I need some performance advice for video editing

or
I am deciding on which Mac Book Pro to purchase for video editing. My choices are:
2012 - 2.3 Ghz Quad-Core i7 w/ 500GB Serial ATA@5400 rpm 8G RAM
or
2013  - 2.0 Ghz Quad-Core i7 w/ 256 Flash Storage 8G RAM
The one is a year newer but .3 Ghz slower processor and I'm really not sure if it would matter that much for video editing. (FCPX, After Effects, etc.) I know the Flash Storage would be faster as far as opening applications etc., but for video editing, I didn't know.
Can someone more qualified than me recommend which would be best. I need a laptop for video editing, but I need the least expensive I can get so I am looking at refurbs from Apple.
Thank you!

If you look at the 2013 Retina models in the Apple store, you'll see the higher end version has both the Intel Iris and an additional Nvidia graphics module. The higher end models have this additional circuit, which is to provide faster and smoother graphics for video, games, etc.
I'd suggest looking at both model benchmarks at everymac.com. Here's the 2012:
https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/macbook-pro-unibody-faq/macbo ok-pro-13-15-mid-2012-performance-benchmark-comparison.html

Similar Messages

  • Do I need a wireless keyboard for  video editing,as not Yao much desk room

    Do I need a wireless keyboard + mouse to video editing and bit off gaming
    Not much desk room
    any help/advice

    If you look at the 2013 Retina models in the Apple store, you'll see the higher end version has both the Intel Iris and an additional Nvidia graphics module. The higher end models have this additional circuit, which is to provide faster and smoother graphics for video, games, etc.
    I'd suggest looking at both model benchmarks at everymac.com. Here's the 2012:
    https://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/macbook-pro-unibody-faq/macbo ok-pro-13-15-mid-2012-performance-benchmark-comparison.html

  • Do I still need two hard drives for video editing today?

    I have heard time and time again that editors should use two hard drives when editing in Final Cut Pro, it was even written in part of the Final Cut Pro 7 user manual. One was used for the system and Final Cut Pro software and the other was used for storing video.
    Is this still true with the newer SSDs available today? Since they do not use a rotating disk, can't my video and Final Cut Pro X work to maximum performance? Or is it still a bad idea to have your video and software on the same drive?
    I would be curious to what some have to say and thank you in advance for your help.

    Will it work on one drive ?.. in short Yes. Will it work well when I start doing multiclips with lost of angles and a separate track all being ingressed from HDV and wav? .. I suspect not so well .. You see the bottom line is that you are correct in so far as SSD's have no moving parts but the input/out speed (I/O) is not all that fantastic. Multiple video streams when doing multicam (for example) will cause a huge data quantity needed at fast speeds to be shipped back and forth .. SSD's are fast at boot up but after that the there is not all that between them and ESATAII internal drives (I have four ESATAII in my Mac Pro)..
    Best practice advice is to have a fast separate drive, preferably connected via Thunderbolt or FW800. The whole thing just works more efficiently and - better. All in all I would say yes if you can afford it and are going to be doing lots of editing which gets more advanced you will not regret the second drive investment.
    Jim

  • Need advice on purchasing an external hard drive for video editing

    Hi,
    I looking for advice on which external hard drive to get. The main purpose for the hard drive will be storing video files on for use with Final Cut Pro. I have the 12 inch powerbook G4 so I plan to use the FireWire (400) port to connect the drive. I'm interested in getting comment from others who use their external hard drives for video editing.
    Thanks!

    Firstly your decision to use FireWire is a good one, as not only will it free up the USB it performs much better on sustained transfers.
    That said you're still limited by the FireWire interface, so opt for a drive with a big cache (16MB would be good) and fast spindle speed (7200rpm+).
    Some of the newer enclosures are compatible with SATA drives. While these are easier to install and theoretically will perform better, I'm not sure that the performance would justify the extra cost.
    Matt

  • Need advice on new mac for video editing.

    Hello!  I'm throwing $4,000 down on a new iMac to use for video editing and various other design purposes.  I'm maxing it out with a 3.75ghz quad core intel i7, 32 gigs of ram, 4 gigs of video ram and a 1t sold state hard drive.  With being a creative cloud subscriber  and updates being rolled out constantly, as a video editor do you think i'll get at least 5-7 years out of this mac.  I also do 3d animates with after effects and cinema 4d.  Thanks!  Any advice and feedback is greatly appreciated.

