2012 Macbook Pro enough for 4k video?

I'm purchasing a Panasonic GH4 to start making videos. But I never stopped to think if my computer could handle the task at hand. I'm curious of my current MacPro will be enough, I know it's not ideal, but here's what I have and what I'm considering, let me know what you think.

2.5 Intel i5
4 GB ram, upgrading to 8 GB
Intel HD Graphics 4000 1536 MB
500 GB HD

Editing software, currently iMovie, considering Final Cut Pro once I get the hang of video editing

I completely understand this isn't the ideal set up. Not all video will be 4k either. I also don't do this for a living so if processing is a little slower I'm cool that. In order to make this set up a little better. I plan on purchasing an external hard drive to edit from external monitor, wireless keyboard and mouse allowing me to use as desktop set up while at home. After I purchase this items I plan on purchasing a new upgraded Mac Pro.

I'm just trying to figure out if this will work for a year maybe two for maybe 10 projects.

You may find that any sort of video editing is demanding on video card. Using the Intel HD GPU is absolutely fine with still photography but may push your limits of tolerance (slow speed). Even desktop computers at least suggest 16gb of ram (latest ddr4) and a dedicated Nvidia video card. Apple is still not really known to be the leaders in computer hardware in their laptops. I would imagine a PC gaming laptop to perform better than the latest MacPro.

Having 4k is great if your a videographer needing alot of data as you heavily edit in post. 4k is becoming more common now. I still think 4k will be a common standard in PC monitors, TV's etc years down the road.

I used a Panasonic GH3 for a long time as a video rig. I used it for family documentation and for volunteer purposes for the school to shoot video.

I'd suggest you look at a Panny G7 as it's apparently marginally better at high iso and also 4k capable. If you were very serious in video and your wanting an M43 platform the gh4 is a beter choice with more codec and additional features.

As 4k is not imperative for me I'm absolutely loving the Canon 80d. It navigates like my old GH3. The dual pixel autofocus is incredible and I'm finding Canon's latest crop sensor much better in IQ (stills) as well as substantially better high iso capabilities and shadow recovery. If your needing AF in video as you run and gun Canon's Dual pixel AF is hard to beat.

Going from your 50D (I owned it for years) to an 80D is a significant JUMP in image quality.

buy a gaming laptop instead, even a used one would be way better than that macbook and probably cheaper

dont know what your budget is but this one:
http://www.newegg.com …spx?Item=N82E16​834154112R

comes with a dedicated gtx 960m and Skylake i5, while I believe your macbook must have the ancient Sandybridge cpu

FuturamaJSP wrote in post #18192283
buy a gaming laptop instead, even a used one would be way better than that macbook and probably cheaper

dont know what your budget is but this one:
http://www.newegg.com …spx?Item=N82E16​834154112R

comes with a dedicated gtx 960m and Skylake i5, while I believe your macbook must have the ancient Sandybridge cpu

AlanU wrote in post #18192262
You may find that any sort of video editing is demanding on video card. Using the Intel HD GPU is absolutely fine with still photography but may push your limits of tolerance (slow speed). Even desktop computers at least suggest 16gb of ram (latest ddr4) and a dedicated Nvidia video card. Apple is still not really known to be the leaders in computer hardware in their laptops. I would imagine a PC gaming laptop to perform better than the latest MacPro.

Having 4k is great if your a videographer needing alot of data as you heavily edit in post. 4k is becoming more common now. I still think 4k will be a common standard in PC monitors, TV's etc years down the road.

I used a Panasonic GH3 for a long time as a video rig. I used it for family documentation and for volunteer purposes for the school to shoot video.

I'd suggest you look at a Panny G7 as it's apparently marginally better at high iso and also 4k capable. If you were very serious in video and your wanting an M43 platform the gh4 is a beter choice with more codec and additional features.

As 4k is not imperative for me I'm absolutely loving the Canon 80d. It navigates like my old GH3. The dual pixel autofocus is incredible and I'm finding Canon's latest crop sensor much better in IQ (stills) as well as substantially better high iso capabilities and shadow recovery. If your needing AF in video as you run and gun Canon's Dual pixel AF is hard to beat.

Going from your 50D (I owned it for years) to an 80D is a significant JUMP in image quality.

I had defiantly considered a gaming laptop and still might go that route.

I was considering the G7 for the longest time but have decided on the GH4. This is because while I don't do a lot of video right now, I want to. I have a few stories I want to tell and seem to be thinking of more all the time. Stories like you would see on Dateline or 60 Minutes. Just short stories mostly shot interview style or on location. I figure I can grow in the GH4 and use it for a few years. Hek I went from the 20D to the 50D, so upgrading all time time isn't something I usually do.

