KirinRiotCrash wrote:I work on a laptop, too, and yes it burns up when it's exporting videos and doing heavy stuff (even playing graphics intensive games like UT2004). My iPod also feels like a Hot-Pocket if I choose to export my video to my iPod when used as a FW400 drive.
One thing that I have always done was elevate the laptop using a thick book (like a dictionary) or a medium sized box that programs are packaged in (in my case, it's my iLife 04 box) ... something big enough to raise it but small enough so that air flows underneath the laptop where it's usually hot, usually where the location of the hard drive and processor is. (On my iBook, my hard drive where my left palm rests and the processor is where the F5 and F6 keys are at so there's some space underneath there)
The heat is normal on some laptops because they are designed to dissipate heat through the enclosure, even though a fan is present. It doesn't even have to be overclocked to feel hot! Of course, manufacturers design laptops differently. On a personal note, I have never used a PC laptop ... I have used a lot of PC desktops but never use a PC laptop on a daily basis so my only laptop experience are with iBooks and Powerbooks.
Since you're looking for a laptop, I'll make a few suggestions.
Considering the software you have (assuming you have enough licenses to install them on a second machine otherwise, you need to do some license transfers), I would recommend an Alienware laptop. I heard they're really good when it comes to PC laptops and quite extensible (even the GPU can be replaced which is really awesome!).
Also, since you're doing video editing, I recommend that you get a laptop with a 5400 or 7200 rpm hard drive as laptop hard drives can be rather difficult to upgrade in the future vs. a hard drive for a desktop machine.
Additionally, if you plan on getting an external hard drive for your laptop, get a laptop with a FireWire 800 port (or IEEE 1394b) ... the bandwidth of a FW800 drive is much faster than that of FW400 or USB2.0 (say roughly around ATA-100 speeds).
Hope some of that makes sense. Good luck in shopping for a new laptop.
ok technically im going to buy vegas 5+DVD and after effects for the laptop i am currently using vegas 4 for my desktop... when i get the programs though ill prolly transfer the license of v4 to my laptop and have the more powerful 5+DVD on my desktop
i also have an external hard drive(which hold most if not all of my dv/huffyuv source) and i run around with that is usb 2.0 and firewire... i cant live without a computer that doesnt have a firewire... dunno im just paranoid
madmag999 wrote:why use a laptop to edit? laptops are not as good as desktops for obvious reaons. the only real reason to want a laptop is to write things on a plane or something. i dont see a reason to use it at home for editing. but if you must have one then get one.
the laptop is actually a computer i have when ill be running around home-->UCR-->friend's places. i want the laptop to do the normal functions and if i get bored in class.... start making a pointless AMV to pass time

the part of the laptop being able to hold and edit video is there for my own personal (and dumb) reason
anyone have any other suggestions for parts? oh yeah i also dont want to be carrying around a suitcase size laptop.... MODERATION