Film Editing Final Cut Pro software and machine advice?

Question by Inquizitive: Film Editing Final Cut Pro software and machine advice?
Hi,

I am wishing to be an independent filmmaker and start out practicing on Final Cut Pro within the next few days.
Which would be the cheapest Macbook Pro to run it perfectly?

Going by the specifications requirement of FCP-
1) Integrated Graphics not supported (Macbook pro 13 and many 15 eliminated???)
2) For working with Color using 4K files (like Red One) min 512MB graphics (only macbook pro 15@2.8GHz and 17 left????)
3) For working with Color anyways “Display with 1680-by-1050 resolution or higher” needed (so even Macbook 15@2.8 GHz eliminated??? as 15″ has max resolution of “1440 by 900″?? so is 17” is the only option? Its so heavy)

Now is that correct? Or for e.g. can I connect an external display to get Color working Or like 4K files, does one really need it?

I ideally would prefer the Macbook 15@2.66. But with double CPU cache, double GPU memory and some extra HD Macbook pro 15@2.8GHz is impressive but is it required?

But then due to screen resolution limitation, Color won’t even work or not?

Another approach I feel is- for 6 months work on the simplest white Macbook13 and Final Cut Express. And later buy the “Mac Pro” tower? But then, can one upgrade Final Cut Express? Don’t think buying Final Cut Express makes sense if I eventually want to work on the full Studio (Sound studio is no longer on express right?).

As you can see I am very confused. Just need some thoughts, as there is no perfect “Answer” to which I can “Yahoo”.

Best answer:

Answer by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Just a few suggestions; in lieu of a Real answer.

If you don’t receive a satisfactory answer on this site soon enough (although I hope you will), do you know of anyone doing the same type of editing who Does use Final Cut Pro? They could probably answer all your questions. (I’m sure you’ve already though of this, so I’m probably just stating the obvious, but I’m just considering the time factor here.)

Failing all that, go to a Mac store, and ask them. The “creatives” might include someone who specializes in video.

Good luck 🙂

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