I realize this type of question is asked a lot and I have read through the archives, but haven't found an answer yet. I have called Apple and they don't seem to know what a NLE is. Will this straight from the store computer work with at least SD until I can make some $ to upgrade to faster HDD RPM?
Configuration=
Powermac dual 2.0 G5
1ghtz FSB
4gb memory
nvidia 7800 gt GPU
2 500gb 7200 sata HDD. (they won't sell a 160 and a 500 together)
OS=Tiger
FCP 5.1 Studio
Boris FX
23" Flat HD monitor
(cam=XL2)
Does anyone see any problems with this configuration? Is 7200 rpm too slow? If I didn't have a deadline I would buy one 160 gb hdd from Apple and a third party 10,000rpm hdd, but as soon as it arrives I have to start editing a (sd) TV program with a 30 day deadline from today. Also, how do I explain to them how to configure a TV out for a monitor? They don't seem to know what I am talking about. Anything else? Thanks and hello to all, John
#2 edit.Thanks for your help. Any ideas on how to explain to Apple how to configure the (vga)tv out for production monitor?

John,

You have a very capable machine for editing SD and HDV. Final Cut Pro is of course, an NLE as is, iMovie and Final Cut Express. The person on the phone probably has no idea about video editing and what "non-linear editor" actually refers to.

-gb-

I have a dual 2.5 G5 and it works very well for SD and HDV, so I think you'll be fine. 7200 RPM should be plenty fast for internal drives (is there even anything faster?). You could just buy a single drive machine and add your own second internal SATA drive to save some money; it's really easy and instructions are in the owners manual. Drives are available from CompUSA, Best Buy and other places. Same thing for RAM. Of course getting everything from Apple would simplify warranty and troubleshooting issues though.

That'll work like a champ...it's bigger than what I've got!

im only 15 and i got my Power mac Dual 2.3GHz pc about two weeks ago with the basic equipment 256 Graphics memory and 512mb ram i was editing 2 hour projects on it and it is fine. A bit slow when rendering but fine. i have tried HD then it gets a bit slow. i use final cut express HD 3.0 and it works fine. you computer looks to be really good.