I prefer laptop over desktop, but I want a solid work station...

First, is a laptop even gonna be able to deliver ease of workflow?

If I bought a MacBook 15" 2.33 ghz, what video card, etc options should I get for productive HDV workflow using FCP 5.1?

Would Motion run on that laptop?

Any info, opinions, tips would be appreciated.

And also, I now have a G4 1.25 ghz Powerbook. Should I be able to capture and edit using FCP 5.0.4? Would a card providing another FW buss be a necessity?

thanks,
elmer

The MacBookPro can run FCS just fine. You'll need an external HD for media, though.

HDV seems to be a PITA and most seem to use either the Intermediate Codec or DVCPRO HD for editing. There are quite a few logical reasons for this. (Do a search).

Does your G4 have FW400 & 800?

In that case, you should be fine.

Gunleik