Opinion(s) on buying New laptops
polycounter lvl 14
Hello members of the polycount;
As the title states that your opinion is required in this thread regarding buying a new laptop (for 3d modelers)
So far I've used the build engine of Dell and came up with Following:
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&cs=CALCA1&l=en&oc=M6500_R_E
Contants:
Processor: Intel Core i7-920XM Extreme Edition 2.00GHz 8MB
OS: Win 7 UnLtd 64 bit.
Dell Precision M6500 Mobile Workstation for Quad Core Processor
Memory: 8.0 DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Graphic Card: 1.0 GB ATI FirePro M7740 Graphics.
.
.
.
That came up around $5k before SH and tax.
I found This on newegg.ca to compare:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220668
Contants:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 2.0GHZ
Memory: 6GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Video memory: 1GB DDR3 WLAN
.
.
.
Now it is my first time changing brand (if needed) but I really want to know what laptop do you guys use (aside from Alienware) To do your work.
That includes. 3ds max, Zbrush, Gimp/Photoshop (with no lag while using wacom tablet)
Along with Visual Studio.NET 2008 Pro installed on it (which contains entire suite inluding MS SQL.NET)
Thanks!
EDIT: I know this topic has been posted several times here but I wanted to get the first hand opinion on it.
EDIT2: The ASUS Quad, heats up really fast according to their reviews. I dont know about Dell.
EDIT3: Windows 7 Professional-64bit prefered.
As the title states that your opinion is required in this thread regarding buying a new laptop (for 3d modelers)
So far I've used the build engine of Dell and came up with Following:
http://configure.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=ca&cs=CALCA1&l=en&oc=M6500_R_E
Contants:
Processor: Intel Core i7-920XM Extreme Edition 2.00GHz 8MB
OS: Win 7 UnLtd 64 bit.
Dell Precision M6500 Mobile Workstation for Quad Core Processor
Memory: 8.0 DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM, 2 DIMMS
Graphic Card: 1.0 GB ATI FirePro M7740 Graphics.
.
.
.
That came up around $5k before SH and tax.
I found This on newegg.ca to compare:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220668
Contants:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 2.0GHZ
Memory: 6GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Video memory: 1GB DDR3 WLAN
.
.
.
Now it is my first time changing brand (if needed) but I really want to know what laptop do you guys use (aside from Alienware) To do your work.
That includes. 3ds max, Zbrush, Gimp/Photoshop (with no lag while using wacom tablet)
Along with Visual Studio.NET 2008 Pro installed on it (which contains entire suite inluding MS SQL.NET)
Thanks!
EDIT: I know this topic has been posted several times here but I wanted to get the first hand opinion on it.
EDIT2: The ASUS Quad, heats up really fast according to their reviews. I dont know about Dell.
EDIT3: Windows 7 Professional-64bit prefered.
Replies
Zbrush loves cores. While Max and PS will love the memory in 64bit. So my thinking is that look for the cpu speed, then the memory, then the graphics (dedicated) in that order.
You especially don't need the FirePro, unless you can give a really damn good reasons why a commercial one isn't enough. Are you making for Hollywood or for games? Thats the only reason I could see at FirePro.
Edit: Get an I7 over a plain Core quad.'
Edit: If I had the money, something more like this is what I mean. Possibly see about customizing at Asus site to get the 8 gigs.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220696
Macbook Pro 13"
I bought one earlier last year and it is hands down the greatest laptop I have ever owned, (about 3 Mac laptops and a few Windows laptops over the years). Build quality is incredible, OS X is obviously rock solid as an OS, and of course you can dual boot Windows (or Linux) so you can run all your 2D/3D apps that are Windows only.
I know this sounds crazy since the spec is somewhat lower than what you have posted but why do you want a laptop with that kind of spec?
My desktop is a Core i7 rig with a GTX285, and I happily transition to and from my MacBook (2.4Ghz Core2Duo, 4GB RAM). I'd love to say my desktop blows it out the window for performance, but honestly for much of my 3D work, they both run fine. Obviously gaming is a different story, and when you want to work with ZBrush exports with polycounts into the millions when bringing them into Max etc, then yeah you will want the higher spec, but then it's unlikely I'd be working on that kind of thing on my laptop.
