I am getting a new computer soon and I'm wondering whether I should get a fully loaded 13" MBA or a base 15" MBP. Primarily I will be using it for classes, web, etc. and I know both would have no trouble with that. I'm just wondering how the MBA would handle 1080p video editing in iMovie/Final Cut. In a year or so i'm thinking about getting a Canon 60d and setting up a HDSLR rig for video projects. I know rendering will be slower than with a MBP, but is there any trouble when editing? I prefer the design and size of the MBA, but will it have any problems handling FCP?
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MBA or MBP
- Thread starter Applefanatic46
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You will be limited to USB 2.0 for external HDDs with the MBA, with the MBP you have Firewire 800, which is twice as fast and does not transmit in bursts like USB 2.0, but as a constant stream, which is important when editing video, especially HD video. Also know, that using the internal HDD for storing the footage you edit on is not advised, though it might not be that big of a problem with an SSD like in the MBA.
Btw, editing HD video in FCP will at least result in up to 49GB/hour for your footage using the Apple Intermediate Codec, with ProRes 422 it will be up to 66GB/hour.
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/white_papers/L342568A_ProRes_WP.pdf
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2704?viewlocale=en_US
Btw, editing HD video in FCP will at least result in up to 49GB/hour for your footage using the Apple Intermediate Codec, with ProRes 422 it will be up to 66GB/hour.
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/white_papers/L342568A_ProRes_WP.pdf
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2704?viewlocale=en_US
Based on your needs, I'd get the 15".
I have had the 15" MBP, 13" ultimate MBA, and the 11" ultimate MBA. Needless to say the MBP is my go to machine, even on the go.
I have had the 15" MBP, 13" ultimate MBA, and the 11" ultimate MBA. Needless to say the MBP is my go to machine, even on the go.
Definitely the MBP. The MBA is a lot less powerful. If you need to insert a disc into the MBA, you would need to carry a disc drive with you. Everything is already on the MBP. The MBA needs an accessory for a lot of different things. Even the bast MBP is great. Video editing is also very important to me. I use my MBP for video editing.
Well, the video projects would be no more than 5-8 mins long finished, so 20-30 mins raw footage max. I won't be storing the videos on the MBA's hard drive after finishing so space won't be an issue. If I get real serious with any video stuff I will get an iMac to handle editing, otherwise I will only do a couple projects a month.
Just for the fact that the MBA doesn't have backlit keyboard, I do certainly save my money for an upcoming MBP 13" instead. There are several reasons, but the most significant dealbreaker for me is the lack of backlit keyboard.
I'm not a spec-fanatic so I don't really care about the difference in CPU clock, as I see it of lesser significance (even for FCP). If you do consider the MBA, though, do take the premium of the 4 GB RAM option into consideration when you compare the prices with MBPs.
I'm not a spec-fanatic so I don't really care about the difference in CPU clock, as I see it of lesser significance (even for FCP). If you do consider the MBA, though, do take the premium of the 4 GB RAM option into consideration when you compare the prices with MBPs.