Mac or PC

[Chris L]

I've always been a fan of OSX. But I'm debating whether or not my next computer should be a mac or a PC
I will be going to college soon for video production and graphic design, and I'm not sure what to get. I want to build a desktop, as high end as I can get (64GB RAM, Core i7 ivy bridge when it comes out, flagship - overclocked, SSDs, SLI/Crossfire). First off, the only reason I would get a mac is for FCP. Although I've never used it extensively, I do like the interface. But all of my work before has been done in Premiere Pro/After Effects. If I had a PC, I would probably get Avid. So basically, is FCP so more superior than Avid that I should give up more customization, slower RAM, less SSDs, 3gbps instead of 6, and lower-end graphics all for FCP? thanks

[Colin Sheldon]

No. FCP7 is old and slow, and FCPX doesn't support r3d. I'd recommend going PC.

[Chris L]

FCPX will support red in the future though... and i dont wanna spend a ton of money on a computer and regret it three months later

[Colin Sheldon]

If you want to be safe then pick pc components that will work in a hackintosh as well.

But it seems more risky to buy a system with limited performance and expandability(red rocket, etc) for editing software that may or may not work with r3d in the future and may or may not be accepted by the pro editing community.

None of the local pro editing facilities near me have gone to fcpx. Most of the ones that did have fcp7 are switching to avid. How awesome will fcpX have to become to get them to switch back, and will in be during the lifespan of your machine (2-4 years)?

[Brian Robbins]

My newest computer is a PC. I was waiting on a new Mac Pro tower to come out but I got tired of waiting and needed a better system now. Lenovo and HP both make great computers that could serve as an alternative or better solution than a Mac. Or build it yourself if you have the know how.

I wouldn't call FCP superior to Avid at all.

[Luc Bouvrette]

Mac + PP.

[Trevor Meeks]

The fact that I've been computer trouble-free for 7 years since I switched to mac has been a huge deal for me. I used FCP and still do for some things, but I'm transitioning to Adobe CS 5.5 — an easy thing to do really. 64-bit, can map the key commands to match FCP to make the transition easier, supports R3Ds in the timeline etc etc etc... Mac + Premiere is really the best of both worlds. I'll never touch a PC again. (And of course I have no plans of touching FCPX either )

[D Fuller]

You can run Avid on a Mac or a PC.
You can run Premiere on a Mac or a PC.
You can run After Effects on a Mac or a PC.
FCP is dead if you are editing Red.
But Resolve runs on a Mac.

Buy the computer you want.

[Chris L]

@Brian lol I wouldnt buy one I'd build one, so my options are endless. @everyone else I'd love a mac pro IF they get updated... and can support two graphics cards in x16 (One for gaming, one for editing) I guess I'll just wait and see.

[Brian Robbins]

I needed a better system now, so I opted for a PC but if you don't actually need a system now just wait it out. There's always something newer/ cooler a few months away. If you can afford to wait for the next best thing...why not.