Looking for an editing laptop

[Ohfoohy]

I'm looking for a laptop that can handle editing HD videos as well as composting with after effects and tasks of the same agenda.

My budget is $1,200-1,300.
I know I wont be able to do what I want to do with it perfectly, but I'd like to come as close as possible.

I've mainly just looked into the Lenovo y510p and the y500 but those are more focused on gaming than multimedia. (I am a "hardcore" PC gamer so this is not a bad thing)

It should be new. And MUST have a 1920x1080 screen.

 

[manhuco]

Hi

screen size? will you also be using premiere pro?

Hi I have the same question, but I WILL be using premiere pro, my budget might be a bit higher (by a few hundred dollars, and I would like a FHD screen resolution if possible (1900 x 1080). I also assume that I will be plugging in a larger external monitor for viewing the video (while using the notebook's screen for displaying the interface of the video software).

Thanks

 

[manhuco]

screen size?
no gaming?

screen size: about 15 "
no gaming, for video editing only

what do you think about the lenovo thinkpad w530 ?

 

[manhuco]

too pricey. Its main advantage in my eyes is the screen which has a very good adobeRGB color coverage, but I think you know it is not that necessary + this screen is not unique for the W530. I guess that the build quality is good too, but that's all. Even if you are interested in the W530 you should at least wait for the W540.

I don't know what kind of video editing you are doing, but the newer Primere Pro versions (5 and up, especially 6) can make a good use of the GPU so the previews are loaded much faster and rendering also can be done quicker, if you configure the premiere pro correctly (there are guides over the web)

How much is the screen important to you? I mean, there are some good options, but do you need good adobeRGB color coverage?

First of all, thanks for your quick responses: I really appreciate it:

I'm probably going to be plugging in an external monitor (for the actual material), and use the laptop screen for the software interface (although I have filmmaker friends who use TWO external monitors with their laptops: one for the footage, and one for the software interface). The software I'm going to be using is after effects 6, and premiere pro 6 (CS6)).

I don't know whether this is relevant in terms of the hardware, but at first, most of the editing will be of animation (not FX), and not of shot video/film.

Good RGB color coverage would be nice, since the machine is also going to be used to produce digital magazines, that eventually might be turned into print.

I don't mind spending a bit more (although not LOTS more), since I hope for this to be my sole machine. I'm not tied to any brand or model (except that it be a PC).

From what I gather the minimum specs that I would need are:
- i7 xQM processor
- 6-8 GB RAM out of the box, with the ability to scale up to (at least) 16 GB
- NVIDIA Quadro Mobile GPU (CUDA capable)
- two internal drive bays, so I can have a SSD drive in one of them
- good WIFI/ HSPA + connectivity (as I said, I hope this will be my only machine)

Once again, thanks for all your help; I really appreciate it.

Be well.

 

[manhuco]

no problem

Are we talking USA or UK?

specs:
1. QM? Why? you are talking about the 3rd gen of I7s probably..
2. at least 8GB I'd say. Animation/video editing on 1080p can benefit a lot from 8GB-12GB.
3. Why quadro? Premiere/AE works with the non-quadro gpus too, you just have to enable it, google it and if you don't find - ask. you can see instructions here:
http/www.pointsinfocus.com/learning/digital-darkroom/enable-cuda-in-premier-pro-cs6-without-a-quadro/
4. ok
5. ok

two good options:

1. The Sager NP7352:
http/www.xoticpc.com/sager-np7352-clevo-w350st-p-5842.html?wconfigure=yes
very good option if you want the screen upgrade (though I'm not sure you need it)

2. Lenovo Y510p - a very good package overall (link)

thanks a lot again

actually, i live i spain (originally from the usa), but i'm going to try and have a friend in the states get it for me there, and send it over to me

1 in terms of the cpu i guess you're taking about the I7-4700MQ
looking at wikipedia it says that the haswell architecture (ie the I7-4700MQ) runs 30 C hotter than the ivy bridge (the i7 third gen)

can this be right ? if so, wouldn't that be a significant drawback on a laptop

2 is there really no performance hit in going with a non-quadro and, instead, using one of the 'workarounds' you pointed me to ?

in general terms, what is the price premium of the quadros over the non quadros ?

3 do you have a general preference for any particular brand of laptops/notebooks with regards to video editing

once again, thanks for everything

be well

 

[manhuco]

spain, are you revolting?

1. 30C compared to what model exactly and under what conditions? It's a matter of a the cooling system too as you know. Sounds strange.
Anyway, reviews I've seen show it's ok.
and yes, higher power consumption/heat dissipation is bad.

2. I don't think there is a performance heat. I think it is more a thing of some specific features the Quadro allows - google it and you'll see many people that do video/photo editing see no reason for the quadro.
I have the same experience with designers.
So, bottom line, unless you are totally aware of a specific reason you need a quadro, go with a non-quadro GPU, the difference in performance is huge.

3. No, I don't. Personally I'd go with a good gaming laptop with a good enough screen. The Y510p is a good option also because it is a very cost effective laptop and you can sell it in two years and get a much better one probably for $1000 too (minus the the money you got for the Y510p )

thanks again for responding

1 it's unbelievable that with youth unemployment > 56 %, and overall unemployment ~ 26-27 %, there hasn't been a revolution

2 with regard to the quadro, you said 'the difference in performance is huge'

from the context of what you wrote it seems you meant to say that the the difference in PRICE is huge

Am I right ?

If not, and if, indeed, there is a huge difference in PERFORMANCE, which one (quadro or non-quadro) outperforms the other ?

3 Why would you go with a gaming laptop ?

Once again, thanks for everything

Be well

 

[manhuco]

I actually meant that the performance for the price is much higher with non-quadro GPUs. Bottom line - get a non-Quadro GPU.

3. A gaming laptop - because you get the performance and the value you get for your money is good

thanks so much again for everything

i'm convinced about getting a non-quadro

one more thing if you don't mind: any opinion of ivy bridge vs haswell (ie 3rd gen i7 vs 4th gen i7) ? i've heard widely different opinions

be well