Recently, Apple removed the Universal crossgrade option for the Final Cut Pro Studio suite of applications from its website. Previously, the crossgrade allowed customers to update their copies of software such as Final Cut Pro to Intel-native versions. And most interestingly, this unannounced move has come just before the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas, which is set to begin on April 14. It has been rumored that Apple will make an announcement regarding a new version of Final Cut Pro at NAB, and this bit of news potentially supports that claim. Anyway, worth keeping in mind, and hopefully everyone took advantage of the crossgrade in time!

[via MacNN]

While some of us are content taking Apple's word that the MacBook isn't so good for Final Cut Pro, the people at Creative Mac decided to do some testing. They pitted a MacBook, a MacBook Pro, and a dual G5 PowerMac (2.0 Ghz), all with 2 gigs of RAM, in a Final Cut Studio showdown.

The results? Both MacBooks pretty much spank (yes, that's the technical term) the G5. It looks like the MacBook is a pretty good video editing machine (even though it isn't supported).

Apple is offering a deal on the Universal version of Final Cut Studio that could save you big bucks. If you have a standalone version of either Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack Pro, Motion, or DVD Studio Pro, you can exchange your disk and a relatively small amount of cash for the Universal version of the complete Final Cut Studio package.

Final Cut Studio includes all four of those professional apps--a package that would normally run you $1299.  If, for example, you have Final Cut Pro 4 or HD (4.5), you can upgrade to the whole Studio for $199. If you have Final Cut Pro 5 you can upgrade for just $99. The magnitude of those discounts puts Final Cut Studio in the ballpark for some of us who were making due with one of the apps, but had not considered purchasing the expensive Studio package.

The deal varies depending on which standalone app or package you already own (or can get your hands on). You can find all the permutations here at the Apple site. If you're not sure if your version is included in the promotion, check the fine print on the appropriate upgrade form, which you can download from the same page. For example, the fine print on the Final Cut 4 / HD form seems to say that you can participate in the promotion even if your FCP 4 or FCP HD standalone disk is an academic version or an upgrade disk. There are also crossgrades from Logic Pro 7, Logic Pro Express, and Final Cut Studio Pro, but this promotion does not cover Final Cut Express or Shake.

You may have have shied away from these expensive professional apps in the past, but if you're interested in joining the podcast / vodcast craze this promotion may be your ticket. The catch is that you have to send in your old disk. Now if you could just remember where you stashed it.