Best kind of laptop for editing video?

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2005-08-12 09:30pm

Basically, that's what I'm wondering. Price range being 400-1000 dollars.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2005-08-12 09:49pm

In that budget? You're going to be in some performance pain any way you cut it. Minimum, you want a lot of RAM and FireWire ports so you can hook up external HDs (7200RPM ones) and your digital video camera. You also need to factor in the cost of software (Sony Vegas goes for $200 w/ academic discount, Final Cut Express (Mac-only) will probably be similar in cost)

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2005-08-13 03:10am

Personally, I'd go with an iBook (do you qualify for education discount?). Macs and video edittors are a good combo, especially with Final Cut Express (which you can get for $99).

Although if you get the iBook AND Final Cut Express you may pass the price range there. iMovie works good though and comes with the Mac free...

There's no way you'll get a GOOD video editting laptop for $400.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2005-08-13 03:16am

For $400, you might as well spend $1.50 on some pencils and a notepad to make a flipbook, and just pocket the rest of the money. You're sure not going to get a computer worth a damn for that price.

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2005-08-13 03:25am

I thought as much. Someone asked me and I didn't really know so I thought to ask here.

We already own Final Cut Pro for Mac so getting an iBook is probably best for us.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2005-08-13 03:56am

Erik von Nein wrote:I thought as much. Someone asked me and I didn't really know so I thought to ask here.

We already own Final Cut Pro for Mac so getting an iBook is probably best for us.

http://www.apple.com/store

Click the SAVE tag. Refurb iBook for $799...

iBook G4 1GHz/ 256MB/ 30GB/ Combo/ E/ 56K/ 12-inch TFT - Apple Certified Refurbished

$849...

iBook G4 1.2GHz/ 256MB/ 30GB/ Combo/ AP Extreme Card/ E/ 56K/ 12-inch TFT - Apple Certified

AP Extreme, for those not Mac savvy, means 802.11g.

A new iBook (just updated) is $999 and gives you:

Estimated Ship: 1-3 business days
Free Shipping
1.33GHz PowerPC G4
512K L2 cache @1.33GHz
512MB memory (DDR333 SDRAM)
12.1-inch TFT Display
1024x768 resolution
ATI Mobility Radeon 9550
32MB DDR video memory
40GB Ultra ATA hard drive
Combo Drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
Built-in AirPort Extreme
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Scrolling Trackpad
Sudden Motion Sensor

Not too shabby. Should work. I knew people who did video editting professionally on 800 MHz PowerMac G4's.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2005-08-13 04:04am

Erik von Nein wrote:I thought as much. Someone asked me and I didn't really know so I thought to ask here.

We already own Final Cut Pro for Mac so getting an iBook is probably best for us.

I so fucking hated using that programme in my Intro to Film/Video...something class (can't recall the actual course name at the moment) two years ago. So non-intuitive...

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2005-08-13 04:06am

Praxis wrote:*snip computer info*

Yeah, that's about what I was looking for. Thanks.

Yeah, our G-4 we use for editing has dual 800 mhz processors right now so that shouldn't be a problem.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2005-08-13 10:39am

Spanky The Dolphin wrote:I so fucking hated using that programme in my Intro to Film/Video...something class (can't recall the actual course name at the moment) two years ago. So non-intuitive...

Really? I found FCP/FCE to be about the same as any other NLE in my brief time that I've used it, though I had previous experience in Premiere and Xpress DV.

Praxis · Post by **Praxis** » 2005-08-13 12:13pm

Erik von Nein wrote:
Praxis wrote:*snip computer info*
Yeah, that's about what I was looking for. Thanks.

Yeah, our G-4 we use for editing has dual 800 mhz processors right now so that shouldn't be a problem.

Which one are you planning on getting?

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2005-08-13 02:59pm

Praxis wrote:Which one are you planning on getting?

In all likelihood it will be the new one. Considering the person who wants to get it had a crappy used one given to him for a birthday present I think he'll be too weary of more used ones.

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2005-08-13 03:59pm

phongn wrote:
Spanky The Dolphin wrote:I so fucking hated using that programme in my Intro to Film/Video...something class (can't recall the actual course name at the moment) two years ago. So non-intuitive...
Really? I found FCP/FCE to be about the same as any other NLE in my brief time that I've used it, though I had previous experience in Premiere and Xpress DV.

Well that could be the problem. I find most of the general aspects for NLE to be rather non-intuitive. Or maybe it was just how FCP was organised that kept pissing me off.