Buying new computer/OS for video editing

[Steele]

I need a computer that can handle video editing, mainly Final Cut Pro and Adobe Suite. Right now I have a 5-year-old MacBook Pro that can't manage FCP let alone run any programs smoothly and quickly. I can't afford a MacPro, so I've been considering iMacs. What's my cheapest option that will get the job done? I've heard you can buy PCs and install Mac OS. Would that be my best option? (Having PC capabilities would be awesome, for light gaming). I want to save money but I don't want to buy anything that isn't equipped to handle video editing well (cause then I'm just wasting money). I want to stick with Mac OS, but I don't care about the design or whatever, so I'd happily get a PC and put Mac on it, but I don't know how I would go about doing that. So if you have any suggestions or advice, please let me know! Thanks!!

 

[Spykezxp]

What is your budget (how much can you spend) for this new computer?

 

[Steele]

$2000 but I'd like to keep it under $1500. Even cheaper would be great. But at the end of the day, I'll pay what's necessary if it's a worthwhile long term investment.

 

[SNGX1275]

Have you checked out the refurbished and clearance Macs? You can get a pretty good system for your budget. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac
If for some reason you don't trust those, new Macs will get you a $100 Apple gift card over black friday weekend.

Running OS X on a PC is not straightforward and I can not recommend for something you are needing to use for production. You will have to buy specific hardware, you will likely have sound issues. LAN/WiFi has some issues too. All of these can be overcame with the right hardware choices, a lot of researching, and support from online forums (but not this one). You will also always have to worry about updates breaking something.

However if you still want to go that route, those computers are called Hackintoshs. Some good information exists: http://www.tonymacx86.com/home.php and http://www.osx86project.org/

 

[UncleBill]

I have done video-editing for several years. I have put a few "classics" on Youtube as well as helped with a few shows on the local CATV. I started with FCP around 2007 and like it. I have a Mac laptop running Snow Leopard so I can use that version of Final Cut Pro ver (6?). It's the one that uses bins, canvas, multi-tracks, etc.

What software today is similar? I liked FCP before the major upgrade that everyone disliked until another update cleaned up some issues. Years ago (2006) I used Easy Media Creator (Roxio) before the company created a newer version that didn't do 1/2 as much as the previous one ... plus it was buggy.

 

[DelJo63]

Multi-Media is THE Niche market for Mac -- stick with it

 

[MaikuTech]

@UncleBill its been quite a few years since I last touched Roxio Products.
If you need a media multi burning suite use this:

Roxio Toast | Disc Burning & Digital Media Suite for Mac

Explore the comprehensive toolkit for burning, editing & sharing your digital media. Roxio Toast 20 offers complete customization for DVD authoring, an intuitive interface, easy file conversion tools & more to streamline your workflow.

www.roxio.com