"ya woist night mayor" wrote in message
...
I am shopping for a laptop that can be used for camcorder video

Do you actually own a camcorder, if so what type - DV, HD, what???

Tape based video would ease the requirements on a computer. This is an
option.


So, you don't actually own a camcorder? But you are thinking of DV, is that
right?

The best brands would be HP.

What makes you think that, the brand name on front panel is meaningless...


Sony had some quality control and explosion problems about a year
ago.

Do you hear voices?

A Sony desktop will work well for years.

You are someone who hasn't got a clue what you are talking about....

Toshiba is good.
If Dell would be good, what specs should Dell be given?

The brands all use same components from a small source of OEM's,
from MoBo's through to screen type, etc.
There is a whole heap of factors to consider, from FSB, connections,
what bloatware will be bundled with your new purchase, RAM, HDD etc


What amount of storage would be necessary 100-200gb?

As much as you can get for your dollar, the more capacity the better!
Also, connections for external storage/back-up etc.
And what are you going to do with your HDD consuming DV-AVI footage
once you have captured it?
DV-AVI (Being the tape format you seem to be considering) is huge in
file size, Windows Movie Maker will capture direct from a Firewire
connected DV cam, but so will almost any video software - Nero, Ulead,
Roxio etc.
Once captured, whatever capture software you use will also have edit
and convert facilities, but WMM is limited, but it is free.
Will you be converting footage to burn to DVD, if so you need software that
will do that and a DVD burner.
You really need to think your question through before posting:
Do you own a camcorder?
What format is it, or what format are you considering?
What do you want to do with captured camcorder footage - create home movies,
upload to websites, flood YouTube???? What?



If more power is necessary, wouldn't this be in RAM. If more ram is
needed, how much more and which laptop seem to do the job.


The more RAM the better, but first you need to grasp the basics of 32 bit
and 64 bit, what and how RAM is utilised etc.
You've posted in XP groups, you are considering a laptop, just get as much
RAM preinstalled for your dollar!

Is a graphics card necessary for video editing?

"a graphics card"? You mean a video card?

Totally unnecessary, a Video card is for playback, also you cannot install a
video card in a laptop, laptops will be equipped with an on-board chipset.


You will note *someone* has pointlessly posted a reply that you require a
TV card and encoder9 series - no you don't, they are totally unconnected to
what you are seeking.