how will my mac perform with final cut? at DVinfo.net

Andres Bant · January 19th, 2005, 03:53 PM

I use a G4 Powerbook, 1.25 GHz, 512 MB and 60 Gigs (with a separate 120 gig external harddrive). I am worried that if I lay down the price for Final Cut Pro 4, it may not run smoothly with my powerbook. This is discouraging because I don't want to stick with "iMovie" my whole life. What statistics would I need to upgrade?
thanks!
Andres

Rhett Allen · January 19th, 2005, 04:05 PM

Only thing I would suggest is maybe a little more RAM but other than that it should be fine. I have no problems running it on my Powerbook, a little slower than on a Dual but still runs fine.

Dave Perry · January 19th, 2005, 04:26 PM

You'll be cruzin! I agree that more ram will help but 512 is still a reasonable amount. Your laptop was DESIGNED to run FCP any way.

Mark Sloan · January 19th, 2005, 05:09 PM

The requirements (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs.html):

System Requirements

* Macintosh computer with 350MHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5 processor and AGP graphics card
* Mac OS X v10.3.2 or later
* QuickTime 6.5 or later
* 384MB of RAM
* For Soundtrack, 500MHz or faster single processor or 450MHz or faster dual processors;512MB of RAM recommended
* For RT Extreme, single 500MHz or faster PowerPC G4 (550MHz for PowerBook G4) or any dual PowerPC G4 and 512MB of RAM
* For DVCPRO HD, 1GHz or faster single or dual processors and 1GB of RAM
* 1GB of available disk space for application installation
* 5GB of disk space for Soundtrack content
* 9GB of disk space for LiveType content
* DVD drive for installation

Martin French · January 28th, 2005, 06:04 AM

I run FCP HD on a 1.3Ghz G4 (aluminium) with 768MB of ram and all is smooth in the world of FCP. 512mb is fine but as with all things computer more Ram is usually better.

January 19th, 2005, 03:53 PM	#1
Andres Bant Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 44	how will my mac perform with final cut? I use a G4 Powerbook, 1.25 GHz, 512 MB and 60 Gigs (with a separate 120 gig external harddrive). I am worried that if I lay down the price for Final Cut Pro 4, it may not run smoothly with my powerbook. This is discouraging because I don't want to stick with "iMovie" my whole life. What statistics would I need to upgrade? thanks! Andres

January 19th, 2005, 04:26 PM	#3
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	You'll be cruzin! I agree that more ram will help but 512 is still a reasonable amount. Your laptop was DESIGNED to run FCP any way. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

January 28th, 2005, 06:04 AM	#5
Martin French Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 26	I run FCP HD on a 1.3Ghz G4 (aluminium) with 768MB of ram and all is smooth in the world of FCP. 512mb is fine but as with all things computer more Ram is usually better. __________________ Koala Bear!

January 19th, 2005, 04:05 PM	#2
Rhett Allen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 607	Only thing I would suggest is maybe a little more RAM but other than that it should be fine. I have no problems running it on my Powerbook, a little slower than on a Dual but still runs fine.

January 19th, 2005, 05:09 PM	#4
Mark Sloan Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 346	The requirements (http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/specs.html): System Requirements * Macintosh computer with 350MHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5 processor and AGP graphics card * Mac OS X v10.3.2 or later * QuickTime 6.5 or later * 384MB of RAM * For Soundtrack, 500MHz or faster single processor or 450MHz or faster dual processors;512MB of RAM recommended * For RT Extreme, single 500MHz or faster PowerPC G4 (550MHz for PowerBook G4) or any dual PowerPC G4 and 512MB of RAM * For DVCPRO HD, 1GHz or faster single or dual processors and 1GB of RAM * 1GB of available disk space for application installation * 5GB of disk space for Soundtrack content * 9GB of disk space for LiveType content * DVD drive for installation