newbie question about video display

[Lakevid]

I have a new computer for video editing, Toshiba Satellite C55-b5270, and it says in the specs that it supports 1366x768 (HD), 16:9 aspect ratio, and 720p content. Does 720 content mean that the camcorder can have a maximum resolution of 720p? It seems that most HD cameras have a minimum of 1080p, at least the one's I'm looking at. Is this the wrong computer? If so, I must return it by tomorrow (Monday) for a refund.

Thanks for your help,
Lakevid

Here are full specs of the computer:

Performance
PROCESSOR*
Intel® Pentium® N3530 Processor
OPERATING SYSTEM*
Windows 8.1
GRAPHICS ENGINE*
Mobile Intel® HD Graphics
Memory and Storage
MEMORY*
8GB DDR3L 1333MHz memory
HARD DRIVE*
500GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial ATA)
OPTICAL DRIVE*
DVD-SuperMulti drive (+/-R double layer)
Audio and Video
DISPLAY SIZE
15.6" widescreen
DISPLAY TYPE*
HD TruBrite® LED Backlit display
DISPLAY RESOLUTION
1366x768 (HD), 16:9 aspect ratio, Supports 720p content
AUDIO
Built-in microphone, DTS Sound™, Headphone jack (stereo), Stereo speakers tuned by Skullcandy


Expansion
SMARTCARD READER
No SmartCard Reader slot
MEDIA
Memory Card Reader
USB PORTS
1-USB (3.0) port, 2-USB (2.0) ports
HDMI
HDMI® output port
RGB
RGB port

[redwudz]

That is the screen display size. It can still process and display HD video. You would need probably a 17" screen for a native display of 1920 X 1080 pixels.
My Asus laptop has a 1366x768 display and 1920 X 1080 HD video looks OK. If you are planning to use a laptop for editing, more important is the CPU
and likely the video card specifications. I'll let others comment on laptop specifications for video editing and processing.

And not sure how familiar your are with Windows 8.1, but IMO, it's really made for a touch screen PC. I usually install a program like Start8 to make it work
more like Windows 7 as I prefer that GUI.

[Lakevid]

Thanks redwudz! I don't know if this is the right computer to run Sony Vegas Movie Studio 13 Platinum. Perhaps, others can comment on that.

[newpball]

Thanks redwudz! I don't know if this is the right computer to run Sony Vegas Movie Studio 13 Platinum. Perhaps, others can comment on that.

I certainly can give you my comments:

1366x768 is absolutely not enough pixel real estate for video editing.

[Lakevid]

Thanks newpball. Does that mean that any 15.6 laptop will not work for video editing?

[newpball]

Thanks newpball. Does that mean that any 15.6 laptop will not work for video editing?

I would not recommend a laptop for any kind of video editing. First of all the screen is small and second those screens usually suck quality wise. Third it is very limited connectivity wise, you cannot add internal drives, no option for PICe cards, no overclocking, not flexibility on video cards, the list goes on and on.

If you do not want to replace the laptop at least hook up an external monitor.

[Lakevid]

Thanks again. Any ideas on low cost external monitors? Could this PC use my 2009 iMac as an external monitor?

[Lakevid]

Here is the info. for my iMac. Screen res. is 1920 x1200.

NVIDIA GeForce 9400:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 9400
Type: Display
Bus: PCI
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0867
Revision ID: 0x00b1
ROM Revision: 3379
Displays:
iMac:
Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Depth: 32-Bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Built-In: Yes
Display Connector:
Status: No Display Connected

[Cornucopia]

All of newpball's comments should be taken with a grain of salt. Particularly when commenting on "what's good enough for ...".

Scott

[Lakevid]

I'm really new to this and so, to me, all of you are experts. I'm trying to figure out if I should return this computer.

[usually_quiet]

Your laptop is not ideal for video editing, but could still be used for editing home movies with Vegas Movie Studio 13 Platinum. Its CPU and memory more than meet the minimum hardware requirements for Vegas Movie Studio 13 Platinum. However a 500GB hard drive is rather small for storing HD video files, and having a second hard drive makes a big difference, although you could attach an external USB 3.0 drive. A video card is used for hardware accelerated encoding, but not everyone uses hardware accelerated encoding. Using the CPU by itself just takes longer.

A 1366x768 screen can work. However, you might be more comfortable using a larger screen if that is what you are used to. If your iMac's monitor has a DVI or HDMI connection you could use it with the laptop. (If the monitor has DVI, you would use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect it to the laptop.)

That being said, if the laptop will primarily be used for editing video and portability isn't important, I would return the laptop and get a desktop. You will get more for your money, and non-slim desktop PCs from the big name PC makers can usually take 1-2 drives in addition to the boot drive. Also, internal hard drives are less expensive than USB 3.0 drives of the same capacity.

[Lakevid]

Thanks so much , usually_quiet. Great clarity.