Final Cut Pro on a MacBook

Designate your Macbook's internal hard drive for the OS and Software only. Doing so will ensure your computer runs smoothly.

Lately I'm amazed how many people are under the assumption that simply installing a program is going to dramatically slow down their computer. In my experience, software has never slowed down a computer. Poor media management is the issue.

While a Macbook isn't the best computer to be editing with, it's certainly doable if you keep all your media on an external hard drive or RAID. The format of video you are working with is a factor as well. Do you know what format of video you will be working with?

Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com

Oh, woops. It's been so long since I've looked at a Macbook since, well, it's only a Macbook.

Well, Samantha, looks like editing on a Macbook will be tough after all. You could try editing with a USB drive. It's not gonna kill ya. When I was still in school, I know some kids would edit DV footage on a USB drive. I know Shane Ross said in a blog (or maybe a podcast) that he was editing DVCPro HD on a USB drive. So I suppose it's doable, but don't be surprised if you run into some problems.

If I had to guess, the problem you'll most likely run into is Dropped Frames, which isn't damaging to your footage or data. It just means your computer isn't receiving the data fast enough to be able to play back the video.

Rob Grauert, Jr.
http://www.robgrauert.com
command-r.tumblr.com