How important is Dual core processors? Need help buying a new mac. Laptop?

[FlameOfCallandor]

I got a freelance editing gig and I am going to get a new mac. These are my options.

MacPro Tower $2,863.00 (+$200 monitor)
Two 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
2GB (4 x 512MB) RAM
ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)

Macbook Pro $2,734.00
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 667 DDR2 - 2x1GB SO-DIMMs

[BlueTsunami]

Hes probably editing Video and since thats the case...YES! Get a Dual Core processor! Make sure you get an app that makes use of multiple threads and you'll cut your encoding time (close to) around 1/2  the time it would take on a single core

[Vizzys]

Dual core is awesome, mac sucks

[Robo]

I'd say they're a pretty bug deal.

[aoi tsuki]

Dual Core is definitely the way to go for editing media, especially if your apps will take advantage of the architecture. Also, skimp on the RAM when buying from Apple and instead check out www.slickdeals.net or www.techbargains.com for deals on RAM.

[TVC15]

Dual Core is definitely the way to go for editing media, especially if your apps will take advantage of the architecture. Also, skimp on the RAM when buying from Apple and instead check out www.slickdeals.net or www.techbargains.com for deals on RAM.

I might be wrong, but as of a few months ago, it was still very hard to find any bargains on Mac Pro ram.  Mac Pros use a very specialized (nearly proprietary) kind of buffered ram.  It also has fairly draconian balancing rules. 

Maybe you can save some money, but at least consult with a professional.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Do I void te warrenty if I iinstall my own ram?