Mac Laptop Selection
 

I apologize for asking a question I know has been asked here about 10k times but I'm up against a discount deadline and need to make a decision quickly.

For editing in FCP, are there any significant issues with using a MacBook, as opposed to one of the MacBook Pro models?

I've edited and a Macbook at a workshop and it seemed to work fine but that was a short experience so I'd like opinions from those who use the laptops regularly. I have a Mac Pro tower at home for "heavy lifting" projects, so the laptop would be for mobile use (maybe do some editing on the train) and for grad school. Some specific questions:

Any noticable speed/performance improvement between the regular and pro model?
Is the 15 inch screen of the Pro noticeably better?
Any reason to have the better video card in the top of the line MacBook Pro model

My guess (and I'm willing to be wrong) is that there is not a significant difference other than the screen between the two levels of laptops and I don't think I need to pay a grand more for the top of the line model unless performance is dramatically better.

Thanks
Bob

Last I read the graphics support in the MacBook was not sufficient for using Motion but was OK for FCP. Make sure you get the largest hard drive they sell, space runs short quickly.

Thanks. Just the sort of thing I would have overlooked and that would have stunk since I use Motion.

Can anyone confirm that Motion won't work on Macbook?

Confirmed. Check the Apple page for minimum system settings. You'll find the same answer.

FCP will run on a MacBook - Motion needs the MacBook Pro.