    I made last updates to PC configuration (updates - bold) and soon going to buy. So... maybe final check:
    CPU:  Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz
    Cooler:  Corsair Hydro H70
    MB:  Asus P9X79 PRO
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance Black 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 1.35V XMP1.3
    Video:  Asus GTX670-DC2-2GD5
    HDD:  Samsung 830 Series 128GB SATA3 520/320MBs (system disk)
              2 x Seagate Barracuda 2TB SATA3 7200RPM 64MB (scratch/cache/render disk) *
    PSU:  CORSAIR AX850 80+ GOLD
    DVD:  LiteOn BD-RE iHBS212-32
    Case:  ANTEC P280
    OS:  Win7 Pro OEM
    RAID:  G-SPEED eS (RAID 5, projects/media)
    * Due to a limited budget, at the beginning I'll use HDD's in non-RAID configuration or will build RAID0 based on MB RAID controller

  • Advice on Pc build for video editing with Premier Pro

    I have recently managed to save up £1500 for a new PC for video editing. The following are the specs I am considering for the build:
    Intel Core i7 3770K,1155, Ivy Bridge, Quad Core, 3.5GHz, 5 GT/s DMI, 650MHz GPU, 8MB Smart Cache, 35x Ratio, 77W,Retail
    256GB Samsung 840 Pro Series Basic, 2.5" SSD 7mm 3-core MDX, 21nm Toggle NAND, Read 540MB/s, Write 520MB/s
    850W Corsair Professional Series Gold 850AX, Modular, 90%Eff', 80 PLUS Gold, SLI/CrossFire, EPS 12V, Quiet Fan, ATX, PSU
    16GB (2x8GB) Corsair DDR3 Vengeance Jet Black, PC3-17066 (2133), Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 10-11-11-31, XMP, 1.5V
    2TB WD WD2002FAEX Caviar Black, SATA 6Gb/s, 7200rpm, 64MB Cache OEM
    Pioneer BDR-207EBK Blu-ray Writer Quad Layer 12x BD-R, x8 DVD±DL x16 DVD±R Up to 128GB Retail
    Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two V3 Mid Tower ATX Case, USB3, With Side Window w/o PSU
    Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D PCI-E Soundcard 5.1Ch THX/Dolby Optical In/Out OEM
    Asus P8Z77-V, Intel Z77, S 1155, DDR3, SATA III - 6Gb/s, SATA RAID, PCIe 3.0 (x16), DisplayPort/ DVI-D/ HDMI, ATX
    2GB EVGA GTX 670, 28nm, PCIe 3.0 (x16), 6008MHz GDDR5, GPU 915MHz, Boost 980MHz, Cores 1344 +Free to Play Bundle
    Edimax EW-7722PnD N600 Wireless Dual-Band PCI Express Adapter Dual 300N
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit SP1, Operating System, Single, - OEM
    I have been advised to get a full size case rather than a midi. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated!

    The advice to get a bigger case is correct. That GTX 670 will be a very tight squeeze inside that Antec 902 case due to the way the interior of that case itself was designed: The hard drives will interfere with the motherboard's expansion slots, restricting the length of those cards that will fit to only 9.5 inches long. Unfortunately, although a reference GTX 670 is about 9 inches long, higher-end GPUs will not fit if the PCI-e x16 slot is inline with an installed hard drive.
    Speaking of the GTX 670, it is clearly overkill on any system that's equipped with only 16GB of RAM total. Plus, you will need a third-party CPU cooler in order to perform any overckocking whatsoever of the CPU. Unfortunately, the Corsair Vengeance heat spreaders are extremely tall (over 50mm high!) that they will prevent proper installation of any decent tower-style CPU air cooler, especially if all four DIMM slots on the motherboard are being used. You will need 32GB of RAM plus at least a good third-party CPU air cooler such as a Cooler master Hyper 212 EVO (and overclock the CPU to over 4.0GHz) in order for that system to utilize anywhere near the performance capability of the GTX 670.
    Third, you do not need that particular Sound Blaster card at all: Its sound quality is surprisingly poor for a such a pricey discrete add-on sound card (or put it this way, it does not sound anywhere close to sufficiently better than on-motherboard audio to justify its cost).

