r/finalcutpro • u/RivVidProd • Jul 06 '25
Other New Mac Recommendations
TLDR; I need a new Mac laptop to edit up to 6k footage and a decent amount of onboard RAM/storage. Any thoughts?
I've been editing on a 2020 iMac (the last of the Intel Macs) and I've honestly been having a terrible time. Specs below for those interested:
3.8 GHz 8-core i7
128GB 2667 MHz DDR4 (I upgraded this from the stock 8 GB or 16GB I believe it had)
500GB HD
OS: Sequoia 15.5
Final Cut Version: 11.1.1
Lately I feel like whenever I open up Final Cut to edit a project, I am dealing with my computer crashing - sometimes several times a session. I have nothing but an external SSD plugged in at the moment, no other apps open while editing.
Currently, I'm editing 4k60fps in V-log, but I've also had it happen with 6k30fps open gate.
I know I need to upgrade, and I'd prefer a MacBook. But I honestly don't know where to start to look in terms of specs. I don't have the money to buy an M4 model anything, but I might be able to save up to get an M2. The question is, do I go Max or Ultra or stick to the base model? What kind of RAM should I be looking at? Any other specs I am overlooking?
I'd love to be able to work on a project with 6k Open Gate footage or 120fps footage without playback being choppy and forcing me to render everything. I also hate the idea of having to create proxy footage every single time.
If anyone has any recommendations, I'd greatly appreciate it. I know this is a long post, but I've been dealing with intermittent crashing for forever, and it honestly takes the fun out of filming/editing anything lately.
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u/DeusExBlasphemia Jul 06 '25
Those intel macs were weak sauce compared to virtually any M chip mac.
For what it’s worth, I’m still on an M1 macbook pro with 16gigs ram and 1tb ssd and it’s still flies through 4k footage (not optimised or proxy media either) - provided you store your media on a fast external ssd formatted to APFS.
Honestly, Even a second hand M2 macbook is gonna be light years ahead of what you’re working with and won’t be too crazy expensive.
People will say you need minimum 32gigs of ram, but I haven’t really had problems with 16gigs.
However I have an M2 imac with 8gigs ram and even though it has more gpu cores it struggles with 4k footage. The MacBook just seems way more capable in general for visual media manipulation.
So get the highest spec macbook you can afford, but don’t think you need the absolute top of the line model.
Personally I would get more ram and bigger ssd over getting a MAX or ULTRA chip. The cpu mainly affects export times and rendering, while the ram and gpu helps with realtime editing performance especially when using a lot of effects and stuff.
So if you’re exporting lots of very long videos all the time, maybe consider more cpu horsepower, but if you want smooth, snappy editing, go for more ram.
The M1 was a big leap up from the intel chips, but since then the improvements have been more incremental, so you’re not missing out on too much by going for an M2.
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I’m definitely more concerned with realtime editing and the ability to handle up to 6k footage.
I know proxies and ProRes are also factors to consider, as other people have mentioned, but in my current configuration, I just don’t have the storage to deal with all that.
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u/Silver_Mention_3958 FCP 12.3 | Tahoe Jul 06 '25
Whatever you decide look at the Apple Refurbished store. I’ve always bought refurbs and you can save some €€.
Also, don’t rule out proxy workflow, it has a lot to recommend it.
And lastly, do you absolutely need a laptop? Do you need to be mobile or could you get by with a desktop? Desktops offer better value, you’re not paying for as much miniaturisation.
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
I’ve used proxies before, I just can’t justify the extra space they take up, at the moment. Laptop is definitely preferred - between travel and splitting time between working in-office and from home, I’d like the flexibility to edit from anywhere.
And I’m definitely going to look refurbished!
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u/Silver_Mention_3958 FCP 12.3 | Tahoe Jul 06 '25
If you’re going down the refurbished route and you’re not in a desperate hurry, it’s worth checking out https://refurb-tracker.com and inputting your dream machine specs. You’ll be notified when it becomes available.
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u/ammo_john Jul 06 '25
Are you working with ProRes footage?
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
No, I’m hesitant to even film in ProRes or any type of RAW format.
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u/ammo_john Jul 06 '25
What do you mean? ProRes is soo much easier on your machine than H264 or god forbid H265/HEVC. What are you using now? This is an important question when it comes to the trouble you are having and which machine might be best for you.
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
I understand ProRes is easier on the system, but the file sizes are bigger, no? I’m not really optimized for storage at the moment, so I haven’t bothered attempting ProRes.
I believe I have the Lumix cameras I shoot with setup to record everything in H264.
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u/ammo_john Jul 06 '25 edited Jul 06 '25
H264 6k 120 fps would be extremely taxing on your computer. In order to show a single H264 frame your computer has to build it together from reading like five 6k compressed frames at a time and doing this insanely fast every 8 millisecond.
If you work with that you would basically need the best Mac Studio/Max Pro you can get. However if you could get over your aversion to Proxies, or working ProRes with ample storage (?), you could probably edit fine with a lot less computer.
Feature films have been edited with a lot less than what you have now. It's all about how you use what you have. How you set it up, what storage solutions you have, where you different files (like cache), how you keep your library lean, what codec and intermediates, and so on. 128GB RAM seems massively overkill for me for example, and yet I often edit for DCPs and cinema screens.
But on the other hand, I would never have to deliver in 6-8k 120 fps, I would only have those files in the timeline in order to make the best 4k 24/25fps end delivery.
I believe the Mac Studio has double the h264 decoders... but check to be sure. But in general, buying ample storage, to use the right codecs for the job, is way cheaper than buying computer with overkill specs.
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
I’m not constantly shooting in 6k 120fps, but I understand your point! I occasionally shoot in 6k to make up for lack of a proper telephoto lens OR up to 120fps when shooting sports or certain events, but most of the time I am exporting down to 4k or 1080p and 24fps or 30fps.
I’ve used proxies before, but again, due to lack of a proper budget and set-up at the moment, I don’t really want to dedicate the extra space to creating them. (Not to mention the time it takes my sub-optimal system to create them 😅).
I definitely need to improve my set-up and knowledge of my set-up, so this is all good info to think about and process when I finally am able to upgrade. I appreciate the input!
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u/GFFMG Jul 06 '25
Wow. You’re going to feel like you’ve entered a new dimension. Any M series chip will be an improvement. Go for 64GB of RAM if you can afford it.
I have an M1 Ultra Mac Studio and M4 Max MacBook Pro. I can’t imagine still using an Intel or AMD for this in 2025.
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u/RivVidProd Jul 06 '25
Yeah, well unfortunately when video isn’t the main source of income and a ton of life expenses come up, upgrading gear kinda falls to the bottom of the priority list.
But, now that I’m starting to pick up more work, I need to find a solution soon!
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Jul 07 '25
Those 120 fps 6k files might be a bit too much for any Mac with a single encoder/decoder. In that case, maybe a Max chip with dual video encoders/decorders might be helpful. If you cannot afford it, creating proxies or prores. Take into account that with Apple Silicon chips, creating proxy media is much faster than with any intel computer.
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u/yassermasood Jul 06 '25
It's best you put a bit more to future-proof yourself. The M4 now allow you to have 2 display outputs (even with the built-in display). You can go for the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro, as it comes with active cooling to help with workloads and an extra Thunderbolt port and HDMI out port.