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pondering on a laptop

post #1 of 6
6/30/09 at 10:56pm
Thread Starter 
I'm in need of a new Laptop.
I'm an architecture student, and am required to have a computer/laptop, so what I really need a computer for is running design applications and often at the same time:
Maya, Rhinoceros, Photoshop, Illustrator, AutoCAD, etc...

I've been looking at the new alienware M17x...it seems strong but i wanted to make sure because i hate lag and weakness...i want it to be a beast and do whatever i want it to when i want it to...my 3.5 year old toshiba is/was ok but i dont think it will do the newly needed job...


so my questions:
1. What other models/brands would you recommend?
2. Any thoughts on graphics cards for these applications? NVidia QFX vs ATI FireGL? Is there much difference between non-gamer cards?
3. What's the ideal configuration (more RAM vs. higher Processor vs. Graphics card) when working in these applications?
4. If you, or anybody you know has opinions / experience in 3d modelling applications?

Price wise, I dont care on how much it costs i just want the best of the best...please help the next school year is approaching
Thanks a ton,
Zak
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post #2 of 6
6/30/09 at 11:41pm
When pondering on a notebook make sure to not block the vents, it could cause it to overheat.

Seriously look at the NP9850 if you favor heavy GPU, link. 280m SLI. Or NP9280 if CPU is more important to you, link. I7 and single 280m.
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post #3 of 6
7/1/09 at 12:59pm
Well since money is not an issue, i dont think you would be disappointed with alienware. What about Dell Precision? I don't know much about that series but it looks powerfull enough

http://www1.euro.dell.com/uk/en/busi...bsd&cs=ukbsdt1

You can customize it to your liking and it can go up to 6000 pounds if money is really not an issue :P
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post #4 of 6
7/1/09 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by powerpack View Post
When pondering on a notebook make sure to not block the vents, it could cause it to overheat.

Seriously look at the NP9850 if you favor heavy GPU, link. 280m SLI. Or NP9280 if CPU is more important to you, link. I7 and single 280m.
The laptop you provided has gamer cards, he needs the cards to be able to perform applications such as AutoCAD, Photoshop and etc. You might consider the Sager 8662 with the Nvidia Quadro FX 2700M option, probably better for the applications you listed
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post #5 of 6
7/1/09 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Entissmiss View Post
The laptop you provided has gamer cards, he needs the cards to be able to perform applications such as AutoCAD, Photoshop and etc. You might consider the Sager 8662 with the Nvidia Quadro FX 2700M option, probably better for the applications you listed
Did you read he was looking at an Alienware 17x? Only offers 260m and 280m that is why I felt free to recommend as I did. Also just so you know some of the gaming cards are certified on autocad.
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post #6 of 6
7/2/09 at 8:12pm
Yes some autodesk product's can now use the D3d API [inventor also]which mean's non quadro's and fireGL's will work fine.

Maya and Rhino,still recommend openGL graphic's though and yes,there is a massive difference in stabilty and performance using Quadro's over their gaming counterpart's,from my experience.

My recommendation for your use is to forget geforce GPU's,even a low/midrange quadro will outperform a high end geforce in software running on an openGL api.

Dell Precision
HP elitebook NW series
Lenovo with fireGL or Quadro

Doing rendering in Maya Quad core's provide a huge increase in performance and as money is no object,I'd go for that,if your dataset's are massive,more ram....the Precision M6400 let's you to configure up to 16GB.
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