  • I am planning to buy mac mini 2.5Gzh. I will be using it mainly for video editing and I am planning to upgrade up to 8GB. Is it a good buy or should I try some other alternative.

    I am planning to buy my next desktop. I will be using this mainly for video editing. I am not a professional video editor, I normally do home made videos for youtube, like tutorial, DIY project etc. I use Nikon D3100 camera and some basic green screen techniques as part of recording. So my basic video editing would be just syncing audio, editing videos to cut un-necessary frames etc and some basic effects. I am also planning to buy final cut pro.
    So my question is should I buy the mac mini or Imac?

    Great advice from RRFS!
    For video editing, do go for 16 GB of RAM ffrom OWC & consider the twice as fast i7 2.6 model, see Geekbench scores here..
    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i5-2.5-late-2 012-specs.html
    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i7-2.6-late-2 012-specs.html

  • Need help choosing the best laptop or desktop for video editing.

    Hi guys.  I'm a videographer and am in need of upgrading my current Dell Dimension 8300 desktop to either another desktop or a laptop.  My current Dell is just too slow.  It takes forever to render a video.
    Anyhow, what do you guys recommend for video editing?  I'd like something with plenty of hard drive space, plenty of memory, and a powerful video card.  There are just too many to choose from and was hoping to get some feedback.
    Thank you,
    Brian

    You can find a fairly cheap quad core desktop with a nice video card.  So if you need something that will last a while and not cost too much I would go this route.
    If you want a laptop, put yourself in one of these categories: someone who needs high mobility/battery life (14 in screen or smaller), someone who needs high mobility with a big screen (15.4in), or someone who needs a powerful computer with a big screen (17-18.4 in).
    Don't worry too much about laptop brands, only a handful of them actually make their own laptops, most of the big brands use the same two or three laptop manufacturers.
    Get the most powerful intel processor you can afford, and put either a 9 series nvidia, or an ati radeon 4800 series in, four gb of ram, and a 7200 rpm hard disk.
    After that it really comes down to price and personal style, I would stay away from the hp laptops, the brand that they use doesn't do so well making the internal components.
    Here are some good picks. 
    1) ASUS G Series G50VT-X3 (15.4in)
    2) Sager 5793 (17in)
    3)ASUS N80 Series N80Vn-X5 (14.1in)
    Asus actually manufactures their own laptops, and my experience with them has been spectacular.  The Sager is a rebranded Clevo, which is one of the brands alienware, falcon northwest, and other high end companies use. 

  • Advice on new PC for video editing

    Hi!
    I'm building new PC for video editing (Adobe CS6). System is based on Videoguys DIY9 recomendations (http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+DIY9+Its+Time+for+Sandy+Bridge+E/0xe9b142f408a2 b03ab88144a434e88de7.aspx) with few changes:
    CPU:  Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz
    MB:  ASUS P9X79 PRO
    RAM:  Corsair Vengeance Red 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3-2133
    Video:  ASUS GTX 570 DCII 1280MB GDDR5 DP
    HDD:  Corsair Force 3 90GB SATA3 550/500MBs (system disk)
              Seagate Barracuda 1TB SATA3 7200RPM 64MB (scratch disk)
    PSU:  CORSAIR AX850 80+ GOLD
    DVD:  ASUS 12D1S BD-R
    Case:  ANTEC P280
    OS:  Win7 Pro OEM
    RAID:  G-SPEED eS (RAID 5)
    Any thoughts & suggestions on such configuration?
    Thank you in advance!

