Macbook: for video editing, how old can I go?

[slackerinabox]

I quite enjoy shooting 1080p video (canon dslr) for a hobby and use a mac mini for editing right now, unfortunately it's beginning to crap out with random reboots. I'm unemployed right now and can't justify a purchase, but maybe for a first paycheck gift to myself - what's the oldest used macbook I can go to edit with relative ease? Modern platforms all around, with relative realtime effects? Sure, I'd love retina but I'd be fine with just the bare minimum to edit 1080p without locking up/stuttering/throwing up. I don't plan on going 4k, and the expense so up there that it's not a thought for at least a few years.

 

[mmntech]

Higher end Core 2 Duo Macbook Pros from around 2009 will handle 1080p just find. I'd look to find an older i5 or i7 model though. Really depends on how much rendering needs to be done in Final Cut. Certain video formats need processing before they can be used and after they're edited. Quad core models will give better performance in that regard.

 

[slackerinabox]

Higher end Core 2 Duo Macbook Pros from around 2009 will handle 1080p just find. I'd look to find an older i5 or i7 model though. Really depends on how much rendering needs to be done in Final Cut. Certain video formats need processing before they can be used and after they're edited. Quad core models will give better performance in that regard.

Really, so you're saying something like this: http://www.cowboom.com/product/792434/
i5 2.3ghz / 4gb ram / 320 gb hard drive = $450ish

Would work just fine? I'm ok if exporting/rendering to the final format takes some time, I just fine rendering transitions while editing kinda a chore.

Thanks for the feedback, I figure I'll save myself a grand since I don't really need the latest and greatest

 

[Rottie]

Not sure if FCPX requires at least 8GB ram? And at lease Intel 4000 GPU with at least 256 or 1GB.

 

[Eug]

At least 4 GB RAM. 8 GB for 4k video.

 

[slackerinabox]

Not sure if FCPX requires at least 8GB ram? And at lease Intel 4000 GPU with at least 256 or 1GB.

Looks like HD 3000 is a go, unless someone can clarify. I'm probably going with a few generation old i5 mac book pro, and will swap in a ssd or sshd.

 

[bearxor]

I'm not really in the industry anymore so I haven't used newer versions of FCP but I edit 1080p footage on my 2007 MBP. A 2.4ghz C2D with 6GB of RAM using FCP 7.

Exporting to a final file can take a while but the editing itself works ok.

 

[varsochalles]

For graphics, I believe all the new MacBook Pros come with Intel HD Graphics 4000
- As for CPU speed and RAM, they really go hand in hand with video editing.
- CPU speed doesn't help if you do not have sufficient RAM cover all of needed video/audio/effect editing and rendering processes.
- Slower CPU with more RAM means that procesess get covered by the additonal RAM, but will take longer to render and preview during editing.
*So when choosing CPU and RAM, do not sacrifice one for the other.
You can always upgrade RAM later if you can't afford it now.

 

[TheStu]

For graphics, I believe all the new MacBook Pros come with Intel HD Graphics 4000

That is incorrect. The rMB (retina MacBook) ships with intel HD graphics 5300, the MacBooks Air ship with 6000, the rMBP13 has intel Iris (6100) and the rMBP15 has Iris Pro (and with an upgrade, AMD R9 M370x)

*So when choosing CPU and RAM, do not sacrifice one for the other.
You can always upgrade RAM later if you can't afford it now.

That is also incorrect, with the exception of the old, old, OLD, MBP13 (non-retina). It does have user upgradeable RAM and HDD, but it is at least 2 generations behind at this point, has not, and will not be updated, and is a waste of money except in extreme edge cases.

 

[Childs]

I still edit using FCPX on MBP 2011 and Mac Mini 2012. RAM maxed and both have SSDs. The Mini has the HD4000 and it holds up fine, although if the timeline gets busy with lots of effects, generators, Motion templates, etc, just let it render and use proxy media.