Apple today announced speed bumps to the 15" and 13" Touch Bar MacBook Pro models, including an 8 core model for the first time. The keyboards get an update as well, but the prices for the models remain the same. They have also announced extra repair cover for existing models with butterfly keyboard mechanisms.
We thought that Apple would invoke radio silence during the run up to WWDC in a few weeks. Not so. Maybe they are clearing the way for a spectacular new Mac Pro launch possibly, but these speed bumps for MacBook Pros caught us slightly off-guard. Apple updated the MBPs with Vega GPUs in October and there was a previous processor update back in July of last year. Not a bad refresh schedule.
Speed bumps are always welcome though and two things to point out before we progress, the GPU specs and the prices of the MacBook Pros haven't changed. Also the new models are available to order now and they should also start appearing in the stores later on this week.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro now features faster 6 and 8-core Intel Core processors, delivering Turbo Boost speeds up to 5.0 GHz, while the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar features faster quad-core processors with Turbo Boost speeds up to 4.7 GHz.
“Whether it’s college students mastering a course of study, developers building world-class apps or video editors creating feature films, we’re constantly amazed at what our customers do with their MacBook Pro,” said Tom Boger, Apple’s senior director of Mac Product Marketing. “Now with 8-core processors for an incredible performance boost, along with its stunning Retina display, fast storage, all-day battery life and running macOS, MacBook Pro continues to be the world’s best pro notebook and we can’t wait to get it into our customer’s hands to see what they do next.”
So what does that mean in real terms for us video editors?
As an example, the new MacBook Pro with 8-core processors is up to two times faster, so you'll be able to edit up to 11 simultaneous multi-cam streams of 4K video in Final Cut Pro X. If you were wondering, the previous 6-core model could only manage 9. You will need fast storage attached though!
Photoshop should run up to 75 percent faster. No benchmarks for the other Pro Apps from Apple or Adobe and we note that the tests were carried out with 32GB of RAM installed on the 15" and 16GB on the 13.
The butterfly keyboards on both models have also been improved to better the no-make and double-make problems some users have experienced.
Apple has also indicated that all machines with a butterfly keyboard whether in or out of warranty will now be covered under their repair program. They have also pledged to reduce the time needed for keyboards to be fixed in Apple Stores.
So a great update for pro users, you can never have enough speed, especially as a lot of editors are now editing exclusively in 4K.
We now wait for WWDC with anticipation. (Extra marks if you got the Frank N Furter pause in there.)
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
