This is the second part of a series  highlighting the Stuff I can only dream about.  The Filmmaking equipment (Hardware, Software, Services).

• Introduction
• The Camera

Now over to the one device that could be the anchor point of the Post production system that I dream about.

The Mac Pro

I started my Mac Userdom as a PowerMac G5 1.6GHz SP – I still have that machine. Actually I let someone else use it. At the moment I am using a 2yr old Macbook Pro which kind of does the job – using as in, it does not belong to me (it belongs to Southpoint Church).

The work that I do with the MBP is 95% for the Church, and pretty much most of that includes Video editing and motion graphics work. Needless to say – there is a lot I can’t do. So I dream and I dream of Mac Pro in fluffy white clouds. lol.

Here is what I dream about:

The current Mac Pros sport Xeon ‘Nehalem’ Processors, up to Xeon 5500 2.93GHz 8 core (2 quad cores) or the 3.33GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500. Very cool, but nothing is better than the next release, right. AppleInsider speculates that Apply will use Xeon 5600 Series “Gulftown” chips. I would go for the 3.33GHz option, that’s, ummm, 12 cores of 3.33GHz. However I am wondering if the 3.33GHz Core i7-980X Extreme Edition uniprocessor chips would be better. Otherwise my Dream Mac Pro would be decked out as follows:

RAM: 32GB
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB this is where it gets tricky – even the best NVIDIA Quadro don’t seem to perform on the any of my preferred Video Editing Software other than 3D applications. I wonder if an NVIDIA Quadro Plex D is an option. The most expensive is not necessarily the best. Your suggestions are welcome.
Hard Drives: 2 x 160 GB Solid State Drives that will serve as a start up drive. I am thinking quick start up and access to applications. All my media will be stored on a serious external RAID.
Cards: RED Rocket which I need to work with my Dream Camera: RED Epic.

So, what awesome things do you dream about?
Be it in filmmaking, life or whatever.