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Brian David Melnyk · June 22nd, 2014, 07:45 AM

My 17" MBP 2.66 Ghz has died. Probably logic board, and I will find out in August when I am in Canada if and how much to fix.
I am stuck using an old 17" iMac to edit a big project, and am dreading the CC and transcode, but such is life, and it is trying really hard. Winning new respect actually...
I am moving back to Canada in December, but will be travelling a lot to Africa for projects.
SO. I am considering on a 5k ish budget:

-fix MBP and also install SSD kit from OWC. It maxes at 4GB RAM, but is there some kit to get around this and maybe get a better graphics card? Maybe eke out a few more years on it?
-get a new iMac or a Mac Pro (6 core?) for the Canada studio. Which one? I run pro tools, edit photos, do animation in Motion, and will likely give FCPX a go... One catch is I currently refuse to rent software, so may be stuck at PS CS5 or 6.
-depending on cost to fix and soup up old MBP, also get or get instead a 13" MBP to travel and ingest footage/basic edits. New or is it crazy to get a used older model for travel and basic video use?

I currently film DSLR and AVHD, but am also watching for a new camera... Maybe 4k as an option... Or an external recorder that gives options. So will iMac be outdated too quickly for 4k, or does it handle it well?
I feel ridiculous that my software stance might keep me away from the macpro for now if the OS won't work for older PS...

Thanks for your input!

June 22nd, 2014, 07:45 AM	#1
Brian David Melnyk Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Canada Posts: 532	Spend my $ My 17" MBP 2.66 Ghz has died. Probably logic board, and I will find out in August when I am in Canada if and how much to fix. I am stuck using an old 17" iMac to edit a big project, and am dreading the CC and transcode, but such is life, and it is trying really hard. Winning new respect actually... I am moving back to Canada in December, but will be travelling a lot to Africa for projects. SO. I am considering on a 5k ish budget: -fix MBP and also install SSD kit from OWC. It maxes at 4GB RAM, but is there some kit to get around this and maybe get a better graphics card? Maybe eke out a few more years on it? -get a new iMac or a Mac Pro (6 core?) for the Canada studio. Which one? I run pro tools, edit photos, do animation in Motion, and will likely give FCPX a go... One catch is I currently refuse to rent software, so may be stuck at PS CS5 or 6. -depending on cost to fix and soup up old MBP, also get or get instead a 13" MBP to travel and ingest footage/basic edits. New or is it crazy to get a used older model for travel and basic video use? I currently film DSLR and AVHD, but am also watching for a new camera... Maybe 4k as an option... Or an external recorder that gives options. So will iMac be outdated too quickly for 4k, or does it handle it well? I feel ridiculous that my software stance might keep me away from the macpro for now if the OS won't work for older PS... Thanks for your input!