I've to buy a laptop for video editing AVCHD for work. It's a windows machine.

Based on the research I've done I need a minimum of these specs: Intel Quad or Hexa core, 6 GB RAM (Ideally I would like to be able to upgrade the ram to like 8-16 gigs), nVidia minimum 1GB video card to take advantage of CUDA features in Premiere. I'll likely swap whatever harddrive out for an SSD so harddrive doesn't matter.

Does anyone have any experience editing AVCHD or H264 at those minimum specs? Is it doable or is it too sluggish? Has anyone been editing with a 15" screen and how is it? Any videos on like youtube or vimeo of someone editing with a laptop around those specs so I can see if it's any good?

This is somin I found and looks intriguing: Lenovo Ideapad Y580 Intel Core I7-3610QM 6GB 750GB 15.6in GTX660M 2GB DVDRW BT HDMI W7HP64 Notebook - Lenovo - 20994CU (http://ncix.com/products/?sku=73015&vpn=20994CU&manufacture=Lenovo&promoid=1207)

Thanks in advance!

I recently purchased an MSI GT70 and had to use it within 72 hours for a critical edit in the field. It performed flawlessly with footage from my FS-100 (AVCHD). It has 2 internal drive slots (optional 2nd drive on some models). I ditched the 750GB boot drive in favor of an SSD and it's plenty fast. The 1920x1080 screen should give you enough real estate, and you've got eSata and 3 USB 3.0 connections for external drives. Cost me about $1600 for the stock setup (750GB drive, 12GB RAM).

Oren,
how's battery life on GT70, not stand by, but editing time?
probably short, but how short?
thx!

It's rated at 5 hours in gaming mode, but I rarely (if ever) edit without a power supply. Can't say I've had to test that claim.

Thanks! The laptop I'm looking at has the same processor which seems to be the most important component, so should be fine to edit with hopefully. gues I'll just have to order it and see how it works out. can always return it if it doesn't work.