Just a little background.  I'm a video editor by trade.  Work on Avid, (PC Version) and linear systems.  We haven't made the switch completely so I'm back and forth daily, although actually still on the linear equipment more. 

 At home I do a lot of Photoshop stuff, some editing in Vegas, and a little web work in Microsoft Publisher.  Have been debating a PowerBook Pro and a PC laptop.   I have never owned a laptop, but want to go portable - and get deeper into graphics / web design.   I'll be using Photoshop, DreamWeaver I think, AE, and if I do go MAC, possibly Final Cut Pro.  The idea of having Media Composer at home though seems to make more sense, and is actually really exciting.  It's a much better editor, and it can only help me at work by being on it more.

My problem is, the more research I do, the more conflicted I get.  The major drawback to MAC was price - about $2800.  But, by the time I get a PC station up to the abilities of the MAC, it's around $3700.  Also, the better approved stations on Avid's site aren't even availble anymore.  i.e. the HP nw9440 is discontinued.  Has anyone used the 9700t or 9700z?  HDX may be a bit big, but will it work?  Not much better on the Mac side as Leopard isn't supported yet, and all new Macs are delivered with Leopard, not Tiger.  I need the laptop now, but don't mind waiting on the MC software until they are ready, but seems pretty shakey as to which PCs will work in the future.  Strange that buying the best available PC may not give me a system that will play nice with MC.  Any idea when Avid gives an updated list of approved PC's?   

Sorry for the ramble - but any suggestions?

Hi,

We recently purchased a new HP 8710w and are currently running MC 2.8/Mojo SDI on it.  It was our 1st try at editing on a laptop and we've been very impressed!  Although it's not as powerful as the HP8400 dual, dual-core 3.0 we use for our main MC Adrenaline, but this laptop is truly a contender.  The only thing I really miss is not having dual monitors - but obviously that can be easily fixed by simply adding another monitor - just not as portable.  We've also been running Photoshop and After Effects CS3 with very good results.  I've had several HP workstations over the past several years and their support has been super.  All HP workstations come with 3-year 24/7 support.  I personally love my Macs for almost everything, but Avid MC on the PC platform has been pretty rock-solid for many years.

try this laptop.  See link http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/precn_m90?c=us&l=en&s=biz&cs=555

 Thanks Jack.  That's actually the model I have pretty much settled on.  What config did you get?  There are about 10 ready to ship versions, and then if that's not good enough I could customize it myself.  I was looking at the RM263UA which has a 2.4 GHz proc. and 2 GB ram. and the FX 16600M video card. I assume you rolled back to XP. 

I was also looking at the RM302UT which seems about the same except it only has a 2.2 GHz proc, but is about $800US cheaper.  Do I need the 2.4 or even higher?  They have up to 2.6.

 OK.  Can anyone explain these two computers to me?

HP Compaq 8710w Mobile Workstation (RM263UA) $3649

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-3355679-3355689-3453383.html?jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20Compaq%208710w%20Mobile%20Workstation&lang=en&cc=us

and

HP Compaq 8710w Mobile Workstation (KA454UT) - $3079

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06b/321957-321957-64295-321838-3329741-3355679-3355689-3671458.html?jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20Compaq%208710w%20Mobile%20Workstation&lang=en&cc=us

They seem almost identical, except the cheaper one seems better.  Only differences I can see in the specs:

2.4 (4MB L2 cache) vs. 2.5 GHz proc. (6MB L2 cache)

120GB 7200 HD vs. 160GB 7200 HD

Both in favor of the cheaper KA454UT.  Both have the same video card, bluray drive, etc.

What gives?