Laptop for video editing

ktowngames

Distinguished
Sep 6, 2009
3
0
18,510
Hi,

I am looking for a laptop that will be good for handling and editing HD video.


1_What is your budget?

$1100

2_What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?

15"+

3_What screen resolution do you want?

Unsure - the best I can get?

4_Do you need a portable or desktop replacement
laptop?

Portable

5_How much battery life do you need?

Not necessary to maximize this quality.

6_Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?

I play games, Portal, Team Fortress, CoD4 - medium setting is fine

7_What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo / Video editing, surfing the web, playing music, watching movies, Etc.)

My primary concern is processing and editing HD video with Sony Vegas. I would like to watch movies too. Blu ray is not necessary - DVD is fine

8_How much storage (H.D.D Capacity) do you need?

I will likely buy external storage, so anything 120GB + is fine.

9_If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post the links to them.

I am in Canada and am unsure of the best sites.

10_How long do you want to keep your laptop?

Four years would be great.

11_If you would like to mention some other things about purchasing your ideal laptop, post them.

None.

12_Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.

I like Sony, but I'm not sure of their reputation in the laptop market.

13_What country do you live in?

Canada

I hope this can help people to better find their ideal notebook.

Thanks very much for the thoughtful template.
Ktown

FAQ Discussion Thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/50782-35-laptop-faqs


Additionally... you should also consider what support options are available in your area. If say you buy something abroad, will you be able to have it fixed near where you live? Does the warranty apply? How quickly do local accredited technicians fix laptops?

 

ibnsina

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2009
165
0
18,660
As you are aware Video editing requires lots of processing power and memory. So get the fastest [Intel] cpu that you can afford . You need at least 4GB of memory (with 64-bit Operating System). Make sure the Hard drive is 7200 RPM. As for the Mobile Graphics visit Ati and Nivida and see what’s suitable and affordable for you.

You need to do some search to find out the most powerful, affordable and reliable laptop. (big names in mobile computing are Toshiba, Dell, HP (Compaq), Asus, Apple etc).

Have a look at Dell studio-xps-16
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P7350 (3MB cache/2.0GHz/1066Mhz FSB)
ATI Mobility RADEON™ HD 4670 – 1GB
FHD Widescreen 15.6 inch WLED LCD (1920x1080)
DVD+/-RW or Bluray Drive
4GB4 Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM3 at 1067MHz (2 Dimms)
320GB5 7200 RPM
Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio
2 Years Hardware Warranty, InHome Service

Subtotal US $1,199 (not a spec considering your budget)

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/notebooks/laptop-studio-xps-16/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-studio-xps-16&s=dhs&cs=19

Also visit www.toshiba.com and www.ca.Asus.com

ATI
http://www.amd.com/uk/products/notebook/graphics/ati-mobility-hd-4000/Pages/ati-mobility-hd-4000.aspx

Nividia
http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebooks.html
 

ktowngames

Distinguished
Sep 6, 2009
3
0
18,510




Thanks very much for the helpful advice. Was that price US or Canadian?
 

ibnsina

Distinguished
Sep 4, 2009
165
0
18,660
Have a look at Alienware is got Powerful Graphics performance (owned by Dell).

Alienware Area-51 m15x Prices start from $1049
Alienware M17 Prices start from $999
Alienware M17x Prices start from $1799

http://www.alienware.com/products/m17-notebook.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-M17&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT


Gets good reviews

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Alienware-M17x-DualGPU-Gaming-Notebook-Review/

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2350263,00.asp

http://www.geek.com/articles/games/review-alienware-m17x-gaming-notebook-2008121/
 

ktowngames

Distinguished
Sep 6, 2009
3
0
18,510



Hi again Maziar,

My situation has changed somewhat in the past couple of weeks. Your suggestion (Sager) was a good one, and so I humbly defer to you for some advice. Here is my new scenario:

I teach science at a high school in Ontario. Our new principal has procured a significant grant for staff to purchase IT equipment that will engage students. This is the type of thing that may not happen again in my career (still 25 years left!) and so I would like to be sure that my request is succinct and sufficient. Our administrators words: "Ask for the moon." What a great opportunity.

I would like to assemble a portable video studio for the students. I will include a camera, tripod, software, etc. but could you please help me with the laptop? Previously I had suggested a budget of around $1100. Now I can ask for more. Is there a machine in the $1500 - 2500 range that would suit this project well? Even if you could send a link, as you did before, I could use the specifications of the cpu for the proposal.

Gratefully,

Ktowngames