    I made last updates to PC configuration (updates - bold) and soon going to buy. So... maybe final check:
    CPU:  Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz
    Cooler:  Corsair Hydro H70
    MB:  Asus P9X79 PRO
    RAM: Corsair Vengeance Black 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3-1600 CL9 1.35V XMP1.3
    Video:  Asus GTX670-DC2-2GD5
    HDD:  Samsung 830 Series 128GB SATA3 520/320MBs (system disk)
              2 x Seagate Barracuda 2TB SATA3 7200RPM 64MB (scratch/cache/render disk) *
    PSU:  CORSAIR AX850 80+ GOLD
    DVD:  LiteOn BD-RE iHBS212-32
    Case:  ANTEC P280
    OS:  Win7 Pro OEM
    RAID:  G-SPEED eS (RAID 5, projects/media)
    * Due to a limited budget, at the beginning I'll use HDD's in non-RAID configuration or will build RAID0 based on MB RAID controller

  • Better for Video Editing? MBP 13" or 15" w/9600M GT

    I am planning on purchasing a Macbook Pro for relatively extensive use of Final Cut Pro (HD video) along with possibly some light Motion work and video transcoding. In addition I will be using it for photo editing and web editing. I don't plan on using it for any high-end gaming.
    I will be purchasing a $200 24" external monitor to use most of the time along with external keyboard and mouse (so MBP screen size isn't an issue), but I need the portability and don't have the funds to purchase an additional dedicated desktop yet.
    I am having trouble deciding between the 13" and the 15", mainly due to conflicting opinions I've been hearing over the importance of a dedicated graphics card for video editing. Salespeople at the Apple store tell me it's important and I should get the 15". Research online yielded heated forum arguments over whether it really makes a difference or not.
    The price difference is quite significant though at the configurations I picked ($765) so I am seeking advice here for whether people think the cost difference is really justified for my needs. Note that both configurations include 4GB of RAM, smallest hard drive option (i've got external drives) and AppleCare protection.
    Pricing with education discount after tax:
    13" 2.26GHz - $1520
    15" 2.66GHz w/9600M GT 256MB - $2285
    *Is there a real difference in video editing performance and if so, is it really worth an extra $765? Or is there a better option that I'm not considering?*

    Thanks everyone for the feedback!
    Studio X wrote:
    Are you planning on making any money at this or are you only in it for fun? Have you ever edited before? Have you ever edited with FCS before? What of the 44 billion HD formats are you planning on editing? Do you have a camera? What format does it record? If it's a flash media based device, what's your back up strategy? How are you planning to externally monitor the HD material ? What are you planning to use as media drives as the system drive should not be used for media capture or playback?
    Still, I guess I come down on the side of "it doesn't matter as neither one is a serious editing machine". If I was in the market for a laptop and was limited to the current apple lineup, the only machine of interest is the 17" MacBookPro. The other two MacBookPros you are considering have no expresscard slot and come only with glossy screens - both are serious deficiencies in my world.
    I do plan on using this computer professionally. I am a recent college graduate but do have professional FCS editing experience under my belt. However my work was done using both school and employer resources. I do have an archive of work in Mini DV(HDV) and AVCHD formats. I don't currently own an HD camera, however will likely be purchasing one in the near future. As far as externally monitoring HD material, what else would I need other than the 24" external monitor (perfectly capable of full HD) or a separate HDTV? In addition to several older usb2 external drives for backup I do have a 1TB 7200rpm external capable of FW800 and eSATA that I would use as a media drive.
    I currently have an old 17" dell notebook with a glossy screen. The screen hasn't really bothered me, but the size and weight of the notebook has. And while the 17" MBP is a little lighter and smaller than my old dell, I would still prefer a 13" or 15". But from the opinions I've been hearing I'm steering away from the 13" and fully realize the downsides to the lack of ExpressCard slot in the current 15" as well. Still wondering while Apple decided to remove it.
    MartinR wrote:
    If budget is a primary constraint, then consider a refurbished 15" or 17" MBP from Apple, or a used MBP from a reputable supplier.
    I hadn't checked into the refurbished options, but now that I did, I found a nice 15" (late 2008 unibody) configuration that would provide a lot more value for the buck. For about $550 more than the new 13" config I would get a faster processor, 2" bigger screen, 9600M 512mb GPU, double the internal storage, removable battery as well as the ExpressCard slot (even though its not listed in specs, it's there). The only trade off I can see is battery life.
    http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=MjE0NjE5MA

