I want to get a laptop but don't understand ram, processors etc.?

Question

I want to run Final Cut Express (video editing) on it and that is all I need it for. Does anyone know what the cheapest laptop for this would be? I don't want to pay for zillion gegatron technology if I don't need it

Answer 1

You can get an inexpensive laptop (under $600) Just make sure that the RAM is at least 1gig (or could be listed as 1gb or 1024 ram).

The processor (like AMD, Intel) will not matter much to you, just make sure it is at least 1.6ghz in speed. The higher the number the better.

Ram is the most important part to you, but dont confuse it with Harddisk memory. I know this is confusing to some people. Basically, a hard drive will be listed as 40gig, or 60gig, or 80gig. This is the amount of "stuff" you can store on your computer without needed to write it to disks or anything like that. I would recommend AT LEAST 60gig hard drive for what you are doing.

Memory, or RAM, will be most important to you, because of the video editing. RAM basically allows your computer to remember certain tasks while it is doing other tasks. It works like the memory button on a calculator. By having more memory, your computer's processor will have to "think" less about the stuff it has already done, which in turn will make everything you do faster.

Answer 2

System Requirements
Macintosh computer with 500MHz or faster PowerPC G4 or G5 (550MHz for PowerBook G4) or Intel Core Duo
512MB RAM
Display with 1024-by-768 (or higher) resolution
An AGP or PCI Express graphics card compatible with Quartz Extreme or an Intel GMA integrated graphics processor in MacBook or Mac mini
Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later
QuickTime 7.0.4 or later
HDV features require 1GHz or faster processor and 1GB of RAM (2GB recommended)
500MB disk space required for applications; additional 16GB of additional storage space for Soundtrack and LiveType content (can be installed on separate disks)
DVD drive for software installation

if U want more go to http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/specs.html

Answer 3

Circuit City Compaq Presario V5209 $495
Processor- speed of the laptop
Ram- memory

If u have bigger memory space and faster speed, then these are excellent in video editing and burning DVDs