Final Cut Studio (PRO) vs. Adobe Production Suite (Premiere)

So this might not be the place to ask such a question, but I'm in the market for upgrading software and hardware. The hardware has already been chosen and is this:

Apple Macbook White - 13.3" 1280x800 display
# 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo
# 1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
# 100GB Serial ATA drive
# SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# Keyboard/Mac OS - U.S. English
# Apple Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter
# AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook/iBook - Auto-enroll
# AirPort Extreme Card & Bluetooth
$1,817
(BTW, if you think this should be upgraded, don't bother mentioning it. This is pretty much budget maxed)

I want to start using this PC hooked up dual display (and firewire HD) for my video cutting/editing. With OS X, the natural choice is to buy Final Cut Studio. But, with Apple's Boot Camp, I could get the Adobe Production Suite. I am familiar with Premiere, but have never used Final Cut. I'm not worried about learning curve, that part is easy. I'm wondering how much of Premiere can Final Cut do? Which program is more feature rich? What would you recommend that produces BETTER quality?

Thanks is advance!!

this might be complete speculation, but will final cut run on an intergrated graphics solution? I'm pretty certain i read on the apple site that it wasn't supported... i have to leave for work now but i'll have a look when i get there for you.

In terms of difference, i've used both and I didn't have much problems jumping over, but then i only used Final Cut very briefly...

Originally Posted by British Chris

this might be complete speculation, but will final cut run on an intergrated graphics solution? I'm pretty certain i read on the apple site that it wasn't supported... i have to leave for work now but i'll have a look when i get there for you.

In terms of difference, i've used both and I didn't have much problems jumping over, but then i only used Final Cut very briefly...

Good catch. So this really begs the question, how much better is Final Cut than Premiere, and is it worth it? Any comments?

It's worth it to stay in OS X. Good grief, I wouldn't trade Final Cut in for anything. Used to use Premiere, switched over to the Mac and Final Cut and haven't looked back. It's just a better environment.

However, I'm not sure what "not supported" means. Will it still run? Will it error out? You might want to check with Apple and consider a refurbished MacBook Pro over this. Some 1.83GHz Core Duo MBP's went up on the Refurbished page for only $1600 or so, as I recall. Buying third-party RAM is also encouraged, Apple gouges for BTO RAM upgrades like no other, so just get it stock and put in your own stuff—yes, it has to be good quality RAM but it's still cheaper than getting it from them.

Originally Posted by killmoms

It's worth it to stay in OS X. Good grief, I wouldn't trade Final Cut in for anything. Used to use Premiere, switched over to the Mac and Final Cut and haven't looked back. It's just a better environment.

However, I'm not sure what "not supported" means. Will it still run? Will it error out? You might want to check with Apple and consider a refurbished MacBook Pro over this. Some 1.83GHz Core Duo MBP's went up on the Refurbished page for only $1600 or so, as I recall. Buying third-party RAM is also encouraged, Apple gouges for BTO RAM upgrades like no other, so just get it stock and put in your own stuff—yes, it has to be good quality RAM but it's still cheaper than getting it from them.

Thanks for the tips... you just might have saved the day!

Final Cut Pro "won't run" on macbooks because of the integrated graphics. You can look here. It says specifically that Final Cut Studio is NOT supported on systems using the Intel Extreme Graphics 950 GMA (which the Macbook has).

Refurbished Apples... That is the ticket!! They have a 2.0ghz Macbook Pro for $1999... and that is what I'd get. It's more upgradeable and less limited (w/ 256MB Ram GPU, 100GB HD, 1x1GB Ram).

Originally Posted by Dayvon

Thanks for the tips... you just might have saved the day!
Final Cut Pro "won't run" on macbooks because of the integrated graphics. You can look here. It says specifically that Final Cut Studio is NOT supported on systems using the Intel Extreme Graphics 950 GMA (which the Macbook has).

Oh, I saw that. I just wasn't sure if it was a situation where it was like "we simply won't help you if you complain about the performance," or if it was actually that it'd error out and say "NO FCP FOR YOU!" Some programs like that have had people hack them so they won't check and will just run anyway. Not sure if FCS is in that boat or not.

But in any case, a refurb 2.0 MBP will be quite a nice machine to run FCS on—I am envious.

Yeah, its looking like I won't get it as soon as I was hoping...

But I'm still gonna get it :superhappy:.

So, I'm gonna have to keep in touch with you as I dip (actually plunge) into the Mac world soon. I will want OSX tweaking tips, and setup help. Overall, I'm excited. The professional feel of Mac is gonna be a great work environment. I'll still have my XP HTPC for personal use, so I'll be going back and forth alot.

Originally Posted by Dayvon

Yeah, its looking like I won't get it as soon as I was hoping...

But I'm still gonna get it :superhappy:.

So, I'm gonna have to keep in touch with you as I dip (actually plunge) into the Mac world soon. I will want OSX tweaking tips, and setup help. Overall, I'm excited. The professional feel of Mac is gonna be a great work environment. I'll still have my XP HTPC for personal use, so I'll be going back and forth alot.

Most definitely. Always happy to welcome someone to the fold.

I hope it's not to late for me to say this, but Final Cut Pro WILL run on your MacBook.
In fact, the only application in the Final Cut Studio suite that doesn't run because of the integrated chipset is 'Motion'. Every other app is fully compatible with the Intel Macs. I'm running FCP 5 on my Intel Mac Mini right now (it uses the same 950 GMA card as the Macbook), so you're all good to go! :biggrin:

Also, I recommend that you get FCP above Adobe Premiere, it's probably the best video editor you can get your hands on right now.

I'm typing this now with a MacBook Pro in my hands...

It's really not so bad...

Gah, then you'll have no problems at all!

Thanks for wasting my time :aargh:

Got Final Cut Studio....



And its really much better than Premiere PRO, if anything just because of LiveType (which holy crap is awesome!!). The Compressor program leaves alot to be desired. I mean, it is great if I were making DVD's or QuickTime-internet streams, but I need to make high quality MOV or MP4 files and it's really not that great with this.

Haven't even touched DVD Studio 4 or Motion. Worked with Soundtrack Pro a bit and it seems capable as well as refined. Overall, FCP is the cake and LiveType is the icing. Hopefully Motion will be the cherry on top.

Anyway, for any person facing video editing if there is a choice between:

Adobe Production Bundle on Windows XP -or- Final Cut Studio on Mac OSX....

Definitely buy the FCP on OSX. It is cheaper and better. No question.

People pay for software? =O

Originally Posted by AcerBandit

People pay for software? =O

No, but companies do .