Programs from MS Office/Adobe CS6 suite/Video and Audio editing apps and programs, etc.First, and this is most important, as Ars Technica reported: “Apple sees the M1 as an entry-level chip.” This statement is key to understanding where the M1 iMac fits.In terms of sheer performance, the M1 blows the doors off just about everything else in the Mac ecosystem. Let’s take a look at the features included in this powerful editing software.Amazon.com: Apple 13-Inch MacBook Pro w/ 2.5GHz Dual Core i5. It runs on the Mac OS X 10.7 or later and is an easy-to-learn editing tool that can be mastered in well under an hour. Movavi is a video editor application for the Mac that has a free version as well as a more full-featured Pro alternative.With Intel systems, whenever data is loaded into RAM, it needs to be optimized for the CPU, then again for the GPU, then again for whatever other process needs to work with it. One with (2) Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, (2) USB 3 ports, gigabit Ethernet, and a maximum of 2 TB SSD internal storageBoth options start with 8 GB of RAM, both can expand up to 16 GB of RAM and both are 1/2 the weight of a 27″ iMac (9.88 pounds).The M1 uses unified memory. One with (2) Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports, optional gigabit Ethernet and a maximum of 1 TB SSD internal storage Some may not matter, others may matter a lot – each of us is different. This is especially true if you have a computer which is older than, say, 2017.While there is no bad news with the M1 iMac, there are a variety of limitations that you need to think about.
![]() ![]() My concern is that new applications are always looking for ways to use more RAM to solve problems we couldn’t solve before. I received several email reports from editors using the M1 Mac mini for 4K editing and glowing about how smoothly it edits.However, the bigger issue is that M1 RAM is not upgradeable, ever, because it is built into the M1 chip itself. However, this is not to say that more RAM is not useful – it is, especially as frame sizes or frame rates increase or when you need to edit large multicam projects.NOTE: I should also note that 16 GB of RAM for an M1 system is not a limitation for editing HD or 4K media. In other words, the old rules about how much RAM we need don’t apply to M1 systems the way they did with Intel systems. This means that a system with, say, 16 GB RAM may be as efficient as an Intel system with 32 GB. CPU, GPU and AI systems all use the same form of data stored in RAM without duplication. Dvd player for the macIn fact, I would recommend the base, two-port system to any student or typical business user because of the high-performance, low-cost of the system.But, video editors are not “typical” users. They are fine for people who need a desktop computer, with a built-in high quality monitor, a few high-speed ports and access to the latest in high-performance computer technology. Far from it – they are amazing. All GPUs generate the same quality faster simply means faster.This is not to say these M1 systems are bad. (Remember, the M1 is an “entry-level” chip.) If you depend upon really fast rendering, the M1 will be slower than an Intel system.NOTE: Faster GPUs do not mean higher quality. (My guess is that once we reach 12K frames, video will roughly equal the same resolution as the human eye.)Another issue is that the GPU in the M1 does not equal high-end GPUs from AMD or NVIDIA. Video editors need to connect to a LOT of different gear. Which means that we need to think more clearly about what we want the system to do before we spend our money.My concerns about these new iMacs is not the M1 – I’m blown away by what it can do – but by the limited RAM, limited GPU, and limited ports. Video editing devours computer resources and often requires lots of connected devices. Best For Video Editing 2013 1080P HD MaterialMy recommendation is to save on internal storage, which is expensive, then spend those savings on fast external storage. If you have the budget, spend more.While internal storage maxes out at 2 TB, this is still inadequate for many video projects. You may not need it for the HD media you are editing today, but as frame sizes and frame rates continue to grow – and they will – more RAM will make future editing easier.Most editors I ask say they “currently are editing single-camera 1080p HD material, but want to buy a system that will future-proof them for editing 8K multicam RAW images in real time without rendering.” You know, just in case they land Taylor Swift’s latest music video.Sigh… You do realize that, from a computer point of view, that’s a pretty big stretch? If you need THAT much power, hold off until the next round of M1 chips is released.But, for normal HD and 4K editing, assuming the number of ports is not a limitation to you, here’s the system I recommend.NOTE: This recommendation is based on the goal of getting the most system for the least money. I’m still slowly moving to tapeless devices (GoPro Session, iPad Mini), but I still have lots of tape stock. M1 iMac roughly replaces my iMac model). I still have tape-based (FireWire) camcorders and an older 21-inch Core i5 iMac. Once those are announced, we can take a look at the entire iMac family and determine which system, at which price, makes the most sense for our work.I suppose you would consider my case to be a relic of another time. While they can be used for video editing – even serious video editing – be sure you can work with their limitations before ordering a system.My expectation is that we will see the next round of higher-capability iMac systems announced at WWDC 2021, which is where Apple tends to make its power user announcements. What these new 24″ iMacs lack, though, is more ports, more RAM, faster GPU and an option for 10 Gb Ethernet.These first M1 iMac systems are targeted at consumers and general business computer users. I want to do more video shooting and editing in the future, but my primary computing emphasis is Microsoft Word, Excel, Quicken, e-mail, desktop publishing of flyers, newsletters and promo cards using Adobe InDesign CC, Acrobat Pro CC, Apple Pages, etc.So the new M1 iMac looks like a possibility for me (also the M1 Mac Mini), but I’m not sure about how I could bridge a connection from my old FireWire camcorders to any of the newer Thunderbolt 3 technology. I currently use Final Cut Studio 3 (FCP 7).Migration will no doubt be slow and require a large investment in external storage, probably an array as you suggested. In the past, I shot an entire 5-hour public hearing, C-SPAN-style, for both a multi-DVD set and for YouTube. But I am called upon to preform video shoots for use in presentations and even YouTube. My primary computer usage is, of course, not video editing. If you have already digitized the tape, then I’d go with FCP.ANY computer you get today can easily run your business applications.As for FireWire, you could get a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter, but, frankly, it would be far cheaper and just as effective to get a FireWire to USB 3 adapter for about $10. FCP is also faster and more compatible with M1 Macs.If you need to control an external DV tape deck, Premiere is the better choice. If you want something simpler to learn – but equally powerful – FCP is a better choice. Am I going to be able to get all of this to work together or am I going to be forced to re-invent the wheel?Smile… well, you don’t need to re-invent the ENTRE wheel, but a lot of reinvention will be necessary.If you are fluent in FCP 7, Adobe Premiere Pro will be easiest to pick up – they are very similar. FCP X is definitely in first place for consideration. Very soon now, you won’t be able to digitize them at all and then you’ll be, ah, screwed.Convert them to your hard disk, make backups and you are set for the future.You are REALLY pushing your older system! I would strongly recommend you consider using a proxy workflow – it will decrease the load and increase the responsiveness of your system. Keep the old system working while you learn the new system, then – and this is important – digitize all the tapes you need to keep for the future. And, at some point, you are going to need to retire your HDV deck – HDV is interlaced, which is death on the web.Finally, when you get your new gear keep the old stuff.
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