WHICH NEW LAPTOP?: 3ds MAX 2008

[JAVB]

I know this is a subjective question with many possible answers, but I am looking from some opinions. I am in the process of purchasing a laptop specifically to use with 3ds Max 2008. I need a laptop because I travel and work in many locations. According to Autodesk's website http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5659453 the minimum requirements for 3ds max 2008 are as follows:

 

MIN. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:

• Microsoft Windows Vista OR Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64
  
• DirectX® 9.0c* (required), OpenGL® (optional)
  
• Shader Model 3.0 (Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader 3.0)
  
• Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6 or higher

MIN. HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:

• Intel® Pentium® IV or AMD Athlon® XP or higher processor
  
• 512 MB RAM (1 GB RAM recommended)
  
• 500 MB swap space (2 GB SWAP SPACE recommended)
  
• Hardware-accelerated OpenGL and Direct3D supported
  
• Microsoft Windows-compliant pointing device (optimized for Microsoft IntelliMouse®)
  
• DVD-ROM drive

"Portable Computers Qualification Results"

Autodesk's website http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=10242786 also lists "Portable Computers Qualification Results" but I noticed they don't make some of the Dell computers tested anymore. Here are the computers Autodesk tested and have results for:

 

Dell Precision M65

Dell Precision M90

Dell Precision M4300

Dell Precision M6300

Dell Precision 390

Lenovo T60p

Lenovo T61p

Lenovo Z61p

HP 8510w

HP 8710w

HP nw8440

HP nw9440

 

RESULTS OF TEST: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=10242786

 

This will be my work laptop that will be dedicated to using 3ds Max 2008 full time. I need a machine that will be quick, nimble, and reliable. Mostly I will be doing 3d architectural renderings (with little or no animation).

• Which laptop brands would you recommend?
  
• Any specific models/configs?
  
• Which laptop brands should I stay away from?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

Jason

[AJLynn]

Just read the threads we already have on this subject.

[JAVB]

AJLynn WROTE: "Just read the threads we already have on this subject."

 

AJLynn,

 

I only see the following 3 threads (including mine).

 

1. Re-render frames by Maxer

2. noisy surface by nodar1978

3. WHICH NEW LAPTOP?: 3ds MAX 2008 by JAVB

 

Am I looking in the wrong section? Can you please be more specific as to where or how to find these other threads on this subject?

 

Thanks,

 

Jason

[AJLynn]

Look in the Hardware board and change the timeframe to something like Last 100 Days.

[JAVB]

I'll check it out.

 

Thanks,

 

Jason