Macbook Pro now or later...

[Dylan Macleod, CSC]

Okay, so I am in a conundrum. I was lucky enough to get my hands on "Madrid" today for a test shoot.

I haven't upgraded my Mac laptop to an Intel Macbook Pro, because I haven't had the need.

Now I have RED footage that I want to play with in REDCINE but REDCINE only works on Intel Macs (mine isn't an Intel).

Should I drop a load now on a top end Macbook Pro or wait until after January when they are bound to release an even faster processor and perhaps better graphics support?

In which case, maybe I just buy a used Intel Mac "for now".

Anyway, just wanted to see how people are managing with current Macbook Pro laptops. Do they handle REDCINE files well? How do they handle Finalcut with HD footage?

Also, with the current laptops do I need to upgrade to 7200 RPM?

Does the premiuim "HIGH RES" monitor deliver HD quality.

Thanks in advance!

Dylan Macleod, CSC
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com

[Mike Zinner]

The current MacBook Pros have nVidia graphic cards which do not work very well with RedCine (yet). You will have to wait till January and hope that the new once have ATI based cards or that Red fixes the problems with the nVidia cards.

See here:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=110650&postcount=1

[Nathan Garofalos]

If you are really in the need to edit right away, i would buy a used macbook pro to save some money, then sell it and buy the new version in january when apple releases a higher end product for the same amount

I edit in HD on my mac and it works just fine, but i edit through an external hard drive. I hope this is of some help.

[Paul Hazlett]

"The current MacBook Pros have nVidia graphic cards which do not work very well with RedCine (yet)."
my 2.4 ghz MBP has a ati x1600 in it, just got it in june

They just updated the MBP twice this year so you won't see another update till at least june, july

[Rob Terry]

Wait until after January. Can't hurt. While Apple has upgraded the laptop line lately, it does not necessarily mean that it will be June or July for a refresh.

Since Apple has gone Intel they have somewhat more pressure to stay current and upgrade more often. In the past they were really at the mercy of IBM and Motorola before them.

In essence it is a crapshoot. If you wait long enough you get stuck. Either you should have bought 3 months ago, or you might as well wait another month. If I need something Mac, I try to buy 30 to 45 days after intro. That way it is fresh, but most of the issues have been brought to light.

Heck, this probably doesn't help at all. If you need it, buy it, but if you just want it, I'd wait.

Rob

[Zack Birlew]

As far as going all out, wait, Intel's Penryn-based laptop processors are coming out in January, Apple may take advantage.

But, it sounds like you need something now to edit with. Does it have to be a Macbook Pro necessarily? Could you simply get a new or used iMac for now and get a Macbook Pro once they upgrade again?

As far as the monitor thing goes, it is higher resolution, there was an issue about the LCD not being HD but I think that was solved quickly once people started complaining. Also, you definitely want 7200RPM for your hard drive. You're sacrificing a little bit of battery power but the performance difference is worth it in the end. You can always buy an additional battery or two. You wouldn't want to get a 5400RPM hard drive, want to upgrade later and have to send it in for a few days or more or, alternatively, go through the trouble of replacing the drive yourself.

[Brent J. Craig]

I hate to even suggest it, but you could consider buying a mid-range PC to use for your immediate RedCine needs. Should only cost arour $600 as opposed to the cost of a Macbook. When the new MacBooks come out you could use the PC for other things, perhaps accounting or as a boat anchor.

[Lexicon]

The current MacBook Pros have nVidia graphic cards which do not work very well with RedCine (yet). You will have to wait till January and hope that the new once have ATI based cards or that Red fixes the problems with the nVidia cards.

See here:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=110650&postcount=1

Nvidia is Intel's and therefore Apple's preferred GPU these says since AMD owns ATI now. I don't think you're likely to see an ATI GPU in an Apple product ever again apart from the MacPro workstation.

[Craig Schober]

well what do you want to do with your r3d files? in camera playback has been enabled so some people would be fine for small or hdmi lcd playback. if you need a larger monitor for live or recorded playback, what good does a mbp do you? an imac would display in higher res and run your r3d files smoother. it sounds like you're mostly interested in just dumping, verifying and maybe transcoding. the only value you get from a mbp is dc power based monitoring. but if you have access to any ac, go for an imac, it will be half the price and a little faster than any mpb.

but if you're talking about editing, then scrap all of that and wait one month for the updated mac pro.