Vortex 15.6" - Video Editing, VFX, Colour Grading

[ld88]

Chassis & Display Vortex Series: 15.6" Matte Full HD LED Widescreen (1920x1080)
Processor (CPU) Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-4810MQ (2.80GHz) 6MB
Memory (RAM) 16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS 1600MHz SODIMM DDR3 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 770M - 3.0GB DDR5 Video RAM - DirectX® 11
Memory - Hard Disk 750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
2nd Hard Disk 750GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD7500BPKX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
mSATA SSD Drive 128GB Plextor PX-128M5M mSATA SSD (upto 540MB/sR | 320MB/sW)
2nd mSATA SSD Drive 120GB Kingston SSDNow mS200 mSATA (upto 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive 2nd/3rd HDD HARD DRIVE OPTICAL BAY CADDY
Memory Card Reader Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)
Thermal Paste ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card Intel 2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Bluetooth & Wireless GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® AC-7260 (867Mbps, 802.11AC) + BLUETOOTH
USB Options 3 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 1 x USB 2.0 PORT AS STANDARD
Firewire 1 X 1394a FIREWIRE PORT
Battery 2 x 15.6" Vortex Series Battery Pack, 76.96WH (One Spare)
Power Lead & Adaptor 1 x UK Power Lead & 120W AC Adaptor
Operating System Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
DVD Recovery Media Windows 7 Professional (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve

Hey Guys,

I have looked up and down this forum for advice on ordering with PCS for my media work. I have always used PC's, and have a very hefty rig which can handle RED files. I have now gone into field work, working with HD footage from DSLR's to Canon XF305. I needed something that can handle my workload, I had previously ordered a Macbook Pro Retina, and before anyone says I did like the spec, was bit overpriced but you get a good battery life and a nice screen. But after realising overkill and my mistake I had returned it and have been looking for a laptop equal or great. Unable to find any apart from the Dell XPS, I realised I need to stop focusing on design and looks and focus back on to work ethics.

I have opted for the GPU due to CUDA cores, as I like the Mercury Playback Engine when playing back and altering effects, and the processor I got, as I am working with h264 footage which is a nightmare, I can't be botherd in converting the footage to another friendlier file format.

I have chosen two mSATA, one which will have the OS and one will be an export drive. 2 x 7200rpm drives, one which will hold media and one for cahce, I will also be using the superfast USB 3.0 for constant backup when in the field.

I will be posting updates, as I have not seen any threads in regards to this, and I know there are many like me who are trying to find a portable powerhouse to do on the go field work when not in a heavy environment or just to be able to edit footage whilst on the go.

For colourists, I will not be using the screen on the laptop have a calibrated monitor I use, but will keep updated if laptop is adequate enough.

Have order today, for 5 day fast turnaround, as initially I opted for 9-11 days but as I am in the field in 8 days I cannot risk it being any later.

Will keep update, if anyone wants to add in regards to specs that I have please post if I have done a bit of overkill.

 

[mantadog]

certainly looks good to me, the CPU is powerful but not the top end extremely expensive one which is a really good choice. Looks ideal to me, not sure what else you could do for your needs without going completely crazy on the price. Hope you enjoy it

 

[ld88]

mantadog, thanks was looking at the next cpu up but paying that extra for performance on these formats which will only consist of about 5-20% rendering is not a big deal consider and budget was £1500, will keep updated as I will be doing the ppbm tests just for fun but will give real world opinions. Thank you for reassuring I made a good choice.

 

[IAmMikowski]

I await your updates with interest! I own a Vortex IV 15.6, and also use to do VFX type work. (Maya fluids, After Effects for example). I see we've got slightly different spec; you chose a more powerful CPU whereas I chose the 780M. My current verdict is that my laptop does a pretty decent job with the Maya stuff I throw at it (which to be fair can make most PCs groan) but I'd love to have been able to budget for a better CPU but couldn't manage the price hike. It's first on my upgrade list though, so would be interested in knowing you get on with yours.