I originally considered the 80D, but I want something smaller. And like you said 4k isn't standard today it probably will be in the future so I'll be there already.

Thank you very much for your time, it's very appreciated.

FuturamaJSP wrote in post #18192283
buy a gaming laptop instead, even a used one would be way better than that macbook and probably cheaper

dont know what your budget is but this one:
http://www.newegg.com …spx?Item=N82E16​834154112R

comes with a dedicated gtx 960m and Skylake i5, while I believe your macbook must have the ancient Sandybridge cpu

Thanks for the link I'll take at look at that. I was looking at some ASUS gaming laptops also.

I really don't have a budget for a laptop right now, but as soon as I assemble my video rig, I'll be saving for a new cpu preferably a laptop. My goal is to hit up the back to school sale or black friday deals next year. Money is tight so it takes a while to save.

yeah, gaming laptops are very expensive but imo still way more powerful than similarly priced macbooks.
If you really have to have a laptop because of portability maybe you should also look for used gaming laptops
or if you don't mind physically modify a laptop you could even add a desktop GPU to a cheap laptop:
http://www.pcworld.com …ternal-graphics-card.html

thinking about doing that with my cheapo 350 bucks Lenovo laptop since I have an extra gtx 970 laying around

I owned the Gh3 and physically the Canon 80D is just a bit larger but smaller than your 50D. Lenses are a different story though This actually surprised me how small a XXD series has gotten. I'm not serious in videography but just know that Panasonic's DFD AF system for video is not even close to Canon's Dual pixel AF technology. What i discovered for run/gun video is having excellent focus is much more important than potentially better video quality from a GH4. Hunting AF from a video rig is not acceptable at all. I do find video is even more demanding on the operator compared to still photography. Seems more variables to be concerned about on the fly.

As I've recently upgraded my desktop and I feel much better editing video. I'm not a laptop guy and if I was I would not need killer performance in a portable unit. Building a station/desktop is without a doubt cheaper and you can build an incredible potent system over a fully loaded gaming laptop. It all depends on your preference...... US pricing of computer components is substantially cheaper when I compare it to my local prices in Canada.

its crazy that everything has got much more expensive in the last year or two
I still remember when some of the L lenses cost less than in the US.
Remember when the EF 300 f2.8L IS II was only like 6500 CAD?

I use Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Pro with no problems at all. I'm sure it could be faster, but it's fine. Personally I wouldn't want to have a MacBook Pro as my only computer for editing video. At home I use my iMac, but the Macbook Pro does fine on the go.
My MacBook Pro is a 2013, i5, 8gb Ram and 250gb flash drive.

so what GPU does your imac and macbook have?

iMac has 3.5ghz Quad Core i5, 32gb Ram, the MacBook Pro is a 2013 and has a 2.6ghz Dual Core i5 with 8gb Ram.

ShotByTom wrote in post #18194232
iMac has 3.5ghz Quad Core i5, 32gb Ram, the MacBook Pro is a 2013 and has a 2.6ghz Dual Core i5 with 8gb Ram.

So an Iris 5100 or a HD 4000 for the Macbook Pro
http://www.everymac.co​m …retina-display-specs.html
http://www.everymac.co​m …retina-display-specs.html

and

AMD Radeon R9 M290X, or a AMD Radeon R9 M295X if he upgraded it, for the iMac 27"
http://www.everymac.co​m …a-5k-late-2014-specs.html

I hope I made this easier.

hmm laptop GPU in a desktop computer... interesting.

since the gtx 970M is faster than the r9 m290x and have lower tdp a gaming laptop with the nvidia card should outperform that imac 27
and probably at lower cost
http://www.newegg.com ….aspx?Item=9SIA​57X5272823

FuturamaJSP wrote in post #18199950
hmm laptop GPU in a desktop computer... interesting.

since the gtx 970M is faster than the r9 m290x and have lower tdp a gaming laptop with the nvidia card should outperform that imac 27
and probably at lower cost
http://www.newegg.com ….aspx?Item=9SIA​57X5272823

But you're still stuck with Windows...

http://www.hackintosh.​com/

you do know that all Macs since like mid 2000 use pretty much the same hardware as windows pcs


Edit: it seems with the new Nvidia Pascal GPUs they won't have to make downgraded laptop GPUs like the 9xxM series
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=QQHaNPi_3c8

laptops with desktop gtx 1060 that are only 14mm thick! :O