[Technology] Laptop advice!

gripper stebson

Well-known member

Jul 27, 2004

6,657

• May 6, 2021

• #1

Hi all,

So I am looking for a laptop that I can speedily edit video on. Pretty large projects.

What's the best spec I could get for limited budget - say, £500 to £600?

Links to possible ideas would be invaluable x

 

KeegansHairPiece

New member

Jan 28, 2016

1,829

• May 6, 2021

• #2

gripper stebson said:

Hi all,

So I am looking for a laptop that I can speedily edit video on. Pretty large projects.

What's the best spec I could get for limited budget - say, £500 to £600?

Links to possible ideas would be invaluable x

Click to expand...

I'd consider a 2nd hand Macbook Pro at that price. I think you could get a 2017 or newer version with min 16GB Ram that would be geared up for video editing. There is plenty of checking you can do buying a 2nd hand Mac, serial number check, then what to check before purchase.

 

schmunk

"Members"

Jan 19, 2018

9,519

Mid mid mid Sussex

• May 6, 2021

• #3

At that price you'd be better looking at second-hand - for a "gaming" or "workstation" laptop of the last 3-5 years (things haven't moved *that* quickly in recent times)

For video editing you need a decent screen, lots of RAM (at least 16GB) and the best 'discrete' graphics card you can get (i.e. a dedicated separate processor in the laptop, rather than being built into the main CPU). None of these are generally found at the £600 price point.



Edit: If you're happy with MacOS, a Macbook Pro as mentioned above would be a good shout.

 

ConfusedGloryHunter

He/him/his/that muppet

Jul 6, 2011

2,047

• May 6, 2021

• #4

Has never let me down

 

P

PeterOut

Well-known member

Aug 16, 2016

1,238

• May 6, 2021

• #5

Does it really need to be a laptop? For a specialist function I would choose a desktop (if it is an option for you) - you can add in / upgrade graphics card(s), RAM, storage so much more easily, and generally for much less than with a laptop.

 

Bozza

You can change this

Helpful Moderator

Jul 4, 2003

55,768

Back in Sussex

• May 6, 2021

• #6

The new M1 MacBooks are ridiculously quick and great for processing video.

You'd need to stretch your budget a bit, but you'd be getting a machine that will last you for years and years.

I'd buy from Apple's own refurb store (in fact I did, recently) as you get machines that you'd not know weren't new, fully guaranteed and save a few quid. They're often returns from customers that may have had the box opened and never used. It will come in a new box fully sealed.

Here's an M1 Air that saves you £150 on the new price >>> https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/produ...d1e565ecc0e0bc8ff1a50567fa5e3fd21302eef6c211f

 

clapham_gull

Legacy Fan

Aug 20, 2003

25,338

• May 7, 2021

• #7

Editing video on a laptop ?

There are wider considerations than portability to be honest.

What about the size of the monitor ? Do you need more than one ?

I don't edit video but do a bit of "conform" (basically sync and edit) subtitles and audio description against video. Local processing not such an issue because it's cloud based and I have a laptop, but it's very much closed, under the desk and cabled up to everything else.

If you are uploading you also need to think about your upload speed.

(If you need any advice on subtitles, please ask )

 

father_and_son

Well-known member

Jan 23, 2012

4,646

Under the Police Box

• May 7, 2021

• #8

Way over budget I know, but Asus Zenbook Duo is amazing for stuff like that because of the second screen.
16gb i7 with a good built in graphics card.
Once you get used to the slightly cramped mouse pad being next to the keyboard you don't notice the unusual layout that accommodates the second hd/touch screen.

Allows full 1920x1080 14" screen (although laptop comes in about the size of most 13") and a touch screen for additional controls or other apps.

 

Bozza

You can change this

Helpful Moderator

Jul 4, 2003

55,768

Back in Sussex

• May 7, 2021

• #9

father_and_son said:

Once you get used to the slightly cramped mouse pad being next to the keyboard you don't notice the unusual layout that accommodates the second hd/touch screen.

Click to expand...

I'd imagine anyone doing video processing, regardless of the machine, would have an external mouse and not routinely use the in-built touchpad.

 

D

disgruntled h blocker

Active member

Oct 16, 2003

819

Ampfield

• May 7, 2021

• #10

Really... do not bother with a laptop! For that budget there are too many compromises. My laptop for work (data science, big data etc, that kind of stuff) is a Dell Xeon laptop (£2500k cost) and is really hobbled by its physical form. Overheats, poor implementation of hybrid graphics etc...

If you have space you are better off getting an ex-corporate workstation which can be upgraded pretty cheaply. Take a look at these guys who always have a good range. https://www.bargainhardware.co.uk/refurbished-workstations

 

LamieRobertson

Not awoke

Feb 3, 2008

46,753

SHOREHAM BY SEA

• May 7, 2021

• #11

Bozza said:

The new M1 MacBooks are ridiculously quick and great for processing video.

You'd need to stretch your budget a bit, but you'd be getting a machine that will last you for years and years.

I'd buy from Apple's own refurb store (in fact I did, recently) as you get machines that you'd not know weren't new, fully guaranteed and save a few quid. They're often returns from customers that may have had the box opened and never used. It will come in a new box fully sealed.

Here's an M1 Air that saves you £150 on the new price >>> https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/produ...d1e565ecc0e0bc8ff1a50567fa5e3fd21302eef6c211f

Click to expand...

That looks a good buy

 

E

Elbow750

Well-known member

Jun 21, 2020

449

• May 7, 2021

• #12

If you really can't go above £600 then the refurb Mac shop has some lower spec macbooks at extermely good prices today... https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac

Although, as Bozza says, if you can stretch a couple of hundred £ to an M1 processor then I'm sure you won't regret it.

 

SeagullinExile

Well-known member

Sep 10, 2010

5,708

London

• May 7, 2021

• #13

Lenovo - Had mine years, not one issue...ever.

Stay well clear of anything Sony.

 

W

Washboard Didgets

Graphic Designer

Nov 12, 2005

1,134

WSU W3H T or East Grinstead, W. Sussex

• May 7, 2021

• #14

I'd second/third what Bozza said.

The M1 MacBooks have loads of stories/videos online showing they perform amazingly with video editing etc.

Also the Apple Refurb store is the place to get them, I have bought loads of items from there over the years and all have been flawless. In fact I once got a high spec iMac 27" from there and the model that turned up was higher spec than it said on the website, bought one with 4GB video card and it turned up with an 8GB installed.