Video University: Video University Forums: Tech Q & A: Laptop Purchase

VideoUniversity.com
Home	Free Library	Store
Free Catalog Please support VU by making your B&H purchases and links through this B&H ad. Doesn't cost a penny more.

Giving Thanks to All.
A little thanksgiving humor.

To post in the forums see the Forum Guidelines.

Join or Renew Today.
New Benefits for all VU Members

Forum Guidelines and FAQ
Main Index	Search Posts
Who's Online	Log In

Home: Video University Forums: Tech Q & A:
Laptop Purchase

carol
User

Apr 14, 2006, 11:21 AM

Post #1 of 10 (3058 views)
Shortcut

Laptop Purchase	Can't Post

I just got a quote from Dell for a laptop. I asked them to put together one that would be able to edit video. This is what they came up with. Can anyone tell me if this will do the job?

Base Unit:
Latitude D810, Pentium M 770 (2.13GHz) ATI X600 graphics w/128 MB Video Memory, English (221-7583)
Processor:
15.4 inch WUXGA LCD for Latitude D810, Factory Tied (320-4230)
Memory:
1.0GB, Double Data Rate 2-533 SDRAM, 2 Dimm, for Dell Latitude D, Factory Install (311-3791)
Carol

videobear
Veteran

Apr 14, 2006, 11:35 AM

Post #2 of 10 (3055 views)
Shortcut

Re: [carol] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yep, that should do the job. You'll want an external hard drive on which to store media files, but don't get it from Dell...you can get it cheaper at NewEgg or Best Buy.

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

carol
User

Apr 15, 2006, 2:00 PM

Post #3 of 10 (2897 views)
Shortcut

Re: [videobear] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Doug. I can always count on you for help. I actually already have external hard drives. I usually get the Western Digital, but I think it was Julian posted a good deal a few weeks ago on another brand that I'm trying out. I have a laptop that I've tried editing on, but it was bought for that purpose and it's a waste of time to try to edit on it. I'm torn between thinking about going with Mac or staying with a pc. I thought I'd price them first and see if that makes my mind up.

Carol

MSDowney
Veteran

Apr 15, 2006, 2:46 PM

Post #4 of 10 (2890 views)
Shortcut

Re: [carol] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Base Unit:
Latitude D810, Pentium M 770 (2.13GHz) ATI X600 graphics w/128 MB Video Memory, English (221-7583)
Processor:
15.4 inch WUXGA LCD for Latitude D810, Factory Tied (320-4230)
Memory:
1.0GB, Double Data Rate 2-533 SDRAM, 2 Dimm, for Dell Latitude D, Factory Install (311-3791)
Carol

Just a couple of thoughts...

Doug is right, this will work. There a couple of things to think about.

1. Screen size. Almost every person I have talked to says that they wished they had gotten the 17" screen editing. The extra space does really help with most NLE's.

2. IF future proof is a consideration you might consider the Dell series that has the dual core CPU's.

Other than that, it will do the job! :)

Mike

Thomson/GrassValley

carol
User

Apr 15, 2006, 10:15 PM

Post #5 of 10 (2858 views)
Shortcut

Re: [MSDowney] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Mike. I was definitely going to ask how much more a larger monitor would be. I'll have to check into the dual core CPU's. Thanks!

Carol

MSDowney
Veteran

Apr 16, 2006, 2:28 AM

Post #6 of 10 (2844 views)
Shortcut

Re: [carol] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

You are more than welcome... Let us know what you end up with and how it works. :)

Mike

Thomson/GrassValley

carol
User

Apr 16, 2006, 1:05 PM

Post #7 of 10 (2801 views)
Shortcut

Re: [MSDowney] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

I certainly will. Right now I'm in the "thinking" stage. It's going to take me a lot longer to decide because anyone I know who switches over to the Mac is wondering why it took them so long. I keep debating. But when I finally decide, I'll let you know. Although PC users don't like to hear how wonderful the Mac is. I know how irritated I get. LOL

videobear
Veteran

Apr 17, 2006, 1:11 AM

Post #8 of 10 (2758 views)
Shortcut

Re: [carol] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

That's a hard, hard decision. There ARE a lot of happy Mac users out there. I also know a few Mac users who've come back to the PC, usually because there's an application that they love that's not available on the Mac.

I came very close to buying a Mac several years ago...had the system on order, even. I read a couple of books on the Mac OS before my decision was final, though...and decided that I just didn't want to leave familiar territory and learn the quirks of a new environment.

Really the best way to make that choice is to get into a situation where you can actually use a Mac and the software you'd be wanting to run, and get a few days or weeks of experience before laying out the big bux. Is there a nearby community college or something that has Macs in its graphics lab?

Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions

carol
User

Apr 17, 2006, 5:21 PM

Post #9 of 10 (2693 views)
Shortcut

Re: [videobear] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

IT IS A HARD DECISION. That is if the prices are comparable. I'll never leave the PC world because there are programs out there that I like and since my desktop is a PC, I'll still have those. I also have a dell laptop, so it's not like I'll be left hanging to figure out the Mac. I have a friends who changed over 2 years ago & I remember how frustrated they were in the changeover because she had a difficult time finding someone to help her. But now she's pretty good, so she could help me. Unfortunately our colleges in the area don't support Mac. They have classes, but they are very expensive.

Carol

MSDowney
Veteran

Apr 17, 2006, 9:57 PM

Post #10 of 10 (2653 views)
Shortcut

Re: [carol] Laptop Purchase [In reply to]	Can't Post

Stay with what you are comfortable with... there is no reason to change unless the reason is very compelling. You are used to the PC programs and it seems that you like them so why change from that.

Don't make this harder than it needs to be... You will be fine :)

Mike

Thomson/GrassValley