EDITING ON THE ROAD

This looks like an interesting series to follow - not so much the programmes being produced as the backstory to how a couple are filming and editing a series with their Mac editing setup in a trailer, and part powered by solar panels.

I'm seeing more and more often veteran editors proclaim FCPX for its clip/library management system. It's clearly rebounded from the huge tactical errors of the initial dumbed down FCPX displacement of Final Cut Pro 7, which many still clung to a decade after it was outmoded.

The story here may seem outlandish - 48TB of hard drive space! - but it isn't really. I'd estimate I've got about 40TB of HDDs myself (though I've mostly given up on the USB2 drives as just too slow).

Anyway, may be of interest to some of you

http://www.fcp.co/final-cut-pro/articles/2203-1-year-30-000-km-on-the-road-with-fcpx-part-1

Filmmaker explains switch from Avid, Premiere to FCPX

https://nofilmschool.com/switched-final-cut-pro-x-after-25-years

MACBOOK BUYING GUIDE 2019

I've done more detailed posts (including flagging up the 2nd hand market), but here's a simple summary

A frequent request is advice on buying macs, so I'll repeat some recently given advice (Q was: macbook Air or pro? 13" or 15"):

BEFORE YOU BUY ANY...

It ISN'T necessary to buy one, you have plentiful access to the Media Macs, but of course it will be helpful.

Try to buy in a country with Apple stores (as opposed to resellers like Linehart) so you can get the software bundle (FCPX + more) at a bargain price. Only available at the point you buy a Mac, NOT afterwards, and NOT from resellers, just Apple directly. Which is why I bought a mac Mini last Xmas when in the UK. See this post.

Its widely assumed Apple will release a 16" MBPro in the same chassis/frame size as the current 15" in Sept/Oct 2019. Apparently with a redesigned keyboard (a common MBP fault recently). See Techradar for good mac updates + reviews.

AIR OR PRO?

If possible avoid Air; much less powerful (but is still a decent computer)

Mac Mini (I have one) + iMac are arguably better value; you pay a premium for portability

13" OR 15" ... or 16"

15" is heavier + pricier, but its simply easier to work with more screen space. I've edited a 90min doc on my 2011 13" MBP - perfectly workable, but if I could've afforded it, I'd have had a 15". If possible, have a go editing on both, get a feel for the difference, even if just in a shop.

See what i said above about the new 16".

UPGRADES

Yes, horrifically expensive, but they'll make it work well for longer, + quicker when editing

Try to avoid the 128GB HDD (even with software only, that'll be hard to avoid running out) - see this post

If possible, go for higher CPU + graphics options (BUT later you can add an EGPU, plug-in graphics card)

APPLE CARE

You'd be foolish not to max this out. Macs typically last for years.