Looking for a laptop

[James]

Hi all,

 

I know it seems like we get this query every few weeks, but I'm looking at purchasing a laptop in the New Year, primarily for AutoCAD & Sketchup use. I've experimented with Viz in the past & would also like the notebook to be able to handle this too.

 

I'm re-locating to a new job & will be in a better position to get a bit of work done while commuting by train. It'll also be used quite a lot for day-to-day tasks (internet, etc.) as my desktop will probably go into storage until we get settled.

 

I've looked at the Dell & Fujitsu Siemens websites for mobile workstations, but I'm open to suggestions.

 

Cheers,

 

james.

[3dp]

dell m70

solid and bombproof and the best battery life i've seen i a laptop

(with twin battery i can get get 4-6 hours of max /photoshop work

in fact i've been using laptops as the main worktool for the past couple of years now means i'm not tied to a office desk

sometime sit nice to have raid discs and i also have a slave hd for photoshop via usb but it all fits in a zero case and basically i can work anywhere

(and i have worked on the side of a mountain )

[James]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Had a look at the spec on the dell site. Works out around €2200 (inc. VAT0 for the base model (40GB HD, 1.73 Pentium M, etc.). Any upgrades you'd recommend?

 

James.

[mbr]

I had a 9300 (I want one with a 17" hi res screen) but returned it because the screen wasn't that good compared to Sony's or Toshiba's. If you don't care about the screen that much (it's still good, just not great) get a M170 (17"), M140(15.4"), or the 9300 (same as the M170, just lesser graphics card).

The Geforce 7800 that those come with are as good if not better than a comparable Quadro card (see recent issue of 3D World). I have Quadros (1400 is the newest one) and I am not impressed (this was refelcted in the low 3D W reviews).

 

You can get great deals on the Dells. If you can't outside of the US, I'd get a Sony or Toshiba (although I don't think the T's come with good cards). Their screens are a million times nicer.

[tecton3d]

this may offer some insight:

 

http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=2932&page=

 

If you will be trying to work in transit then the Dell M70 will probably be your best bet due to the p4m's low power consumption, but if you are thinking about working with Viz and if you don't have access to a desktop workstation then the Alienware or Boxx would give you a little more mobile muscle.

Cheers!

[Tyorl]

I had HP zd8000, 1Gb Ram; 3,2Ghz; 17'. Working in MAX, Autocad. No problems, but remember that it is just a desktop replacement so it is heavy.

[James]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

 

I'm aware that there will be some compromises to be made regarding performance & portability. Most of the machines I've looked at so far hover around the 3Kg mark. Commuting time will take approx. 1HR in each direction, so all the models mentioned to date should perform comfortably.

 

Anybody have any experiences to share on regularly lugging something that weight around? Also, when they say 3Kg in the brochure, I presume they don't include the power cables, etc.?

[tecton3d]

That's right ~ most companies try to offer the absolute lowest figure for the weights of their systems and in doing so, neglect including the accessories most of us would carry anytime the system left a desk.

 

I have a Sager 8890 (very close in size to the Boxx and Alienware) and it's was advertised to weigh in at 12lbs (5.44kg), which it actually does, but by the time I add the power converter, mouse, sketchbook, a reading book, and case... it is close to 20lbs (9.07kg) if not more. You already knew this but... the more power hungry the machine, the heavier the power converter so any p4m machine will have lighter accessories. I actually bought 2 power converters so I don't have to go desk diving to plug the bloody thing in and as a bonus the weight I have to carry is less!

 

I'm a fit 24 year old so carrying my laptop + accessories really doesn't bother me too much. Note: anyone who sees my machine for the first time has to tell me that it's the biggest laptop they've ever seen... proceed to pick it up... and then assure me it's the heaviest : ) ... but for me the P4 w/HT is worth the extra toil when 'toting!

[3dp]

size matters

could not tell you what my rig weighs but i often lug it around

any high ££$$ laptop desrves the best case so i'm using a zero halliburton (plus you get kudos for the drug pimp look too)

serious kit in computer will wwigh a little even with magnesium titiainum carbon composites on the chassis

 

as for dell m70 and zero i'd lookm at ebay too

got all my gear off there from "ebay shops" - hassle free and cheaper than asda too

[James]

Had a look at the article tecton3d posted that compares workstation-class notebooks from Alienware, Boxx & Dell.

 

Have to say I'm leaning towards the Dell at the minute. I can take the hit in performance against the others (that have P4s instead of mobile processors), & offset it against the reduction in weight. The smaller sceren size is something I can live with too. That asides, the M70 ticks all the boxes.

 

I'll be sure to check out your link to ebay shops.

 

Thanks for all the advice,

 

James.