processing power, will both of the Macbook Pro models do an adequate job?

I am planning to use iMovie 08. Sounds like this should be good/sufficient for home movies and such? In terms of processing power, will both of the Macbook Pro models do an adequate job?

Both fine will be fine.

Barry,
We have a MacBook Pro2.4 GZ and it works fine. I do most of my stuff on a iMac with a 2.0 GZ Intel duo. Both use Imovie 08 and HD fine. I did max out the ram on both Macs.
I use a Sony SR11 and both Macs handle the AVCHD.
As Steve said both would be fine, and you might want to look at his books. I found them to be helpfull.

Thanks for the info. One more question...Will editing on the Mac, along with the conversion to AIC, result in any loss in quality as compared to editing on a Windows program such as Nero? I'm wanting to be able to play back on a 50" HDTV. Thanks again.