Notebook Buying Advice

[gcwyatt]

First off, I apologize if this question is stereotypical. I searched the forum for the notebook I'd like to turn into a Hackintosh but got no hits.

I just quit my job as a video editor to become a stay at home dad. This means I lose access to all my high end editing equipment, including a 12-core Mac I had a love/hate relationship with. I'd like to have a home editing system for freelance work, favors for friends and family, and editing videos of my kid. Like so many others, I do not feel like dropping $2500 on a 17" MacBook Pro when I can get the SAME HARDWARE in a Dell or other notebook for under $1000.

I'm looking at the Dell Inspiron 15R, 17R, and the XPS series. I have a Dell XPS 1640 now (don't want to Hackintosh that one).

My questions are:

1 - Does the Dell Inspiirion series make a good Hackintosh and does it install easily with everything working?

2 - Is the Dell XPS series any better/more stable/easier to install and get everything working?

3 - Are there any other video editors out there that have turned a laptop into a Hackintosh with amazing success and what notebook do you recommend?

4 - Does anyone have a recommendation for a different brand of notebook (current model with comparable stats to the Dells) that makes a very stable Hackintosh that's really easy to install?

I truly appreciate any help and advice I can get. My wife and I could use the extra income some freelance gigs could get us, but we just can't afford an actual Apple. And thank you for your patience with my noobiness.

 

[Mate94]

If you want a laptop go with HP Probook 4530s.
In 10.7 Laptop section you can research more.

 

[jester969]

I'm mystified why a video editor is looking for a laptop/notebook which in itself does not fit with having a desktop machine handling video work on a laptop screen. If you look @ the laptop section, laptops are a lot of hard work getting it running even though not every function of the laptop will work as should once OS X is finally stable.

I fear you are looking at the wrong equipment for your needs.

 

[gcwyatt]

Most of the freelancers in my (former) industry use the MacBook Pro. By itself it's a great, machine to take directly to the client's location or to the studio or location shoot to begin ingesting video files. I had the same thought about laptops as video editors, but they function very well, especially when docked to a larger keyboard, proper mouse, external hard drive and larger display. But I still want the greater functionality of a Windows machine, so I'm exploring the Hackintosh.

 

[jester969]

Most of the freelancers in my (former) industry use the MacBook Pro. By itself it's a great, machine to take directly to the client's location or to the studio or location shoot to begin ingesting video files. I had the same thought about laptops as video editors, but they function very well, especially when docked to a larger keyboard, proper mouse, external hard drive and larger display. But I still want the greater functionality of a Windows machine, so I'm exploring the Hackintosh.

I understand the capabilities of a macbook pro but this is a pc laptop not a macbook pro.

I'm not even sure if there is a laptop choice for handling your needs that is the problem.

Question:

What kinds of [raw editing] files are you looking to use with this laptop?

 

[Gordo74]

Good rule of thumb:

Hackintoshing is FANTASTIC for desktops. Easy to get the compatible parts. Easy to save tons of money.

For laptops, it's just not worth it. Buy a Mac laptop.

 

[jester969]

I agree with Gordo74 on this because a pc laptop would not cut it for your work even though I was thinking of the 4530s but then on eBay you can purchase a used MBP for around 500-800 dollars which is within your budget.

I also thought you could have split the budget 500 for hack a desktop and 500 for the 4530s for mobility for your clients and whatnot.


It is your choice but a used or new macbook will suit your needs perfectly.

 

[gcwyatt]

<big sigh of dissapointment> I was afraid of that. I was really hoping to find a Wintel laptop that loaded up OSX no problem and ran Final Cut Pro and Adobe CS5.5 like it was a native 17" MacBook Pro. I guessing it's not to be. No other suggestions?

 

[Mate94]

<big sigh of dissapointment> I was afraid of that. I was really hoping to find a Wintel laptop that loaded up OSX no problem and ran Final Cut Pro and Adobe CS5.5 like it was a native 17" MacBook Pro. I guessing it's not to be. No other suggestions?

2nd post. That's the only well-supportd laptop by the community.