Which laptop to get for these needs...

Hi all,
I'm aware that there are many posts on which laptop is best suited for Logic, or which will work with Logic, etc, but I thought posting my own may get me better results, as the comments will be directly related to my needs, which I'll set out below:
* Currently away from home/main system due to work, and probably won't be able to use it for another 6 months at least.
* Current laptop (2006 MacBook) is beginning to bail on me, and many Logic projects are freezing up.
* I don't require a massive spec laptop, as a) I will hopefully eventually get my main machine down with me, so the new laptop will not always be my primary machine. Furthermore when I am reunited with main machine, the laptop will become an 'on the road' machine for projects etc.
That gives you an idea. The model I was thinking of getting was the 13" 2.7 MacBook Pro. I've been told that Logic will run on this pretty well (much better than my current laptop anyway), when using a fair few heavy plugins (Waves stuff), and also using Kontakt w/ fair amounts of instruments.
Question is, while the lower end 15" will obviously be faster, I don't really need the bigger screen, and I don't want to unnecessarily buy a machine that I'll never use to its full potential, hense why I'm verging towards the higher spec 13".
Obviously this totally depends on exactly what projects I am using, so it's probably quite hard for anyone to advise, but has anyone had experience using Logic w/ the new 13"? And not just for small projects, but for slightly larger ones too?
Many thanks!

For anyone thinking along similar lines, I went for the 13" 2.7GHz i7 and it runs like a dream for all mentioned tasks above. Great stuff!

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Laptops are always at least 2 to 3 times slower than a desktop, they are significantly more expensive than a desktop with the same or better performance and they need a wall outlet to use. Batteries don't last long enough for editing and you need a wall outlet for external components (disks, monitor, BD-R etc.) that are required. All that makes a laptop more like an expensive, underpowered luggable machine.
For video editing machines it is always best to use a machine for video editing only and use a second system for other applications and this is especially true for much weaker laptops than desktops.
So, let me repeat the question: What are the considerations to use a laptop over a desktop? You have to be very clear about it to sell the idea to the one responsible for the budget. You also have to be clear about the performance penalty, if you decide to go forward with a laptop.
OK, we got this out of the way. You have good arguments to get a laptop and you have succesfully sold the idea to the one responsible for the available budget.
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First, let me remind you of the article Adobe Forums: What PC to build? An update... because it contains a number of relevant issues that influence your choice. Basically there are three approaches possible:
Get a laptop from a brand company like Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba and the like.
Get a customizable laptop from specialist companies like Sager or Clevo.
Get a custom builder like ADK Video Editing build you a system tuned to your needs.
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CPU: at least a quad core i7 processor, preferably with hyper-threading. The faster the better.
GPU: at least a nVidia GTX 660M or better with 1+ GB DDR5 memory.
Disks: at least 2 internal 7200 RPM disks.
Connections: minimum is eSATA plus USB3 ports.
Monitor: at least 1920 x 1080 resolution and 15.4" screen size or bigger.
Memory: bare minimum is 8 GB but workable is only 16 or 32 GB.
Looking at brand names one may come up with a short-list like:
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Despite the price this will still be around 3 times slower than an equally priced desktop. If that performance penalty is too big, then one can consider a system like this:
Again, despite the price, this system will still be more than 2 times slower than a far less expensive desktop, but hey, you knew that when you decided on a laptop and got approval for the budget, right?
The last option is to go to a custom builder to get a laptop that is exactly tuned to your needs and budget. It will not be less expensive than the Sager route, but it will get you the best balance between performance and price for your needs. Additionally, you get great service if ever needed.
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As usual, Harm has provided very knowledgeable and helpful advice in this matter. I would like to add that if you are inclined, and feel it's worth a gamble.....New Egg has been selling refurbished Asus i7 laptops that have almost all the necessary components for a lower price than normal. You may have to add more memory yourself and add a quality SSD for OS and programs and pagefile, ( cloned from the supplied drive). Then, use the supplied drive for media and all else in the second bay....or, as an emergency backup of your original configuration. I am not sure,but I think if you put a second Marvell controlled SSD in the second bay instead,( Corsair Pro or Plextor Pro...no Sandforce), you may get the benefit of SATA III speeds from BOTH drives for best laptop performance.....I am not sure if earlier criticisms of SSD degradation still apply with these newer Marvell controlled SSDs.
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Hi Flore
This a huge debate. There are very few advantages to the new AVCHD camera's and the vgery long list of negative aspects of AVCHD camera's outweighs any usefulness of them. They are designed for Grandad to pick up and shoot good quality pictures and not for editing.
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My question is...
I work in television production and I am making the move to get into editing and I plan on purchasing a Mac in the next few weeks, and I am looking for a bit of advice.
Basically I would like to run FCP on the Mac, and if possible I would like to be able to run a version of Avid Express. The projects that I will work on at home will probably be run through FCP, but if possible I would like to be able to install some version of Avid on the same machine to help me learn.
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Message was edited by: Matt Clifton

Which Mac to get for FCP/AVid work.... Input appreciated

Hello,
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Message was edited by: Matt Clifton

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