July 2011.
This question seems to be asked quite a bit, what's the best laptop for editing, and specifically, for MPE and GPU acceleration in Adobe Premiere Pro. For that purpose, I thought it might be useful to compile a list of similarly well-configured popular laptops with their featured GPUs, prices and concise specs.
Laptops that would satisfy system requirements and recommendations for Adobe Premiere Pro, would have all of the following: - Fast 64-bit CPU (Intel Core i7 Quad Core or faster), 64-bit OS
- 8GB RAM or more
- NVidia graphics supporting GPU acceleration in Adobe Premiere Pro (either officially supported or not)
- Fast internal storage: SSD or 7200rpm HDD
- Fast connectivity for external storage or I/O devices: eSATA, USB 3.0, ExpressCard slot, etc.
- 15" or larger screen with at least 1600x900 resolution (17" 1920x1080 preferred)
- Support for a 2nd monitor via HDMI, DP or DVI connector
There is a multitude of other factors in choosing the right laptop, such as warranty and support; reliability record, design; however the above ones are readily quantifiable.
Note that this is not a complete list; rather, this is a list of examples which can be used as a guideline to make a choice suitable for a specific work-flow. If you are not sure what is the best option, consult DV411 or your favorite dealer; or post a question on a related forum such Creative Cow's Adobe Premiere Pro or What Computer Should I Buy? forum, or Adobe Premiere Pro forum.
Here is the list of Tier 1 laptops that satisfy the above criteria (as of July 2011). For a more current list and recommendations, consult DV411. Laptops with GPUs officially supported by Adobe for GPU acceleration for Premiere Pro work-flows:- HP EliteBook 8760w Mobile Workstation XU100UT - $2,999 "smartbuy":
- Intel Core i7-2820QM (2.30 GHz, 8 MB L3 cache)
- NVIDIA Quadro 3000M 2GB GDDR5 Graphics
- 8GB DDR3-1333 SDRAM expandable to 32GB
- 17.3" Display 1920x1200 LED-backlit
- 750GB 7200rpm SATA II HDD
- DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer LightScribe Drive
- 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, eSATA, DisplayPort, 1394a, ExpressCard/54
- Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
- Limited 3 year standard parts and labor warranty (3/3/3)
- HP EliteBook 8760w Mobile Workstation XU101UT - $3,499 "smartbuy":
same as XU100UT above except:
- Intel® Core i7-2720QM (2.2 GHz, 6 MB L3 Cache)
- 17.3" LED-backlit DreamColor FHD anti-glare (1920x1080) Display
- HP EliteBook 8740w Mobile Workstation XT910UT - $2,999 "smartbuy" (SRP $3,699):
- Intel Core i7-740QM Processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
- NVIDIA Quadro FX 3800M 1GB GDDR3 Graphics
- 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable to 32GB
- 17.0" Display 1920x1200
- 500GB 7200rpm HDD
- DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer LightScribe Drive
- 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 1 eSATA, 1 DisplayPort, 1 1394a
- Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
- Limited 3 year standard parts and labor warranty (3/3/3)
- Lenovo ThinkPad W520 Mobile Workstation configured for $2,268.00 (YMMV):
- Intel Core i7-2720QM Processor (2.20GHz, 6MB L3)
- Windows® 7 Professional, 64-Bit
- NVIDIA Quadro 2000M 2GB DDR3 Graphics
- 8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM) (expandable to 32GB, 4 slots)
- 500GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, 720p Camera
- DVD recordable multiburner
- 3 Yr Basic Depot Warranty
- Ports: 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB/eSATA, 1 Powered USB 2.0
- Specifications (PDF)
Note: some options are limited:
- no 17" display option: 15.6" is the only choice
- no Blu-Ray reader or writer
Laptops with NVidia GPUs (not officially supported by Adobe):- Toshiba Qosmio X775-3DV78, $1900 - i7-2630QM, 17.3" 1920x1080 screen, 8GB memory, dual drives (500GB 7200rpm Hybrid + 750GB 5400rpm)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M 1.5GB (3D Vision) - Toshiba Qosmio X505-Q8104X, $1900 - i7-2630QM, 18.4" 1920x1080 screen, 8GB memory, dual 500GB 7200rpm drives. Important: no USB 3.0
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB graphics - Dell XPS 17, 15, 15z, Alienware M17x series: models with Core i7 CPUs, NVidia GeForce GT 550M 1GB or GT 555M 3GB graphics, 1920x1080 displays, 8GB+ RAM. Example(s):
- Dell XPS 17 configured for $1,893.99 (YMMV):
- Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor 2.20GHz
- Windows® 7 Professional, 64-Bit
- 3 Year Premium Hardware Service Warranty
- NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M 3GB graphics
- 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory (expandable to 16GB)
- 500GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 17.3" FHD (1080p, 1920x1080) 3D Display with 2.0MP HD Webcam
- Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD)
- Dell XPS 15 configured for $1,769.99 (YMMV):
- Intel® Core™ i7-2720QM processor 2.20GHz
- Windows® 7 Professional, 64-Bit
- 3 Year Premium Hardware Service Warranty
- NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M 2GB graphics
- 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory (8GB max.)
- 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 15.6" FHD B+RGLED TL (1920x1080) Display with 2.0MP HD Webcam
- Blu-ray Disc BD-Combo (Reads BD and Writes to DVD/CD) with Roxio Creater 2011
- Dell XPS 15z (thin and light) configured for $1,609.99 (YMMV):
- Intel Core i7-2620M processor 2.70GHz 4MB Dual Core
- Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64-Bit
- 3 Year Premium Hardware Service
- 3 Year Accidental Damage Service
- NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 525M 2GB graphics with Optimus
- 8GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 Memory (8GB max.)
- 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 15.6" 300-nit FHD (1080P) WLED Elemental Silver Aluminum Display with Webcam
- 8x Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
- Ports: HDMI, MiniDP, USB 3.0 and 2.0, eSATA, etc.
Note: XPS 15z series are "thin and light" laptops with limited configuration options, e.g. the following options were not available at the time of writing:
- only dual core versions of Core i7 Quad Core processors
- no option of Windows 7 Professional pre-installed
- no Blu-Ray reader or writer option
- Dell Alienware M17x configured for $2,913.00 (YMMV):
- Intel® Core™ i7 2720QM 2.2GHz Quad Core (3.3GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache)
- Windows® 7 Professional, 64-Bit
- 3 Year Basic Plan Warranty and Service
- NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 460M 1.5GB GDDR5 graphics
- 16GB Dual Channel DDR3 1333MHz Memory (4DIMMS) (16GB max.)
- 750GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 17.3" FHD (1080p, 1920x1080) 60Hz WLED Display
- Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) Dual Layer Slot-Loading
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