I'm off to BU in the fall, and I'm asking all of you what you might suggest for me to purchase in regards to a computer for school. I'm looking to do editing for my own side projects, so I'll need something powerful. I'll need to run Vegas on whatever it is that I buy. I'm not too computer savy (although I should be), but I do understand that MACs can now run the windows operating system. I'm assuming then that if I buy a mac, I'll be able to run Vegas. I'll also be doing school work on this computer, essays and things, as well as screenwriting. What do you think? Would a powerbook be a good idea? I also need suggestions for hard drives and other necessary accessories. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

have you heard of anyone successfully running Vegas on a Mac? Even if though it runs XP, there may be all sorts of video card/hardware/drivers issues. I really don't know one way or the other, but I wouldn't assume anything.

As much as I'd love to tell you to buy a Mac Book Pro (not powerbook), I think you should find out from BU's film department what kind of systems they use and get something that's compatible with them. Even though Vegas is clearly your preferred NLE, I would imagine it would be beneficial to edit with whatever the school is using. Then you can move projects back and forth between your computer and their labs.

Good point, although I'm not sure I'll be able to afford to purchase whatever it is they're using, which I believe is Final Cut and Avid. I've come to terms with the fact that I'll have to transition out of Vegas eventually, and I guess the sooner the better. You're right, I shouldn't be assuming, and I haven't heard of anyone successfully running Vegas on a Mac. I'm going up there tomorrow night through Friday, so that'll be a good time to ask some questions. Thanks Joren.

If you intend on going to film school, you're probably going to use whatever NLE they use. Most likely FCP. Student version is not very expensive - $299 for the full HD package. $150 (?) for Express.

I'd get a Macbook Pro.

Unfortunately you can't buy FCP by itself anymore. It now comes in the giant Final Cut Studio package, which costs $700 with a student discount.

When did this come about? Kind of surprising, but also not the end of the world, since the other applications are great (I assume it comes with DVDSP, Soundtrack Pro, Compressor, and APack?)

And Motion, I believe. I'll be getting a Macbook Pro, just because I'd like to have my options open on what I can edit with. I'll most likely be getting FCP, but its nice to be able to run both OSX and Windows on it. Plus its pretty damn powerful.

-Kegan

I'm not sure how recently it happened. You now have to buy the Final Cut Studio package. And yeah, it has all those delightful programs (FCP, DVDSP, Motion, Compressor, Soundtrack, etc.)

The only problem with apple doing that is now I can't just get a copy of DVD Studio Pro, which is all I really need. I wish I had the money for Final Cut Studio but I don't.

Exactly. It sucks. I've been trying to find the various items which can be crossgraded to FCS, such as Motion, or an old FCE or whatever, but they're selling higher than I can pay on eBay, because most people need to beat the $1200 price, and I need to beat the $700 price, so everyone else is willing to pay up to around $600 for this stuff, and then add in the $200 crossgrade fee, and still have a great deal.

If all you need is editing, get FCX. It's only $150 with the educational discount and still includes Soundtrack and LiveType. The biggest difference between FCP and FCX is that FCX can't edit as many formats (only DV and HDV and other "consumer" formats like those — no DVCPRO, etc.). For most people who visit this site, FCX is ample.

That's exactly what I mean, I already have FCX and want to use a better DVD authoring program than iDVD, but am stuck with a $700 price tag. Of course I could use the other software.

stop all this nonsense. Mac Book Pro+Final Cut Pro. Take out a student loan. forget about it for awhile.Treat yourself to what you'll work off anyways.