  • Storage options for video editing

    For video editing is it better to use an external drive as the scratch disc or use an internal (non-bootable) drive. I keep getting conflicting information. I would like to get an additional 500gb for my system (Mac Pro G5)but don't know what direction to go. Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

    Well it all depends. Certainly, there's many good reasons to install a second internal drive. But I think it's better to use this as a "clone" of your startup drive. When I have a stable OS and application combo, I clone my startup drive to the second internal drive using carbon copy cloner (available at versiontracker.com). After cloning, I always try starting up from the clone to make sure everything's working. Then I can do a software update, install additional apps, and if my system goes south either from updates or some sort of corruption, I can quickly restart from the second internal drive and get back to work.
    I've installed a sata card and bought a 5 bay sata enclosure from macgurus. Trays are about $ 25.00 and drives keep getting cheaper. I can quickly swap out drives and you can also stripe the drives if you need faster thru put.
    I used to have as many as 11 firewire drives chained to my g5 and it worked great for years. But then things went seriously south and it took many months of troubleshooting to figure out the problem. It seemed like different brands of firewire drives did not play nicely together. I've been working with the sata enclosure for 2 1/2 years without any problems.

  • Which do you think; Windows 7: 32-bit / 64-bit, (plus unused RAM issues) is best for video editing?

    Hi there!
    Just received delivery of a Lenovo G550 with the following spec:
    2.2Ghz Core 2 Duo,
    4GB (DDR3 - 1066Hz) RAM,
    500GB HDD
    NVIDIA GeForce G210M (512MB)
    Windows 7
    The entire purpose for buying this laptop, was for video editing and it is the best spec I could find for my needs and budget.
    So what's the problem?
    1) Windows 7 is installed as 32-bit, not 64 bit. Why is this? I was given no choice in this decision.
    2) Only 2.96GB of that juicey RAM is being used by Windows 7. I need as much RAM as possible for video editing.
    3) Lenovo sent NO install disc. - When I eventually get a virus or my HDD fails, I have NO WAY to clean install the very product I have just purchased! (A laptop with Windows 7 OS).
    Considerations:
    As I understand it (please comment if there are alternative views on this); The 64-bit architecture is only useful for compatible software which has been designed to run 64-bit.
    The video editing software I use is "Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD 9.0"
    The suggested problems with Windows 7 run as 64-bit include:
    * Possible lack of driver compatibility support.
    * Possibility of 32-bit programs running SLOWER in 64-bit environment, than their native 32-bit environment.
    * Higher running temperatures & processor cooling issues.
    * No performance gains for all other programs running as 32-bit (email, internet browser, etc).
    The suggested advantages with Windows 7 run as 64-bit could be:
    * Full utilisation of the 4GB RAM. (Presently limited to 2.96GB)
    * Faster rendering and video editing tasks in 64-bit environment.
    Questions:
    4) How can I get an install disc for Windows 7? Shouldn't this come with the computer?
    5) Do you think the potential hassle and architecture conflicts are worth suffering, to get the reported performance gains of 64-bit architecture and the remaining unused RAM?
    Thank you for any help and advice!

    contact lenovo support line for windows 7 dvds, but make sure if they send recovery dvds instead of windows 7 dvd.
    most of people are having trouble with installing windows and drivers, so companies has found as this as solution to send recovery dvd -if asked- or using hidden partition to recovery system - like one key recover - instead of.
    but if you ask me, they need to send dvds.
    i'll contact the mods and admins about this issue, please stay connected to this post.
    anyp wrote:
    the member should contact lenovo, as of recently users are entitled to request media for 32 / 64 bit if they purchased one and want the other.

  • Which G5 for Video Editing?

