Mac or Windows for Video Editing? - Budget ~ $2000

ozbozb on 10/06/2023 - 20:42
Last edited 11/06/2023 - 12:00 by 1 other user

Hi there,

I am looking to buy a new computer. I'm reading a lot of reviews favouring the M2, or even the M1. However, for the same price, the windows benchmarks are much better.

I will be mainly using it for general use, video editing in Davinci Resolve, and gaming if the computer allows it.

Portability is not a major requirement but it's good to have, that's why I'm tempted to go with a desktop as I will be mostly using it from home, and it seems would be the best value by far.

Are windows laptop/desktop (probably a Lenovo legion laptop or the Nebula desktop deal here) much better value than a Mac (either M2 or M1 pro) for a $2000 budget or am I missing something here?

Any advice is highly appreciated.

Thanks!

Poll Options

  • 1
    Macbook Air/Pro
  • 8
    Mac Mini
  • 15
    Windows Desktop
  • 1
    Windows Laptop
Computing

Comments

  • 87percent on 10/06/2023 - 20:53

    MacBook Pro

  • sumyungguy on 10/06/2023 - 21:02
    +2

    You are missing something here… but value is arguably a subjective construct.

  • Hybroid on 10/06/2023 - 21:12

    We can't tell you what's value to you personally. Start narrowing it down by deciding if you want Windows or MacOS.

    Most prosumers tend to use Macs for a reason.

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 03:54

      Err, no dear. I'm an engineer, graphic designer, G-Code writer, CNC programmer, 3D modeller. When I went through 3D training we were taught compositing, texturing and film creation- absolutely no-one uses crApple. I have Blender, I have PpenCAD, LibreCAD, MATLAB, Autodesk Inventor, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Then some proprietary from ABB, Kuka Yaskawa. And other esoteric software written by academics which only works under a Win 10 simulation like worm-screw design. Then all the proprietary film-cinema products are PC- Maya, Cinema 4D, 3DS Max, ZBrush, Houdiini, Unreal.
      All the DJ and mixing systems- Steinberg Cubase, Native Instruments (classical and cinema scoring favourite), Propellorhead with a massive group providing VST plug ins for free- absolutely no professional I know of uses Apple.

      • sumyungguy on 11/06/2023 - 08:53
        +1

        Greetings, first comment I've seen from a member from another planet.

        • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 15:43
          +1

          Uranus is pleasantly moist. Some sulphurous eruptions though.

          • sumyungguy on 11/06/2023 - 15:45

            @UnternamenBernhard: On reflection, you could also be in Apple-free North Korea… then maybe not because you wouldn't have internet access.

  • ihfree on 10/06/2023 - 22:24

    I think there are a few things you need to consider

    • The software you'll be using or any other software you want to run. Are there any Mac/PC specific applications
    • How serious you are about gaming. You'll be able to game on a Mac, but it is much more limited than a PC.

    Assuming there is no platform specific software, i'd probably go with a stretch the budget to a 14" MBP if you go laptop or a Windows Desktop if you're serious about gaming. I personally would avoid Windows on a laptop.

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 03:54

      Disagree. Writing this on my steam-powered laptop as we speak. Hold on she needs more coal.

  • 7ekn00 on 11/06/2023 - 01:20
    +3

    These will work fine:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/779899
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/780618

    Will run rings around anything Mac for video work and will easily play games ;)

    Mac does not go well with "budget" :P

  • AustriaBargain on 11/06/2023 - 02:00
    -2

    I'd go Mac. Life is just easier with Mac. You can totally get by with USB storage fi you have a lot of video. 8GB of unified memory is a lot but you'll want a bit more. Basically any M series Mac will do you fine, it's just the extra memory you'll really want. Especially if you can see yourself leaving multiple Adobe apps open at the same time, which is not a hard path to end up down when it comes to video.

    If you already have displays and you don't need it to be portable then a Mac mini is best bang for buck. The mini is very portable, I mean if you don't need to use it while sitting on a park bench or while sitting on a train or something.

    I got the M1 MBP base spec before the M1 Pro/Max was announced and I wish I waited and just saved up for the M1 Max…

  • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 03:40
    -1

    100 % PC (ed I wrote Laptop)- good free open source software a plenty for Win desktop. Nothing on Macs. Macs spelt backward is SCAM. Openshot is excellent for video editing- if you want go professional- there's always studio favourite Adobe on subscription (may work out for you tax wise) but for free there's Blender with compositing and 3D creation as well. Libre or open office is a government-adopted platform for word processing, databasing, spreadsheeting etc (I think India first formally adopted it after tireing of stupid Bill Gates and his preaching before departing via private jet- and Indians are certainly not under-represented in the software engineering dept- then taken up by many Non Aligned Movement- that's millions of users) you've got Java, C+, Python, R+, Matlab, all the latest university and other GitHub/other open source publishers making proprietary software including US Government (anything they make becomes pubicly available) the US DoD. The vast majority of all governments use PC, crApple has maybe 1-2% market take-up.
    Never, ever, ever buy an Apple product. If you like Fischer-Price style children's ware go for crApple. If you have a modicum of logic, wit, hand-eye co-ordination or patience buy a PC.
    YES PC's are buggy and often infuriating BUT everyone works out how to fix the problems for FREE. There won't be a problem you have someone has not encountered and fixed with a step-by-step guide. If you want to roped into a cradle-till-grave graftware never-ending credit-card debiting device- go buy crApple. You'll buy 2 gamer PC's for the cost.

  • payless69 on 11/06/2023 - 07:04

    Tube it and you will see true benchark comparisons.

  • ForkSnorter on 11/06/2023 - 07:11
    +1

    Max Mini M2 Pro, with Final Cut Pro

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join