The Certified Hardware pdf (see page 2) states that I'd need:

MacBook Pro 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 15” display,  4GB 1066MHz DDR3, 250GB ATA 7200 rpm drive, Nvidia GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT√ √ √    

- Requires 10.5.5 or 10.5.6 for v3.x sw  

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Here's the thing: the default hard drive for MBPs is 5400rpm.  The other models, even older models with slower processors, don't state any hard drive speed requirements.

Now, I undersand that MEDIA drives need to be at least 7200 rpm, but system drives?

I could pay an extra $100 for a bigger, faster hard drive online, or I could go to the Apple Store today and get what I need off the shelf.

 

Ok, put this way, my impatience seems kinda stupid (I'd rather get the bigger faster drive), but I'm still curious why this speed was required for this system and not the other ones.  Unless this is just what they tested?

 

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Additionally, the regular MacBook seems to meet the required basic specs (see page 3 of the PDF)   Minimum system requirements for Media Composer Software 

 

Operating System: 

• Mac OS X Tiger, Revision 10.4.10 for version 2.8 software 

• Mac OS X Leopard, Revision 10.5.3 for version 3.0 software 

Processors: 

• Intel dual, dual core 2.66 GHz Xeon 

• Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz (laptops) 

• Power PC Quad-core 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz 

System Memory: 

• 2GB of RAM 

o Note 1: If working with complex sequences, (multiple effects/streams) or compressed HD resolutions 4 GB of RAM is recommended. 

Graphics Card: 

• NVidia GeForce family 

o Note 1: Full Screen play feature requires a minimum of 128MB of graphics memory 

Internal Hard Drive: 

• 40GB minimum hard disk drive 

o Note 1: Any media drives need to be 7200RPM or greater 

Optical Drive: 

• DVD capable drive required for product installation 

 

The new 13-MacBook comes with:

2.13GHz

• Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2GB DDR2 Memory
• 160GB hard drive¹
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
• Standard keyboard
• White polycarbonate shell

• Ships: Within 24hrs
• Free Shipping
• $999.00

that's the same graphics card as the certified one requires! OK, the 13" screen will require an additional monitor, but it should work, right? Anyone here running MC3.5 successfully on a new MacBook???

 

 

 

so-- nobody here running mc 3.5 on a "non-certified' macbook??

i figure avid should run on any modern mac, regardless, but it seems we have to buy within a very fixed and narrow pattern-- is that true?

macbook = integrated graphics = problems

siencs:

macbook = integrated graphics = problems

both 13" macbook and the certified 17" macbook pro share the certified 9400M Nvidia graphix card.

if one works, shouldn't the other function too? how differently can they interact with their motherboards?

the reason mac uses integrated graphix is to avoid hardware problems-- that is a boon, not a hurdle.

i wanted to buy a pc but the options were WAY WIDE OPEN.  and i don't want to be stuck with xp like for the past 7 years.  there's such thing as OS progress, and vista ain't it.

i wish i could have a machine exclusively dedicated to run avid, but i can't afford such luxury on the road.

 

i hate to quote timothy leary's "mobility is nobility" motto, but seriously...