Black Macbook or Entry Level Macbook Pro? | Thread profile

Hello Everyone. NYC based actor here. I'm most likely going to purchase an HV20 camera in the near future to start shooting short films I've written and scenes for my acting reel. I'd like to purchase a mac laptop to use for editing footage on my HV20. I'm debating between a black macbook and an entry level Macbook Pro. Processor wise, they are the same (2.2 Ghz). The ...

Hi there, Two of my friends and I all have the first generation MacBooks. I've personally used Final Cut Express and iMovie on them and they perform well. My friend has used Final Cut Pro and it works just as well. Previewing, cutting and trimming clips is all real-time. For standard definition video, a good deal of "real-time" transitions and effects will be at your disposal. However,...

If you have an Apple store nearby try them out hands on. You can get by with either one suspect if you're not pushing it. MacBook Pro advantages The extra screensize comes in handy for editing. You can order a 200GB 7200rpm drive. (in any case consider upgrading the drive if you're going to capture anything) Firewire 800. Won't help with capture but faster drive support. Advanced ...

Gatti, What exactly did you mean by your last sentence?

I recommend a MacBook Pro. Apple recommends the MacBook Pro for FCS users. If you're concerned about size, get the 15" model and save some cabbage. The graphics card comes into play with Color/Motion and a few other applications, as far as what the software will expect the graphics card to handle well or handle at all. This is probably the main reason Apple recommends (requires?) the ...

I use a macbook black 2.0ghz with 2gb ram. i use FCP 6 with no bigger problem but what sould be known is that it cant handle Color the great color software that comes with finalcut studio 2.but i dont know if it works on macbook pro either.. hope this helps

thank you both for your words. I'm still leaning towards a macbook. I never plan on using FCP, and I really don't know much about the "color" application. the only real worry i have is working on a 13 inch screen, but like i said before, i could use the money saved from getting a macbook and buy a monitor with it.

I'm an NYC-based actor/writer as well. I've got the black macbook. Currently editing some stuff with Imovie 6. Having a blast.

weirdharold, are you using an hv20 in conjunction with your black macbook? just wanted to make sure, and would love to hear more about your experience so far with the camera and laptop working together. do you find the 13" screen limiting when it comes to editing? thanks!

One thing to keep in mind is that if you use the macbook to edit at your home you could always hook up a large external monitor to the laptop and then you don't need to worry about the screen size. Just from my experience using both a 20" iMac and a 13" Macbook for editing I do like the larger screen but I could tolerate the 13" screen if I needed to. My advice would be to get a good ...