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So, I’m trying the modern FCPX on a modified 2010 Mac Pro that can run 10.14 "Mojave". However, the version of FCPX that is compatible with Mojave 10.14 is no longer for sale. In fact you need a Mac that can run minimum 11.5.1. Can it at least run Final Cut Pro 7? ... No.

That’s one of the disappointing things about modern Apple - 'forcing' system upgrades instead of enticing buyers to upgrade.  The worst example is browsers, of course. G4 users were happily using the TenFourFox PowerPC browser to watch YouTube while Safari on my 2008 Mac Pro told me to get a new computer. Even Firefox dropped support for 10.11 El Capitan recently.

Being stubbornly trapped in 2010, I'm not going to buy a new computer just to try out Final Cut X, so I’m having to use an older Free trial that's very available on the internet and use Terminal to reset the trial every 30 days. I'd sooner pay $400 for the software, but it’s not for sale.

2010-2012 Mac Pros remain in high demand as the best combination of upgradeability and cost in the Apple ecosystem, though Apple will eventually wear that away, not with an affordable and expandable product, but forced obsolescence.

If Apple were truly concerned about the environment, they would be offering board upgrades like they always did in the first 10 years of Macintosh. 128k to Plus ... Quadra 800 to PowerMac 8100. Maybe not in my extreme situation, but since today's case designs are stagnant, it would be easier than it used to be. They would just need to design around the upgrade concept. Apple talks about recyclable / recycled materials, but ‘Reuse' always trumps 'Recycle'. 

I'm not saying Apple should be punished for building reliable computers. That should be rewarded.  But definitely room for improvement compared to what they are doing now.

In the end, of course, this is all about me ;). After 20 years, changing my workflow from Final Cut to the very different "FCPX" version is not something I want to do, but I'm trying it. I am also reviewing the alternatives at this point. Not just software, but the fastest machine that can run Final Cut 7 .. and a browser.

Completely unrelated, but I'm looking for the DVI to Video adapter that shipped with the G5 towers. They should be plentiful if they shipped with the machines, but, of course, you're lucky if a used G5 tower comes with a power cord. So, I was thinking to get one on eBay.

Also, way back when I started Patreon, someone sent me a video of a G5 tower getting trashed by dropping it off a ledge. Do you think I can find it now? ... No. Can that person remind me where to find that video?

Comments

Karson Frownfelter

Thats me with the video I will message you again!

Ally Cat

I've been running Monterey on my 2012 cMP and honestly, it's amazing and very stable. I highly recommend it. Using Martin Lo's OpenCore build, I have full h264 and hevc transcoding enabled on my RX590. I personally use davinci resolve but hardware acceleration is available across the OS. I was running Mojave for the longest time but encode speeds are sooooooo much faster on newer versions of Metal. Also using Martin Lo's OC build you can enable legacy bluetooth and wifi support without having to buy newer mini pcie cards. There's even options to reenable firewire support so I can keep using my Motu audio interface. The most annoying part is getting prompts to upgrade to Ventura but Monterey updates still come thru with a little plist editing. Currently running 12.6.6.

65scribe

Great information. Thanks for sharing your set-up, Ally! That gives me some ideas to try. I’ve never even tried 12 yet.