We currently have an older Macbook Pro with FC Pro 7 installed. It is getting pretty slow when rendering. Was considering getting a new computer. The laptop is (I think) 4gb RAM, Intel Core 2 duo so there's definite room for improvement.
I would appreciate your all's input here... so, some thoughts and questions:
Thanks, all!
Tom
I would appreciate your all's input here... so, some thoughts and questions:
- Unfortunately, cost is a factor. But I will sacrifice "new" for more features/specs. Will need to balance between what I can get (like, I know a 12-core 3tb machine is likely out of the question) with my wallet. Would like to stick in the $1000-ish range, even if used.
- How much do the cores factor into rendering and speed of editng? From my reading, at a minimum, I would want a 4-core machine, but probably 8-core is closer to a real boon.
- Given that ^^, another Macbook Pro will likely not suffice. So what's the trade off between an iMac and a Mac Pro? Or does anyone do real editing with a Macbook Pro?
- How's about the processor? i5, i7, Xeon...? 2.8gHz, 3.2, etc? How does this relate to the cores?
- What should I be looking at minimally for memory? 8gb? 16gb?
- What do you all do for storage from project to project? Do you buy a new external hard drive for each? Do you have multiple HD's in your system? Have a big ol' NAS somewhere? etc.
- Lastly, do you have edit with the source files on an external drive (like connected via USB)? Do you notice any performance hit? I would think the read/write would be slower but figured I'd ask.
Thanks, all!
Tom