Does anyone perform Video Rendering on a Laptop?

dgrlogic wrote on 5/11/2005, 2:03 AM
Hi guys,

I really hope that you can help me with this issue.

I have a laptop that is hardly ever used because when I copied a large 8Gb video file (.avi format) the surface underneath gets intensely hot.

The laptop was purchased for two main reasons:

(1) to perform occasional Vegas rendering on the laptop while I do the same with my desktop.

(2) to use the laptop as a backup for remote office work when my desktop is being upgraded by me (I like to tinker with the software and the hardware).

Now I have my laptop just sitting unused because I fear that the intense heat that is caused from copying large video files either over my wireless lan or my wired lan will cause my laptop to burn up underneath.

What brand/model recommendations does anyone have for using their own laptop without experiencing an intense heat problem?

I would appreciate if you would tell me that I should not be using a laptop at all for copying large 8Gb video files. Maybe I have misinterpreted the reason for buying a laptop. Am I being unrealistic?

If I am not unrealistic, maybe it is just the laptop that I have that isn't made for large 8Gb video file copying. It is a Toshiba 5105-S501 with a Pentium-M 1.7 Ghz processor, 512mb memory, and a 40 Gb hard drive. I purchased it new 2 years and 10 months ago. It is still under a 3 year system guard service contract.

I have hardly used the laptop because of the intense heat problem. I had it serviced two days ago. The service technician cleaned the fan, told me he found some dust particles, tested the laptop, told me the heat output conforms to Toshiba's standards. I copied the 8Gb video file when I got home. The intense heat problem is still present and now I notice that the 7,U,J,M and the up arrow keys don't work when I press them.

Is an IBM T43 laptop best for the Vegas file copy and rendering?
I am thinking of purchasing this laptop for the same two main reasons I outlined above, rendering and backup for remote office work.

Is intense heat from a laptop always a problem no matter what laptop I purchase?

I would appreciate any comments pertaining to my concerns above.

Thank you.

_________________
dgrlogic

Comments

Liam_Vegas wrote on 5/11/2005, 2:19 AM
I regularly work on a laptop and do rendering (Sony Vaio). Mostly I render using an external drive attached to the laptop. Laptops DO get very hot (you would not want to work with on actually ON your lap).

You can get laptop cooling "devices" that sit under the laptop and help radiate the heat away faster. You might like to look at those.
Jameson_Prod wrote on 5/11/2005, 4:22 AM
I have a Gateway 450SX with P4 2.0 and 256 mb RAM. I use it more for editing on site or final touches when visiting a client but I have rendered on it. At work we have about 500 Compaq laptops consisting of 3 or 4 models also. Everyone runs hot. At times, so hot it actually will burn your hand when you touch it. We have had no heat related problems. I work at my desk on a laptop all day. I have used my Gateway all day in the hot sun at festivals. Again, no problems. Personally, I wouldn't worry to much about the heat. But I understand your concerns.

As Liam stated, I too use external drives for storage for several reasons. One, most laptop drives are 5400 RPM drives. Externals usually 7200 which gives better performance on digital audio and video. Second, most laptop drives are between 20 and 40 gb. Once you put the OS and programs on there, your space is limited. (also, I am a firm believer in making images and re-imaging periodically...this keeps the image size down) Thirdly, it just suits my way of doing things. I can edit, store, render and move easily between the laptop and my desktop. With drives droping in price, I have gotten to where I will use one drive for a project and then pull the drive and store it for "archival' purposes.

Rendering on my laptops are slower than the desktops. My P4 2.0 renders in about the same time as my older P3 933 does. My P4 2.8 desktop renders in about 1/2 the time of those machines.

Laptops won't replace desktops but they do have their advantages.

Hang in there. Good luck.

pjrey wrote on 5/11/2005, 5:01 AM
i have the Dell Inspiron 9200... 1GB ram, Pentium M, 2.00 GHz.. 7,200 RPM 60 GB hard drive.. mine gets HOT too.. use it on a hard surface (make sure all the computers "feet" are on) so its off the table surface enough... like stated above, dont use it on your lap.. let it breath on a hard, flat surface...

Jameson... as a whole desktops are faster.. but i think you are wrong, i think laptops will replace desktops.....
we are still in the dark ages...

good luck!
pj
DGrob wrote on 5/11/2005, 5:57 AM
I have a Dell Precision M60 laptop. I place a foam foot at the back to increase circulation under the unit and improve the work angle of the keyboard. Have an external HD as well. Never a problem despite rendering occasionally for 20 hours straight! Darryl
Guy S. wrote on 5/11/2005, 6:05 AM
My e-machines Athlon 64-based laptop gets quite warm, but not so hot that it's uncomfortable to touch.

Like the others, I use an external drive (Iomega 2.5" Firewire/USB, connected via USB and powered from the laptop).
dgrlogic wrote on 5/11/2005, 9:31 AM
These are great responses. I really appreciate them.

I feel better now that I have been informed that the laptops in general get either very warm or hot. Though, mine gets intensely hot.

As Liam suggested, I could get a laptop cooling pad.

Or I could raise the laptop with four corner support underneath so that the intense heat has a chance to ventilate outward.

I will probably look at newer laptops in the coming months as technology always changes and the new dual core processors look promising for Vegas rendering.

Thank you for your responses.

______________

dgrlogic
skibumm101 wrote on 5/11/2005, 9:37 AM
I have a hypersonic P4 3.2 HT with 2gb ram. Its my daily editor and does just fine. i have 2 60gb drives, so i dont usuall have my external drive connected
Yoyodyne wrote on 5/11/2005, 12:59 PM
I've got a Sony Vaio and an Antec laptop cooler - I did a couple of crude tests and the laptop cooler did drop my laptop temps a couple degrees. The antec model has two pretty quite fans on it and they suck the air out and vent it to the bottom. It also works real well on your lap - you don't even have to turn it on, the vents give the computer some space to dump the heat.