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Subject: Re: [AE] Buy a new mac pro  or wait and see?
From: Chris Zwar <chris@chriszwar.com>
In-Reply-To: <list-4577404@media-motion.tv>
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:54:45 +1100
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Message-Id: <03C17D7E-410B-4FFB-85FC-59DF2242431C@chriszwar.com>
References: <list-4577404@media-motion.tv>
To: "After Effects Mail List" <AE-List@media-motion.tv>

I haven't sat down and done the maths but my experience with After =
Effects is that putting money into processors and video cards only has a =
small effect on productivity.  This might change with future releases =
that utilise processors and video cards more effectively, and if you're =
running other applications such as Premiere Pro or Cinema 4D then it's a =
moot point.  But for anyone who only uses AE, there's other =
possibilities than buying a single monster machine.

Buying a larger monitor might actually make you more productive than =
buying a faster machine.  Likewise, using SSDs as the boot disc might =
make a bigger difference than a faster processor.  Even a comfortable =
chair can make a difference.

I also explore some more radical options, such as using a 27" iMac as a =
workstation (new models due out soon, according to MacRumours) and =
setting up a Deadline render farm with any old machines you have or with =
mac minis - although the CS5.5 licensing changes may nix this idea in =
the bud.  I've worked at a few places that use Deadline and when you get =
the farm to yourself it's almost like magic.

I'm in the minority that only uses AE, so I don't have to worry about =
the way other applications use hardware.  But my next machine will be an =
iMac and the difference in price between an iMac and a MacPro will go =
towards things like books, a nice chair, and batteries for my power =
hungry apple mouse ;)


-Chris=