Powerbook vs. PowerMac vs. PC
 

I know that this discussion has gone around and around, but I think I have finally had it with my present NLE setup (Intel P4 2.2, 1 gig ram, 60gb HD1, 120gb HD2, Premiere, Photoshop, etc...).
I'm looking for a Mac system now, just not sure which one. With a budget of no more than $4000.00, what should I go with? Mobility would be a nice bonus, since I would do some stuff during work. I mainly do weddings, corporate training videos, video postcard/greetings, etc... Thanks for you help

P.S. - would I notice a big difference in speed with either Mac setup and using FCP vs. my PC with Premiere? Thanks.

Hello Chris,
(I'm sure that you know that you have the name of a famous former NASA figure.)

If you need mobility a PowerBook will fill the bill for you. They are excellent, particularly the new drool-worthy 17 PowerBook. If possible, be sure to set aside some of your budget for a good external Firewire drive to use as your media drive. I often edit pieces with my PowerBook (1GHz) and FCP 3.

Hi Ken,

thank you very much for your help. I think I will go with the new 17inch Powerbook with 1gig of RAM. I was also thinking of a LaCie external FireWire 120 drive. With my current PC setup and using Premiere, will I be getting the same results or better with the Powerbook using FCP?

I really don't know how the performance will compare. But I feel confident in supposing that you will get much more enjoyment from your editing. My speculation is based on my experience with Premiere on a PC (years ago), my experience with FCP for the past few years and your remark, "I think I have finally had it with my present NLE setup...".

I think you're in for a treat, especially with that 17" Powerbook.

Thanks again Ken, you've made my decision easier.

Not that you sound like you need any more persuading, but just to second Ken... the PowerBooks are mighty fine. I could wax lyrical about how well the perform all day. I've the same as Ken (I believe), a 1GHz TiBook with SuperDrize. It really is a great Mac. Just had my first look at the new 17" and wow, what a screen! I still like the compactness of my 15" TiBook as well as the look and feel, but the 17" is mighty fine. I sure wouldn't say no to one.

The Lacie is a nice drive too. If you can try and get the 200Gig model. Don't think there's a great deal in it price wise and the main advantage is it has 8MB of ram instead of the 4 or 2 in the smaller models. But don't sweat it if you can't, the 120 is still more than fast enough and still plenty of space.

Another low cost add on definitely worth considering is the Contour ShuttlePro.

I too used to use Premier on the Mac many years ago and found it a dog. Thank heavens FCP arrived just at the right time. FCP3 is very good and FCP4 looks great. You will not be dissapointed. They work so well on the Mac in OS X, as well as Photoshop and other apps. I've been using X daily since the first public betas and I honestly belive there is no better platform for this kind of work. (biased maybe, but based on experience with both Mac and PCs.) It just all feels right. Still makes me smile!

You will not be disappointed.

Thanks Simon -

I think I will go with the 200 for the increase in cache. I've seen not only this forum group, but in others, about the possibility of some new PowerBooks coming in June-July? I think I might hold out...Any other confirmations on this?

Also, can you upgrade the processors on PowerBooks?

Thanks again everyone.

Chris,

Well, ususally there's a likely hood of an upgrade around Macworld time, though last year I belive the upgrades came a month or two after for the PowerBooks. This is a tough one, more so than usual since the 17" has only really started shipping in quantity, even though it was demoed last January.

I doubt the PowerBooks will see the new IBM chip we're all hearing about from sources other than Apple. Apple really need to upgrade their towers and will more than likely concerntrate on these first. You might be able to get a whiff of were things are going after next months WWDC. So at least wait till then.

And I don't think anyone has ever produced an upgrade for the G4 PowerBooks.

Thanks Simon -

Chris,
well it sounds like you dont want your computer you got there. What type of computer is it? Video and sound card? I'm just wondering if you did all that you could to your computer to get it run those programs. What OS too?
You going to sell that system? hehe.


Rob:D

Robert -

it's an Alienware DV2002 custom build. P4 2.2ghz, 1gb ram, 60gb main drive, 120gb video drive, 64mb Nvidia (not sure model) videocard, Sony DRU-500 DVD+/-R/RW drive. I'm running Windows 2000, Premiere, Photoshop, Illustrator and Macromedia Flash 5.

I bought it over 1 year ago. I wanted a PowerMac G4, but was scared to make the switch from a PC. I've been using PC's all my life (except grade school where we used Apple IIe's, IIc's and IIgs's, if those aren't a throwback from the past).