While Macs are expensive (overpriced), a 13" MBP is obviously well inside your budget.
I just had a look at some of the Dell laptops and I couldn't believe how plasticy and cheap they felt compared to the MacBooks, the only one that comes close is the Adamo and they're stupidly overpriced, and more or less obsolete.
Seriously man, go check one out, you won't be disappointed!
EDIT: I should mention I bought mine stock with a small HDD and 2GB RAM and just put 4GB in and a 500GB HDD for like $100, a little less than you pay if ordering that spec custom
Geez, nothing against mac, they have their uses and yeah, quality is good but its not what you want for 3d work. And holy hell, I can't imagine trying to work on a fucking 13". I'm with oXYnary, get a good fast CPU, loads of RAM and a 1gb dedicated vid card. Also try and get the biggest display you can, the system oxy posted is good and should do what you need it to but I would try for more RAM and a larger display.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220702
with more RAM....
On paper, i agree it's like 'WTF, 3D work with those specs... Lolz yah right' but seriously, I can say with real world experience, it's fine.
And as I said, I'm running an i7, GTX 285 with 12GB RAM in my desktop and the difference in viewport fps, scene load times, multiple app handling etc never has me thinking that my laptop is at all undercapable.
Yeah the 13" display isn't ideal for long periods of working, but not much less so than a 15", but just plug in an external display and you're fine.
I am looking for a reasonable laptop which would last for a while...like 3-4 years, and I should be able to run the stated software smoothly on it....
*I also wonder why everyone got stuck on Intel Core i7 720QM(1.6GHz) with 4GB ram,. along with ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730, O.O*
Seriously I cant differenciate between Nvidia and ATI Mobility Radeon...
The 13" MBP is like $1100 USD? Unfortunately here in the UK it works out a lot more, mine cost me about £850 last year, but worth every penny for sure.
You definitely pay an 'Apple premium' and I agree totally that they are overpriced, but it's just the quality of them, it really is awesome.
I'm gonna sound like a full on fanboy here, but I dunno, I just appreciate build quality and product design and especially something like a laptop which is gonna take some knocks over the years. Do you want a plastic box that weighs an ounce or two and almost bends if you hold it in one hand, or do you pay that bit extra for a solid piece of aluminium which looks and feels a quality product.
Ok, John Ive has left the building.
By the way, Apple offer some quite attractive discounts for students so you may be able to save a fair bit.
For now I need opinion from 2 products only....if I find anything interesting I'll send you a tell
EDIT: For the f9lth time!!!! STOP TEMPTING ME!! Mac is not recommended for programmers
A USE CASE for you here:
Say you create a model on the 3ds max in Mac pro and want to export as an Xfile and import it to the VS.NET-C++08. Now thats where windows (in your words 64 bits) comes in..How user-friendly is the interface in terms convertion and transfereing data from macpro interface to windows? I only ask you because you are a Macpro.....
I mean Mac Pro..*God!!*...Mac user.
Where did you get that little stand thingie? I need one for my cheapo tabletPC, and yours seems perfect!
Also I see you have some sort of volume control on the left. Can this thing hold keyboard shortcuts and modifier keys? I have a Nulook for this purpose but it's way to heavy to carry around, and not that great in terms of ergonomics.
Thanks!!
The puck thing is fully configurable, yes. I got it as a keyboard replacement for alt, shift, ctrl, spacebar, etc., but is quite nice to use even when I'm at home. It's basically a video editing tool, but even the jog/dial thing is configurable so you can use it for whatever.
Cricket Laptop Stand
Brochure
Contour Shuttle Express
Also, 64bit runs fine on Boot Camp, I'm running 7 Pro 64 and it's making use of all the RAM as it should do.
Good luck with your laptop search!
