What's the best MacPro 2012 config for editing?

[snberk103]

Sure but I guess thats not the biggest issue, he's getting a high resolution retina display.
That's gotta count for something right? (haven't seen the new display's yet but I guess FCPX would look awesome on it)

If he wan't a real good monitor (not that Apple monitors are bad) for editing he would probably go way over his budget.

The problem with a laptop monitor, no matter how good it is... and I assume that the Retina display is good, is that it isn't necessarily consistent. For editing (video or still images) you need consistency. I could argue that a monitor that holds it's calibration is more important overall quality, once you've reached a certain minimum threshold of quality.

Because a laptop monitor can be dimmed, both by the user directly and by the system automatically as conditions change, it is not that consistent. You work around this by turning the auto-dim feature off, and then always setting the brightness to full. And then you'd have to always work in a similarly light area (the whole point of a laptop being it's mobility).

A few hundred $$ needs to be added to that total above for an external monitor for any serious editing tasks, imho.

 

[MrMacCity]

I appreciate all the advice, you guys definitely saved me a couple thousands. Also, you guys have educated me along the way.

Another question, I hear a lot of mixed reviews on final cut pro x. Some saying it ended the legacy of the program.

Is it better to get the final cut pro X or the version before it? Which do you recommended and why?

I will be putting in my order soon for my Mac pro soooon, I'm so excited!!!

 

[Sitti]

I appreciate all the advice, you guys definitely saved me a couple thousands. Also, you guys have educated me along the way.

Another question, I hear a lot of mixed reviews on final cut pro x. Some saying it ended the legacy of the program.

Is it better to get the final cut pro X or the version before it? Which do you recommended and why?

I will be putting in my order soon for my Mac pro soooon, I'm so excited!!!

Congrat on getting your new Mac!!! If you must use software that only runs on Mac OS, Mac Pro will be best choice. I too was planning on getting "new" Mac Pro but I have decided I am going to get HP Z820 with dual Xeon E5-2687W, 96gb ram and SSD. It's going to be nearly 3 times more expensive than Mac Pro, but it is going to be damn super fast Windows 7 is stable and good OS. There are plenty of software to choose.

 

[derbothaus]

There are plenty of software to choose.

Really?

 

[Apple Corps]

MrMacCity - I would go with FCP X. It is still evolving, has some bugs and stability issues - but is the video future for Mac OS X.

A number of the missing "pro features" have been added with more to come. Bugs will diminish and stability will grow.

A bit more painful in the short run but you are investing and learning on the Mac video platform for tomorrow and the foreseeable future.

My Hexcore still has not shipped - kind of guessing it will bo on the way Tuesday - should have it in hand by Thursday. 24GB Crucial ram scheduled for delivery tomorrow.

 

[thekev]

Sure but I guess thats not the biggest issue, he's getting a high resolution retina display.
That's gotta count for something right? (haven't seen the new display's yet but I guess FCPX would look awesome on it)

If he wan't a real good monitor (not that Apple monitors are bad) for editing he would probably go way over his budget.

The retina display really means very little in terms of how much work will get done. It's unlikely to help much with judgements on screen. Right now it's got a lot of hype. I'd rather go with something stable. I'll keep my 1920x1200 24" over any of Apple's displays. Every time I'm on here, it's look same panel number as X or look at how low my delta Es (defying the limits of the colorimeter's accuracy). The truth is none of us know how good it really is. The OP stated that he wants to be sure there's a reason for every dollar spent. I don't feel it's justified suggesting a first generation untested product there. Apple is not infallible, especially when it comes to product launches.

The problem with a laptop monitor, no matter how good it is... and I assume that the Retina display is good, is that it isn't necessarily consistent. For editing (video or still images) you need consistency. I could argue that a monitor that holds it's calibration is more important overall quality, once you've reached a certain minimum threshold of quality.

You're right in that some displays can either be locked or have prior settings recalled through dedicated software. This is part of what you're paying for with many of these displays. Even then you need to account for warmup time when turning it on. For average uses Apple displays seem to be fine. Many people use them, but keep in mind their drift after the first 1-2 years depending on usage can be pretty severe. I wouldn't buy a laptop with the assumption that the display will look the same forever. They all drift even with calibration and whatever LUT or matrix system. I've never found Apple's displays to be a strong point when it comes to stability. A lot of people like them, but they cut many corners. I will say that the Apple crts were nice, but Sony still sold better ones under their own branding.