Laptops Optimized for Adobe Premiere Pro

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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