So I just landed this huge gig doing video stuff for a local wedding company and I am honestly freaking out because my old laptop just crashed like three times today while I was just trying to open a basic clip. I have never really had to buy a pro computer before and I am looking at all these specs and I have literally no idea what any of it means like what is a core or why does some ram cost more than others? I'm totally lost and I feel like a total fraud right now because I should probably know this stuff if I'm taking money for it but here I am. I need to get something by next Friday because that's when my first big shoot is and I have to start editing the day after.

My budget is around 2500 dollars maybe a bit more if it really makes a difference but my parents are helping me out a bit so I dont want to waste their money on something that isnt gonna work. I'm in Chicago so I can go to a Best Buy or something but I'm scared the sales people will just talk me into something I dont need. I've been using this old Dell that my brother gave me five years ago and it takes like ten minutes just to render (I think that's the word??) a tiny two minute video. It gets really hot and the fan sounds like a literal jet engine taking off in my bedroom and it's honestly kinda scary.

I've heard people talk about Macbooks but then some people say PCs are better for the money and then there's like 4k video vs 1080p and I think I'm supposed to be editing in 4k? Is that even possible on a laptop or do I need a giant tower thing? I really need a laptop though because I travel a lot for these shoots. Sorry if this is all really basic stuff but I'm just so overwhelmed with all the numbers and letters. What is actually the best laptop for professional video editing that wont break on me mid-project?