New Laptop
polycounter lvl 8
Looking for a new laptop, don't want a desktop i am to used to the mobility.
wondering if i should go mac or pc. Im interested in iphone dev with unity but could most likely get a better spec laptop for cheaper or around the same price if i don't go mac. although that would eliminate any chance of doing iphone dev.
Must be able to run UDK well and play games like TF2, L4D2, CODMW2 and some unreal games. (for mac ill be booting into windows 7 of course)
I run maya and photoshop. (mac will boot windows 7)
Note: ive been looking at the macbook pro 17" with the i7 and 8 gig upgrade price comes out to around 3,000 witch isn't cheap and i could use the extra money for a new wacom tablet or monitor or something.
Just to make this clear im not trying to ask what computer to get but weather to spend the extra money to explore iphone dev or go with what i know and am comfortable with.
wondering if i should go mac or pc. Im interested in iphone dev with unity but could most likely get a better spec laptop for cheaper or around the same price if i don't go mac. although that would eliminate any chance of doing iphone dev.
Must be able to run UDK well and play games like TF2, L4D2, CODMW2 and some unreal games. (for mac ill be booting into windows 7 of course)
I run maya and photoshop. (mac will boot windows 7)
Note: ive been looking at the macbook pro 17" with the i7 and 8 gig upgrade price comes out to around 3,000 witch isn't cheap and i could use the extra money for a new wacom tablet or monitor or something.
Just to make this clear im not trying to ask what computer to get but weather to spend the extra money to explore iphone dev or go with what i know and am comfortable with.
Replies
If you are at the start up level of things you should go with Zac's suggestion, or try Dell Precision.
If not than ya sure, For learning purposes you should just spend some what money to buy a second hand iphone...and thats it, you shouldnt be spending money for any dev software anyways..You can get them at.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/Downloads/
and Modeling software at
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=home
Good luck
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B2+Duo+Processor+-+Black/9556125.p?skuId=9556125&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=9556125&ref=06&loc=01&id=1218124208054
Eventually get a new desktop for power usage and modern games at high settings but waiting on USB 3.0 and Sata 3 to be integrated into chipsets (currently manufacturers are having to crutch the PCI-E FSB to attempt to use add in cards or chips to support).
Wants:
-Less $1000
-1 Gig Graphics Card thats DX 11 or 10.1 at least. 128 bit graphics pipeline.
-I7 or Quad core Phenom.
-15+ inch screen with a larger screen aize than 1300X768 (yuck)
Searching thus far have this:
_______
Acer Aspire AS7551G-5821 NoteBook AMD Phenom II N930(2.0GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
$900
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115792&Tpk=Acer%20Aspire%20AS7551G-5821
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+Phenom+II+N930+Quad-Core
_____________
Acer Aspire AS7740G-6364 NoteBook Intel Core i5 430M(2.26GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115763
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i5+M+430+%40+2.27GHz
$800
____________
Gateway NV7901u NoteBook Intel Core i5 430M(2.26GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101222
$850
______________
EDIT:
ASUS N71Vn-A1 17.3-Inch Brown Versatile Entertainment Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium)
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P3KMT4?ie=UTF8&tag=cm2009-20&linkCode=as2&[/ame]
camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002P3KMT4
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9000+%40+2.00GHz
$910
Downer on that is its using a NVidia GT 240M and though fast CPU think more heat?
Unfortunately to get into I7 with anything beyond 1366 x 768 gets into +$1100
Ideas or suggestions? Corners I should prostitute myself on?
The faster I5 450M which the benchmarks showing a bit faster than the Phenom (but I cant find a similar setup to the above. So thus far the Phenom seems the best.
So if I could find a I5 450M with a higher rez than 1300X768 and at least a ATI 5650. Would be in good shape.
Hell, I would pay the extra $100 even though it then goes over the $1000 for the i7.
Didn't someone say they had an Ibuypower on here? Good experience? Bad?
isn't this just awesome ?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i5+Processor+-+Blue/Black/9736955.p?id=1218164036446&skuId=9736955
specs here :http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/asus-g60jx-rbbx05-core/4507-3121_7-34024579.html?tag=rnav and link to bestbuy on the right..
Edit:
how the .. shitballs do you paste a link form bestbuy.. ?
Anyway its the only assus for 899$ if you check the below $899 it will be the only one..
"16" LED-backlit LCD widescreen display
With 1366 x 768 r"
Hell that's worse even, Most 768 ones are 15.6 and under. So its a larger screen with a low rez. :P
The lowest acceptable resolution would be 1920 X 1080.
Here is link to it. http://tinyurl.com/yaqr7za
I don't get what the problem with the resolution is ... (yoda)
I mean the battery will only last you for an hour .. maybe more.. and if you are stationary , you are either at work or at home , where you can easily plug it into another monitor..
On the rare occasion where you work on the go, you deal with it . I mean you have to dish out quite a bit more for extra rez and lower specs.