Haha, I'm pretty sure I bought this laptop from Dell for $1600 back in September.... I did have 25% off though. The only difference is I have 4 GB of RAM instead of 8. My processor is actually 2.03 GHz not 2.00 :P
looked at macbooks, but for less money I was able to get a laptop better specs than an equally priced macbook other than screen res and battery life. This was back in September. I havn't really looked around too much since then.
You can probably find a good asus laptop on newegg for a better price with better specs than a macbook.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114803
The only bad part is the resolution. Though it does have a hdmi, so you can always hook up to a large display when you need.
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 2.0GHZ
Memory: 6GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Video memory: 1GB DDR3 WLAN
Ya it will heatup fast but as the spec and reviews conclude that the price is worth it.
"Aside from NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M 1GB DDR3 WLAN. Which I have yet to read about"
Will explain it all.
EDIT* +1 for the modbook pro.
That i7 is a really great deal and will blow any mac out of the water, the only thing that I like about mac's is they use decent screens, but I hate that they are glossy. Matte is the way to go with laptops.
I'm about to replace my T60p thinkpad and those are basically the only options I'm seriously considering.
The only other alternative would be to buy a cheap no-name throw-away computer that I replace every 1 1/2 years, but is always sortof current hardware wise. But that's too much hassle imho.
If you don't mind crappy keyboards and cheaper parts then look at dell...then again dell is also cheaper price wise
gotta chuckle cause it's costco but for that price at those spec's can't go wrong
-edit-
and if you are going for more ram
Dell Studio 17 with 8gb ram
Here, finally found a good deal of it.
The only problem is I am still searching the reviews for the following.
Intel® Core™ i7-620M Dual Core 2.66GHz 4MB
there is another one i5-540M Dual Core 2.54 4MB something but I am still trying to find the big difference between both of them.
and
1.0GB NVIDIA® Quadro® FX 2800M Graphics
There is FX 3800M Gfx also and I am trying to find the review(s) to see if I should get 3800 or stick to 2800.
This is going to be one big bitter swallow but meh, I think its going to save me 10 years worth of hassle. (since I read few reviews regarding buying cheap laptops and discarding them 3 years later)
Even though you guys have offered me the cheapest ones, I cant see myself without dell.
Any further suggestions, comments and helping find the reviews of this 6400M would be really appreciated.
I didnt want to open another thead, it was either resurrect the dead thread that I started few months ago, or PM someone who is tech sevy.
Thanks.
3K is a lot, you could get a nice laptop and PC for that price.
I am stuck on this brand and this model is because this deal looks extremely promising.
The ones people suggested me in previous page and this one do look promising but have minor issues. For example ASUS i7 have BSOD issue. Sony i5 didnt sell the product with its resource CDs and so on.
Past experience:
Compac Athlon 3500+ with ATI raiden (forgot which one was it) lasted me one year or less.
Dell XPS 710 lasted me 5+ years and still running.
Reason why I wouldnt go under 2k or 3k is because I want to buy something which would save me a huge approx 10 years worth of hassle.
Edit: The least I can go for is Intel® Core i5-540M Dual Core 2.53GHz 3MB default spec. =\
1MB difference.
I used to have a HP so powerfull it destroyed it's self - which is another story - but the dual fans were so badly laid out the thing was louder than an industrial hoover.
To be honest with you, a lot of consumer entry level laptops now have high specs, I doubt you'd see all that much difference between them. But the higher spec you go, the actual design of the casing becomes more and more important.
I work in an office filled with pro desktop machines & laptops (all mac btw), the only time we hear a fan is when a guy brings his laptop in - and it's really infuriatingly noisy.
and Nitewalkr: you'd have to test-listen to that thing under load yourself if noise is a factor to you. noise even varies between almost identical configurations within the same model-range. but yeah, these things can get very hot and loud and then they will be far more distracting than a computer-tower somewhere under your desk.
So far I havent read any review related the fan issues. However I did read one person whining about the scroll that doesnt work until he resets the laptop and he cant figure out what does "Precision ON" means.
Fan noise is not the factor here. Space, Quality, Performance and speed is the factor. If you know what I mean.