OT: Hows this for HDV Editing (laptop)

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/13/2005, 3:57 PM

Gateway Laptop

Processor:
2.4GHz Mobile AMD Athlon 64-bit 3700+ processor with Hyper Transport technology up to 1600 MHz, with 1 MB of Level 2 Cache

Hard Drive:
100GB HDD (4200 RPM)

Memory:
1024 MB DDR (2 x 512MB), 333MHz, DDR expandable to 1.5GB

Optical Drive:
DVD +/- RW multi-format double layer(up to 8.5GB with double layer media). Write max: 8x DVD +/-R, 4x DVD +/-RW, 24x DVD+R DL, 24x CD-R and 10x CD-RW disks. Reads max: 8x DVD-ROM Disks, 8x DL/+RW, 24x CD-ROM disks

Operating System:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2

Monitor:
15.4" wide screen ultra bright TFT WXGA

Additional Features & Specifications:

* 6-in-1 Digital Media Manager compatible with Compact Flash, Micro Drive, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro data cards
* ATI Mobility Radeon X600 with 128 MB video memory
* 802.11g integrated wireless (up to 54Mbps) with BroadRange Technology
* 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 IEEE 1394 port, 1 VGA external connector, 1 S-video port, 1 RJ45 port, 1 RJ11 port, 1 microphone in port and 1 headphone/audio out port
* AC '97 2.3 compliant audio with built-in speakers
* Touch pad with vertical scroll zone
* 10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN port
* 56K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem
* 8-cell Lithium-ion battery
* Measures approx. 14.0"L x 10.4"W x 1.6"H
* Comes with a manufacturer's 1 year limited warranty (online and toll support)

Comments

dmakogon wrote on 9/13/2005, 5:55 PM

Careful with the drive - it's 4200RPM, and it's not the quickest RAM.

If you're going the laptop route, you may want to check out the Alienware MJ-12m 7700. Not only does it have P4 (vs. Pentium M) up to 3.8GHz and 800MHz FSB, but it has the option of a JBOD, RAID-0 or RAID-1 configuration, and with RAID-0, you can stripe two 60GB 7200RPM drives (for top performance) or up to twin 120GB 5400RPM drives (still fast since it's RAID-0). You can configure up to 3GB RAM (dual channel DDR2 @ 533MHz). Spec-wise, it seems that there are no compromises whatsoever in the performance department!

With Alienware, you can also get in-home service. And, for those who don't own Vegas yet, you can get it preinstalled (for $341 extra).

I've been seriously thinking about getting this beast, as I am a software architect by trade and I do video editing as a hobby. This laptop would handle both with ease!

David

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/14/2005, 8:00 AM

anyone else have any input?

skibumm101 wrote on 9/14/2005, 8:31 AM

Dont go with Gateway, Bad news!!! I have lots of experience with all major brands of laptops.

IF your serious about a powerfull laptop get a sager or one of the reseller brands like hypersonic or alienware

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/14/2005, 8:47 AM

Well, the reason Im looking at the Gateway one is that i can get it on a felx pay. I figured AMD 64 3700 would provide enough power to do some field work once I am recovered. Ill be getting it from HSN (still have a $500 gift certificate that is about to expire) so I have to get something from their site and honestly nothing else interests me on there except for their HDTVs which are overpriced and shipping costs are a killer.

Definitelty will beat the P4 2.4Ghz Im using now.

GregFlowers wrote on 9/14/2005, 9:06 AM

I have the previous model of this with an AMD 3400 and have edited Cineform HDV without any problems with full rate playback. I use it much more than my desktop at this time. I'm not sure if my hard drive is 5400 0r 4200 rpms but I haven't had a proble capturing or printing to tape yet.

p@mast3rs wrote on 9/14/2005, 9:19 AM

Awesome. Thanks Greg. Not that bad of deal especially since I get $500 off.

I wonder if it will improve playback of H.264 AVC encoded video. Guess I will find out when it arrives.

Thanks again.