New laptop recommendations

Hey all!

I'm in the need of a new laptop, so I thought I'd ask you lot. The problem is, I'm a bit clueless when it comes to computer specifications, so I thought I'd list some of the things I'd like it to do, and for you to give some recommendations? Thanks!

I'm a University student in the U.K studying Computer Games Design, and I use programs such as 3DS Max, Photoshop, Illustrator (basically design software), and I'd like the laptop to run these without hassle. Obviously, I'd also be using the Office software too. It needs a big harddrive, as the laptop I have now has an 80GB one, and I've filled that up within 2 years. I don't really play many PC based games, but it would be a plus if the laptop could, but even then it would be games like Unreal Tournament and Farcry so that I could use the level editing software. Other than that, I would like it to have the 'normal' laptop stuff; cd/dvd drive, usb, wireless etc. It may be pretty obviously, but I'd like it to run Windows, nothing else.

As I said, I live in the U.K, and I'm looking to spend between £300-400, but I could push it to £500, but that is my absolute limit.

I've had a look myself, and found this:
http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/inspiron-15-deals-codes-coupons/

Would the 3rd one do what I want it to, or is there a better one on there for a good price?

Any help, and recommendations, anyone can give will be greatly received!

 

Hello there

Well im not a huge tech savvy when it comes to laptops i only have a basic compaq myself...

But IMHO The laptop you are looking at might have a little bit of trouble doing the things you want. Im not sure how graphic savvy the 3D program you are using, but if you want something that will run it rather smoothly i would HIGHLY recommend the Dell STUDIO 15 styl laptops.

http://www.dmxdimension.com/dell-uk/studio-15-deals-comparison-coupons/

Looking at that list, the 3rd one down imo would be PERFECT for what you want.
4Gb of ram so you can run photoshop illutrator and other things all at once with ease.
500GB of harddrive space, plenty to save plenty of art works and other things.
Now the big thing here is the 512 ATI Graphics card, most laptops use integrated crappy video cards. Getting a namebrand graphics card even one designed for laptops will give you a BIG edge over other integrated ones.

The graphic card and proccessor is whats gonna give you a quicker render times(if you render 3d stuff in this program, ive used Cinema 4D and i know u gotta render in there which can take awhile)

Again its a bit out of your price range but if you want something that will last you and will give you exactly what you need, try and shell out the extra 100 euros or pounds or what ever you guys use over in the UK!

PS: That laptop should also play some games fairly well, maybe not at max settings or anything but should run em smoothly for em.

I hope someone can further comment on this to see if im right or not

Cheers

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for replying! The laptop you suggested did look good, but at £579, it's a bit out of my price range.

I did understand some of the stuff you said thought, (about the rendering times and such) so what would be a good processor to look out for when it comes to that? For example, on some of the laptops I saw today, some had (and I appolgise if I get these wrong) Intel Celeron Dual Processors, and others had Intel Pentium Dual Processors. Whats the difference between them, and other types of Dual Core or 2 Duo processors?

 

quite simply the Pentium processor is faster and more powerful but runs hotter . Celerons are second rate procs geeks tend to call 'cerery' :-D
A celeron powered notebook is more than adequate to do what you want .

Have you factored in the cost of all the software you will need to buy to work with Vista ?

I'd suggest you take a look at some of the notebooks at your local PC World . They are cheap and in every major town.If anything goes wrong with it you can easily take it back for a no fuss repair or exchange.

 

I can get all of the software for free from my University, so I don't need to worry about that.

I have done that already but, and it might be different at your PC World, but the people at mine don't seem to know the difference between their ear and their elbow, so they weren't much help. Seeing as you think a celeron powered notebook will be good enough for me though, I shall go down and have another look around.

But what about RAM? How much RAM would be suitable for me?

 

I only suggested pc world because 1. they have a huge selection you can handle and try out before purchase and 2. if you ever have a problem with it you'll get an instant replacement/repair with their excellent warantee.

You might save £50.00 buying online at ebuyer but if anything goes wrong with it will the Uni fix it for you for free as well ?

Most laptops are supplied with Vista now so you'll need at least 1gb memory which should be adequate for your needs. I would recommend 2gb if poss which will make a noticable difference in speed.

I have just repaired a HP G6000 which is obsolete now. I hate laptops although I must have about 30 of the damn things. I can recommend one of the current HP 6000 range . With built in webcam it does everything we require of it and they are cheap as chips

 

I've just found this one on eBuyer, and it looks quite good to me, but I've not heard of the processor brand before. Would this laptop suit my needs?

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158888

 

That actually sounds like a pretty decent choice, though i believe the hard drive is a little small but thats someththing you can always upgrade in future, or use a external one.

3GB of ram is a deff plus, guy above mentioned 1gb, i would disagree, and even 2gb to me sounds a little insufficient specially becuz most onboard video in laptops have very little memory of their own.

the proccessor in that in a AMD(Intels "competitor") Some people are huge amd fans like people are huge itnel fans, my laptop is actually amd dual core laptop, it seems decent enough for a laptop i would not convince you to get it because of amd. its solid.

and it also has an ati card inside which is decent enough.

