This looks like a nice product, but I'd never touch anything without an nVidia GPU anymore, because of my video needs. I need CUDA support for video playback (either via CoreAVC, or via Flash), or for Vegas Platinum 10 SonyAVC rendering (which now supports CUDA too).
My problem with ATi is that they haven't pushed as hard as nVidia regarding accelerated video support from third parties. nVidia actively did so, resulting that this year they became synonymous with "anything video". ATi's h.264 acceleration abilities are good too, but thing is, almost no one supports that API. So yeah, if video was not on the way, that could have been my new laptop. It has everything else I need (Bluetooth, HDMI, HDD, good resolution etc).
@Eugenia I should make it clear here that I'm talking about h.264 support from specific apps. This laptop has an implementation of ATI-accelerated h.264 decoder pre-installed, but I'm more likely to need accelerated Flash (which is rather picky with newer ATi systems), and my video editor that only supports CUDA. Also, I prefer to use CoreAVC because I can control the decoder and use it with the media player I want.
So the problem is not that ATi doesn't have the tech ability to do what I need, but rather that the apps that I want to use don't support it well.
@Eugenia this is more the type of laptop for carrying to class, on the plane, or to the coffeeshop / library / whatever. Not for rendering video projects. Really irrelevant.
@gadgetfanboy @LeonardWashington I disagree with both. Ganted, this is not the kind of powerhouse laptop that a video editor would use for pro stuff. However, this is a PERFECT laptop for video editing 720p HD video from a Canon digicam, while traveling. 720p is not a needy as 1080p, and using a digicam while on a trip, is normal. You're back at the hotel at night, after having spent the day shooting this beautiful Italian village with your digicam, and you have an hour or so to edit, or put together your travel video -- just before you go to sleep. So this laptop _can_ very well lift the load of such kind of footage and off-beat video project.
Besides, there's not just editing I mentioned above. I personally download a lot of indie artistic videos from Vimeo and watch them offline too.
@Eugenia i know what you mean by 1080p is needy, the 1080p I have to constantly deal with its nagging, needs, and wants... "i want power", "gimme hugs", "you're going where?", "i need bandwidth", "i want a new car", "im sleeping with the pool boy"
720p is just way more laid back and less maintenance - 1080p smothers me :(
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This looks like a nice product, but I'd never touch anything without an nVidia GPU anymore, because of my video needs. I need CUDA support for video playback (either via CoreAVC, or via Flash), or for Vegas Platinum 10 SonyAVC rendering (which now supports CUDA too).
My problem with ATi is that they haven't pushed as hard as nVidia regarding accelerated video support from third parties. nVidia actively did so, resulting that this year they became synonymous with "anything video". ATi's h.264 acceleration abilities are good too, but thing is, almost no one supports that API. So yeah, if video was not on the way, that could have been my new laptop. It has everything else I need (Bluetooth, HDMI, HDD, good resolution etc).
@Eugenia I should make it clear here that I'm talking about h.264 support from specific apps. This laptop has an implementation of ATI-accelerated h.264 decoder pre-installed, but I'm more likely to need accelerated Flash (which is rather picky with newer ATi systems), and my video editor that only supports CUDA. Also, I prefer to use CoreAVC because I can control the decoder and use it with the media player I want.
So the problem is not that ATi doesn't have the tech ability to do what I need, but rather that the apps that I want to use don't support it well.
@Eugenia this is more the type of laptop for carrying to class, on the plane, or to the coffeeshop / library / whatever. Not for rendering video projects. Really irrelevant.
@Eugenia
Lol screen is too small for video projects. Nuff said this laptop is a premium netbook with HD compatiblity.
Ati blows nVedia and Intel chipsets out of the water in gaming performance. Not sure about video editing my 5870 does fine with photos ^_^
@gadgetfanboy @LeonardWashington I disagree with both. Ganted, this is not the kind of powerhouse laptop that a video editor would use for pro stuff. However, this is a PERFECT laptop for video editing 720p HD video from a Canon digicam, while traveling. 720p is not a needy as 1080p, and using a digicam while on a trip, is normal. You're back at the hotel at night, after having spent the day shooting this beautiful Italian village with your digicam, and you have an hour or so to edit, or put together your travel video -- just before you go to sleep. So this laptop _can_ very well lift the load of such kind of footage and off-beat video project.
Besides, there's not just editing I mentioned above. I personally download a lot of indie artistic videos from Vimeo and watch them offline too.
@Eugenia
Dear Eugenia, use Splash Lite as your HD videoplayer. It has automatic hardware acceleration for h264 for both ati and nvidia. 1080p + ATI = 5% cpu :)
@Eugenia i know what you mean by 1080p is needy, the 1080p I have to constantly deal with its nagging, needs, and wants... "i want power", "gimme hugs", "you're going where?", "i need bandwidth", "i want a new car", "im sleeping with the pool boy"
720p is just way more laid back and less maintenance - 1080p smothers me :(