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Help me pick a laptop

Jul 23, 2009 at 12:47 PM Post #16 of 65
Does your school recommend/require any software? If so, that might give you an idea where to look.

As a graphic designer, I can suggest one of these. Well, maybe I just really like OS-X.

EDIT: If you're not using an external monitor for work/proofing, screen size and quality is what you should be looking for ahead of other specs. My old iBook 1.42GHz G4 with 1GB RAM (now sadly stolen) could do huge files in Photoshop just fine.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 12:48 PM Post #17 of 65
^ I hear macs are great for graphic design, but I think it's a bit out of his budget. Perhaps a used model?
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 12:58 PM Post #18 of 65
Ahh, missed the $500-600 thing. Get one used, then.
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You can make do with windows (As I know I'm forced to use PC software at work) but the school might require mac files.

I still stand by not getting a little screen unless the laptop can properly span to an external monitor. Doing design work on a 13" screen is bad enough, anything smaller is horrid and claustrophobic, like painting a portrait while standing in a phone booth.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM Post #19 of 65
Also, I don't recommend 16+ inch notebooks for one reason. Battery life. They look good, but they are heavy, large typically need TWO CCFL backlights and battery life is lousy. Get a ~15 incher and then an external cheap 22" or so (~$150) for on your desk.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 3:04 PM Post #20 of 65
If you're looking for the best bang for your buck laptop wise I'd steer clear of all of the major brands and go to the companies that make most of the world's laptops (which are then rebranded), like Sager for example. I'd also shy away from anything without a dedicated graphics card if you're going to really be using the thing for design.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 3:57 PM Post #21 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif
If you're looking for the best bang for your buck laptop wise I'd steer clear of all of the major brands and go to the companies that make most of the world's laptops (which are then rebranded), like Sager for example. I'd also shy away from anything without a dedicated graphics card if you're going to really be using the thing for design.


I'm not familiar with Sager - I've always had corporate laptops that have been either IBM/Lenovo, Dell or HP. I will give this observation - laptops take much more abuse than desktops, and build quality is very important. I've seen way too many laptops come back from the field with broken latches, cracked cases, tweaked keyboards, etc. Of course, most of those laptops were being manhandled by Neanderthals using them to crack open coconuts, but I digress...

Lenovo makes *excellent* laptops. As has already been mentioned, they were formerly known as IBM. IMHO they are a great combination of size, power, weight, battery, build quality, etc for the *corporate* user. But - I don't know how that translates to a graphic design student's requirements.

Speaking of requirements - what *are* your requirements? Will you be using the machine primarily at home with the occasional excursion, or do you plan on using it primarily away from home? How important is weight? Battery life?
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM Post #22 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'd also shy away from anything without a dedicated graphics card if you're going to really be using the thing for design.


Depends. Most graphic design programs are not GPU intensive at all, and onboard cards can generally keep up OK with vector and raster files, as long as it isn't totally awful. RAM is more of a limiting factor in these cases. Unless of course you're talking about CAD/CAM programs, 3d rendering, or video editing/post-production. THOSE will benefit from a good video card.

Also, remember what I said before about screen size... unless you do design on a larger separate monitor a little laptop one will just frustrate.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM Post #24 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by n_maher /img/forum/go_quote.gif
If you're looking for the best bang for your buck laptop wise I'd steer clear of all of the major brands and go to the companies that make most of the world's laptops (which are then rebranded), like Sager for example. I'd also shy away from anything without a dedicated graphics card if you're going to really be using the thing for design.


Two things with Sager.
I have a friend who has lots of issues with one of their notebooks, and they are far from a value proposition.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:28 PM Post #26 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by billybob_jcv /img/forum/go_quote.gif

Speaking of requirements - what *are* your requirements? Will you be using the machine primarily at home with the occasional excursion, or do you plan on using it primarily away from home? How important is weight? Battery life?


I'm not doing anything too complicated with it. I will do most big projects on the schools computers and I will use this for small projects I can work on in the dorms.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:33 PM Post #27 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Thats marketing... It's the same as saying; I hear Bose has great headphones, it's just not true.
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But I've heard this from actual graphic designers... like the one who recommended it in this thread?
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:37 PM Post #28 of 65
If I might add, based on my experience supporting 60 or so laptops and my son's. A critical factor in your decision should be the support available. I buy Dell solely based on their "Complete Care" warranty coverage. My son has had a new keyboard, two motherboards (one a defect, the other his roommate tripped and ripped out a USB port) , a case bottom replaced very hassle free. At work the list is to long but they repaired or replaced whatever as needed. Not hyping Dell, but recommending a device with this kind of coverage, you won't regret it.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:50 PM Post #29 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirosia /img/forum/go_quote.gif
But I've heard this from actual graphic designers... like the one who recommended it in this thread?


.. yeah I and people that have Bose love them and recommend them, all I'm saying is that they are a complete waste of money compared to the PC counterpart, I'm a graphic designer and know it's a gimmick, macs even use intel chips now anyway.
 
Jul 23, 2009 at 6:59 PM Post #30 of 65
Quote:

Originally Posted by Billyk /img/forum/go_quote.gif
If I might add, based on my experience supporting 60 or so laptops and my son's. A critical factor in your decision should be the support available. I buy Dell solely based on their "Complete Care" warranty coverage. My son has had a new keyboard, two motherboards (one a defect, the other his roommate tripped and ripped out a USB port) , a case bottom replaced very hassle free. At work the list is to long but they repaired or replaced whatever as needed. Not hyping Dell, but recommending a device with this kind of coverage, you won't regret it.


Is that an extended plan you have to buy or does it come with it?
 
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