Help With Computer Choice, going HD

[Trialser]

Im looking to step up from my 2.2ghz aluminum MBP bought in 07. I just bought a Sony XR500V and want to be able to edit in Final Cut Pro or Express. I have used FCP quite a bit but when I try using it with the new camera, I have to render every clip and it gets old. What would you recommend for specs? 2.6, 2.8gHz? What else should I look for, would a faster hard drive speed things up dramatically? Im not looking to spend much over 2000$, might go the used/refurbished route.
Thanks

 

[airplaneman]

A high end 15" seems to be good for your budget. The processor at 2.8 instead of 2.6 will speed things up a bit, and the GPU will play a bigger role now that SL is out.

 

[Trialser]

Thats what I was thinking, how would this computer, http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MB986LL-15-4-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002C745OQ handle AVCHD editing? I would love to be able to put it into the timeline and edit with transitions without rendering with every move.

 

[Cavanboy18]

The only HD laptop by mac is the 17" MBP 1920x1200=1080p

so if you are like me and need crisp sharp detail thats the ticket.

 

[Dan73]

The only HD laptop by mac is the 17" MBP 1920x1200=1080p

so if you are like me and need crisp sharp detail thats the ticket.

I do believe 720p is HD too and well my 13" has a higher than 720p resolution.

But, yeah, only the 17" supports 1080P HD