Does Premiere require a powereful PC rather than a laptop?  If so, any recommendations?

Premiere Elements 8 requires a lot more power than previous versions of the software -- even more if you're trying to edit certain types of video.

For miniDV and HDV video, you can usually work with the program on a dual-core 2.6 ghz machine with 2 gigs of RAM.

For AVCHD you'll likely need at least a quad core processor and 4 gigs of RAM.

All of this assumes, of course, an up to date operating system and a well-maintained computer. Laptops are usually slower than desktops, so you may want to up the specs if you're working on a laptop. Also, the program requires a pretty hi-resolution monitor, so you may have trouble working on a 17 inch or less screen.

How fast is your processor, how much RAM do you have, how much free, defragmented space is on your hard drive and which operating system are you using?

Also, what kind of camcorder is your video coming from?

You might want to take a look at my reply in this THREAD. The biggest drawback with a laptop will be the I/O sub-system, i.e. the HDD's available.

Good luck,

Hunt

A link with many ideas about computer setup http://forums.adobe.com/thread/436215?tstart=0

And even more hardware discussion http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/hardware_forum

Including this post about 3 possible builds http://forums.adobe.com/thread/598040?tstart=0

For a desktop config., you might want to look at this THREAD.

Good luck,

Hunt

As we said earlier in this post, how much computer you need depends on what kind of video you are editing.

For AVCHD video, you may not be able to do it with a laptop -- not without spending a LOT of money.

In fact, as a general rule, you'll need to pay about 50-75% more for a laptop to have the power of a similarly equipped desktop.

But if you'll tell us about your camcorder or source video, we can make a recommendation.

I do not use a laptop, but I have read here that the Sager brand is good, and has models with the processor, memory and hard drives to edit video

I have a SAGER, and it works very well for NLE work. Mine is some years old now, and has never failed me. Sagers are not cheap, but sturdy. They are known for building extreme gaming laptops, but it's an easy step to customize one for NLE work, which is exactly what I did.

Looking at their site, I see that they now offer up to 3x 500GB SATA II HDD's. That would be my recommendation. When I bought mine, the largest internals were 3x 250GB SATA II's, which I got. Also, for a fully tricked-out unit (basically everything BUT dual video cards, which actually cause issues with some NLE programs), I see that the power has gone up by about 45% and the price has fallen! Oh well, I have gotten ~ 3 years of excellent service from mine.

Give them a look,

Hunt

Ian,

That is interesting that the Sager is not available in the UK. Yes, I would expect that the VAT would be a bitter pill to swallow, but am surprised that the hardware is not available there. Good info for me to know for the future.

Sorry about that, but good luck,

Hunt

PS - It's the same with most wonderful US Zinfandels. They are just not shipped to the UK. What lousy US wine is shipped is priced so very over-the-top. OTOH, when in the UK, I can get some lovely FR wines, that never see these shores, so there is a bit of a trade-off. I used to wonder why my UK friends would comment on the bad US wines. Well, it was because that was all that was being exported to the UK - they were correct, those ARE bad wines, and horribly costly too. Of course, when I sneak in a few bottles of Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel, their eyes light up quickly. Then, they want to come and visit the US.

Yes, it will likely work. Depending on the operating system.

But, in my not-so-humble-opinion, Alienware is way overpriced. You can likely get a machine that's much better optimized for video work without paying Alienware prices.

Chuck has posted some excellent recommendations on the Muvipix.com forum.

http://muvipix.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1640

Nicely enough, he has several specs, depending on your budget and goals.

Wow! Happy moviemaking, Ian!

Ian,

Glad that the Sony is working well for you.

I use my laptop for much of my work, as I can do it on the patio, next to the pool, and do not have to spend hours in a darkened office. Something to be said for "location."

I use FW-800 externals to migrate my Projects to the workstation, when I require either the power, or the dual monitors (eyes are getting even older than I am). For my planned systems, I will be adding eSATA (but will keep the FW-800 connections, because I am so heavily invested in those) for even more connection speed. So far, those FW-800 drives have worked perfectly.

I agree with you that a properly setup and maintained laptop can be used successfully. Other than the limitations of the 17" monitor, I have never had one problem.

Good luck, and happy editing,

Hunt

PS - even with the exchange rate, it sounds like you got a killer system, and at a better price, than my Sager.