Shopping for laptop. Budget : 2000-2500$

Jawn · 05-30-2008, 04:29 PM

I looked at custom Alienwares, also considered the Toshiba satellite T8100 (great specs for price but was concerned about the HDD's RPM. But does 5400 vs 7200 really make a difference?

). Also considered Macbook pro, but I find it expensive for the specs.

I want to use this laptop for some video editing on the go, run programs like Avid Xpress Pro, After Effects. I won't do huge renderings, but I want something that can handle well.

My other main concern is graphics : I need a good contrast ratio / video card.

Thanks a lot for your input !

Jawn

tlarkin · 05-30-2008, 04:37 PM

If you are considering buying a Mac I strongly suggest you read my thread on the Mac platform, and they aren't over priced for their specs because they use the same specs that a PC does, they are all C2D processors. You must remember that Apple only uses high quality components in their machines.

The Macintosh Platform.

Think long and hard of all the applications you want to run and what you want to use it for and then you can better narrow down your selection. Alienware computers IMO, are the most over priced, and they use some cheaper parts in them as well.

Video cards are only good at 2 things. Gaming and Rendering, and they both use different cards for different goals. Video editing is more RAM + Processor intensive. Plus if you are looking at using Final Cut, then you may as well look at getting a Mac.

Kill Bill · 05-30-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

If you are considering buying a Mac I strongly suggest you read my thread on the Mac platform, and they aren't over priced for their specs because they use the same specs that a PC does, they are all C2D processors. You must remember that Apple only uses high quality components in their machines.

The Macintosh Platform.

Think long and hard of all the applications you want to run and what you want to use it for and then you can better narrow down your selection. Alienware computers IMO, are the most over priced, and they use some cheaper parts in them as well.

Video cards are only good at 2 things. Gaming and Rendering, and they both use different cards for different goals. Video editing is more RAM + Processor intensive. Plus if you are looking at using Final Cut, then you may as well look at getting a Mac.

Yea. The 15'' 2.5GHz MacBook Pro is the way too go unless you can afford the 2,799$ 17''.

Also video editing really for me requires the mac as it doesnt take as long to cpu the files. And when you want to play the games boot up Bootcamp with XP/Vista and stick in your game disc.

CharmPeddler · 05-30-2008, 08:15 PM

i agree with kill bill. i have a 1 year old Dell xps lappy (in my signature) that i use with a 22"w monitor and keyboard/mouse. after my time with my (now) wife, i wish i would have bought a 15" mac book pro.

if u use your lappy as intended, on the road alot then a 17" becomes VERY inconvenient. so i suggest getting a 15" and having a big widescreen monitor and using the lappy just as a tower when your home.

Sir Travis D · 05-30-2008, 09:51 PM

Hey, if you're considering a $2000-2500 alienware, I would say alienware is a great choice. My configed m15x was just under $2000. Also, the RPM difference makes no noticeable difference. My 7200rpm seems the same as my old 5400.

Kill Bill · 05-30-2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Travis D

Hey, if you're considering a $2000-2500 alienware, I would say alienware is a great choice. My configed m15x was just under $2000. Also, the RPM difference makes no noticeable difference. My 7200rpm seems the same as my old 5400.

Alienware wouldn't suit video editing that is really really way more desgined for games seriously. And the screen on that is glossy which means it will show brighter and un-true colours. I think the 15'' or the 17'' which is very portable for me the macbook pro 2.5GHz would make the cut

Jawn · 05-31-2008, 02:17 AM

Thanks everyone, keep the comments coming!

`PaWz · 05-31-2008, 03:28 AM

If you will benefit from Mac software, and you have the money, I would go for it.

tlarkin · 05-31-2008, 03:32 AM

I have two words for you:

1) Final Cut Studio

2) Shake

enough said

Sir Travis D · 05-31-2008, 03:42 AM

Oh no. Alienware is made for gaming and the business world. Are you serious? I think some alienware laptops can be configured with non glossy screens. Alienware laptops pack so much more power into a laptop than any mac can do. Final cut costs $1300 on amazon, half of the op's budget. If a computer is designed for games, it has the graphics to run high quality videos, 4gigs of ram for multitasking, an extreme or penryn processors, huge hard drives for video storage, and blu-ray drives. Come on Kill Bill. Alienware laptops pride themselves on DV editing. Here is a section on the m9750 that is the old alienware laptop.

