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Laptop for Graphic Design

post #1 of 27
4/13/07 at 1:41am
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone,

We need to buy a laptop for graphic design. Can anybody recommend what we should go for. The forums I have visited so far point to M1710. But ... isn't this an old laptop already?

On the other hand I cannot buy this system in South Africa. What about 9400? Is this going to be a compromise?

Am I right to consider gaming laptop when searching for a laptop for graphic design?
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post #2 of 27
4/13/07 at 5:14am
What kind of graphic design are we talking about here? Which programs will you use?

When looking for a computer for most types of graphic design, a video card isnt what you should be looking at. The Processor and RAM are the most important things in graphic design. Generally today for someone who does a LOT of it and uses multiple programs at the same time 2GB or more of RAM is a must, and any Turion x2 or Core2Duo should be enough for the processor.
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post #3 of 27
4/13/07 at 7:54am
Video card is very handy for 3d modeling. Speaking of which, Dell Precision M90 specifically intended for 3d modeling . It's essentially M1710 with OpenGL optimized drivers and without bells and whistles. You don't have to worry about it (or M1710) to be outdated, because major videocard improvements which will come in the next version are not used in the 3d modelling packages anyway.
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post #4 of 27
4/13/07 at 3:24pm
In 3D Modeling, the video card is only used in live rendering. The processor is what matters when you start the full render.
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post #5 of 27
4/13/07 at 3:29pm
Thread Starter 
The laptop will be basically used for work with Adobe CS2, Macromedia, Premiere for videoediting. Fire wire is also needed. I think we will need 17" monitor. We basically need a laptop that will not be outdated within the next 3 years (I am not sure if this is achievable). We also need a good quality. Price wise - no more than 2000 Euro.
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post #6 of 27
4/13/07 at 3:59pm
I say Dell M90. If can't get it shipped to you, if you have a friend/family member who lives somewhere out of South Africa and Dell can ship it to them, just get it shipped to that friend/family member and have them ship it to you.
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post #7 of 27
4/13/07 at 4:15pm
Thread Starter 
Is this a better option than XPS M1710? I see that the processor is only 1.83 GHz.
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post #8 of 27
4/14/07 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 
What about ASUS G1-72UL? Does it compare to Dell M90?
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post #9 of 27
4/14/07 at 1:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikolapentchev
What about ASUS G1-72UL? Does it compare to Dell M90?
Can you give us a link or tell us the Asus G1-72UL specs plz? Anywho, I don't know why your still looking at the Dell XPS 1710. The Dell M90 is the same exact thing, except for a different video card. And you'll benefit more from the Quadro FX card then the 7950 GTX. Dell M90 ftw
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post #10 of 27
4/14/07 at 5:00pm
Thread Starter 
Hello. The link is the following http://www.laptopdirect.co.za/laptop...hp?laptop=8312
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post #11 of 27
4/14/07 at 9:46pm
The M90 is overkill. Any laptop with a Core2Duo or Turion x2 and 2GB of RAM will be perfect. But no matter what you get it will be out dated in less than 3 years.

A 17" screen is only necessary if you think you need the extra room. A high resolution 15.4 inch or 14 inch screen would work well for graphic arts if you wanted to.

Dont let the low processor speeds fool you. Intel has finally seen the light and isnt cranking clock speeds up like crazy anymore, creating slow processors that produce a lot of heat. They've swiched to making energy efficient processors that concentrate on getting good performance per watt and more performance per clock. So that 1.86ghz Core2Duo can out perform even 3.8ghz Pentium 4's.
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post #12 of 27
4/14/07 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwilightVampire
The M90 is overkill. Any laptop with a Core2Duo or Turion x2 and 2GB of RAM will be perfect. But no matter what you get it will be out dated in less than 3 years. A 17" screen is only necessary if you think you need the extra room. A high resolution 15.4 inch or 14 inch screen would work well for graphic arts if you wanted to. Dont let the low processor speeds fool you. Intel has finally seen the light and isnt cranking clock speeds up like crazy anymore, creating slow processors that produce a lot of heat. They've swiched to making energy efficient processors that concentrate on getting good performance per watt and more performance per clock. So that 1.86ghz Core2Duo can out perform even 3.8ghz Pentium 4's.
How is the M90 overkill? Running Maya 8 and doing faces with facial animations is now walk in the park for the video card. Its actually better if he gets a good video card then he will be able to use it longer.
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post #13 of 27
4/15/07 at 12:11am
The OP didnt mention using Maya. Heres what he said he'd use it for:

Quote:
Originally Posted by nikolapentchev
The laptop will be basically used for work with Adobe CS2, Macromedia, Premiere for videoediting.

None of that would require the video power the M90 gives.
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post #14 of 27
4/15/07 at 3:17am
Oh sorry, my apologies. Then yes don't get the M90, the video card is an overkill.
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post #15 of 27
4/15/07 at 4:21am
Thread Starter 
Hello all. Thanks for your replies. From what I understand any laptop with Core 2 Duo, 256 Video RAM and 2GB of RAM will do.There is however a huge variety of laptops out there. Can you still recommend something? Or ... I just pick up the first on ewith these specs?I guess the make also matters.
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post #16 of 27
4/15/07 at 4:37am
Man...I guess my old G4 with only 128 Megs of VRAM and 1.5 gigs of memory can't do graphic design anymore.

High amounts of video RAM won't help you when doing basic 2D work nor will a card designed for gaming or 3D so it's entirely possible to skimp in the video card area.

Of course, a fast processor and oodles of RAM are always recommended for intense graphic design work but myself and thousands of other designers out there are still puttering along just fine with older computers so you don't need to get the fastest out there unless you have the money for it. Definitely get as much RAM as you can, however.

Have you ever thought about a Mac? The base model MacBook Pro (15 inch) starts around 1600 Euro and it will do everything you've specified quite well for the next several years.
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post #17 of 27
4/15/07 at 5:01am
Thread Starter 
Hi.The problem with MAC is that my software is already for PC. I don't want to spend another 2000 Euro on software for MAC
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post #18 of 27
4/15/07 at 3:10pm
Adobe should allow you to switch your licence from PC to Mac. Plus I believe that you can buy the Mac upgrade to CS3 even if you have the older software for PC.
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post #19 of 27
4/15/07 at 6:41pm
I'm not saying that a core2duo is necessary, but it is almost the only processor you can find in any computer now

I'm not sure about license swiching, I've never tried that before.

As for brand, thats up to you. If you want really cheep and dont care as much about quality, go for Dell, Compaq, HP, or Gateway etc. If you want to try something new, go for a Mac. If you'd like extreme quality and reliability and dont mind paying a little bit extra, go for Asus.
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post #20 of 27
4/16/07 at 2:26am
If 3d is not important and CPU is not critical, just look for local vendor with best reputation for warranty services and support. Get yourself best 3 or more year warranty available with accidental care and all bell and whistles. Get whatever brand name he got with suitable screen size/RAM/CPU/HDD. All expensive laptops are flighty and warranty is next most important thing after critical hardware.
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