    Hello, I've decided not to wait for an Intel MacPro, but would like to buy a G5 in the next 5 mos (by July) for standard-definition video editing using FCP 5 Studio. I have a few questions:
    1) Currently, I have a Quicksilver G4 with dual 1 Gz, 1 Gb ram and 160 Gb ATA drive. Would FCP 5 Studio work effectively on this machine (for editing, color-correction, motion graphics, rendering to DVD etc)? If not, is it worth investing more money into this machine, or should I switch to a G5?
    2) Which G5 would work effectively for my purposes? Kindly advise on clock-speed, RAM, Video card, hard disk etc. I take it I will not need RAID for SD, but only high-definition? I would need to use this machine for at least 3 years. Do you see Apple discontinuing hardware or FCP support for this platform during this time?
    3) How would the 23" screen be for video-editing? Are there any rumors about a 25" screen replacing it?
    4) Lastly, are there any Apple conventions in the next 6 mos (where new products could be announced), which I should wait for, before purchasing?
    Thanks for your advice!
    G4 Quicksilver   Mac OS X (10.3.5)   Dual 1 Gz, 1 Gb Ram, 2 x 80 Gb ATA

    Hello, I've decided not to wait for an Intel MacPro, but would like to buy a G5 in the next 5 mos (by July) for standard-definition video editing using FCP 5 Studio. I have a few questions:
    Get a Quad and get one fast, with a PPC machine you'll have lots of media copying freedom as you have control over your hardware. With the new EFI Mactels, trusted computing and HDCP coming you will not.
    Actually I wouldn't waste money on a PowerMactel machine until the whole "Blueray/HD-DVD" thing gets straightened out too, that's going to have a lot of baggage associated with it. When they do at least you'll have a Quad to be able to do things you won't be allowed on the PowerMactel w/BlueRay.
    Standard definition is going "bye-bye" in the US mandatory by 2009, mostly by 2007. You'll need to go HD as all the new TV sets being sold are HD/digital ready and all the content will switch as well. (HD Is really nice too, but eats hard drive space fast)
    1) Currently, I have a Quicksilver G4 with dual 1 Gz, 1 Gb ram and 160 Gb ATA drive. Would FCP 5 Studio work effectively on this machine (for editing, color-correction, motion graphics, rendering to DVD etc)? If not, is it worth investing more money into this machine, or should I switch to a G5?
    Yes sure, but if time = money, you'll need CPU muscle to render faster and large RAM to burn faster.
    I say get a PPC Quad, a large stock drive with 16MB of cache and a Western Digital 150GB 10,000 RPM RaptorX for a boot/app and "bare bones" home drive, keeping your video on the large stock drive. Get yourself 4Gb of RAM or slightly more, install it yourself and save money by visiting Crucial.com. (no comp)
    2) Which G5 would work effectively for my purposes? Kindly advise on clock-speed, RAM, Video card, hard disk etc. I take it I will not need RAID for SD, but only high-definition? I would need to use this machine for at least 3 years. Do you see Apple discontinuing hardware or FCP support for this platform during this time?
    Apple will support PPC based hardware for a long time, so will a lot of third party software makers because it's the majority platform. Not much software is available for the Mactel based machines, so PPC and the Quad is the best longterm professional choice at this time. I would also not get the stock card but the next one up.
    RAID you can play with later, rolling your own mini-raid set or if you have volume and require speed then a X-RAID.
    3) How would the 23" screen be for video-editing? Are there any rumors about a 25" screen replacing it?
    I had a 23", it's small, but it will do the job. A couple of inches increase won't make much of a difference IMO. If you got the bucks get a 30", it's awesome and better than two monitors as you don't need to turn your head back and forth. Just sit back and take it all in.
    Of course for standard video your going to need a standard monitor anyway for previewing.
    4) Lastly, are there any Apple conventions in the next 6 mos (where new products could be announced), which I should wait for, before purchasing?
    We just had one, Macworld, where the Mactels were announced, supposely Intel will release a 64 bit dual core around September, Adobe Photoshop supposely won't be ready with a Mactel version for another 14 months it's been estimated.
    Apple is working on universal versions of their apps, some are ready already.
    http://appleintelfaq.com/
    A site that be of interest to you is HDforIndies.com
    I always advise people to clone their boot drives
    http://homepage.mac.com/hogfish/Personal11.html

