I need to get a new Laptop before the trip. What are some of the advantages of an Apple?

Search through some recent threads. If this is discussed it will no doubt turn into a debate.

I like using my Mac. Lots of people do. It's up to you. A PC can do the same stuff, generally.

It's not Windows!

1- IMO, the NLE you use will make a much greater impact on your productivity than what OS you go with (OS X or Windows... or some flavour of Linux).

And the NLE you go with will likely dictate which OS you go with, since FCP only runs on OS X and others only run on Windows. (With the exception of NLEs that will run on either platform.)

So I'd advise you to pick your NLE first, then get the appropriate hardware.

2- As far as Mac versus "PC" goes, there are some differences between the OSes. I find OS X clean and simple, and there isn't a lot of malware (viruses, spyware, etc.) that targets that platform. It's pretty easy to use.
On the downside, if your computer is broken, there isn't as great a range of tools to fix it (on powerPC Macs anyways). And of course it doesn't run PC programs.

Interchange between Mac and PC:

--With Bootcamp, you can have both operating systems on a Mac.
*Bootcamp doesn't work perfectly... I recently got a Santa Rosa laptop (Macbook Pro) and the install did not go perfectly (buggy...). But I did manage to get both operating systems on my laptop.

--The file systems are different.
HFS: Windows can't read or write to it.
NTFS: OS X can't write to them.
FAT32: Both platforms can read/write. But you can't have files bigger than 2GB (and a lot of video files are bigger than 2GB).
The easiest solution is to install Macdrive on Windows, allowing you to read and write to HFS volumes.

--The keyboard shortcuts are different between Mac and PC. IMO this is annoying.

--Not all Quicktime codecs are available for PC (Prores, uncompressed 8-bit, DVCPRO50).

I needed to do stuff with both operating systems, so I had to get a Mac. You should look at your own needs to get the appropriate system. If you have limited money, you can find a deal on a laptop (check hot deals sites for your country) and stick Vegas on it. Because the NLEs more or less do the same thing, you can spend your money on other things (lights, audio, etc.), and computers+software lose value pretty quickly.

3- At some level, the NLEs more or less do the same thing in the end. If you want to get into more complicated stuff like compositing, then get a copy of After Effects, Shake, Combustion or Digital Fusion, etc.

And a reminder to everyone... no platform wars please.

Glenn's right, pick your NLE first. If you choose FCP you have to choose a Mac. (if you're buying a Mac wait 10 days for the new os to come out so you don't get hit with an upgrade charge)

Personally, I like Macs better. But a lot of that reason has to do with the fact that I use them a lot more than pcs. I do run Parallels with XP on on my MBP and it's fine for doing a few things that aren't available for the Mac. But, I would recommend that if you choose a NLE that runs on a PC you get a PC and don't try to do it with Bootcamp or Parallels.

Bootcamp runs XP as well as a windows computer (albeit more expensive). No reason not to use an NLE on that.

Premiere is a good cross platform option, though I do like FCP more, myself.

To edit video there's no difference.
I work with Avid Liquid Pro with no problem.
About the platform there's no war: Apple is absolutely better.
With a MacBook 13 I can do everything: editing video with FCExpress, internet, and everything I want.
On Windows it's not possible.
I work on pc and Mac.
And in my opinion Mac is abolutely better.

One of the common criticisms of Apple's product line is that it is closed - i.e., OS X is only available and supported for Apple's hardware.

In one instance, there is a distinct advantage: if you want to use OS X then you know what you will be getting hardware-wise.

In the Windows' world, there are an untold number of hardware vendors. Even though the OS is the same, the experience with the whole system can vary dramatically from excellent to so frustrating you want to through the thing through the window (no pun intended).

For example, my company has migrated from Thinkpad laptops to Dell Latitudes. I never had any complaints about my Thinkpad. I hate the Dell with a passion you can only dream of. Both have exactly the same disk image (i.e., OS + applications are identical). It's just the hardware that's different.

So, if you choose the Windows-based laptop route, you'll need to try a variety of brands/models. With an Apple solution, the options are limited and so the user experience is likely to be consistent.

Often the negative Windows experience is due to the hardware rather than the OS itself. Windows and OS X are excellent when configured correctly and married with the right hardware options. Windows suffers when installed on cheap/problematic hardware or careless use w.r.t. viruses etc.

