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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

MBP or PC Laptop

J

jackson Strome

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A newbie needs some guru advise.
Is MacBookPro mandatory for a comprehensive post-production gear?
I already have a PC desktop which is geared up for post-production work but need a laptop as well (can go up to $2500).
I have never used a Mac before but would be willing to get one if it is needed to have a comprehensive post-system. I can't wait for a new model of MBP but heard the existing MBP's are professional editing systems in comparison to the PC laptops. Or are there any PC laptops in $2500 range which can be as effective?


Jack
 
Can't speak to the editing software, but a good selling point is that the MBP can boot as a Mac, PC or both. So you get more versatility.

Also. I think the hardware itself is better quality. I happen to also like FCP for NLE.

And over all, I just spend less time farting around on little system management with the Mac OS.

The new i7 MBP is a screamer. And you can swap the DVD drive for a SSD and get screaming speeds out of it.

Good luck.
 
I think Macbook Pro is the way to go, even if your not a big fan of the direction FCP has taken you've got avid and Adobe, the hardware is cool, slick and not as bulky as the PC counterparts, more reliable more satisfying to use.
Thunderbolt is pretty cool as well.
 
What software are you looking to run? If you want the same capabilities as your desktop system, and don't want to spend the time learning new software, then a PC makes the most sense. If the software you want to run on the notebook is Mac-only, then that pretty much answers your question for you.

Also, check to see if the license for the software on your desktop lets you install it on both a desktop and a portable system. If so, then you won't have to buy another copy for the laptop.
 
There's a large variety of options for various usage scenarios, preferences and workflows. I suggest you do your own research and choose the best option. My personal choice is Lenovo laptops. X220 for ultraportable and W510 for performance. Both have several benefits over their Macbook competitors, which will become apparent when you glance over the specifications, the "feel" and consider Lenovo's unmatched reliability record. Likewise, Macbooks have their own set of benefits, so, once again, there are several other options. If you need outright performance, there's Origin, Dreamcolor display, there's Elitebook, so on and so forth.
 
What are the advantages of having MBP. Or rather should my question be what are the advantages of having FCP in addition to CS5.5?
Thanks for the suggestion Subhadip, I am considering ThinkPad W520 as well.
 
don't get fooled into thinking you are required to have any certain tool to do any job. that being said, it's good that you're open to options. my laptop happens to be a mac, but i don't really do any legitimate work with it unless i have no other choice. i work with every system that's available frequently to get the job done... whatever works best. it sounds like you are the one to make the most informed decision based on the work you do, the software you use, and the horsepower you're gonna need. the operating systems are sadly all pretty much the same right now, when it really gets down to it. we should see a major change in the way we interface with our machines quite soon enough, so don't buy into anything particular... my advice.
 
Laptops (and computers in general) are just tools. Tools that will be obsolete in six months. Buy the most cost effective tool that gets the job done today, nothing more. You can't ever buy a super-computer that will do everything possible for even the next 2 years. Expect to want a new one next year. Spend $1250 on a decent laptop this year and save the $1250. You'll most likely be able to use your $1250 next year to purchase the latest and greatest that will outperform a $3000 PC or Mac system from this year. It's moore's law. If you already use CS5 on a PC, it doesn't work any better on a Mac. I would recommend a PC laptop since you're from the PC world already. I'm a PC user as well and the Mac OS is very foreign to me. Don't let anybody fool you, there is a learning curve.
 
kevin holmgren said:
Can't speak to the editing software, but a good selling point is that the MBP can boot as a Mac, PC or both. So you get more versatility.

Also. I think the hardware itself is better quality. I happen to also like FCP for NLE.

And over all, I just spend less time farting around on little system management with the Mac OS.

The new i7 MBP is a screamer. And you can swap the DVD drive for a SSD and get screaming speeds out of it.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. Recently purchased the 17" i7 MBP and it's a pretty versatile workhorse. Max out the RAM though, it makes a huge difference.
 
Like what has been said, go with what you're most comfortable with. Mac's do have a learning curve if you use PC's normally. I use both and keyboard shortcuts can get confusing if you're using both at the same time and don't have experience with them. There are other differences obviously, but in a workflow environment, that's the biggest for me right now. Also, do save as much money as you can. If you want something with some power similar to a MBP but is a PC, this laptop is coming out soon:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/30/samsung-unveils-series-7-laptops-we-go-hands-on/

It's significantly cheaper as has a lot of the same options. You'll be missing out on TB, but that could change.

In the end, you need to make a decision based on what's best for you. Both Mac's and PC's will do the job, just find what you're most comfortable with and what you can afford.
 
Thanks all. Maybe I will opt for a low end W520 which should come in $1600 range. I couldn't find any other laptop systems which could meet the min reqs for CS5.5, below that range.
I would have gone with MBP if I could see any extra advantage?

Appreciate all your advise!
 
I have the W500, my sister has the W510. Both are built like a tank, and I expect no less from the W520.
The other choice would be HP Elitebooks, but a few of my colleagues had problems with overheating and had to do repairs.

Edit: Whatever you get, they are some ridiculous school/university discounts out there at the moment if you know some people there. For example in Switzerland
 
jackson Strome said:
Thanks all. Maybe I will opt for a low end W520 which should come in $1600 range. I couldn't find any other laptop systems which could meet the min reqs for CS5.5, below that range.
I would have gone with MBP if I could see any extra advantage?

Appreciate all your advise!
Click to expand...
The advantage is MBP 15 is thinner and lighter (albeit not by much), has Thunderbolt (the W520 does have 2 USB 3.0 and an eSATA ports, on the other hand) and a better trackpad (though many power users still prefer the trackpoint; personally I can't do without a mouse). In every other way the W520 is a better choice. The $1600 W520 has the same CPU as the $2199 MBP, better and higher res screen, better keyboard, faster hard drive (w/ an option for internal RAID), double the RAM (and lower latency), a Quadro GPU, runs much cooler, amazing battery life (we are talking 9-10 hours with light work) etc. etc. Such power at what cost? It is 50% thicker and 10% heavier than MBP 15. Another consideration you might not see mentioned - the power adapter is several times the size and weight of the MBP.
 
Another vote for the Lenovo if you're going to stick in the PC world. Although I use the dual quad core Mac for editing and such, I have used IBM and Lenovo laptops for almost 20 years and the are built tough and of excellent quality.
 
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