[Leonard Levy] "At this point I plan to get a 15" 2.6GHz non Retina model with 8G RAM, an NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 graphics memory, 6G of L3 cache, and a 750G 7200RPM internal drive. Even though Apple will only offer it with 8G RAM , OWC told me I can actually upgrade it to 16G RAM for only $130. (Does that sound right?)"
No. Because the Retina only ships with SSD drives, not regular hard drives. And the RAM Maxes out at 16GB...not 8GB. You are looking at the REGULAR MBP...not the Retina. The normal MBP has the regular hard drive, and Apple says that it maxes out at 8GB...but that isn't true. You can go to 16GB. I have that model and did install 16GB of RAM. I also swapped out the hard drive with an SSD. AND..I special ordered it with the High Res Matte display, so I have a higher resolution, and not glossy. I can run RESOLVE or COLOR if I wanted. The stock machine display can't work with Resolve.
[Leonard Levy] "
So...Quest #1 - Do you guys think the processor upgrade is worth it for video editing?"
No. I'm running a 2.3Ghz model and running Avid and FCP (haven't started an Adobe gig)...and it works great. I thing the 2.6Ghz would be a small, barely noticeable bump.
[Leonard Levy] "Quest #2 - Also what do you think about getting an SSD instead of a standard hard drive?"
If you can afford it...get it. So much faster...it's amazing.
[Leonard Levy] "I plan to keep running FCP7.03 and am also a little worried about having to go with the latest version of Mountain Lion as that's the only way to do it ."
I've installed FCP 7 on two systems running Mountain Lion, and get no reported issues. But this might be the last version that will allow it to run properly.
[Leonard Levy] "I think I could have them install my current hard drive ( 500G Seagate Hybrid Momentus running Snow Leopard)."
That won't work at all. The machine won't even boot from Snow Leopard. The OS lacks many things the new machine needs...like USB3 drivers for the USB ports. Those are new. Nope, the firmware will prevent the machine from even booting. YOu can run Lion or Mountain Lion, and that's it.
[Leonard Levy] " Then I could keep all my current software,"
Install that from the installers. Better way to install it anyway. DO NOT MIGRATE APPLICATIONS!! They won't work right.
[Leonard Levy] " have no problems with Sony SxS cards and my Matrox MXO."
Yeah, you do. The new models don't have Express34 (SxS) slots. None of them. Thunderbolt only...or firewire. But IO devices nowadays are Thunderbolt. YOu will have to get a Thunderbolt adapter from Matrox.
[Leonard Levy] "Quest #3 - would installing my Seagate drive be a good idea?"
No. not at all. Strike the thought from your mind.
[Leonard Levy] "Quest #4 - Is there any compelling reason to spend more money and go to a Retina model?"
Nicer display...I hear. Two thunderbolt ports, but if you have firewire drives, you'll need an adapter, as the Retina models lacks firewire. And I hear not-so-good things about the adapter slowing down drive speed. You have HDMI out, so that works for a second monitor along with Thunderbolt. SSD drive built in. I think the only things it has going for it are HDMI, extra Thunderbolt port...display possible. But to me, the other model is better....just get the High Res display.
Shane
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