Smallest size (physically speaking) computer for using with Vegas Pro?

Len Kaufman wrote on 6/19/2022, 11:50 AM

What is the smallest portable (laptop) computer that you have found in which to do at least minimal editing in Vegas Pro? When I say the smallest, I talking about physical size and weight, perhaps 14" or smaller, as I want to use it when traveling, as I'm already carrying enough gear, so trying to minimize. I don't expect to do "full blown" multi-track videos; more like a single timeline, with possibly, a voice over and music. I don't expect blazing speed. Do any of the small notebooks work for you?

And if there isn't such an animal operating Windows, with which to use Vegas, is there an Android based NLE program you've found, that somewhat feels a little like Vegas, so that I don't have do go through the learning process again.

Thank you,

Len

Comments

Musicvid wrote on 6/19/2022, 12:58 PM

You want to edit video on a screen smaller than 14"? Congratulations on your eyesight.

Dexcon wrote on 6/19/2022, 1:19 PM

@Len Kaufman ... I recently got a Dell Inspiron 5310 EVO 13.3" Laptop for an overseas trip which is now with me more than16,000 kms from home. It has Vegas Pro 19 b636 installed on it; however, I am not using VP for 'on the trip' editing. The simple things that I have used it for have gone without a problem - but they are very basic tasks without any FX etc.

Before getting the laptop, I explored the differences between a laptop and a notebook. From what I read, it was suggested on several sources that notebooks are great for viewing (e.g. streaming, YT and the like) but laptops are preferable if more intensive tasks like NLE editing are needed.

The next thing to consider is the size of the C drive. Mine is 512 TB but the video that I'll be recording during the trip will be nearly double that size. Being a compact laptop, the Inspiron 5310 does not allow for another HDD to be installed, so I've got 2 external portable HDDS, one an SSD (1T Samsung T5) and the other a 1TB spinning disc HDD. Getting a compact laptop with a 1 or 2 TB SSD increases the purchase cost significantly (e.g. look at Microsoft's Surface Pro to see how prices zoom with increased SSD storage). This may not be such a problem for a short trip where the size of the media is not likely to be large and/or is in HD rather than 4K.

Then comes the issue of a very limited range of connections. There's no built-in memory card reader - so I had to buy an external one. USB is limited to 3: 2 x C and 1 x 3. And one of the C plugs is used for the power supply. So I needed to get an external USB hub. Though I don't need it, there's no microphone input.

Len Kaufman wrote on 6/19/2022, 1:35 PM

You want to edit video on a screen smaller than 14"? Congratulations on your eyesight.

@Musicvid People (kids?) seem to be doing it fairly successfully on smart phones. As for me, I've had the cataracts removed and the implants implanted. LOL I've installed a couple of NLEs on my Samsung Tab S4 (it's about 10.5" diag.), and it's fairly readable, especially with the addition to some OTC readers, for closeup work. I may upgrade to the Tab S6 or 7, for greater speed and ram. But those NLEs are almost like starting from scratch.

@Dexcon Thanx for your detailed input. Based on what you've written, I'll probably stick with my tablet, and just bite the bullet and learn some new programs. Any FX don't seem to slow the process down.

On my last trip (Europe) I used my WD My Passport wireless drive for storage, and it worked well. And you can also use it to charge a phone, in a pinch.

This next trip will be a litle over 2 weeks in Vietnam, with only a few days in major cities.

set wrote on 6/19/2022, 4:37 PM

For Android-based NLE, so far I know, seems Kinemaster is the only choice that capable of at least multiple layer and track, but that's subscription-based or watermarked videos.

Besides of 14", I use 15.6" laptop and using resolution 1920x1080. Still ok for me... but for others, the texts are too small.