@MCK @johnebaker

Looks like John has presented and ideal system for your video editing work.

I noticed it states Users can switch the Lenovo integrated UHD Graphics 630 on and off within the BIOS.

In my opinion I like overkill in components, but at a fair price.

I would hope that if I bought a laptop it would last for many years and cut down spending in the long term, new software is being released and getting more sophisticated and demanding.

More processing is required from your Cpu and GPU including ram as time goes on.

Basically, is the technology keeping up with the software or is the software keeping up with the technology?

I too did a lot of research to find my ideal Pc for music production, video editing and gaming.

If you ever do pick your ideal laptop, keep us updated, cheers.

I've had email notification of a post beginning "That's a hot laptop Intel i9 10th generation, 32gb ram, 2tb SSD and an rtx2060." I'd love to read the rest of it!

@MCK

Sorry was trying to edit post instead I deleted it, need my glasses on, I think your possible choice of Laptop is great, I like overkill on items as long as they are fairly priced or in a sale.

Everyone will give you their opinion on products, it's like one man's meat is another man's poison.

If you like a product you can afford and it gets great reviews and will cover your needs and last for the next five years or so then go for it, you mentioned you were low in funds, so make your decision on affordability and user feedback.

I am actually taking a break from dealing with a leaky roof and spending a bit of time in forum to take my mind off it.

@MCK

Wow just checked price of your choice of laptop, £2100 that is expensive.

I know - way above what I wanted to spend. But I am hoping for (a) hassle-free editing and (b) improved reliability on the two laptops which have let me down, both of which cost more than £1000. I would, however, like to spend less if possible.

@MCK

Hi

To add to @PATIENT-X comment

'Overkill can be good for future proofing, however it must be balanced with a fair price' - this is the axiom to work to.

My old laptop is an Intel 4th generation processor with HD4600 iGPU, is about 7 years old and at that time cost ~ £800, and no replacements parts necessary. It has served me well, I can edit and export 4K with hardware acceleration, I was surprised when I found it could do this, however it is beginning to show its age in terms Windows 10 it is currently stuck at 2004 and I may be able to get to 20H2, however the screen has been showing signs of dimming over the last year.

John EB

@MCK

As a comparison tool, look at your choice and John's choice, price comparison is almost double, John's laptop hard drive can be upgraded later on and so can the ram, but for now John's laptop is about half the price.

Your choice yes there is 32gb and 2tb SSD hard drive. In comparison both laptops have 10th generation cpu and Rtx2060 GPU.

When it comes to video editing is there really a difference between Intel i9 and i5 CPU?

@MCK

Hi

For 'hassle free editing' then I would definitely recommend a bigger, 17 inch", screen - the extra screen area ~ 23% more, is a big bonus.

John EB

@MCK @johnebaker

Unless I misread the specs doesn't MCK's choice also have an OLED 4K screen with another 200 nits of brightness compared to Johns HD screen choice as well? That is not a cheap alternative choice and may also be more colour accurate. Difficult to tell without seeing and using both, not to mention things such as efficiency of cooling and other unspecified differences (that I couldn't find) that may make for differences in price.I also have no idea what the difference the audio tuning makes that is on MCK's choice. It may also be considered a premium product which will also carry its own premium price penalty.

Also due to the current situation in the world and the increase in demand for machines I think current prices are also slightly inflated at present.

My only qualm about paying those types of prices for a laptop is laptops cannot easily be upgraded at a later point to increase their working lifespans. That and I hate using track pads of any kind. I know I could add a mouse and whatever else I need but that also seems to alleviate most of the benefits of using a portable machine when quite powerful desktops can now be made to have a smaller footprint that the current X-Box.

Ray.

@MCK

Here is a good laptop for the price.

ASUS TUF Dash F15 15.6" 144Hz IPS Core i7 RTX 3070 Gaming Laptop

15.6" ASUS TUF Dash F15 FX516PR, FHD, 144Hz,

Intel Core i7 11370H,

16GB DDR4,

512GB NVMe SSD,

8GB RTX 3070,

Win10 Home 

£1299 out in 12th April 2021.

I agree with @CubeAce that prices can be inflated due to pandemic, I have witnessed that on websites, yes laptops have minimum upgrade availability, the GPU can't be upgraded, but the model I have listed here is an Rtx3070 which will do well for many years, the CPU is 11th generation, that just leaves you with hard drive and ram memory upgrades

Screen size is more of a personal choice

@MCK I know you want a good quality laptop screen, but they also can come at a price depending on your needs.

