Transcoding Hardware & software

I am looking for the right size laptop to transcode 15-20 minute videos at a sporting event from AVCHD to H264. How much faster will a quad core be than a dual core? I am going to need 40 laptops and want to make sure it will only take me 15-20 minutes to transcode the video so I can upload it to my website.

I am also looking for transcoding software to put on 40 laptops?

ANy help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[NX3]

This is a good site to compare CPU performance :

www.cpubenchmark.net

Free video conversation software is available online but I'd recommend Handbrake

http://handbrake.fr/

If you uploaded the videos to Youtube it will do any conversion and make them available online for you with hitting your download bandwidth as they host.