MacBook Pro or no MacBook Pro? [Archive]

Greg M

09-17-2007, 11:02 AM

Clayton Harper

09-17-2007, 11:25 AM

You're either gonna want a laptop with a CF reader or one of those Nexto CF reader and storage devices.

Has anyone heard anything on RedDrive?

Scott Webster

09-17-2007, 01:34 PM

Digital FX,

We're finding both the 17" Macbook Pro (1920x1080 Matte Screen) and Nexto Ultra invaluable for our work.

The Nexto allows us to send out the camera with a single operator who can work and offload quickly without the need of setting up the laptop. The Nexto can then also be taken direct to a post house for offload.

The Macbook Pro gives the ability to preview frames at 1920x1080, take them into Photoshop, FW800 connection for CF offload, portable show and tell device. We have a G5 so we needed an Intel platform for Red Alert and RedCine.

Greg M

09-17-2007, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the info.

where did you find the Nexto Ultra?

edit:
is this it:
160GB NEXTO: ULTRA ND-2525 w/ Seagate Momentus Drive

P Andersson

09-17-2007, 01:51 PM

are you guys having the new mbp horizontal tearing problem in fcp when viewing the footage

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=109090
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=109941

Evin Grant

09-17-2007, 02:02 PM

Macbook is absolutely necessary.

Steve Sherrick

09-17-2007, 02:20 PM

Are the current generation of Macbook's working great or would you recommend waiting? I assume you are talking about Macbook Pro? Not sure when the new generation are set to hit the streets but I'd be looking to pick one up in November.

Steve

PaulClements

09-17-2007, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the info.

where did you find the Nexto Ultra?

edit:
is this it:
160GB NEXTO: ULTRA ND-2525 w/ Seagate Momentus Drive

Hi,

Yes that is the correct Nexto to use. Take a look at this thread for more info:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3613&highlight=nexto

Paul

Greg M

09-17-2007, 02:44 PM

Thanks...just ordered one.

miskamagic

09-17-2007, 05:43 PM

macbook or macbook pro? I have a macbook and I love it, just the right size and very fast. Supposedly FCP is not 'supported' on it, but I'm running 5.1.2 and it works fine. Hopefully the same is true for 6.

Is there any real advantage to having a macbook pro over a macbook for a red workflow? Does anyone know if Redcine uses the GPU heavily and thus having a pro would be important? Otherwise it seems just a matter of slight speed difference and of course the screen size.

-miska

Greg M

09-17-2007, 05:55 PM

macbook or macbook pro?

-miska

If you are asking me, I just ordered the Nexto Ultra...but am planning on ordering a MBPro, here are the specs:

MacBook Pro, 17-inch, 2.4GHz
Part Number: Z0ED
4GB 667 DDR2 - 2x2GB SO-DIMMs
Accessory Kit
Backlit Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
MacBook Pro 17-inch High-Resolution Widescreen Display
160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
Final Cut Pro Studio 2

Dominic Jones

09-17-2007, 05:57 PM

Apparently RedCine will be GPU-enhanced, in which case I suspect the MacBook Pro might be the better bet. RedAlert! is not GPU accelerated, to my knowledge...

The Nexto looks interesting, thanks guys.

KETCH ROSSi

09-17-2007, 07:05 PM

My Red is scheduled to ship next week and I am debating adding a MacBook Pro before it arrives...is a MacBook Pro really required for efficient location production, or will I be able to shoot without one?

Macbook Pro 17" Hi Def screen is a must, I have one w/ 4GB Ram 160GB HD @ 7200rpm loaded with Aperture for Photography work and I load my 8 gb CF cards via the FW800 with a sandisk extreme FW800 CF reader, in this Laptop I also have FCS2 suite installed as well as SHAKE.

If you like to give my Mac a test drive before you take the plunge let me know.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

Gabriel Beaudry

09-17-2007, 07:10 PM

Macbook Pro 17" Hi Def screen is a must,
KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

Is the 17" really necessary? I was thinking about getting the 15" instead.

KETCH ROSSi

09-17-2007, 07:14 PM

The 15" is a good laptop, but if you are planning on using it on the field, viewing the 17" in HI DEF screen will make a large difference in quality, the price of the two fully loaded does not make the 15" a good choice for as in the film industry, I also love it for photography work, as my style in photography derives from widescreen cinema style, so I like more the 17" also for this reason.

The 1`5" can not be upgraded to HI DEF screen as the 17" does for an extra $100.

Get the 17".

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KECHFRAME.com

Billy Summers

09-17-2007, 07:44 PM

Or get an external 23" for video village
...

KETCH ROSSi

09-17-2007, 07:57 PM

Or get an external 23" for video village
...

I Have a 30" Cinema display on my 17" I believe it is much better to have a larger screen if it must be only one as in the case of the Macbook pro.

