Scarlet, Macbook Pro, and FCS Advice

[Rogelio Salinas]

I am going to purchase a new MBP and FCS, and I was trying to decide whether to purchase the 17" or 15" MBP. I would like to purchase the 17" because it can display 1920x1200 resolution and has a 2.8ghz processor, but I can save almost $600 by purchasing the 2.53 ghz 15" MBP. I am going to use it to edit HDV right now and Scarlet 3K footage later. Would you purchase the 17" or save $600 with the 15" MBP, and would the 15" be sufficient to edit 3K footage from the Scarlet? I figured who better than my fellow redusers for advice on this purchase. Thanks.

 

[Aaron Newsome]

I am going to purchase a new MBP and FCS, and I was trying to decide whether to purchase the 17" or 15" MBP. I would like to purchase the 17" because it can display 1920x1200 resolution and has a 2.8ghz processor, but I can save almost $600 by purchasing the 2.53 ghz 15" MBP. I am going to use it to edit HDV right now and Scarlet 3K footage later. Would you purchase the 17" or save $600 with the 15" MBP, and would the 15" be sufficient to edit 3K footage from the Scarlet? I figured who better than my fellow redusers for advice on this purchase. Thanks.

i don't consider the 17 inch to be very portable. It's so huge, it's like a mobile desktop. If you've ever tried to use a 17 inch on a plane, you'd agree. I think the 15 is perfect. I edit all the time on my 15 inch with FCS. I just edited a continuous 5 hour event shot with 3 HDV cams! That's a lot of footage for a little laptop. It worked perfectly though. Just don't ask how long it took to compress down to H.264 final output files.

 

[Adam Levins]

I have a 15" MBP and like the size but with the new Macbook pros be careful of the 15" as they are missing the expresscard slot which is vital for doing things like ESATA using Sonys SXS cards.

One option is to buy from the apple refurbished store:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB470LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw

They still have the 15" with the express card slot. Or you may choose to wait for the inevitable 4 core laptop which I suspect will be out latter this year (or maybe next year, who knows)

http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?email&NewsID=26583

 

[(blake)]

New Macbook Pros might be out by the time Scarlet launches. I suggest waiting to build or spec a new laptop.

I have owned several 15" and 17" Macbook Pros/Powerbooks.

I don't find the slightly extra dimensions and weight of the 17" model to hinder portability at all. I do not regularly edit on plane tray tables though.

 

[Jonathan L. Bowen]

I have two 17" MacBook Pros, for on-set and field use. I wouldn't have went with the 15", it's hard enough to use a 17" if you ask me. I'm used to using my desktop with a 28" monitor and a 20" monitor side by side, so anything short of that seems kind of limited as far as screen real estate goes. 17" is about as small as I can tolerate, haha. But yes it's impossible almost to use this on a plane. I also have an older 12" Mac Book or something that doesn't even work right now, but I could get it working if I just replace the hard drive.

 

[Rogelio Salinas]

Thanks for the great advice, but there are great arguments for both the 15" and 17" MBP. Let's try this. Could you answer these questions:

1. Has anyone used a 2.53ghz 15" MBP to edit high frame rate RED ONE footage?

2. Does anybody believe that a 2.53ghz 15" MBP would have any issues editing high frame rate 3K footage from Scarlet?

3. Which is more important to you: a more powerful and higher resolution 17" MBP or saving $600 and getting a 15" MBP?

I hope to make my purchase no later than Wed. So any opinions on any of these three questions are appreciated.

 

[Stephen Gentle]

I hope to make my purchase no later than Wed. So any opinions on any of these three questions are appreciated.

Why so soon? They will probably have faster models available once Scarlet is out...

Anyway, I hope to get a 15 inch one once I get a Scarlet to run Final Cut Studio on. Hopefully by then they should have got the expresscard slot back (I hope everyone's sent them a polite request on the feedback site).

Ideally I'd get a Mac Pro, but it's too expensive in Australia (about US$900 more than buying it in the US)...

 

[Sean Rawls]

Hi Rogelio,

I would push for the 17" and would cited several key differences between the 17" and the 15":

1) Anti-glare coating: Damn Apple for not making this available on the 15" but if you do plan on using this on set or anywhere in the field, the matte finish is absolutely essential.

2) Express 34 slot: Again, damn Apple for discontinuing this in the 15" line but it is essential for connecting the sata drives that will be necessary (or at least preferred) for any Red editorial. As noted before, also very useful for Sony SxS cards and other random adapters that you may need.

3) 1920x1080 resolution - once you use it you won't be able to go back. Crucial for judging focus etc. If you are hoping to work with 3K which will likely be downressed to 1080p for distribution viewing your output at full res will be very helpful.