"The Area-51 m9750 has all the hardcore hardware you need to enter the world of enthusiast DV editing. Its Intel Core 2 Duo processors, ferociously fast dual 7,200RPM hard drives and array of input/output connections enable you to capture, encode and edit in real-time. If you don’t have time to finish your masterpiece, just take your new DV editing notebook with you; try doing that with your typical workstation."
http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT

05-30-2008, 04:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jawn Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 93	Shopping for laptop. Budget : 2000-2500$ I looked at custom Alienwares, also considered the Toshiba satellite T8100 (great specs for price but was concerned about the HDD's RPM. But does 5400 vs 7200 really make a difference? ). Also considered Macbook pro, but I find it expensive for the specs. I want to use this laptop for some video editing on the go, run programs like Avid Xpress Pro, After Effects. I won't do huge renderings, but I want something that can handle well. My other main concern is graphics : I need a good contrast ratio / video card. Thanks a lot for your input ! Jawn

05-30-2008, 08:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
CharmPeddler Gold Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 343	i agree with kill bill. i have a 1 year old Dell xps lappy (in my signature) that i use with a 22"w monitor and keyboard/mouse. after my time with my (now) wife, i wish i would have bought a 15" mac book pro. if u use your lappy as intended, on the road alot then a 17" becomes VERY inconvenient. so i suggest getting a 15" and having a big widescreen monitor and using the lappy just as a tower when your home. __________________ Dell XPS M1710 17" Wide Screen (used as a Tower) Logitech G15 Keyboard, and MX1000 Laser Mouse Monitor: Chimei 22" WideScreen 800:1, 5ms CPU: 2.16GHz,T7400 Intel Core 2 Duo 4MB Cache RAM: 2GIGs DDR2 667MZH GPU: 512MB GeForce GO 7950GTX HDD: 100GB 7200rpm 8mb cache SATA "Screw tech support..... This is what CF.com is for......" ~bumblebee_tuna http://www.speedtest.net/result/223551258.png

05-30-2008, 09:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sir Travis D Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Age: 14 Posts: 1,178	Hey, if you're considering a $2000-2500 alienware, I would say alienware is a great choice. My configed m15x was just under $2000. Also, the RPM difference makes no noticeable difference. My 7200rpm seems the same as my old 5400. __________________ Alienware Area-51 M15x Owner Winner of CFclan suicide and whiner medals, 2008

05-31-2008, 03:28 AM	#8 (permalink)
`PaWz Gold Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Age: 18 Posts: 304	If you will benefit from Mac software, and you have the money, I would go for it. __________________ McSame / MILF '08

05-31-2008, 03:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sir Travis D Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Age: 14 Posts: 1,178	Oh no. Alienware is made for gaming and the business world. Are you serious? I think some alienware laptops can be configured with non glossy screens. Alienware laptops pack so much more power into a laptop than any mac can do. Final cut costs $1300 on amazon, half of the op's budget. If a computer is designed for games, it has the graphics to run high quality videos, 4gigs of ram for multitasking, an extreme or penryn processors, huge hard drives for video storage, and blu-ray drives. Come on Kill Bill. Alienware laptops pride themselves on DV editing. Here is a section on the m9750 that is the old alienware laptop. "The Area-51 m9750 has all the hardcore hardware you need to enter the world of enthusiast DV editing. Its Intel Core 2 Duo processors, ferociously fast dual 7,200RPM hard drives and array of input/output connections enable you to capture, encode and edit in real-time. If you don’t have time to finish your masterpiece, just take your new DV editing notebook with you; try doing that with your typical workstation." http://www.alienware.com/product_det...de=SKU-DEFAULT __________________ Alienware Area-51 M15x Owner Winner of CFclan suicide and whiner medals, 2008

05-30-2008, 04:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,378	If you are considering buying a Mac I strongly suggest you read my thread on the Mac platform, and they aren't over priced for their specs because they use the same specs that a PC does, they are all C2D processors. You must remember that Apple only uses high quality components in their machines. The Macintosh Platform. Think long and hard of all the applications you want to run and what you want to use it for and then you can better narrow down your selection. Alienware computers IMO, are the most over priced, and they use some cheaper parts in them as well. Video cards are only good at 2 things. Gaming and Rendering, and they both use different cards for different goals. Video editing is more RAM + Processor intensive. Plus if you are looking at using Final Cut, then you may as well look at getting a Mac.

05-31-2008, 02:17 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jawn Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 93	Thanks everyone, keep the comments coming!

05-31-2008, 03:32 AM	#9 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,378	I have two words for you: 1) Final Cut Studio 2) Shake enough said

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