KenK
12-26-2003, 12:43 PM
Hi, folks,
I'm finding it impossible to get computer-noise information from any official site, or even by listening in the Apple stores (amazingly loud background hubbub). I'm hoping folks here can help...
What's the quietest - really, really, really quietest - mac DURING light but sustained FCP editing? I don't care how quiet it is when it's first turned on. I don't care how many/few fans it has. I only care how quiet it is during actual long but simple FCP editing sessions. I need real-time preview of dissolves - but not much more than that (for now).
Here are my needs:
**- Fast enough for RT preview of simple dissolves.
**- Silent during long FCP sessions (or damned nearly so).
**- Optional but ideal: can drive an Apple 20" flat-screen monitor (or already has one).
I'm willing to buy ANY Mac that will do all this (portable or desktop, i- or Power-, single or dual-processor, current or discontinued). I just want silence.
My iBook 600MHz (Dec 2001 'iceBook' dual-USB G3) is too slow but wonderfully silent (no fan). My dual-processor G4 MDD 867MHz is certainly fast enough but too damned noisy even AFTER installing the Apple fan-noise-reduction upgrade (useless) AND the full Verax kit (very helpful) AND sticking the whole thing in a closet. I edit in the middle of the night in a dead-silent locale, and hate the computer noise.
Even the portable Macs and iMacs these days have fans, it seems, which kick on and yield noise. Grrrrr. But it's impossible to find out HOW noisy they are, or when the fans kick on, especially during an hour or eight of FCP editing -- it's not in the specs, and no it's not possible to tell in an Apple retail store because those places are surprisingly noisy. (I've tried.) And the G4Noise.com web site has moved on to other things and is no longer very helpful.
Is there a Mac, current or recent past, that will make me happy? (Or do I have to spend $1100 on a gCab enclosure?)
Help, please! Many thanks.
KenK
I'm finding it impossible to get computer-noise information from any official site, or even by listening in the Apple stores (amazingly loud background hubbub). I'm hoping folks here can help...
What's the quietest - really, really, really quietest - mac DURING light but sustained FCP editing? I don't care how quiet it is when it's first turned on. I don't care how many/few fans it has. I only care how quiet it is during actual long but simple FCP editing sessions. I need real-time preview of dissolves - but not much more than that (for now).
Here are my needs:
**- Fast enough for RT preview of simple dissolves.
**- Silent during long FCP sessions (or damned nearly so).
**- Optional but ideal: can drive an Apple 20" flat-screen monitor (or already has one).
I'm willing to buy ANY Mac that will do all this (portable or desktop, i- or Power-, single or dual-processor, current or discontinued). I just want silence.
My iBook 600MHz (Dec 2001 'iceBook' dual-USB G3) is too slow but wonderfully silent (no fan). My dual-processor G4 MDD 867MHz is certainly fast enough but too damned noisy even AFTER installing the Apple fan-noise-reduction upgrade (useless) AND the full Verax kit (very helpful) AND sticking the whole thing in a closet. I edit in the middle of the night in a dead-silent locale, and hate the computer noise.
Even the portable Macs and iMacs these days have fans, it seems, which kick on and yield noise. Grrrrr. But it's impossible to find out HOW noisy they are, or when the fans kick on, especially during an hour or eight of FCP editing -- it's not in the specs, and no it's not possible to tell in an Apple retail store because those places are surprisingly noisy. (I've tried.) And the G4Noise.com web site has moved on to other things and is no longer very helpful.
Is there a Mac, current or recent past, that will make me happy? (Or do I have to spend $1100 on a gCab enclosure?)
Help, please! Many thanks.
KenK