MacBook Pro 15" Retina Baseline FCPX & Motion 5

Hi Community,

I am looking at purchasing the macbook book pro 15" retina ($1999) but I would like to know if the system will be able to handle FCP X comfortably and motion 5? Also, if anyone in the community has one, how is the performance with FCP X and is it user upgradable to increase memory and hard drive space?

Thanks All!

If the MacBook Pro is your only editing machine I strongly suggest to get the higher end model which as both integrated and discreet GPUs. I read a blog post somewhere saying Mavericks splits tasks between the two GPUs for OpenCL based stuff.

That could mean the upcoming FCPX 10.1 will see some great benefits with that config

All MBPr have soldered ram so you have to bite the bullet to get the max ram or you will be stuck forever

Hmm I really wish I could but the money I have at this time can only support the baseline 15" retina but while doing some research, I noticed the hard drive is non user upgradeable. Now I am looking at this model for video and motion graphic work ( amzn.com/B0096VCHMI ). What you think?

If you haven't read through this thread yet, you should. (Thanks Alex4D!)

The problem with the 13" rMBP is it has only Iris graphics, no "Pro" Iris graphics option.
If you are considering the 13 vs. 15 stock because of the 2.6GHz CPU and larger SSD:
1. The CPU is an i5 not i7-actually a big difference.
2. The larger SSD may matter for you based on your overall use of the rMBP, but don't consider it an advantage in terms of using FCPX. This because you shouldn't use the system drive as an FCPX Events/Projects drive as well. Performance will actually be better with an attached Tbolt or (lesser) USB3 Drive. You'll need to consider in your budget cost of external storage.

Ok great perspective. Thank you but what about the older MacBook Pro 15 ( www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0074712UY/ref=mp...=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70 ) and I can upgrade the ram to 16gb. Also consider an external storage within the budget I have. If you have any external hard drive recommendation, please add. Thanks again community!

What about getting the refurbished non-Retina 15" MBP?

Not as fast as the latest MBPr but at least you can add RAM in the future. And it seems pretty reasonable price-wise

Here's the thing, the options you're considering are all good ones, and for a variety of different reasons. The fastest machine for the money isn't the whole story. We can't just say buy X because it exports or renders the fastest for e.g $1,999.

I'd refer you back to the same thread I posted earlier. If you look at Alex's intro post, part way down is the BruceX reference image showing result for a variety of recent Mac & Hacintosh systems. I could only say that one could conclude that more combined with newer is better. Both more + newer = cost. It seems to be a pretty consistent cost bump to performance ratio.

There's more to think about in how to spend your budget:
1) For example, is being future proof important to you (Thunderbolt 2)? Then low end 2013
2) Does battery life potential seem important? then low end 2013
3) Does retina display matter but not 1 or 2? then the 2012
If the three ? above don't matter, then what Pollux said, non-rMBP.

I think an SSD is a must. Even though you won't edit on it, enhances performance greatly.
SSD is an option in any system you choose.

RAM, more always better Whether you can add later or must choose now, has to be your call.

Discrete Graphics, Thunderbolt, USB3, processor speed. As I mentioned, IMHO based on testing seems the more you can spend the faster you get.

As for a drive suggestion, there are a couple of other posts here somewhere that talk about specific drives and performance; but the basic answer is Thunderbolt. It's much better than USB3. USB2 drives basically are unusable for editing.

Thanks for the feedback and questions to consider in making my choice of the 15" non retina macbook pro. Does it have any sites other than apple you'll will recommend for purchase and would it be wiser to purchase during Thanksgiving?

Your welcome.
If you are looking for the late 2013 you'll be hard pressed to find a discount beyond $100 from macmall.com. There are a couple other sites I don't recall at the moment with similar slight discounts. The late 2013s will probably start showing up in the refurb store slowly around late January or Feb.

For earlier models it may be worth waiting and paying close attention to the sales in the next couple weeks.

Also, you should check the Apple store refurb site now anyway as the previous gen rMBPs are plentiful and discounted.
store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro

Thank you all. Many links are provided by many members. You may get this from any of them

I like to get one myself.

When you use this , could you, please let your review here, that I can find the benefits, ( merits, demerits of this product). Thank you.

If I were you, I'd really try to come up with the extra cash to get a 15" retina with 16gb ram.
RAM is important. And the retina displays are absolutely fantastic. Can't imagine working without one now.
I cheapened out and went for only 256gb internal SSD, I now regret not going for the 512gb.

Also, pretty soon (if not already?) all Apple's mobile devices will have retina displays. Which means that second hand models wthout it will loose value as people learn the benefits of the superior resolution displays. And because o fthe fact that they are not upgradeable after purchase, it's the models with max ram that are gonna retain their value the best. That is if this is a concern to begin with.

I totally understand the money issue though... But the high end retinas are just beautiful machines...

I see that now B&H Photo is offering $250 off for new 15" MBPs were discussing here. They show the 16gb, 2.3 GHz version as pre order, the lesser one available now. Nice, beats waiting for refurbs early next year

I recently got the MacBook Pro 15" 2012 model but would like to know if RAM and SSD is worth thr upgrade? I currently have 8gb ram and 500gb hard drive (stock 5200rpm).

IMHO a ram upgrade, yes. The SSD, more complicated I'm terms of FCPX. The SSD will make the MBP much more responsive overall in use of all Mac apps and the OS. However it won't improve, measurably, the rendering and export actions In FCPX.

Ok so the RAM is better to start off with that the SSD? Also, does the external storage helped to increase faster rendering? If so, I know thunderbolt is #1 but what other options are there available?

Thanks all!

Yes, RAM first as I said.
Yes to external storage question as well.

In order of fastest to slowest
1) Thunderbolt 2 (2013 Macs only)
2) Thunderbolt
3) USB 3
4) FireWire 800
5) USB 2, unusable really for editing but ok for backup or archive