KETCH ROSSI

Greg M

09-17-2007, 08:10 PM

Macbook Pro 17" Hi Def screen is a must, I have one w/ 4GB Ram 160GB HD @ 7200rpm loaded with Aperture for Photography work and I load my 8 gb CF cards via the FW800 with a sandisk extreme FW800 CF reader, in this Laptop I also have FCS2 suite installed as well as SHAKE.

If you like to give my Mac a test drive before you take the plunge let me know.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

Thanks for the offer Ketch...I am in Louisiana, might be a long drive.

KETCH ROSSi

09-17-2007, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the offer Ketch...I am in Louisiana, might be a long drive.

WELL NEXT TIME?

KETCH ROSSI

Greg M

09-17-2007, 08:26 PM

If you are ever near New Orleans give me a call, I'll teach you how to eat some good Cajun food.

David Dennis

09-18-2007, 02:36 PM

DigitalFX, the only change I might make to your configuration is to suggest third party RAM from a company like Kensington or Cruciai. Apple, alas, gives you a lousy deal on RAM chips - I think 4GB is less than $300 from either source and Apple charges over $700 :-(.

Memory is easy to install on those machines.

I love the look of the glossy screen, but matte might be more practical for outdoor use.

Hope that helps.

D

Siva Kollipara

09-18-2007, 04:45 PM

Please enlighten me, why r u preferring 15" or 17" in the field.
Isn't it a good idea to have 13".1' MacBook for field and 23" or 30" cinema display at home..? I guess carrying 13" would be easy.

Gabriel Beaudry

09-18-2007, 04:59 PM

Please enlighten me, why r u preferring 15" or 17" in the field.
Isn't it a good idea to have 13".1' MacBook for field and 23" or 30" cinema display at home..? I guess carrying 13" would be easy.

First we are talking about MacBook Pro, so the 13" is out.

I'm looking at the 15" because, like you said, the 17" is too big and heavy for my taste, but the fact that only the 17" can be upgraded to a HD screen of 1920X1200, could be the reason I go for the big boy. So you can watch full HD 1080 content directly on it.

KETCH ROSSi

09-18-2007, 05:23 PM

Please enlighten me, why r u preferring 15" or 17" in the field.
Isn't it a good idea to have 13".1' MacBook for field and 23" or 30" cinema display at home..? I guess carrying 13" would be easy.

I like to see masked image ratio at 2:1 / 2:35.1 so the 17" is way better for the extra real estate screen, but do not forget that the 15" can not be upgraded with HI DEF screen, size is not at all the much of difference, image size and quality superior on the 17".

I use the 17" for still photography, some times I take the 30" on the field and connect that to the laptop and both to the Honda EU2000I all using Pelican cases, so for me size is not much an issue, workflow capabilities are.

Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

Mark Thorpe

09-18-2007, 05:43 PM

Seeing as I sit in the 'cheap seats' on most international flights the size of my laptop is dictated by the ease at which I can use it in flight. Writing, some editing and basic operation I guess is best suited to the 15"

Cheers,
Mark.

SalaTar

09-18-2007, 05:53 PM

If you are ever near New Orleans give me a call, I'll teach you how to eat some good Cajun food.

NO is Creole...not Cajun :sarcasm:

ahh Baton Rouge Still north but Ill forgive

Blair S. Paulsen

09-18-2007, 06:24 PM

I got the 15 because its plenty big enough for 1K QT proxies and I do not expect full frame rate playback at 2K until the next generation of laptops and more code optimization anyway. Its smaller, lighter and easier to use in coach. The hi-res screens use more power than the high efficiency backlighting in the new 15s and in a lapper I love long battery life.

Billy Summers

09-18-2007, 08:12 PM

Jeff Kilgroe

09-18-2007, 08:33 PM

There's usually multiple configurations available at the Apple Stores too.. But I suggest following Billy's advice and just ordering one with what you need. It's pretty easy and delivered to you within 2~3 days.

Also don't place complete faith in the rpm speed of a hard drive, several factors affect its speed. But right now the 160GB 7200rpm drive option is the way to go -- fastest 2.5" HDD on the market.

Oh, and the MacBook isn't going to work... It's a nice compact size and great for many average users. Heck, I bought one for my mom. But the 13" screen is just too small for serious work, the GPU is under-powered and there's no firewire 800. So it's Macbook Pro all the way.

I agree with Blair on the 15" -- The 17" is nice and isn't a whole lot bigger, but it does have some disadvantages too. Just try them out and see what works for you.

Oh, and whatever you do, don't get the glossy screen. I got the glossy screen and I've hated myself for that decision ever since the second day I had it. Oh well... Matte screen on my next one in a year or so.

David Dennis

09-18-2007, 09:31 PM

I'm sorry to say that I've spent time in the "cheap seats" and alas, neither the 15" nor 17" are all that small. Both of them will give you space issues in tourist class. The thing is, the 17" is only about an inch or so wider than the 15, so I found that the 17" was just fine. Really, I don't see that much difference between them for airline use at all.

For software development (which is what I do for a living) and video I find that the higher resolution screens are really well worth the money so it would definitely be 17" for me.

D