Final Cut Pro: Compatible Configurations

Learn about the compatible configurations of Final Cut Pro, Mac OS, QuickTime, and FireWire.

For information on compatibility with third-party cameras and boards, please consult the Final Cut Pro Device Qualifications page.

For complete product requirements for the current version of Final Cut Pro, see the specifications page.

Final Cut Pro HD 4.5 (see Note 10)

• Works with these configurations:
• PowerBook G4 (all models)
• iBook G4 (all models)
• iMac (Flat Panel) (all models)
• iMac G5 models ( with AGP graphics). Models with PCI Express graphics are not supported.
• eMac (all models)
• Power Mac G4 (all models except Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics))
• Power Mac G5 (all models with AGP graphics). Models with PCI Express graphics are not supported.
• Xserve (all models - see Note 11)
• Mac OS X 10.3.2 or later
• QuickTime 6.5 or later

Final Cut Pro 3.0.4
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook (FireWire)
• PowerBook G4
• PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• PowerBook G4 (DVI)
• PowerBook G4 (1 GHz/867 MHz)
• PowerBook G4 (12-inch)
• PowerBook G4 (17-inch)
• iBook (Dual USB)
• iBook (Late 2001)
• iBook (14.1 LCD)
• iBook (16 VRAM)
• iBook (14.1 LCD 16 VRAM)
• iBook (Opaque 16 VRAM)
• iBook (32 VRAM)
• iBook (14.1 LCD 32 VRAM)
• iBook (Early 2003)
• iMac (Slot Loading) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2000) - See Notes 4 and 8
• iMac (Early 2001) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2001) - See Notes 4 and 8
• iMac (Flat Panel)
• iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
• iMac (17-inch 1GHz)
• eMac
• eMac (ATI Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
• Power Mac G4 Cube
• Power Mac G4 Cube (CD-RW)
• Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
• Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
• Power Mac G4 (FW 800)
• Xserve
• Mac OS X 10.2.1 - 10.3
• QuickTime 6.0.2, 6.1, or 6.2

Final Cut Pro 3
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook (FireWire)
• PowerBook G4
• PowerBook G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• PowerBook G4 (DVI)
• iBook (Dual USB)
• iBook (Late 2001)
• iBook (14.1 LCD)
• iBook (16 VRAM)
• iBook (16 VRAM 14.1 LCD)
• iMac (Slot Loading) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2000) - See Notes 4 and 8
• iMac (Early 2001) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2001) - See Notes 4 and 8
• iMac (Flat Panel)
• iMac (17-inch Flat Panel)
• iMac (17-inch 1GHz)
• eMac
• Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
• Power Mac G4 Cube
• Power Mac G4 Cube (CD-RW)
• Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
• Power Mac G4 (Mirrored Drive Doors)
• Xserve
• Mac OS 9.2.2 or Later - See notes 6 and 7
• Mac OS X 10.1.1 - 10.3
• QuickTime 5.0.4 through 5.0.6
• QuickTime 6.0.1

Final Cut Pro 2.0.2
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook G3 Series (300 MHz or faster)
• PowerBook (FireWire)
• PowerBook G4
• iBook (Dual USB)
• iMac (Slot Loading) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2000) - See Notes 4 and 8
• iMac (Early 2001) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2001) - See Notes 4 and 8
• Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
• Power Mac G4 Cube
• Power Mac G4 Cube (CD-RW)
• Power Mac G4 (QuickSilver)
• Mac OS 9.1- See notes 6 and 7
• Mac OS 9.2.1 - See notes 6 and 7
• QuickTime 5.0 or 5.0.1
• FireWire 2.7 or Later

Final Cut Pro 1.2.5
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 - See Note 1
• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook G3 Series (300 MHz or faster) - See Note 2
• PowerBook (FireWire) - See Note 3
• PowerBook G4
• iMac (Slot Loading) - See Note 4
• iMac (Summer 2000)- See Note 4
• iMac (Early 2001) - See Note 4
• Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics)
• Power Mac G4 (Gigabit Ethernet)
• Power Mac G4 (Digital Audio)
• Power Mac G4 Cube
• Power Mac G4 Cube (CD-RW)
• Mac OS 9.0.4 - See Notes 3, 4 and 6
• Mac OS 9.1 - See Notes 6 and 7
• QuickTime 4.1.2 or 4.1.3 (QuickTime 5 Public Preview is not fully compatible).
• FireWire 2.3.3 or Later

Final Cut Pro 1.2.1
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 - See Note 1
• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook G3 Series (300 MHz or faster) - See Note 2
• iMac (Slot loading) - See Note 4
• PowerBook (FireWire) - See Note 3
• Power Mac G4
• Mac OS 8.6 - See Note 6.
• Mac OS 9.0 - See Notes 3, 4 and 6.
• QuickTime 4.0.3 through QuickTime 4.1.1
• FireWire 2.2.2 through 2.3.3

Final Cut Pro 1.0.1
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 - See Note 1
• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• PowerBook G3 Series (300 MHz or faster) - See Note 2
• Mac OS 8.5 - See Note 6
• Mac OS 8.6 - See Note 6
• QuickTime 4.0.x
• FireWire 2.0
• FireWire 2.1
• NTSC (see Note 9)

Final Cut Pro 1.0
Works with these configurations:

• Power Macintosh G3 - See Note 1
• Power Macintosh G3 (Blue and White)
• Mac OS 8.5 - See Note 6
• Mac OS 8.6 - See Note 6
• QuickTime 4b16
• FireWire 2.0
• NTSC (see Note 9)

Notes

1. Platinum Power Macintosh G3 computers must have a 266 MHz or faster processor to work with Targa media, and a 300 MHz or faster processor to work with DV media.
   
2. With Final Cut Pro 1.0.1 and 1.2.1, PowerBook G3 Series computers are qualified for capturing and saving to tape with the Newer Technology FireWire 2 Go DV and Ratoc FireWire CardBus capture cards. For more information see "Final Cut Pro: Compatible PowerBook Computers."
   
3. PowerBook (FireWire) computers must have Mac OS 9.0.4 or later.
   
4. iMac computers must have a FireWire port, Mac OS 9.0.4 or later, and QuickTime 4.1.1 or later.
   
5. PAL video features were added to Final Cut Pro 1.2.1. PAL video does not work with versions 1.0 and 1.0.1.
   
6. Final Cut Pro versions 1.0 and 1.0.1 are compatible with the North American English version of the Mac OS. Versions 1.2.1 and above are compatible with International English, French Universal, German, and Japanese versions of the Mac OS.
   
7. If you are using Mac OS 9.1 or later with Final Cut Pro and an analog capture card, please contact the card's vendor for updated drivers that provide better compatibility.
   
8. The parenthetical product descriptions (Summer 2000) and (Summer 2001) refer to the summer of the Northern Hemisphere.
   
9. Final Cut Pro 1.0 and 1.0.1 only work with NTSC video.
   
10. Final Cut Pro 4 and Final Cut Pro HD require a DVD drive for installation.
    
11. Xserve G5 is not currently compatible.