Which computer is best for editing Canon/Panasonic files?

Hey guys, I really need to know tonight, but basically, I'm looking for a laptop (preferably small sized) that will allow me to edit Canon or Panasonic 1080p movie files. So far, I am considering a Mac laptop as it does include some basic software, but I would like to know if they generally are powerful enough to handle the edits without the programs crashing, and if the major editing programs out there are compatible with a Mac.

If a Mac is for any reason not a good option except for the price (least important to me, as I don't have the knowledge/skill to spend a lot of time adding devices to my computer), please recommend a laptop computer that is just as amazing for my needs. I'll repeat that I'm not exactly looking for major editing capabilities; for almost any sort of project I do for the next few years will not really involve anything but detailed color and lighting correction, stitching, sound editing, ect ect. Green Screen may not even be involved. I'm looking for a computer that will allow me to create the general, perfect short student film, for instance. Please help, I need to know tonight!
 
RPLace said:
Hey guys, I really need to know tonight, but basically, I'm looking for a laptop (preferably small sized) that will allow me to edit Canon or Panasonic 1080p movie files. So far, I am considering a Mac laptop as it does include some basic software, but I would like to know if they generally are powerful enough to handle the edits without the programs crashing, and if the major editing programs out there are compatible with a Mac.

If a Mac is for any reason not a good option except for the price (least important to me, as I don't have the knowledge/skill to spend a lot of time adding devices to my computer), please recommend a laptop computer that is just as amazing for my needs. I'll repeat that I'm not exactly looking for major editing capabilities; for almost any sort of project I do for the next few years will not really involve anything but detailed color and lighting correction, stitching, sound editing, ect ect. Green Screen may not even be involved. I'm looking for a computer that will allow me to create the general, perfect short student film, for instance. Please help, I need to know tonight!
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I don't know how to make it any clearer- DON'T BUY A COMPUTER FOR THE FREE SOFTWARE!
Even Mac users will tell you that.

If you are going to buy a Mac anyway, having iMovie is a nice perk. But it should never be the reason you buy the computer in the first place. Like I said before, a very basic laptop + Vegas movie studio will cost about half as much as a macbook and be faster while offering a more powerful platform at the same time.

Also, those folks who are talking about custom building their computer... that stuff doesn't really apply to laptops. You generally buy them as-is, and don't add video cards or dual HDs or anything. They are slightly more limited because of this, but you don't sound like the sort of person who will mind.

That being said, just about any modern i5 or i7 (if you can afford it) laptop will edit both canon and Panasonic footage just fine. Most modern NLEs are now optimized for directly editing DSLR footage, so you shouldn't even need to transcode (especially Vegas and Premiere).
HD space shouldn't be important, as you should be editing off an external anyway (everything on the same drive as your OS is often asking for trouble). Just get as much CPU and RAM as you can afford, then get yourself a half decent third party NLE (vegas movie studio is my recommendation, and down the road you can upgrade to Vegas Pro for a discounted license if you decide to stick with it).

But, if your head is still spinning from all this and don't mind spending the extra money on a Mac, sure why not. While you absolutely positively don't NEED a Mac (or necessarily have any kind of advantage at all in doing so), it seems to be the way you are leaning anyway. And that makes it a personal preference thing- if you prefer to spend the extra money because you like the idea of using the "free" software (I say "free" in italics because you are actually paying quite a bit for it), that is entirely your own prerogative.
Go for it, the community is here to help either way.
 
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Is it possible to edit 1080p video in FCP on a Macbook (not pro) with an external HDTV connected for the video preview?
 
I just wish that I could somehow get the name of maybe a specific model or something that would truly be best - just like cameras, I'm sure there's a whole world of computers out there. Just about the only things I know to be specific on is that I do need a lot of memory and power for my files (though I'll probably be using an external hard drive most of the time, seems an all around recommended idea), and hopefully, some computers process the editing of the files quicker than others. Generally I do want a fairly high-def screen, but choosing this on a laptop may be hard (not sure if laptops go up to 1080p?). It's just so difficult choosing a computer, and if truth be told I'm very used to Windows, but I just don't know which model to pick. I already have fairly dang expensive HP Pavilion laptop from just a few years back, and it couldn't process a slug. I truly want a computer that isn't known for slowing down right after you get it.

Ugh :/.

I mean if anyone could indeed recommend the perfect powerhorse, please do. I know that Mac Laptops generally run for $1,600 and I'll agree with everyone, it's a super-steep price range if a $600 computer can do the same thing. So is the i5/i7 a must? Guess I'll check that as one of my requirements.
 
Go to Dell's website. You can choose a standard high end model and add to it through the online purchasing system as needed. Hint: Things that cost more tend to be better. They have the easiest to use website I've seen for this sort of thing. Then buy the cheap editing software recommended here.

Every computer slows down when crap is on it. Computers are incredibly automatic now, but if running Spybot every once in a while and not downloading every toolbar you're asked to is out of the question every computer will slow down over time. That's just how it works.

It really doesn't get much easier than that, unless you buy something that doesn't even offer the add ons.

As for memory, that probably means RAM. Not hard drive space.
 
See, cameras are different. You can ask for opinions, and we can tell you specific models that we like or don't like, and the differences between them.
But you can't expect that around a PC.

All manufacturers these days use more-or-less the same components, and in some cases let you customize what hardware is more important to you at checkout. An Intel i7 in a Lenovo is going to perform roughly the same as it will in a Dell. So saying "get an XYZ model computer" isn't going to really help.

What you need are specific specs, not brand and model numbers. I recommend Intel i5 or i7 chips (i3 lacks some of the architecture that can really accelerate rendering speeds). Get the fastest one you can afford with the most RAM available to you, and you should be good to go. If you need help finding a model like this, call Dell or any other online vendor. The folks on the phone have been extremely useful to me as personal shoppers (especially at the Dell Outlet- tell them what you are looking for and why, and they'll search the inventory for the best options).

Now, if you are concerned with durability, build quality, how bright the screen is, ergonomics of the keyboard, battery life, etc... that's beyond the scope of this forum, and probably better asked in one more specific to Laptops and personal computers.
Here, they are all just tools.
 
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