  • Suitable laptop for video editing

    Hello,
    for months now I am looking for a suitable laptop for video editing of  my footage captured by Canon 60D (and also GoPro). Since it is in a HD quality and h.264  format it puts a great strain on the CPU. I already had to return an  ASUS U30J and Dell XPS14 both with i7 processors because of their  terribly slow performance :(. So now, I really want to be 100% sure that  the laptop will be able to smoothly handle my footage. I am using Adobe  Premiere Pro CS5 for video editing and I do need a laptop (preferably 15'')  as I travel all the time.
    Here are the specifications of the Force 16F2 laptop built on MSI 16F2 (from the xoticpc.com), which I have chosen so far:
    FORCE 16F2 / MSI 16F2
    -  15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glare Type Screen
    -  2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM, 2.2-3.3GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache)
    -  IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU (Cools better than all Compounds)
    -  nVidia GeForce GTX 560M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
    -  12,288MB (12GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (2x4GB 2x2GB)-
    -  Standard Finish
    -  - 500GB (w/ 4GB SSD Memory) Seagate XT 7200RPM NCQ Hybrid 32MB Cache (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)-   or 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)--
    - 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)-
    -  Raid 0  Stripe Enabled (Requires 2 or 3 Hard Drives. Combines Hard Drives for performance)
    -  500GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) in ODD Bay
    -  3 Year Complete Care Warranty - 3 Year Parts with Ground Shipping, 24/7 Telephone Tech Support & Lifetime Labor Warranty
    I would like to ask you what do you think about this configuration  regarding my requirements? Will this system be powerful enough to handle  the h.264 footage? I would like to use both the SLR camera and the laptop as long as possible and don't have to change the laptop in one year time or so. That's why I would like the system to be powerful enough to withstand even future demands of the software, etc.
    I was also not sure about the 500GB (w/ 4GB SSD Memory) Seagate XT 7200RPM NCQ Hybrid 32MB Cache (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s. Do you think it is a smart choice? Is the 4GB SSD memory of any use? Or should I rather go with the 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)?
    I don't have any previous experience with the raid system, do you think that the Raid 0  Stripe Enabled (Requires 2 or 3 Hard Drives. Combines Hard Drives for performance) is the right choice for smooth video editing? I know that I have to use at least 2 hard drives so that's why I'd rather order 3 HDD to get the best performance..
    This configuration is worth 1800USD, I would obviously like to save some  money as I will need to pay also the shipping costs, tax and duty (I  currently live in New Delhi)... So if you think that something from the  system might be downgraded and I would still get good video editing  results, please let me know.
    Do you think that the 3 Year Complete Care Warranty - 3 Year Parts with Ground Shipping, 24/7 Telephone Tech Support & Lifetime Labor Warranty is of any use when I am not from the US? Should I rather go with the 1 Year warranty?
    I would very much appreciate any feedback from you!
    Misha

