I want to order a laptop for video work, a question.
 

Foremost do not suggest a mac or any other damn apple products. Also not interested in linux or any other non windows operating system.

What would be the best way to order a laptop for editing? Everything from Dell seems to come with Vista and I really do not wish to go down that path.

So any suggestions?

Do I need to insult people or add politics, religion, or drama to get some responses?

I know damn well some people actually work around this place.

Here ya go.... video editing...

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/X...ltra_Notebook/

Go with an Apple, not sure why you wouldn't just run Windows on it, from a hardware standpoint the Macbooks are way head of most other laptops and run Windows fine if you want to.

or

http://www.alienware.com

I personally order this one for my wife. It should be arriving next week. I am planning to do some video encoding on this one.
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/X...7700_Notebook/

I've been using a Dell Inspiron 1521 to handle my mainstream video work (Music TV Shows for Public Access) and I've had no probs with it so far.

I also use it as a backup render box for my 3D Content, and also no probs so far.

It DOES have Vista, but honestly (and I thought I'd NEVER say this...) Vista is not that bad NOW lol

The 1521 is an 'older model' like a year / year and a half old, BUT from what I've seen the only major diff they added to the newer models is the built in cam and mics.

you can get these models on Ebay (new in box) for about $550 these days.

I'm actually planning on snagging a bank of 4 or 5 more by Summer to beef up my render studio.

-Loki-

Alienware is crap and your just paying for a label.
I do not want an apple. Do not even wish to argue the point. I have used macs and I just do not like them.

Just concerned with software conflicts right now.
Anyone know for sure if it will work well with Vegas and Sorensons?

It literally is the only thing I will be using it for. Capturing video, editing, and encoding it. No plans to have anything else used on it at all. Will not even be uploading from it.

Alienware isn't crap, may be overpriced and you are paying for a label but it definitely isn't crap

Alienware USED to be sweet, but as you said now your just paying for the label / logo lol.

As for Mac's I've found that ANYTIME you (not you persay) mention video editing people just scream MAC MAC MAC and I've had ppl pleading with me to convert my studios to Mac's I ALMOST did, until I found out that half the plugins for my key software would NOT work on a Mac, UNLESS I ran some sort of Windows Emulator and if that's the case why the fuck should I even bother to switch in the first place lol

-Loki-

If it is overpriced and your just paying for a label then yes it is crap.
I do not overpay for things. I do not buy shit for labels either.

There are VERY few software conflicts left with Vista, UNLESS your using outdated software IE my copy of Soundforge needed to be upgraded to work with Vista, but I was using like 3.0 lol

I do know Vegas works with Vista, I'm not sure about Sorensons as that does not ring any bells for me.

I use Premier, Vegas, Ulead and After Effects on this Vista box, and (knock on wood) no issues in the last year.

Also a nice thing about Vista (yes I said a nice thing lol) is if you plug in a flash drive (memory stick) Vista will let you choose to use it as a data drive OR what it calls "Ready Boost" which basically allows you to allocate X amount of your flash drive for Virtual Memory.

-Loki-

Well, anyways a good Lenovo Thinkpad will do the trick and has HDMI input

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...676099 E3EA34

Aside from my Apple purchases, I have recently only purchased HP laptops and desktops running Vista.

I have had no issues with Vista and no issues with HP support (or need for support, for that matter). We've recommended them to family and friends, and again...no issues.

I recently purchased a Quad Core, 1TB and 5gig memory for like $700 and change. I have it running OSX and you can't tell the difference between it and the Mac Pro desktop sitting next to it...which cost about 4x as much.

You could always get yourself an older/used Dell XPS running XP, good, strong running machines.

17 in is always nice. You can get some nice deals at the moment.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834147921

both of the cyberpowers look really good.

I know pro photographers who went kicking and screaming to Vista only for the 64bit version so they could run 64bit apps. Now they wouldn't dare go back to XP.

I think you should get a Mac with Linux on it. :)

Where you get that at that price?

just get something with as much ram as you can get. some laptops will hold 8 gig now..

btw.. why not a desktop?

i ask because you can get a great box for 1/2 the price of an almost equal laptop..

Where I am currently working at which lately has been my room. I just do not have the room to keep a desktop in here. Plus I want in near me as going back and forth would be damn tedious.
Spending a lot of time in bed as of late getting daily work to help correct a small medical issue. So I can keep a couple laptops right near me and when done just place them on my nightstand.

There is a chance I could get a desktop but it would be a nightmare. I know I could keep the CPU in the bookcase. However dealing with viewing of the monitor and such from bed would be problematic at least.

Alienware is owned by dell. Apple doesn't make the hardware inside their computers. And no they don't always pick good quality components much less "way ahead of most others". They got busted/sued last year for using TN panels(cheapest LCD panels) in their laptops, the specs stated it wasn't TN but it was. Overpay and you don't even always get good hardware, ffffffuck that.

If you are laying in bed and working then get a Modbook Pro:- http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbookpro

You have the option of having it pre-loaded with Vista or OS X.

You can run Windows perfectly on a Mac using bootcamp.

Not forgetting the beautiful displays Macs have too.


You are seriously breaking your own back if you don't go with Apple. Their operating system is far superior than any other commercial OS on other platforms.

Plus the new Macbooks come with the NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT graphics chipset.

You can read more about this technology and how it takes advantage of Adobe's CS4 suite here:-

http://gizmodo.com/5064946/nvidia-qu...e-cs4-up-to-11

Windows 7 is sick... get something 64 bit ready, and just be ready to up or run from the beta for now... I haven't worked heavy off my lappie yet, but desktop workflow has definitely picked up quite a bit, I'm sure it will be much the same on the lappie.

I'm running almost all Dells over here... I buy whatever the best they have in the gaming line is every year or so... and I stay pretty up to speed on everything. Great bang for your buck in the gamer packs.

Don't get an apple if you want to run windows on it. It works just not great.

get a mac. I did. It changed my life. I used to be to MAC as hilter was to the JEWS, That's how much I hated mac, and now... I've switched.

anything owed by dell is nowhere near high end...

i think you can still get most thinkpads with xp on them.

as far as i know the chinese have not fucked up the IBM quality yet :)

Circuit City. This particular one was a desktop. We also got last year's model of that 17'' at CC as well, for like $549.

Sony Vaio's are nice and reliable. I have 2 desktops (one from 2002 one from 2004) and 1 laptop I've had about 6 months.

Get one with firewire, hdmi, and an esata port.