MB278Concurrent with the launch of Final Cut Pro X yesterday, Apple discontinued both Final Cut Express and Final Cut Server. Final Cut Express was Apple's "lite" video editing program, meant to bridge the gap between the free iMovie and $999 Final Cut Studio package.

With Final Cut Pro now priced at $299, Apple clearly felt that a bridge program was no longer necessary.

Both Express and Server are unavailable on the Apple Online Store, and their both of their old product pages on Apple.com redirect to the new Final Cut Pro page.

Top Rated Comments

Truffy Avatar
185 months ago
The 'bargain basement' price of FCPX is about what the upgrade for FCS was. Yet FCS also included a decent audio app and cinema tools and a DVD authoring app (rather than export and a few templates). It also included Motion and Compressor, which are now additional applications to purchase. So while this might seem like a great bargain, it's not necessarily all that it seems.

the free iMovie
iMovie is only 'free' if you purchase a new Mac when, arguably, the cost is absorbed into the whole package. To upgrade you need to buy iLife when, arguably, it's only free if you consider other parts of the suite to be the full value.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
swingerofbirch Avatar
185 months ago
For Apple to really leave legacy technology behind and redefine the future of video editing they should re-release iMovie '06 HD.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
milo Avatar
185 months ago
I'm sure that some would argue that with a number of high end features missing that were in 7, FCX *is* the new midrange prosumer app. Problem is, right now there isn't a version that fills the needs of people working on feature film or broadcast TV.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Badbaw Avatar
185 months ago
In a perfect world, FCPX would be iMovie, and the actual FCPX would be everything in FCS plus more.

It's odd though, because throughout all these years, instead of enriching iMovie, Apple has continually dumbed it down (especially feature-wise). The interface is fun and all, but simple things like limiting clip speeds to a minimal spectrum (for one), is ridiculous, even for amateurs. Instead they replace those features with gimmicky 'trailer templates' and 'highlights' and fun stuff like that.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scottwaugh Avatar
185 months ago
They are right if you are a middle of the road consumer. That's why this release was billed as FC *Pro* but doesn't included the tools that are necessary and established if you work with anyone else.

The PRO in the name, combined with the lower price, attracts all those who think, "wow I can can FCP for $300? I'm in!", and have no need for the advanced features and tools that are needed in a multi-user environment.

As of yesterday that product was called Final Cut Express.
You're last sentence says it all. Final Cut Pro X was targeted at the prosumer market alot more than the true multi-user work path professional market (if that was targeted at all). This was talked about more than a year ago.

It's unfortunate that Apple is calling this Pro, it should be Express and there wouldn't be the hissy fits going on. I feel bad for the Pro market, they've been pitched over the side at this point.

Here's the call on it more than a year ago:
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/05/18/apple_scaling_final_cut_studio_apps_to_fit_prosumers.html
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NY Guitarist Avatar
185 months ago
And they're mostly right about it.
They are right if you are a middle of the road consumer. That's why this release was billed as FC *Pro* but doesn't included the tools that are necessary and established if you work with anyone else.

The PRO in the name, combined with the lower price, attracts all those who think, "wow I can get FCP for $300? I'm in!", and have no need for the advanced features and tools that are needed in a multi-user environment.

As of yesterday that product was called Final Cut Express.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Five Things to Expect From Apple's 'Awe Dropping' September 9 Event

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:17 pm PDT by
Apple today announced its "Awe Dropping" iPhone-centric event, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 9 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. There are a long list of products that are coming, but we thought we'd pull out five feature highlights to look forward to. That Super Thin iPhone - Apple's September 9 event will see the unveiling of the first redesigned iPhone we've had in years, ...
Awe Dropping Apple Event Feature

Apple Event Logo Hints at Two iPhone 17 Pro Features

Wednesday August 27, 2025 6:36 am PDT by
Apple's logo for its upcoming September 9 event hints at two rumored iPhone 17 Pro features, including new color options and a vapor chamber cooling system. Of course, this is all just speculation for fun, as we count down the final days until the event. New Colors Last month, Macworld's Filipe Espósito reported that orange and dark blue would be two out of the five color options...
Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Antenna Design

Two All-New iPhone 17 Colors Seemingly Confirmed

Monday August 25, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple will offer the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max in a new orange color, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman made the claim in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, adding that the new iPhone 17 Air – replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – will come in a new light blue color. We've heard multiple rumors about a new iPhone 17 Pro color being a shade of orange. The ...
crossbody strap

iPhone 17's 'Crossbody Strap' Accessory to Feature Magnetic Design

Thursday August 28, 2025 7:49 am PDT by
Apple's cases for the iPhone 17 lineup will be accompanied by a new Crossbody Strap accessory with a unique magnetic design, according to the leaker known as "Majin Bu." Apple's Crossbody Strap reportedly features an unusual magnetic design; it likely has a "flexible metal core" that makes it magnetic along its entire length. At the ends, "rings polarized oppositely to the strap close the...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3: Four Key Design Changes Anticipated

Tuesday August 26, 2025 4:05 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022 other than a shift from Lightning to USB-C, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will launch AirPods Pro 3 later this year, and apart from new features like heart rate monitoring, we're also expecting a few design changes. The fourth‑generation AirPods offer useful clues to Apple's design cues for ...