Pretty decent find you got there, i would deff say it would be a good fit for you

 

Alright, we're finally making progress! So you think this laptop will be alright running 3D Studio Max, and rendering it and stuff? Because that's the main thing I'm worried about; I don't want to get the laptop and find out that I can't use the main program that I use in my University course.

 

It should...and i only say should because i am not 100% certain. The specs on it look good enough to be able to run it, but i do believe the rendering times might take a bit longer compared to the first one i suggested.

Is it possible to post the min specs on the program ?

 

Here's the system requirements for 3D Studio Max. Sorry it's a bit of a lengthly list; hopefully you'll be able to make some sense out of it:

Software Requirements

Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010 software requires one of the following 32-bit or 64-bit operating systems:

* Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional (Service Pack 2 or higher)
* Microsoft® Windows® Vista (Business, Premium and Ultimate)
* Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional x64
* Microsoft® Windows® Vista 64 bit (Business, Premium and Ultimate)

3ds Max 2010 software requires the following internet browser:

* Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6 or higher

3ds Max 2010 software requires the following supplemental software:

* DirectX® 9.0c* (required), OpenGL® (optional)

*Some features of 3ds Max 2010 are only enabled when used with graphics hardware that supports Shader Model 3.0 (Pixel Shader and Vertex Shader 3.0). Check with your manufacturer to determine if your hardware supports Shader Model 3.0.
Hardware

At a minimum, 3ds Max 2010 32-bit software requires a system with the following:

* Intel Pentium® 4 or higher, AMD Athlon® 64 or higher, or AMD Opteron® processor
* 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended)
* 1 GB swap space (2 GB recommended)
* Direct3D 10, Direct3D 9, or OpenGL-capable graphics card, 128 MB
* Three-button mouse with mouse driver software
* 2 GB hard disk space
* DVD-ROM drive

Note: Apple® computers based on Intel processors and running Microsoft operating systems are supported using Apple’s Boot Camp. Virtual machine environments are currently not supported.

At a minimum, 3ds Max 2010 64-bit software requires a system with the following:

* Intel® EM64T, AMD Athlon® 64 or higher, AMD Opteron® processor
* 1 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
* 1 GB swap space (2 GB recommended)
* Direct3D 10, Direct3D 9, or OpenGL-capable graphics card, 128 MB
* Three-button mouse with mouse driver software
* 2 GB hard disk space
* DVD-ROM drive

 

AMD is a fast and powerful processor but they run hot.
Some would say the most powerful bang for buck but that is the same endless debate as the Shimano and Campagnolo one.

1xGb memory is perfectly adequate for your stated intended purpose however at that price you would be wise to take the 3xGb on offer.Its an amazing price.

My company PC runs CAD and intensive video audio applications with 1xGb without problems but I believe there are some folk who must have the biggest and most of everything whether they need it or not then stick go-faster strripes on it :-D

 

I remember you saying that 1GB is enough, but then I saw this and I thought the same as you; it seems like a good price.

And I don't think you could have too much RAM, and 3GB seems enough for me. That laptop is look ever more tempting to me...

 

A big concern for me is with laptops its more troublesome to try and "upgrade" the laptop. So if you get a 1GB who says in 2 years that software will not get more extensive and require more? With laptop having 3Gb of RAM you should not have any problems in 2 years, but with 1 id be iffy. but thats just a personal prefference.

Even in the specs you listed, it says reccommended of 2GB which means ya it can run with 1GB but may not be as adequate as compared to having 2GB, and again if your running that program and photoshop or illustrator or say windows Media Player, and say your email browser all while your working, your computer is gonna be a like truck next to a corvette. Nothing sucks more than a slow computer!!! If you got the money, imo go with what ever is bigger.

just my 2cents.

 

And it's a good 2 cents. But looking at other laptops, like the Dell Studio ones, this one looks a bit too good to be true at that price for some reason.

 

Not really. Its marked 40dollars off.

its a HP not a dell.
The harddrive space is not as big as the one i suggested up above and the video card is not as powerful. and add an extra GB of ram and bam you got 200 extra dollars for a laptop. well not dollars but you know. also i believe AMD is a bit cheaper than most Intel CPUs. so that is another factor.

 

Argh. I'm just looking at the Dell Studio one now that you suggested. It seems that at that price, it would be more of an investment, but that it would last me quite a long time, and wouldn't be outdated for quite some time too. Am I right in thinking that?

 

I personally think so. But others might tell you otherwise... :|

 

Found another laptop!

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150324/show_product_overview

My friend (who is on the same course as me) suggested this, and he said it would be fine for me, but I just wanted to get some different peoples' opinions.

 

That laptop looks very adequate, sorry for the delay in your reply been busy.

Its about same as the the other one you mentioned but this one has a nvidia video card and not a ATI(which is no big deal really)