I am going to buy a new laptop, and I need to do some minor video
editing.
First of all, I need a subcompact laptop, and I am looking at the sony
c1mw, the sony srx99, and the fujitsu lifebook p2110.  I need
something small like these.

The video I will be importing will be from a minidv camcorder via
firewire.
Now, the first of my questions is: do I need hardware mpeg-2?  And
what in the heck is hardware mpeg-2?  I know the c1mw has it.  Do the
others?

Do I need to get any Hardware?  I will be doing nonlinear editing of
short clips to make 3-5 minute movies.

What about software?  Can I import directly into premiere? (I have
premiere 6 already).  Is it easy to set up?

What I need to do is import clips from my camcorder, be able to edit
the clips in the computer as far as cutting, fading, etc.  Lastly, I
need to output them as Mpegs to view in powerpoint presentations as
short clips. I also need to ouput them back to minidv and cdr.  I do
not need dvd or vhs capabilities.

I want to be able to do it relatively quickly.  What is the difference
between mpeg-1 and mpeg-2?  How can I tell if a clip is one format or
the other?  Will my laptop choices be able to handle these?  Which is
best? Do I need additional hardware?  Do I need software?  I would
like to have a simpler software package, I find premiere very
difficult for the novice who just wants to clip the cuts, add
transitions and export the clips as Mpegs and to tape.

Thanks