A question. For simple editing (cut dissolves and an occoasional wipe) is there a need to have the full version of FCP or will FCE 4 work well? As well does FCE 4 use all the same codecs as FCP or is that why the great price dirrerence?
Unless you need some of the pro-level production features that elevate FCP above FCE, such as unlimited video tracks, multi-camera editing, film-to-video conversion, uncompressed 8&10-bit SD/HD codecs, 10&32-bit image processing, advanced colour correction, then FCE will do everything else FCP can do! On the other, less expensive hand, iMovie can do wipes, fades etc. as well as all your basic editing - perhaps it's all you need...?
Dan