No. You can get more than an hour with a well built system. Especially if you get an I5/7 with its built in throttling and dont get an older generation Video card which were on bigger dies and drew mo powa.
Plus, I have access to a 15.4 laptop with a1280X800 resolution. Its not enough to work with in Photoshop. Your constantly scrolling down. Unless you can say you work with a monitor day to day at this time with that resolution without relying on a secondary monitor all the time? Hell even my crappy work computers 1280X1024 is better. Remember, I will get a desktop at some point for the full out power. For now I want something portable that I can work with that can still render decently.
http://www.xoticpc.com/index.html
They basically are up front that the laptops we buy are from 4 main manufacturers. They get the basic chassis from these and then mod to customers specification. Not overly expensive either. They also offer barebone MSI platforms as well. Mmm.. could build my own laptop versus having to take one apart. Tasty!
Good reading for those that didnt know.
http://www.xoticpc.com/laptop-manufacturers-really-makes-laptops-ip-11.html
Will the Lenovo W510 be a good laptop for my needs?
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/notebooks/thinkpad/w-series/w510
Will really appreciate any help.
ASUS N61Jv-X2: Optimus GT325M 16.0" LED Glossy 16:9 768p (1366x768) -Intel Core i5-430M (2x2.26GHz + HTT, 32nm, 3MB L3, Turbo to 2.53GHz, 35W)
ASUS N71JV-X1: NVIDIA GeForce GT 325M with NVIDIA Optimus 17.3" 1600 x 900 -Intel Core i3 350M(2.26GHz)
then i saw the resolution on them
its just the res on them
1366X768 is horrible for a 16" no matter what. Its horrible for a 15 inch.
Whats your budget and purpose?
3ds max, UDK, photoshop. $900 would be the sweet spot $1000 max..oh and i really would rather get and nvidia card..
i will have a desktop at home just need a lappy that i can carry to work/school that i could use to work on stuff between classes or when i have time at work...
You get better deals with the ATI cards and DX11 support. However you dont get the CUDA support of Nvidia.
Here are some ideas (and you dont have to buy here, just examples).
If you swallow the pill of ATI:
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np2180-built-compal-nblb2-custom-laptop-p-2776.html?wconfigure=yes
15.6" FHD (1920x1080) Glossy
Video Card:
1024MB DDR3 ATI Radeon HD 5650
Processor:
Intel® Mobile Core i7 up to 8MB Cache (Customizable)
Memory:
4GB DDR3 1333MHz (Up to 8GB)
Hard Drive:
Customizable from 320GB to 640GB SATA 5400/7200RPM or SSD's
Battery Life:
2+ Hour
Weight:
5.95lbs
http://www.xoticpc.com/force-1656id4-built-msi1656id4-p-2822.html?wconfigure=yes
FORCE 1656-ID4
Display
15.4" WSXGA+ (1680x1050) Glossy
Video Card:
1024MB DDR3 nVIDIA GTS 250M
Processor:
Intel® Mobile Core i5/i7 up to 8MB Cache (Customizable)
Memory:
2GB DDR3 1333MHz (Up to 8GB)
Hard Drive:
Customizable from 250GB to 640GB SATA 5400/7200RPM or SSD's
Battery Life:
2-3 Hour
Weight:
6.2lbs
MSI is a good brand from all accounts. Build their own equipment versus third party.
The only thing I could find on new egg with decent resolution below $1000 for a 15 inch comes with a i3 and not that good a card.
SONY VAIO E Series VPCEB17FX/B NoteBook Intel Core i3 330M(2.13GHz) 15.5" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm BD Combo ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127087
Scores:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/
Gt320M (325 not listed): 365
GT250M: 660
Ati 5650: 598
ATi 5620: 306
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GTS-250M.17669.0.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127207
SONY VAIO F Series VPCF12CFX/B NoteBook Intel Core i7 740QM(1.73GHz) 16.4" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834127207
844 PassMark.
But note this:
"The modern ATI Radeon HD 5650 offers DirectX 11 effects and performs better." They use a different range of tests than the other site(Passmark) which uses its own testing suite.
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-330M.22437.0.html
So you get a i7 and best running card from bunch. The turn offs its a 16 inch so it might be a little pain to cart. Resolution isnt awesome (1600 x 900), but at least not 768. Shipping will put it over $1000.
Now I have a 17" i5 Mac Book Pro (Someone broke in and stole my VAIO) with Windows 7 on it (dual boot) and it's great. I haven't had it long and I've hardly had a chance to use it yet, but so far everything runs perfect and it's just as fast as the VAIO I was going to get to replace my old one - it was a little bit more expensive, but I think it was worth it. Unfortunately it's well past the 1k price point.
The battery life is SO much better! On battery, running video from a portable HDD (I haven't used it for 3D yet) with the screen brightness, etc maxed I've used it for about 5 to 5 and a half hours.
The mag-safe power adapters are pretty sweet; so much nicer than the brick adapters etc.
