iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Hello guys, Apple has now released the new iMac Pro.
I think to buy it, and just I want to know if someone more expert (based also about your configurations) than me thinks about this hardware configuration, and if it's good to edit the C200's 4K RAWlight :

- 3.0GHz 10-core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz
- 128GB 2666MHz DDR4 ECC memory
- 4TB SSD
- Radeon Pro Vega 64 with 16GB of HBM2 memory

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

That looks a cracking spec Daniel. I currently use 4k and 1080p with my brilliant Acer Aspire VX15, truly performs better than my desktops. A recent wedding abroad i completed the clients trailer on the plane in three hours on a 6 hour journey with no hiccups and rendered fast and i mean fast. All 4k and the render was super. So your spec better than mine will be fine.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Do you have a link for it? I may wait for the new trash can. Not sure.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

That configuration will deftly handle C200 Raw light footage.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Yes, you can configure your iMac Pro following this link: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/imac-pro

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Many of us are speculating that a top of the line new trash can next year may top $25k. If you can afford one, I'm jealous. Even the bottom line will be $7k-$10k

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

And therein lies the rub. My 2015 MacBook Pro (with maxed out specs) more than easily handles HD/2K footage, especially in Intra modes, but once you mix in UHD/4K, it crawls. It feels like the iMac Pro is the baseline model to get the same kind of performance with UHD/4K as its HD brethren.

Or if you're still working in 1080, max out an iMac Pro and watch your timeline playback at full speed with Neat Video applied... ;)

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

I’m temped to build a hackintosh with the coffee lake i7 8700. My 2007 Mac Pro works well but I can’t update FCPX to the latest version. Maybe next year if there is a stable build I might make the jump. For $2k you have something as fast for 1/3 the cost.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

If you build a Hackintosh, be prepared to spend time fixing it when something breaks. This happens quite a bit with those things.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

While Hackintoshes are cool hobby machines, I have never met a single working pro who counts on one for client work under deadlines. If you are a hobbyist, go for it. If you are a working pro, you buy a new Mac with Apple Care and pray that you never use it ;-)

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

That’s too bad. I understand it take some tinkering but would be ok once setup. I was planning to use my existing mac as a backup that I’d eventually transition from once I achieved a stable workstation. I’ve seen some people on youtube use them for work. Obviously what some may deem as workable may not be by another. I wouldn’t want to do anything halfway but I’d be mad if I spent 2k on a “project”

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

The issue is that anything unexpected can bring it down. If you keep it disconnected from the Internet, you might be okay for a while, but any updates can give you a half-day to a full day downtime. Forget you can't hot-swap Thunderbolt devices and plug something in while the machine is running? That was a day of downtime for the unit and 3 days of RAID rebuilding.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

The updating isn’t an issue because I routinely go a year without an update to my mac, it’s not connected to the internet, I only use it for video editing and that’s the way I like it.

The Thunderbolt/raid isn’t an issue. I don’t use either.

The only issue that’s not a hackintosh/mac is that the majority of my distributions is via dvd and I use DVDSP to author and burn. I believe but i’m not sure that the software can’t be installed on High Sierra. If that’s the case all speed gains would be nullified if I’d have to employ and maintain a separate system just to author and produce dvds. While I could install an older os, one of the main purpose is to upgrade to a newer os to allow me to upgrade fcpx to the latest versions. Btw I wouldn’t be surprised this is Apple way of “encouraging” people to buy a new mac.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

The further back in time you go with OSX versions, the harder it is to Hackintosh.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

I'm wondering if I should just get the current trashcan and add a nice LG monitor to it. That's the same price as the baseline iMac Pro.... sigh. Mo money. lol

I just used this link, https://www.apple.com/mac/trade-up/ to see how much they think my iMac is worth. I'm afraid 190.00 might be a little low.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

The trashcan is a good deal if you get it used/refurbished, but keep in mind that the comparable iMac Pro (in cores) is 50% faster.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Very good point Gary. I'm thinking of buying a Canon C200, so I'll need all the power.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

I'm sure even an 8-core iMac Pro would be ample horsepower for Cinema RAW Lite. I have a 10-Core myself. One area where I put more cash in was in storage. Cinema RAW Lite files are huge, so you'll want to ensure you have both space and speed.

I'm using LaCie RAIDs paired up with my iMac Pro. A 6-bay RAID 10 (approx 600 MBps reads/writes) and a 2-bay RAID 0 scratch disk (approx 400 MBps reads/writes). Finally, a third RAID 1 for backups. The internal SSD is left for applications.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Well here is the comparison. What I see glaring at me is the number of cores.

https://www.apple.com/mac/compare/re...oduct2=mac-pro

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

And this is what I'm leaning towards.

3.2GHz 8-core Intel Xeon W processor, Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz
64GB 2666MHz DDR4 ECC memory
1TB SSD
Radeon Pro Vega 64 with 16GB of HBM2 memory
Magic Mouse 2 - Space Gray
Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad - US English - Space Gray

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

That is a good compromise between the maximum specs you can get and the price you pay.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Thank you Gary

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Do check if the software you'll use will benefit from the Vega 64. If not, you may want to consider sticking with the Vega56 and update to the 10-core version. That is what I did for the software I use (Xcode, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro X and various 3D packages to include Cinema 4D). While some do tap into the GPU, many of the processes I run are CPU-bound.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

That's a good point. I've already toyed around with FCPX but am thinking Adobe Premier if FCPX doesn't do it for me. I'm a long time Vegas editor, but I'm looking to move on.

I'll be sure to check on FCPX and Premier and see how they handle processing. Thanks, Ricky.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Personally, I would buy a 10-core, but you have to decide if the potential speed is worth it. Primarily use Adobe with some FCPX thrown in for certain clients.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Good point Gary. I called Adobe upper support and they could relay numbers for the upgrades, but they don't have an official announcement to say, put more money in this or that. According to Adobe, Premier uses either/or video or cpu processing and can be switched on and off depending. So that's at least good to know.

I did a test on my current editor, with well below video specs for 4k, and Adobe premier handled the video play back so much better than Sony Vegas. Which is what started me on this new purchase journey. :}

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

Update:

So after researching the iMac Pro to death, thinking I knew pretty much the ins and outs of what I was looking for, I went to my local Apple store to discuss options. I asked the sales guy if I buy a base model, can I get upgrades later. The blue guy went to the back to ask the head Apple technician. He came back with a definitive, no, no, nothing is upgradable on the iMac Pro after purchase. So I left completely confused.

I called Apple and they told me the only thing that is upgradable after purchase is the Ram. Which is different than the Apple store guy.

I called another Apple store near Washington D.C. and they said their Apple guy could upgrade the hard drives, Ram and Core.

Needless to say, I'm perplexed atm. I chatted with BH and they told me I should pay attention to the Vram, which is good advice.

Re: iMac Pro editing machine for C200
 

You should buy the highest end machine you can absolutely afford, and figure that it won't be easily upgradeable in the future. That's what I plan to do.