    Frederick, I will firstly answer your questions, I am in no way a pro video editor, my projects are up to 10MB of size although I wasn't yet able to edit the h.264 footage properly ... I mostly do events and quite simple projects, effects, two to three timelines... I use only h.264, my older projects are in DV quality thought. I usually have to rush to finish a project since I have limited time during the travels.. I usually work at one, maximum two projects at the same time
    Now, I have been trying to figure out what would be the best configuration for me and ended up with these two options, which are touching (maybe even overflowing) my budget... Both are worth around USD2100 (without shipping, etc.). Either I  will be going for one SSD disk for the OS or for maximum CPU and RAM.  Which configuration would you recommend me? Do you think that the second configuration is an overkill when taken into account the size and scope of my projects?
    With SSD disk:
    FORCE 16F2 / MSI 16F2
    -  15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Screen
    -  2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM, 2.2-3.3GHz, (32nm, 6MB L3 cache)
    -  IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU (Cools better than all Compounds)
    -  nVidia GeForce GTX 560M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
    -  10,240MB (10GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (1x4GB 3x2GB)
    -  Standard Finish
    -  - 120GB OCZ Vertex 3 MAX IOPS Sandforce Solid State Drive (Up to Sequential Read 550MB/s - Write 500MB/s SSD Serial-ATA III)
    -  - 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)-
    -  HDD Raid Settings - OFF
    -  320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) in ODD Bay
    -  3 Year Complete Care Warranty - 3 Year Parts with Ground Shipping, 24/7 Telephone Tech Support & Lifetime Labor Warranty
    With better CPU and RAM:
    FORCE 16F2 / MSI 16F2
    -  15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Matte Type Screen
    -  2nd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-2820QM, 2.3-3.4GHz, (32nm, 8MB L3 cache)
    -  IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU (Cools better than all Compounds)
    -  nVidia GeForce GTX 560M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
    -  16,384MB (16GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (4x4GB)-SPECIAL
    -  Standard Finish
    -  - 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)-
    -  - 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)-
    -  HDD Raid Settings - OFF
    -  320GB 7200RPM WD or Seagate (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s) in ODD Bay
    -  Stock OEM Thermal Compound (       IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU Provided FREE with Processor Upgrade!)
    -  Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/MS Pro/MS Duo/MS Pro Duo/SD/Mini-SD/MMC/RS)
    -  Internal Bluetooth + EDR
    -  Built-in 802.11 Wireless B/G/N - Stock Wireless Card
    -  Integrated Digital Video Camera
    -  Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
    -  Smart Li-ion Battery (9-Cell)
    -  3 Year Complete Care Warranty - 3 Year Parts with Ground Shipping, 24/7 Telephone Tech Support & Lifetime Labor Warranty
    Frederick, regarding the RAM I checked the 8GB option and it comes in 2GBx4 so I won't be able to save those slots. Plus I have been searching for prices of the RAM, HDD and SSD in the US and they don't seem to be that great for me to even consider them... I would simply have to pay more and would end up with unused parts from the basic configuration. I think that the Xoticpc have quite reasonable prices of the upgrades they offer... Plus I can count on higher prices of the components here in India so all in all I think that it would cost me too much energy and save me minimum bucks...  That's why I thought I might go for the 16GB RAM straight away if it isn't an overkill for me. As I said before, I would love to save money (after all I am a woman   who controls the common budget) so please let me  know, if I am just wasting money for high end technology which I won't be able to use . I rather think that in the future once I will finally be able to make  some money when I will have a machine to work on, I might upgrade to  better hard drives (SSD possibly). But right now I need a laptop on  which I would be able to smoothly edit the HD h.264 footage.
    Thank you very much for your help!

  • Computer for Video Editing for the Present and Beyond

    In an earlier post I announced that I have been a Premiere Elements user since Day One, and I also mentioned I was looking to have a new computer built from scratch rather than purchase from Dell or HP. I am close to finalizing that build, and am looking forward to upgrading to Elements 8.0. I am also looking forward to becoming a subscriber to Muvipix.com. Becoming a part of the Adobe Premiere Elements Forum coupled with being an eventual subscriber to Muvipix.com has elevated my enthusiasm for video editing. Special Thanks go to Bill Hunt and Steve Grisetti for anchoring this Adobe Pre E Forum. Your advice has motivated me to take my video editing with Premiere Elements to another level.
    Speaking of advice, what does everyone think of the following specifications for my new computer? Is this a solid computer for video editing? In some cases some components lack specificity (model numbers, brand names, et cetera). Suggestions and comments will be greatly appreciated as I take this final step. Thanks to all!
    ATX Antec     193 Computer Case
    X58 ASUS      Motherboard
    Core      i7- 930 Processor (1366)
    700W     OCZ Power Supply
    Triple     Channel DDR3 (6 GB RAM - 3x2GB)
    64-bit      Windows 7 Home Premium
    (2) Western     Digital 1T HDDs
    22xDVD+/-RW      Burner
    ATI  Radeon 4670 Video Card DDR3 (dual     monitor support)

    jcrystal76 wrote:
    I read your computer spec sheet. Thanks for sharing. You  said the ideal thing to do is use the computer just for video editing.  Best way to go. However, you still need an OS, which requires updates.  And you need to update drivers, and then there are product updates and  add-ons. You need to connect with the Internet to do all of this
    I do not have $$ or space to have 2 computers, so my single computer is for day to day work, and video editing as a hobbyist... which of course is not "ideal" for video editing... but I don't make $$ at this, so I use what I have
    I am still learning about Win7 64bit, so do not have all the startup process optimized... that is my next project, to figure out what does not need to be running, and remove that un-needed stuff from the startup
    You also asked about backup... the IMAGE program I use is mentioned in http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith/ADOBE.HTM#SmartOwn
    I make a boot drive image to external USB hard drive before installing any new software

Maybe you are looking for