Another laptop and Edius question

[Philip]

Well actually 2 questions.

I am thinking it may be time to upgrade the old Inspiron 9300 Centrino laptop. How does the core 2 with Centrino processors compare to the Core 2 Duo. I am not looking to replace a desktop here but to do some simple onsite edits and also some extra back up to my main system. I will be using the Canopus HQ and want to make sure it will capture easily from the HDV cams.

Also ..... I currently have a 17" screen on the old laptop. Is Edius usable on a 15.4" screen? How hard is it to work with the minimal real estate? The big problem I have now is when using the color correction or white balance filters....they take up so much real estate that a large portion of the screen is covered by them making it hard to scrub and see a scope while adjusting the filter. Has anyone figure out how to layout a screen with a 15.4 or is 17" a must have?

[pjsssss]

I think the Core 2 Duos have a pretty good edge. It seems to be most noticed in capturing. I can't see anything less than a 17". Even that seems too small to me.

[rsn108]

I’m using a Dell XPS M1710 with 2.33Ghz C2D processor, 2 GB 667 RAM, 100GB 7200rpm hd, with 17 inch 1920x1200 screen. It handles Canopus HQ files fine, maximum 3 layers.

Previously I had an Acer 8214 wlmi with 2 Ghz C2 processor, same RAM and 5400rpm hd, and it handled Canopus HQ ok, also, but not as well as the Dell. It had a 15.4 screen, I think 1680 by 1050 or so.

With both I use esata and 1394b external drives, all 7200rpm 3.5 inch drives.

It’s a little hard to quantify the difference, but I would say the Dell outputs a timeline of Canopus HQ to MPEG2 for DVD authoring about 20-25% faster, perhaps, although it varies. The Acer would encounter the famous "hard drive too slow" error when capturing much more often. The Dell seems to capture practically without any problem.

The Dell definitely is more powerful. The Acer’s fans would work a lot harder to keep it cool. The Dell is a lot quieter.

In terms of screen, the Dell’s is bigger and higher res, so it’s definitely better. But I managed without serious problems on the Acer’s 15.4. With 2 layers of video, a couple of sound and one of titling you can see the timeline clearly enough on the 15.4.

It's a fact that even 17 inch is not ideal though. But as compromises go it's quite workable. 15.4 is barely enough.

[Zorro]

Also ..... I currently have a 17" screen on the old laptop.

Size isn't everything ;-)

Which resolution does the display have?

[Philip]

My old Inspiron 9300 is 1440x900

[Zorro]

My old Inspiron 9300 is 1440x900

There are plenty of 15.4'' displays with that resolution out there. I prefer 17'' with 1680x1050. My favourite ist the HP NX9420 line:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF25a/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-1839153.html

[kwshaw1]

I had a 17" monitor on my first laptop and found that made it too big and bulky to be convenient, so when I bought my latest laptop I picked a 15.4" widescreen display. That obviously makes things a little tighter on the screen with Edius but I manage to get by, and if you really wanted to you could attach a larger monitor when you're in the studio for more editing real estate. I much prefer the smaller form factor of my new laptop over the old one and don't recommend 17" unless you really want a desktop replacement.