I think now talking with a few people and also those that helped me on this site (thanks Ken and Simon) I am ready to make that leap. My only concern now is can I wait until WWDC or after?

P.S. - I've cleaned the main drive somewhat and reinstalled my OS. My warranty just expired (figures) and I have not talked to anyone in tech support. Any suggestions?

Thanks -

P.P.S. - If not...PC / NLE for sale, slightly used...make offer...

Get a new OS. win2k sucks. XP is way better. I myself went from NT to XP and never had any problems. I totally avoided win2k. Maybe you just need to load up the new OS. What ISP do you have? is it AOL? Why spend more money on a computer when you got one that should work. I mean mine is older than yours and it smokes. That is at a dual 600Mhz 512 RAM and 128Mb ATI 20Gbx2 and 120Gb HD with external 120Gb Lacie firewire. Anyways whatever you do don't waste your money.

Rob:D

I'll try that first. I'll load up Windows XP. This is my workstation only, no net access, games, etc...

Thanks again Robert -

Chris -

If I were you, I'd get a PowerBook & external FW drive (especially one of the new FW800 models).

But it may be worth waiting a little bit (if you can), because new PB model(s) are rumoured to be imminent (end May?)

The 15.2" model hasn't been updated in 6 months; while the 12" and 17" are cased in aluminium, the 15.2" one is still titanium; its strange that the 15" model hasn't been updated yet to match its larger and smaller siblings, so this is fuelling rumours of a major update - perhaps involving IBM's new PPC 970 chip.

If the 15" model gets updated, its likely (I think) that the others would be too. Steve Jobs did say in January that 2003 would be the Year of the Laptop..............

Regarding comparisons vs. PC+Premiere, I can't help you. Do you have a Mac retailer nearby? If so, perhaps you could go there & try out one of the Macs for yourself.

OT
I'm going to follow my own advice; I'm in the process of selling my G4 tower, with the aim of getting a new PowerBook before I move to Japan. :-)

Thanks Ben -

I live in Orange County, CA and there's actually 3 Apple stores within a 30-45 minute drive from one another. I'm going to take my XL in and see if they will let me try out a PowerBook. I hope so.

I'll let you all know. Thanks again for all the help.

The first generation of IBM 970 processors will not be suitable for laptop use. They will produce too much heat and use too much power. After the first of the year, new chips developed for the laptops should hit the market. At that time I suspect all the laptops will be updated.

Jeff -

Noone really knows at this point, but its fun to speculate. :-)

In any case, I'm getting a new PB this summer, so a 970 would be a bonus.

For some interesting commentary on the 970, check out this from Ars Technica:

http://www.arstechnica.com/cpu/02q2/ppc970/ppc970-1.html

According to this, a 1.2GHz would dissipate only 19W, compared to 30W for a GHz G4e chip. So its possible that the 970 could be used in a notebook from the get-go. Coupled with the new Al case (better heat dissipation compared to Ti), and its looking pretty feasible IMHO.

BTW, the next installment of the Ars commentary is coming soon.

My biggest problem with Apple has always been price. I recently got an HP Pavilion 2.0 G P4 with half a gig of RAM refurbished from Tiger for $1,200. I have been having a great time editing with Vegas without being tied down to my office.

Of course if you want to edit with FCP, you are limited to Apple. If not you can buy a lot more performance for fewer dollars with a good PC laptop.

The performance factor is only part of the equation. Work flow is more important in many respects. I edit with a 450 MHz dual processor G4 and it's plenty fast for work applications. If you want to play games then you need high end video cards and speed for the 3D graphics, textures etc. But for editing on a pro level speed isn't everything, it's only a part of the formula. Granted, Apple computers are not for everyone, neither are BMW's or Mercedes Benz's. If price is an obstacle, then you're right in choosing PC's for your work.

"If price is an obstacle, then you're right in choosing PC's for your work."

I just hate being overcharged. I have worked both on Macs and PCs and I think the interface issues are pretty much behind us. It is a shame that FCP is Mac only, though with Vegas and Avid there are other good choices.

Overcharged is a relative term. I've never felt overcharged buying Apple's products. I consider them a great value. I appreciate their design and workmanship and place a value on it. My Power Mac will be 3 years old in July, has never been upgraded (hardware) and works fine for all my editing needs. To me, that's a great value. But everyone has different needs and expectations. Mine are more than satisfied with Apple's products.