Will this MBP be fine at DVinfo.net

Jason Bowers · May 26th, 2008, 06:30 AM

I am looking at buying a MBPro 2.33 with the ATI X1600, 4 gig of ram, and 7200rpm drive. Will the specs run the FCS2 suite without problems. Mainly Color and Motion?

Thanks

Boyd Ostroff · May 26th, 2008, 08:14 AM

Is that an older model? The current 15" MBP's are 2.4/2.5/2.6ghz and have the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards (I have the 2.4ghz version). I don't have my new version of FCS2 yet so I can't really comment, but faster is usually better and I suspect Color and Motion will take advantage of the newer graphics cards.

One other thing to consider however... Many people expect Apple to release completely re-designed laptops at the WWDC in a little over a week. Even if you don't want one of the new models, they often reduce prices of existing models and that could also impact the value of a used machine.

Of course nobody really knows what Apple will do, so we'll just have to wait until June 9...

Jason Bowers · May 26th, 2008, 10:25 AM

Hi Boyd,
It is an older model in 2007. It is a 17" and I can get it for $1900cdn. It is used though. Thanks for the headsup on WWDC.

Jason Bowers · May 27th, 2008, 03:43 PM

Does anyone know if this laptop is suitable for SDE's using motion and color? I would rather spend almost $700 on this than on the 2.4ghz refurb from apple. Anyone please.

Bill Pryor · May 27th, 2008, 04:17 PM

Seems to me it should be OK. If you go to Apple's site and look at the requirements for using FCP, it will tell you minimum requirements (which are always too low, but you can get an idea of what you have to have).

Josh Laronge · May 27th, 2008, 04:24 PM

Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. Spec. wise, it will run FCP2 including Motion and Color. Reality wise using FCP you should find it plenty fast even doing HDV and fine for SDE. Color and Motion may be another story depending on how intense you're going to delve into them. These two programs are very processor intensive and while they'll run fine without problems, you may find yourself waiting; again depending on the project.

I have a 2006 MBP 17" 2.16, 2 gig, x1600 and for simple Motion pieces (like animating an image) it's fine with very reasonable wait times (30sec. to 2min.). I can't accurately comment on Color as I haven't done much of it on the MBP but, it does run.

The price you mention seems good and in reality, unless Apple releases something amazing at the WWDC, the top of the current line of MBP will only be a small advantage in practical speed.

Good luck,
Josh

May 26th, 2008, 06:30 AM	#1
Jason Bowers Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thunder Bay, ON. Canada Posts: 374	Will this MBP be fine I am looking at buying a MBPro 2.33 with the ATI X1600, 4 gig of ram, and 7200rpm drive. Will the specs run the FCS2 suite without problems. Mainly Color and Motion? Thanks

May 26th, 2008, 08:14 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	Is that an older model? The current 15" MBP's are 2.4/2.5/2.6ghz and have the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics cards (I have the 2.4ghz version). I don't have my new version of FCS2 yet so I can't really comment, but faster is usually better and I suspect Color and Motion will take advantage of the newer graphics cards. One other thing to consider however... Many people expect Apple to release completely re-designed laptops at the WWDC in a little over a week. Even if you don't want one of the new models, they often reduce prices of existing models and that could also impact the value of a used machine. Of course nobody really knows what Apple will do, so we'll just have to wait until June 9...

May 26th, 2008, 10:25 AM	#3
Jason Bowers Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thunder Bay, ON. Canada Posts: 374	Hi Boyd, It is an older model in 2007. It is a 17" and I can get it for $1900cdn. It is used though. Thanks for the headsup on WWDC.

May 27th, 2008, 03:43 PM	#4
Jason Bowers Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Thunder Bay, ON. Canada Posts: 374	Does anyone know if this laptop is suitable for SDE's using motion and color? I would rather spend almost $700 on this than on the 2.4ghz refurb from apple. Anyone please.

May 27th, 2008, 04:17 PM	#5
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Seems to me it should be OK. If you go to Apple's site and look at the requirements for using FCP, it will tell you minimum requirements (which are always too low, but you can get an idea of what you have to have).

May 27th, 2008, 04:24 PM	#6
Josh Laronge Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 241	Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. Spec. wise, it will run FCP2 including Motion and Color. Reality wise using FCP you should find it plenty fast even doing HDV and fine for SDE. Color and Motion may be another story depending on how intense you're going to delve into them. These two programs are very processor intensive and while they'll run fine without problems, you may find yourself waiting; again depending on the project. I have a 2006 MBP 17" 2.16, 2 gig, x1600 and for simple Motion pieces (like animating an image) it's fine with very reasonable wait times (30sec. to 2min.). I can't accurately comment on Color as I haven't done much of it on the MBP but, it does run. The price you mention seems good and in reality, unless Apple releases something amazing at the WWDC, the top of the current line of MBP will only be a small advantage in practical speed. Good luck, Josh