I will be buying a new laptop with a budget around 1000$ - 1500$. (I want a Laptop because I'll be using it everywhere and for everything.)

Here are a few of the things I'll be doing with it: (That I can think of at this current time.)

• Programming
  
• 3D modeling (Renders have to be fast.)
  
• Video editing
  
• Audio editing
  
• Presentations
  
• Internet browsing
  
• Uploading
  
• Downloading
  
• Games
  
• Plug to TV
  

The main operating system will probably be Arch Linux 64 bits, but if needed, I may put Windows XP as a dual boot (Even though I've been living without it for more than a year.).
Overall, what I need is a computer that can do anything anytime and anywhere.
Also, I get annoyed with laptops that have a too small screen.
[I'm very bad when it comes to hardware.]

Edit: Now that I think about this, would it be better to have a portable computer, but not necessarily a laptop? I've never seen it before thought.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on May 29 2011, 7:44 pm by Apos.

... I don't know anything about Linux. Do you want us to find you a windows laptop and you'll uninstall it, or do you want something weirder?

Also, decide on whether you need a desktop or a laptop, we can't do it for you. We don't know whether you'll be carrying it around or not.

I believe most of the hardwares should be already compatible with Linux (Or the other way around), I'll probably have to check it out.

I'll be using it outside of my house, so it has to be portable. I already have a desktop anyway.

Also, I found this: Hardware compatibility database I'm not sure if it's up to date.

If you want to do serious editing, you would want to use your desktop. I assume for fast rendering of 3D stuff, that would also be the case. Since you already have a desktop, would it not be more worthwhile to just upgrade the components in it instead?

Starting in September, I'll almost never be in my house. And my desktop works, but it can't do everything I need. It's getting outdated I believe (It was a cheap one bought in 2007.).

Just be really sure that you need a laptop over a desktop. After that, just get something with an i7 core and with the best GPU you can fit within your price range. Preferably with a SSD if you can fit that in as well.

Here's my advice from my experience

Don't f'ing buy Lenovo brand laptop, unless it's Thinkpad... with which you ought to buy a Mac instead.

You should probably forget about SSDs, if you're going to be actually needing a high-end processor for modelling. I'd go for SSDs myself and lose some processing power, but you'd probably rather not do that. Basically, look at Sony, Dell, HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, Acer and Asus. I don't know what screen size you want, I don't know what resolution you want; look that up yourself. Look for a Sandy Bridge i7 processor (four numbers in its designation as opposed to three for 1st gen i7s, I believe), a decent GPU, and whatever else you need. Read reviews on battery life and overheating, and real battery life will typically be ~1/2 stated battery life unless you really go full-out and lower screen brightness and turn everything off.

stay away from ati.

Get whatever laptop you want with a quadro FX 880M. The NVS quadros seem to be for other business applications. I wouldn't recommend them for 3d work.

These seem to be the only 2 I can find:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834146919
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157486

>plug to tv
not sure what this means, so if you want a cable adapter, you'll have to buy one (they're like $50 for a usb thing). If you just want some form of video out, that's standard on every computer.

To answer whether you want a portable PC or a laptop, it is fairly obvious. Are you going to want to use this computer in places where you are not going to 100% always have easy access to a monitor, keyboard and mouse to plug into it? If that is not going to be the case 100% of the time, get a laptop.

These days, laptops are really just computers that come with keyboards and screens all in one handy bundle. Having said that, one of the all-in-one iMac's could be feasible - the chicklet keyboards (which I detest) are very small and portable.

I found the Dell Latitude E5520 (PDF). How does it compare with the Hewlett-Packard 8540w pointed by rockz? Am I missing something?

I like laptops that don't feel too small, that are heavy enough and will full keyboards.

3d rendering will be mediocre with an onboard chipset made by intel. I'm not certain how intel's linux drivers are either, which is why I recommended the quadro, which is a workstation card and has well known support linux. If you're serious about 3d applications and rendering, you need a quadro. If you're not serious, then you can save $1000 and get an i3 or something. A lot of the time, computers are simply "fast" when you buy them because your perception of what is fast and slow is skewed due to living in the past. I have no doubt you will find the graphics in a sandy bridge processor well up to your standards. However, it's stupid to spend more than $600 on a computer with those graphics. The i3 I recommended in the other thread is just about as good as that dell latitude, maybe 30% slower? But 30% slower for 50% of the price.

when it comes to laptops, you want the newest technology period. They are the most efficient, usually the most powerful, and are generally competitively priced, maybe a little bit more expensive. However what you're getting is battery life and future proofing (as much as future proofing is stupid). If you go get a CPU with a 65 nm tech, you're already four generations behind. Two new architectures and a die shrink for each.

Have you used a laptop like that on a long-term basis for portable applications (eg, not just 20 minutes at someone's desk)? Big laptops might sound great in theory, but you could discover that they become a real hassle when you actually want to transport them.

I've used a lot of small laptops before and I couldn't get anywhere with it. It feels like I'm losing more time than anything. When the screens were too small, I would be scrolling most of the time (Having a mouse solves this partly.). If the keyboards are too packed, I almost have to relearn how to type.
I've tried a few bigger laptops and I felt a lot more comfortable.

But I can see what you mean with transport hassle, I'll be having with me most of the time. It's hard to say that in front of time, but I believe I should be able to go around that if I get good equipment.

I try to get something that can last a couple years (Up to 5 years maybe).

To make sure you know what you want, I recommend going to a nearby Best Buy or something and looking what sized laptops you want. Keep in mind that scrolling and anything else computer-sided depends on resolution, not screen size, and there are, for example, 13" laptops with 1080p resolutions (mine has 1600x900, but they make the same with that resolution). Everything else is easy to adjust to. I went from a 23" desktop with good logitech keyboards and mice to a 13" laptop; I've found that it's easy enough to use that I just gave my desktop away to my brother altogether, as I can do everything I want on my laptop. It's also easy to carry around a mouse with you.

To hit on what Rockz said earlier, I would avoid ATI GPUs, especially if you're looking to do any sort of 3D work. nVidia's proprietary drivers work quite well.




(Archlinux 64 user here )

If I run into any trouble, I'll know who to ask to.

Also now that I think about it, I'll be buying an other laptop for someone else. (I believe it is okay to ask in the same thread?)
That person needs a laptop that can be used pretty normally (Internet browsing, Microsoft office, etc...), but will also do a bit of 3D work. (Architecture mainly, house design) (I believe it won't be as much rendering).

I was thinking of buying two of the same laptop at first, something like the Hewlett-Packard 8540w, but maybe there would be something else more appropriate? I don't think that he'll be using it as intensively as me.

get him the i3 I recommended in the other thread, unless he wants to play a lot of games, in which case you might have to get a weaker cpu and stronger gpu. Of course if he's got the $1000, then there's no reason to get the same as you with a quadro.

The only problem with those computers is the buyers remorse for buying a computer that might be way too powerful. There's virtually no buyers remorse for a $500 computer.

Not to take any shots at Lanthanide intentionally, but I feel like most people who advocate this position are just pussies. I've been using my 17'' for years and really its only like 13 pounds? 16 max? Its not that hard to transport or use; except on busses/airplanes where getting it out of my bag and into my lap is a hassle. I love the screen, definitely worth it. Sadly I think I have a dead pixel but its still got a better resolution than Centreri's and its a few years older

Thanks, sounds like the i3 will be perfect, he doesn't plan any games at all, no possible way. (The Hewlett-Packard 4530s right?)