Any claims of one being better than the other can only be subjective. Each person's needs are different and will be better served by different OSes.

Pick either PC or Mac, i have used both extensively. But once you pick, stick with it, you dont want to have to learn how to edit all over again with a different system. Been there... its a pain in the ass.

IMHO, Mac editing takes the cake. I have edited with PP2 and Avid on a PC of the same caliber as my 24" iMac. Just not the same.

Er... I'm actually very familiar with both Windows and OSX. Truth be told, I'm a big computer geek.

What I really should have asked was FCP vs. Premiere for PC...

If you're collaborating with others, you might want to find out what they're using. Makes it easier to exchange works in progress.

what's your budget?

What I really should have asked was FCP vs. Premiere for PC...

Is Premiere your only consideration for the PC?

I have just transitioned from premiere pro 2.0 on a 2 grand pc build to final cut 6 on a 3.0 dual core mac pro and I am never gonna look back. The price wasn't bad at all considering each cpu is around 900 bucks. Avid is cross platform and is pretty good depending on which copy you get but I am very content with the final cut suite. Premiere is also cross platform but why get it if you can have final cut. Also there are other ways to run windows on a mac other than boot camp that I hear work better.

One of the common criticisms of Apple's product line is that it is closed - i.e., OS X is only available and supported for Apple's hardware.

In one instance, there is a distinct advantage: if you want to use OS X then you know what you will be getting hardware-wise.

In the Windows' world, there are an untold number of hardware vendors. Even though the OS is the same, the experience with the whole system can vary dramatically from excellent to so frustrating you want to through the thing through the window (no pun intended).

John put it best. In this business, you want a stable money making machine. I use Premiere on windows, and learned this lesson the hard way. While whining about all kinds of CS3 issues on two well known systems, others are having good results. There's simply too much in configuration and compatibilities that can go wrong. I don't have the time to play IT in order to meet a deadline. Time wasted on forums and dealing with PC issues is money lost.

Out of the Box, the Mac's will hit the floor running. I know, I use both, with the exception of editing. That is going to change. I'm switching to FCP on macpro. I'll glady exchange plugins and eye candy for good solid editing.

I quit making this a Mac vs Windows thing. I'll just use both.

Ya I have yet to part ways with my pc with premiere and avid on it but I may be selling it soon to buy hardware like a matrox mxo for the mac.

This question makes it hard to sidestep the platform war debate, so i'll shut up, except to say switching from Prem Pro on a PC to FCS on the mac was the best move i've made since i started taking video seriously.

This question makes it hard to sidestep the platform war debate, so i'll shut up, except to say switching from Prem Pro on a PC to FCS on the mac was the best move i've made since i started taking video seriously.

Dom, could you elaborate?
I'm not interested in a platform war either, and I'm almost definately going to upgrade from Premiere Pro on PC to FCS on Mac too, (first have to find the money, and a potential good deal), but I would like to know more details around this, WHY it's better.

Dom, could you elaborate?
I'm not interested in a platform war either, and I'm almost definately going to upgrade from Premiere Pro on PC to FCS on Mac too, (first have to find the money, and a potential good deal), but I would like to know more details around this, WHY it's better.


The best deal I found on a complete system was with Brian owner of zotz digital they are one of our sponsors on the forum and for good reason I might add. I would definitly check them out before you get you system. Gary
http://www.zotzdigital.com

--The file systems are different.
HFS: Windows can't read or write to it.
NTFS: OS X can't write to them.
FAT32: Both platforms can read/write. But you can't have files bigger than

It is possible to read and write to NTFS drives in OS X using a program called MacFUSE (http://code.google.com/p/macfuse/). Full read speed but a little slower on the write, but it should get better with revisions.

The best deal I found on a complete system was with Brian owner of zotz digital they are one of our sponsors on the forum and for good reason I might add. I would definitly check them out before you get you system. Gary
http://www.zotzdigital.com

Thanks Gary, I'll definately check them out, but I have a pretty close friend that maybe would sell his recent Macbook Pro 17inch, if a new one comes out...
Don't know sure about that, but I'll definately check the link, maybe it has some interesting things for me!