4) Portability: size is the only thing the 15" has going for it. Consider how often you'll actually be editing on a plane. Most importantly, go to an Apple store and get a feel for both models. This is the only way judge what you consider "too big".

5) Your question: "Has anyone used a 2.53ghz 15" MBP to edit high frame rate RED ONE footage?" In many ways if you are using a laptop you'll be working with an offline edit anyways so the performance between the 17" and the 15" will be similar (compared to a desktop). I use a 17" all the time to edit and grade footage, so if you have some patience it is definitely possible.

Good luck, I know this can be a trying process.

 

[Jeremy Naus]

I've been using a 17" MacBook Pro of the first Intel Generation (i.e. almost 3 yrs old) and I edit all my HDV footage on it without a single problem.
Only render times can be slow (a final export of a 2 hour 1080p HDV clip to 720p took about 20 hours to render).
I can only assume that the current generation will be much faster than what I have.
If you don't need the express card slot, have an external monitor and need the extra cash saved go for the 15". In all other cases go for the 17".

 

[Joseph Hutson]

A BIG thing to think about as well besides the extra real estate you gain/express card slot/faster processor, you also get another Graphics card. You can get the same setup on the 15" but you will have to spend more money.

I was in your shoes a month ago and because I have absolutely loved my previous MBP 17" for the past 2 1/2 years, the choice was obviously a no-brainer.

Go for the 17" MATTE FINISH...no glossy stuff. In FCP I am playing back unrendered HDV video smoothly. Go for the 500GB 7200 RPM's internal hard drive as well so you can store large amounts of footage (you will especially need it if you want to work with Scarlet footage on the go).

I got:

MBP 17 $2,389.00

With the following configuration:
Processor: 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRM-2X2GB
Hard Drive: 500GB Serial ATA Drive@7200rpm
Display: MBP 17" HiRs AntiGl WS Display

Make sure you get the Applecare Warranty...I was so happy I did when through the course of the last MBP's use, I got (1)battery (2)AC Power cord (3)DVD/CD Combo Drive (4)another AC Power cord all replaced no extra charge/no shipping costs (not to mention Apple's stellar tech support).

Also, if you can get the education discount, you get the free iPod Touch which I am sure you have heard about. :rant:

 

[Joseph Hutson]

I've been using a 17" MacBook Pro of the first Intel Generation (i.e. almost 3 yrs old) and I edit all my HDV footage on it without a single problem.
Only render times can be slow (a final export of a 2 hour 1080p HDV clip to 720p took about 20 hours to render).
I can only assume that the current generation will be much faster than what I have.
If you don't need the express card slot, have an external monitor and need the extra cash saved go for the 15". In all other cases go for the 17".

Sounds exactly like my story. I still have the first gen MBP...got it exactly 2 1/2 years to the day before getting the new MBP. The renders are insanely faster. :laugh:

 

[Petr Dvorak]

For 3K Scarlet footage - more GHz i better

 

[Patrick Scheller]

There are 2 good reasons to wait a bit longer for the newer MBPs:

1. Snow Leopard isn't out yet! You'll have to install it once it does and that might not be 100% foolproof...!
2. Once Snow Leopard is out they will surely upgrade their MBPs too. Besides if you wait until September you might get lucky and see some niceties added like additional ports added or USB3 or a Bluray etc.

With Snow Leopard they will upgrade their hw, like they always did. So even to benefit from a higher clock rate or (god forbid) a quad core can be worth the short wait.
:bath: relax and take a bath in the meanwhile

 

[Joseph Hutson]

There are 2 good reasons to wait a bit longer for the newer MBPs:

1. Snow Leopard isn't out yet! You'll have to install it once it does and that might not be 100% foolproof...!
2. Once Snow Leopard is out they will surely upgrade their MBPs too. Besides if you wait until September you might get lucky and see some niceties added like additional ports added or USB3 or a Bluray etc.

With Snow Leopard they will upgrade their hw, like they always did. So even to benefit from a higher clock rate or (god forbid) a quad core can be worth the short wait.
:bath: relax and take a bath in the meanwhile

They don't upgrade their hardware immediately after their new OS X versions come out. That didn't happen with Leopard.

Expect the new MacBook Pro 17" in early 2010.

 

[Nathan VanderByl]

There are 2 good reasons to wait a bit longer for the newer MBPs:

1. Snow Leopard isn't out yet! You'll have to install it once it does and that might not be 100% foolproof...!
2. Once Snow Leopard is out they will surely upgrade their MBPs too. Besides if you wait until September you might get lucky and see some niceties added like additional ports added or USB3 or a Bluray etc.

We won't see USB3 or Blu-Ray on a Mac anytime soon...