Macbook for a Creative Multimedia Student

im...LOST

Hey all.

I was just wondering if you kind folks would be able to aswer a few of my questions regarding the the 2.16GHz, 120GB HD, 1GB Ram White Macbook.

Ok, first off, I'm a Creative Multimedia Student and that will involve some photoshopping, video editing amd web design. Now, I was just wondering if the Macbook would be up to the task of running Photoshop and Final Cut with the current specs or will it run at all?!?

I mean, I can update the RAM easily enough so if I have to updrade that, I will but otherwise, do you think that a Macbook would serve me well for the next few years.

Also, I'd use the Macbook for Browsing and watching DVD's and stuff too abviously Just to let you know..

Any help to be given?!

Thanks

Hugh_C

im...LOST wrote:

and that will involve some photoshopping, video editing amd web design. Now, I was just wondering if the Macbook would be up to the task of running Photoshop and Final Cut with the current specs or will it run at all?!?

I have the 2.16 GHz MacBook (black of course!) with 2 GB ram, and while it runs FCP, it isn't swift and the fans kick in pretty early. I guess it depends how complicated your edits are and at what resolution. But for serious FCP, I always opt for an office MacBook Pro or MacPro or whatever the desktop is called currently. The MacBook is an amazing little machine but you'd be cramping your style a bit with it for serious FCP work.

This is largely becasue of its graphics chipset.

For PhotoShop, sure it'll work fine but you may find yourself stumbling up against the screen real-estate - a bit too cramped for all those menus and the image itself. Not am I sure how accurate the colour reprpduction is. Of course this could be alleviated with an external monitor.

If I were you, I'd buy the lower spec MacBook Pro, that's being brutally honest.

Hugh

im...LOST

With cost being quite a major factor, I really don't think that I could afford a MacBook Pro

All or our course work involving computers involve Macs so if I was to get a laptop I would need a Mac. So, a Macbook is kinda my only realistic choice tbh.

I can't imagine my editing being extremely strenuous tbh and if it was, I could always use the Macs in the college for really heavy stuff.

I'll ask the lecturers as see what they say I suppose

Anymore words of wisdom? Thanks

babypink

are you hell-bent on buying new - if not, you could pick up a previous rev. MBP at relatively decent price.

If new it the way for you, i'm sure you're getting the edu discount so its likely, i'd echo hughchal about the MBP, but if you bump up the RAM on the MacBook - its a corker of a machine.

Though see if you can stretch to the MBP, the screen space alone it worth the money given the use you're going to give it!!

im...LOST

Well tbh, I really am not pushed about the screen size. I'd actually prefer the screen to be smaller so it's more portable.

I know I'm a really awkward customer here but it's a grand and a bit, you know. That's a lot of mulah.

No, I'm not hell bent on getting a new machine but with a new machine you get a Warentee and stuff so, that's an advantage.

I mean, now that I think of it, I'd probobly be usinfg it more for personal use by way of the internet and watching videos and stuff. I know that it can do photoshop and some lite video editing. If it cannot handle the heavy stuff then so be it, I can always use the Mac Labs here at college.....

Damn me and my indecisiveness!!! Any more help from you guys?

I'll talk to the lecturers about it more....

Breezer

If you buy from the Apple refurb store you get a warranty, a good as new guarantee, and anything up to about a third off the price.

babypink

i'm just looking at the edu prices -

Base MBP 15"
* 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1440 x 900 resolution
* 2GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM

Ready to ship: 7 - 10 days
Free Shipping
Eur 1,708.52 *

MacBook 13"
* 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 120GB hard drive1
* Double-layer SuperDrive

Ready to ship: 24hrs
Free Shipping
Eur 1,124.09 *

BlackBook 13"
* 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 1GB memory
* 160GB hard drive1
* Double-layer SuperDrive

Ready to ship: 24hrs
Free Shipping
Eur 1,304.38 *

for under 600euro difference from the white MacBook and 400euro from the BlackBook, i'd be seriously tempted!!.......prices are VAT inclusive from the educational store

im...LOST

Gah!

Thanks for all your help.. I'll consider it for a bit longer and ask more people.

Another reason to get one: I get a free Nano if I order online in the next month


Edit/ So what you get from the Pro is, a bigger Screen, more Ram and an independant GFX card, yeah?

Hrm....

440Hz

Any significant use of FCP or PS on a MacBook will be slow and eventually frustrating. I use both programs on a regular basis on a variety of machines from a Mac Mini to a Mac Pro. My honest advice would be to consider babypink's suggestion of a refurb MBP (if you cant stretch to a new one), otherwise go the Macbook route, but as you said, be prepared to resort to higher spec'ed machines for some of your work.

im...LOST

After much deliberation I ordered the 2.16GHz White MacBook with 1GB RAM and 120GB HD.

Thanks to everyone for the advice but I just took the plunge and ordered the MacBook. I'm happy with my decision even if I have to use the college computers for some of my work...

im...LOST

Just to let everyone know, I decided to get a Macbook and it arrived last Thursday. I haven'y had a chance to see if it runs FC or PS smoothly or not but I'll let you know when I get around to it.

Otherwise, I'm loving it so far. It's soo purdy

ZENER

This reminds me of that BOI ad on telly . . . I need materials for my art class . . . er . . . canvas 'n stuff . . . .

I have a mate - the french lad I told you about KT - who uses a C2D MacBook with 2GB RAM for live concerts using a lot of audio apps - Reason - Logic Pro among others with plugins etc. running at the same time connected to a midi body suit while also generating the video for a projector unit - pacific231 - don't under estimate the MacBook. It's a powerful little machine for the cash !

He's on tour in Russia at the moment doing very nicely thank you!

ZEN

440Hz

ZENER wrote:

uses a C2D MacBook with 2GB RAM for live concerts using a lot of audio apps - Reason - Logic Pro among others with plugins etc. running at the same time connected to a midi body suit while also generating the video for a projector unit

hehe!! Sounds like quite a character alright

Yeah MB's can handle a load like that but you wouldn't want to be doing much else with them at the same time, I find anyway.
Nice TV ref too Zen!!

Oriel

ZENER wrote:

I have a mate who uses a C2D MacBook with 2GB RAM for live concerts using a lot of audio apps - Reason - Logic Pro among others with plugins etc. running at the same time connected to a midi body suit while also generating the video for a projector unit. He's on tour in Russia at the moment doing very nicely thank you!

440Hz wrote:

Any significant use of FCP or PS on a MacBook will be slow and eventually frustrating. I use both programs on a regular basis on a variety of machines from a Mac Mini to a Mac Pro.

Oh dear...

440Hz

Oriel, if you don't have something helpful to say, or at least make a full point that stays on topic, then please don't bother.

OP, congrats on the new arrival. Glad you are enjoying it! You got a nice spec there and you shouldn't notice too much of a hog in power running those apps on that machine! As long as you don't try and run them all at once hehe

im...LOST

440Hz wrote:

Oriel, if you don't have something helpful to say, or at least make a full point that stays on topic, then please don't bother.

OP, congrats on the new arrival. Glad you are enjoying it! You got a nice spec there and you shouldn't notice too much of a hog in power running those apps on that machine! As long as you don't try and run them all at once hehe

Yeah, I just have to upgrade the Ram still but I'll do that soon. Also, I'm a patient fella so I won't be too worried if they don't run really smoothly.

FFS, before this I've been used to a less than half a Gig of Ram on our old desktop!

Thanks for your help guys.