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WhatToThink
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Registered User regular
Ok so here is the deal. I have a laptop that I got about 4 years ago. It still works fine but i'm really starting to get into video editing and basically its got nothing to offer for that. I have about $2500 left over from students loans this year and i need some advice.
1. do i save the loans and use them next year.
2. do i get a $2000 macbook pro so i can learn final cut studio? I am planning on making a documentary in Africa this summer so its not like i want to get FC just to jack around with it. Plus I use a lot of the adobe CS4 suite for my job so it would be nice to have a mac to run that on. another thing is I might try to land a job with film editing after school and as some of yall might know fcp is getting pretty popular.
3. or do i get a pc laptop, that spec wise is probably better than a macbook pro, for about $1000 less and just use adobe premiere and after effects? I could also try to install osx86 and final cut but i would much rather have as stable of a system as possible.
1. do i save the loans and use them next year.
2. do i get a $2000 macbook pro so i can learn final cut studio? I am planning on making a documentary in Africa this summer so its not like i want to get FC just to jack around with it. Plus I use a lot of the adobe CS4 suite for my job so it would be nice to have a mac to run that on. another thing is I might try to land a job with film editing after school and as some of yall might know fcp is getting pretty popular.
3. or do i get a pc laptop, that spec wise is probably better than a macbook pro, for about $1000 less and just use adobe premiere and after effects? I could also try to install osx86 and final cut but i would much rather have as stable of a system as possible.
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well i thought about that, i actually would love the smaller screen, but Motion 3, the motion graphics, software of final cut studio requires a non integrated video card.
Yes, it is.
"But the new MacBook uses a graphics processor that economizes space in a whole new way. A traditional computer logic board contains multiple components: the CPU, two chips that control communication throughout the computer, and the graphics processor. The logic board in the new MacBook contains only two components: The CPU and a graphics processor with all of the core logic built into a single chip. That graphics processor is the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, and it helps MacBook reach new levels of gaming performance — without sacrificing battery life."
http://www.apple.com/macbook/graphics.html
The biggest argument against the new MacBook for video editing would be its lack of a FireWire port.
I'm not entirely sure who won, but (this comes from a total PC fanboy) if you're going to buy something now, the Mac Book Pro is fairly decent in terms of value-for-money compared to most laptop PCs out there at the moment. If you're definitely buying something now than the price difference isn't going to be $1000 unless you get something with a much lower spec.
If something happens between now and then, you have that cash available. Maybe put it into a CD/Savings account to reap the interest too.
also, you said laptop - would a desktop be possible? A lot less portable, but you should be able to get a better computer for less if you go that route.
Buy a new laptop when you come back, which will have better specs 6-8 months from now.
I disagree with that. Apple doesn't really discount their laptops or offer any great deals so by the time I bought my Dell XPS M1530 an identically specced Macbook Pro was twice the price.
Me personally. I would say neither. Get the video you need, come back, and get a much faster workstation that you can much easier edit video on. Force the same price you could end with 4 times the storage (important for video), quadruple them memory (important for editing) and either double or quadruple the CPU cores.
this gives you a good idea as to when you should be buying mac stuff without kicking yourself in the butt a month or so later
More simply put. Do not look at what you want. Look at your means and reasons. If the reason is you want to learn this software. Try to find a cheaper (legal) way to do so. If we are talking about 2k that you have just sitting there.... Why is it just sitting there? How long are you going to be looking to pay back the loan later? Will you need another loan next year for sure?
Rhino: I'm *planning* on going the end of June for a couple of weeks. It will be a very quick trip no longer than two and half weeks. That is a long time from now and as you point out prices might drop which is something i didnt consider. I thought about a desktop but I would like to have a laptop for class, to use at work, and if i took a trip or something i could have it with me.
TexiKen: You are absolutely right, I won't be editing while in Africa for sure. If I do get a new laptop mac or pc I wont be taking it with me!
Darkewolfe: Yeah I could just get a mac pro, it would be better spec wise for sure but then again that takes away the portability aspect that I am looking for.
taeric: No, at school the only editing software they have is Avid, which I like a lot as well. Yeah the loan is subsidized, I dont have to pay it until six months after I graduate. The loan(s) i get only cover tuition, I have a job to pay for living, food, gas, and whatever else you know. Class wise I have about a 2.5 so not much room for scholarships there. One of the main reasons I want a mac over a pc is because of final cut studio. I know adobe premiere and avid and since final cut is really starting to become more integrated into the industry I would really like to learn it. Plus imo its amazing software that would be a blast to learn! The money is just "sitting there" in my savings account because I didn't use all of it that I got from FAFSA so I have some left over. Well I know I will most likely need another loan next year...at least for fall of '09. I might graduate in December so I am not sure about the spring.
MrMonroe: As of right now I am not sure the rate on it. I dont have to start paying it off until I graduate so I don't have any bills to look at. Just paying it off is something I have considered as well. I don't really have any sources to give me good credit....unless paying a cell phone bill from my debit card does that which im sure it doesnt....so I could use it get better credit. Not to mention I will need good credit after I graduate so that would be a smart idea as well.
You can make a perfectly good edit using pretty much any program (do avoid windows movie maker though :P), so try not to get too hung up on which program you want to use.
Do consider having a dedicated work rig, if this is something you want to get into seriously. If you can afford it, there's nothing wrong with having a basic laptop for school/email/word processing, and a good desktop for working. A laptop that you can use for both is good too, especially if you don't have some sort of study/studio space.
I wouldn't take a new laptop to africa, I would just take lots of tapes/cards for your camera. Not worth the risk, stress, or hassle, imo.
The other thing to consider is - if you're a student, do you have media labs at school that would give you access to FCP? That might be a good compromise, if you're really keen to learn it but don't want to spend the extra $1000.
What are the odds you could make enough with your work that combined with this money you would not need another loan? I would put that at a higher priority, honestly. Either that, or make a pretty good "safety" fund in case you decide to move somewhere that is more appropriate for your job searches. All told, computers are horrible things to pay full price for. Doing that is just buying an expensive toy. If you have the luxury to do so, then go for it. Otherwise, you are better served getting a bargain computer and letting your employer provide the expensive ones.
This is, however, a terrible idea if you have no source of income whatsoever in the near future.
Edit: oh wait you have a part time job. Missed that. Find out what kind of rate you could get on the computer. If it is lower than your student loans (unlikely unless the loan is secured by the computer itself) then pay the money back and borrow for the compy. If it is higher than the student loans, use the extra cash on the computer.