The problem with computers and technology these days is that as soon as you buy the top of the line, the following week a bigger, badder and better computer comes out. I just bought a new 8 core 2 weeks ago and then came the announcement of the 12 core. Oh well, no big deal. In terms of FCP, while more cores are always nice, FCP can only handle 2.5 gigs ram anyway since it was build on an old 32 bit foundation. The new Adobe CS5 is 64 bit, which is great, but most people will probably have to buy a higher end video card to take advantage of the Mercury engine that is the basis of the new Adobe line.
Lastly, I have never found a single Apple store representative who really knows Final Cut Pro beyond the very basics if at all. Most of them are little more than salesman/woman. While I am Apple certified in FCP, being certified doesn't mean you know how to teach it. Rather than a salesman, I really believe it is better to take lessons from someone who is regularly using the app and really knows how to break things down in a way the newbie can understand rather than talk over your head and throw around a bunch of techno babble that will only serve to confuse and overwhelm you . Of course, and especially for someone who is new, if you don't practise every day, you will soon forget everything. Even now, sometimes I will look at an old film with an effect I created in FC, Motion or AE and wonder how I did that. I can usually figure it out but for the new editor, forgetaboutit.
While I have had people fly me to their homes to give private lessons, that can be very expensive. Fortunately, iChat, one of the apps that comes with all Apple computers allows me to take over another persons computer or they can see what I am doing on mine and I have taught many students that way. Of course, for you Ash, its free on me. Let me know when you want to buy and I will try to get it for you a bit cheaper. That also goes for any photo or video gear for everyone reading this.
Steve
