Challenge: Notebook for HD editing > $3000

[mbwkrause]

My head is spinning...
Here is my problem: I need to get a notebook to edit my stuff on the road. Right now I'm shooting with a Canon HV20 but I'm planning to upgrade to a A1 soonish so the system definately needs to be able to handle HD movies up to ten minutes. Since I'm working on deadline it can't take ages to render and a smooth preview would be desireable too...
Right now I'm using Vegas on my desktop and I like it but I know my way around the FCP basics too. So neither PC nor Mac nor running Vegas on a Mac is out of the question.
I think I'm pretty much set to a 15'' screen just because a 17'' is such a pain to drag around. So far I've checked Dell, Alienware and Mac for options but it's hard to stay within my budget (no more than $3000) without knowing where to slim down. 2.33 processor or 2.16? 2 GB Ram or 4? What graphics card? What about a second harddrive? Will firewire be fast enough to use the second HD during editing? Or even USB 2.0?
So please: Un-spin my head and help. What would you get if you were in my shoes and why?
Thanks a bunch.
Matthias

[slimoli]

The graphics card can be very expensive and is not very important for editing. RAM is VERY important and 3 or 4 GB will make a difference. Get the best possible processor and the fastest internal disk. There are 200 GB disks now and you can have 2 of them . I would not use external disks during editing but it can help as back up or permanent storage. I think you can get your laptop below 3K from DELL, Gateway or HP (customized).

Sergio

[Captainobvious]

Check tigerdirect.com and see what they've got going now. You can usually find good deals on refurbs as well as low prices on new equipment.

[richkuhr]

I am using a Dell 17" Inspiron 9200 2.3 mhtz Core Duo, with 2 Gigs of Ram, a 7200 RPM system drive, and a portable 500gb USB 2.0 drive for capturing.

I am using Premiere Pro 2.0, Prospect HD, and Win XP Home service pack 2.
Everything works fine, realtime simple cut editing and basic transitions.
Fairly stable too.

BTW, it's for sale for $1500 firm if anyone is interested. I am planning to get a new quad core desktop.

[matezz]

ASUS G2S-A1 Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz 17in 160GB HDD 2GB DDR2 667 802.11 a/g/n DL DVD +- R/RW
I got this one from zipzoomfly for 1899
Upgraded to 200gb 7200rpm hitachi, 4gb ram and win xp64
I like the design of the laptop. It has HDMI, expresscard and 2x eSATA (external RAID 0 possible) if you looking for BM Intensity HDMI HD RAW recording.

[hdvbymark]

I did this successfully last December. It was time for a new computer anyway because my existing desktops were not up the challenge of editing HDV, and I got tired of being restricted to working in the spaces where the computers were located.

For about $2000 I went with a Dell Inspiron E1705 that works great, not just as an editor, but as an effective HD Video iPod as well.

I got the T 7400 2.1 GHZ Core Duo chip, 2 gigs of RAM, a 7200 RPM 100 gig drive, fast internals, video card with DVI output, and 1920x1200 screen. I now run Vegas 7E and Vegas 8. I play back m2t clips with VLC media player.

The computer does all kinds of jobs for me ranging from capture, editing, client meetings, field playback, and playback of HD videos to my HDTV.

[jshooter]

ASUS G2S-A1 Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz 17in 160GB HDD 2GB DDR2 667 802.11 a/g/n DL DVD +- R/RW
I got this one from zipzoomfly for 1899
Upgraded to 200gb 7200rpm hitachi, 4gb ram and win xp64
I like the design of the laptop. It has HDMI, expresscard and 2x eSATA (external RAID 0 possible) if you looking for BM Intensity HDMI HD RAW recording.

Do you mean it has HDMI input??? no need for Intensity on this laptop? i mean, can you import 1080p from HDMI with cineform?
It would be my dream, a real portable capture station!!!

Please let us know if it works

Thanks

[matezz]

Do you mean it has HDMI input??? no need for Intensity on this laptop? i mean, can you import 1080p from HDMI with cineform?
It would be my dream, a real portable capture station!!!

Please let us know if it works

Thanks

I wish :)
You still need ExpressCard PCIE adapter (cheapest is like $270) and BM Intensity. But the 2xeSATA allows for cheap 1TB raid 0 which the Intensity requies.
I use it now with Onlocation (60i only - doesn't work with 24p). That eliminate the need for field monitor. Resolution of this laptop is 1920x1200.

During regular PremierePro capturing this laptop stays really quiet. But with Onlocation CPU use goes up, so as the noise from the fans.

It is probably only Gaming laptop I had without any games installed :)

I also work on the project of 16Ah Li-Polymer battery to power all the field equipment including the laptop and HID lamps for several hours. If the cost will be to high I'll go with much heavier NiMh 20Ah battery packs.

Anyone use small keyboard (electric piano) stand for his/her field laptop?