The trackpad on the macbook is 20x better than others I've used too
As for screen resolution, on my VAIO I had 1600x900 on a 17" screen and it was great!
.
We have a bunch of Dell's and some HP's here at work... I personally would stay away from their laptops! :O
Edit;
Oh and be sure to check out the glossy screens before you buy one since they reflect everything - lights and bright things in particular will drive you mental.
sooooo...
at far as screen sizes vs resolutions go...this one is ok?
and yea @ oXYnary, well i see that ati is a better buy...but im just a nvidia loyalest i guess
But other than that. Its sporting an I3. Which IMO you can do better for the price. Your paying for a larger computer with a resolution better suited for a 15.6 at most. With lower battery life and a lower end processor.
didn't notice it was out of stock
http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-k42jca1-p-2752.html
Its with a 14" inch 1388X768 monitor and while its a nice resolution for the monitor size. I can tell its not enough to work with for like zbrush and such.
So i have a somewhat stable job now, and want to buy myself a laptop.
SO far i came up with 2 choices in my pricerange (about 1000$)
GATEWAY P-7807u FX 1050$
17''(WXGA, 1440x900), Core2 Duo P8600 2.4GHz, NVIDIA GF 9800M GTS (1GB), 4GB DDR3, 320GB 7200RPM
Or
MSI GT628X-484EU 1250$
15.4" WSXGA (1680X1050), Core2 Duo T6600 2.2GHz,nVidia GTS160 1GB, 4GB RAM, 320GB 7200RPM
My dilemma is this :
the Gateway is 200$ cheaper, plus it has a better processor and better battery life, but the screen rez is lower.
The MSI is more expensive, but has a better screen rez.
On the other hand i hear the MSI heats up quite a bit , and becomes unstable, the rez is nice but the screen is small. Won't i get headaches looking at that rezolution on a 15,5" screen ?
Also i dont know anything about Gateways. Are they reliable ?
Any help would be appreciated.
Acer owns Gateway.
Whats your price range? Sounds like $700?
Edit. $1000. Dude. you can do so much better than those. (Or is this Canadian?).
What will you use it for?
The main problem is that i live in Romania so choices are a limited and prices are higher ..
And why would it matter that Acer owns Gateway ?
Any suggestions? I've looked for myself but I want to see what computers you guys will show me
15"~16" for around the same price/specs, but lower res. hi-def screens seem to jump the price +$500
i think am gonna go with one of those ASUS 17.3(1600x900) i3/i5, nvidia 2**/3** cards
Have you looked at some of the newer PCs that have Phenom IIs in them? I think Acer offers one (I dont know what options are available to you but since you have Gateway I assume Acer as well).
I mention the Phenom as then you can get a quad core. And a much better video card than the ones you listed above. Possibly even a DX11 card.
Example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115793
To get a core I5 which has around the same performance and graphics you would have to pay more.
From all accounts yes. Though from what I understand Zbrush is still 32bit only which means the maximum amount of memory it can have is 2 gigs to it alone. So 4 gigs would allow your other 2 gigs for like the OS and PS. You need a 64bit OS though.
They are. At the same level (like ghz to ghz and cores to cores). But you pay much more for the Intel stamp.
The Phenom I linked is slightly better than the I5 540 on this benchmark.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+Phenom+II+N930+Quad-Core
Yes, 4gb and a 64bit OS would let you max out ZB (well, more or less considering the OS and background apps will eat some). Keep in mind though that ZB uses a software renderer so its almost entirely reliant on the CPU (not gpu) for performance. You'll want a quad core for any serious ZB work.
Not quite. 32bit apps can use 2gb of ram standard in a 32bit OS, 3gb with modification (how I have my laptop setup), or 4gb in a 64bit OS.
i should have the money in just under 2 months from now (sigh) hope its still available when the time comes
im on the hunt for a laptop, price is relevant but not crucial. need to run max, zbrush, pshop etc. read this thread and have some good ideas about what i should be looking for but i have also come to the conclusion that i may be off my rocker if i think i will be able to get laptop with a "useable" tablet screen for less then like $3k. so my question is just that, i would really like to have a precise tablet for zbrush and pshop, should i give up or sell my sphincter?
i probably dont "need" it, but here is my line of thought, i am left handed and have learned to use a mouse with my right hand. now its fine for max and stuff where strokes dont mean anything but for painting and sculpting i like to use a little tablet and my left hand b/c it speeds things WAY up. any help would be graciously received.
I'm looking for a laptop, needs to run max with lots of sub-d, zbrush, photoshop with multiple 2k's etc etc
I want atleast 8GB ram and and I7
My budget is 1k GBP, aprox 1.5k usd.
I am thinking about this, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HP-Pavillion-DV8T-Notebook-Laptop-i7-DVRW-500GB-Bing-/170507364004?pt=Laptops_Nov05
Thanks for your help =-) Suggestions welcome.