@PATIENT-X @MCK @johnebaker

I was also thinking along the lines of replacement of failing parts such as the screen or keyboard or other lesser components. Even replacing a power switch could be a big problem. When on holiday I only need additional storage so my use of a laptop would be limited. As a main editing machine or a general purpose machine I'm not sure what I would want out of one. Also I would prefer at least 28" of real estate for editing but would love to go OLED or its equivalent at some point. Refresh rates are less important to me as I don't game.

Also maybe it would depend on what an individuals needs are when video editing. Some people stick to very basic editing while others tend to push the envelope on what is possible. Will I go HDR at some point? No idea. Would like a more colour accurate monitor. Yes. Would I notice a real life difference? I've no idea as I've only used what I have used.

Always tricky trying to predict future needs for myself let alone someone I don't know.

Ray.

@CubeAce

I have an Acer Predator 27in XB27OH 144hz monitor, I have had it for six years, it was originally £550, I paid £375 in a sale online.

It's great for watching movies and gaming.

I have replaced a screen on a laptop and a couple of keys years ago, YouTube is great for such things.

I have replaced power socket on laptop with a bit of steady hand soldering.

@PATIENT-X

I'm not saying it's impossible to do but most people have never soldered anything in their lives. Power to you though. 😉

Ray.

One of the dilemmas is: 4k or Full HD screen? I guess you will point out to me that a 4k screen is unnecessary if I am downscaling the footage to Full HD. And no doubt that would save some serious cash. But the 4k screens are so... sumptuous and wonderful and I suspect I'd miss it. Similarly touch screen; I am so used to getting my muddy paws all over the screen and would feel lost with non-touch.
Does this one make the grade or fall short?

£1530 HP Spectre x360 15-eb0003na 4K 15.6-Inch Convertible Laptop with Pen, Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, GeForce GTX 1650 Ti 4GB Graphics Card

@MCK

Great 4k screen, portable and converts to tablet.

The HP Spectre x360 runs pretty hot, particularly if you’re using it for demanding tasks such as 3D rendering or 4K video editing. Keyboard can get warm.

Gtx1650ti will cope with general video editing.

Restricted upgrading due to the fact that the ram is soldered onto main board, so can't upgrade ram.

Hmmm. Doesn't sound inspiring

@MCK

Hi. My Personal opinion.

I think there is still a limited amount of 4K video to watch via streaming sites on the internet although I'd hope that would change, so if you are not going to produce your own or even produce video with a higher dynamic range then there is less benefit from having such a screen with the exception of just having a screen where you can watch pretty close up without seeing the individual pixels. As for higher resolutions, most production companies at present use the additional resolution (and bit depth differences) for better after shooting selection of portions of the screen during editing where needed rather than producing higher resolution video for most people that don't have the bandwidth to stream if it were available or suffer caps to their internet connection. Even Amazon Prime doesn't steam at those types of resolutions. As I can't get HBO as a comparison I can't judge and Netflix at best is an extra GB per hour over Amazons offering of 6GBs per hour. I think unless you have a decent 4K capable camera with a reasonable sized sensor and using it and game there is little to be gained although you will still see a difference on a decent 4K monitor over an HD one. The tech will change over time and less expensive panels using different LCD tech is getting there, so newer monitors than mine at HD are already better. I think it is in most peoples nature to want to get the best they can afford but I agree with John, that it's a progression of diminishing returns of cost over additional benefit.

I would say though this starts then to become one of personal preference and how much an individual feels about their decisions for their purchase and rationalisation over their purchase decisions.

So I would say if you really want your choice there is no real downside to it other than it is possibly overkill for this particular need at present. For me personally I'm not sure. I would want a larger screen and better audio for a complete experience which is difficult to realise on a portable machine unless you decide to get a decent pair of headphones to accompany it.

Sorry to be so controversial.

Ray.

@MCK

It does get brilliant reviews and is classed as a premium laptop in design, it has many pro's but some cons.

If you can put up with it getting warm, then a laptop cooler would do the job, but why spend more money for an already expensive product.

If in the next three years you want more ram, you can't upgrade, paying all that money.

Summary, great laptop, brilliant 4k screen, 2 in 1 portable, great battery life.

Cons: can overheat and get hot on keyboard, you can feel hot air coming out of side exhausts. Can't upgrade ram.

Based on average reviews.

@MCK

Handbrake benchmark test results laptop comparison.

@MCK

I am also wary of companies reviewing products as they get paid to give good feedback.

I would rather listen to a user/s on YouTube reviewing the product.

Thank you for all of this. Really appreciate you all taking time to give your excellent advice.
The film was originally shot in 4k on a Panasonic, can't remember the model. Some years have passed and I have decided to re-edit it, improve it and add new scenes; this time with a Blackmagic Pocket 4k. First time around, the film was screened in two local cinemas, proceeds to charity. I am aiming for a repeat. Need a working laptop first!