Hello, I want to buy a laptop, and do not know where to start. I want to use it primarily for Graphic Design. But I have never owned a laptop and I am not sure what specifications it should have. Can someone recommend me a nice one please? Or tell me what to look for in it? And my budget is a maximum of $1500. Thanks
For Graphics, you'll want plenty of RAM, good graphics card, large-screen display (17"+), and a nice CPU. I'm not going to post any links because you'll probably find better discount deals at a local office store. $1500 is quite a large budget, and you can get a very nice laptop w/ that.
A large screen 17" isnt necessary, more of hassle if you ask me. 15.4" screens will do fine. 17" screens drain battery life like no other. You'll want a notebook with at least 2 gb RAM, running Vista (assuming you'll be getting a Windows) will need at least 2 gb ram. A good GFX card as well, try not to get integrated Intel Graphics card... Look for something that has Nvidia on it, ask your store assistants about it. Look for a good processor as well, Intel Duo Core would be nice for laptops maybe a processor speed of 2.0ghz+ Should be fine. A decent harddrive to save your work is necessary as well (also for all the gfx programs) 150gb HDD+ Personally, I prefer a Desktop for my computer graphics.. I find working with laptops a little tedious for some reason. So within the next year I'll be looking to build my own PC for Graphics.
That seems to be a bit low-end. Where I live, you can get that for a few hundred dollars on sale o.o. Especially since he has a $1500 budget. I would recommend 4 gb RAM, Linux (or XP if you're n00b ), definitely dual-core, probably 2.4+ ghz, 250+ gb HD. I'm going w/ better specs since you have a large budget so it appears as if you are doing this for work.
I said at least 2 GB RAM i never said he had to get 2 gb ram. I'm sure the lower on his budget the better.
Guys... guys... lets not fight Lets just say 3 GB ram ... you both win.. ok? anyways... they have pritty much covered this up, I agree with abso on XP ( doesnt make you a noob ) but i agree with xp on the aspect there are more addons avalible for xp atm, from DA... and such. with 1500.00 you will find a mean ass machine !
lol, 3 gb ram is really rare on a machine I would much prefer Linux, but I guess XP will do More than likely, but I'm the kinda guy who'll likes spending every last penny when given a budget
now also keep in mind windows xp is alot more user friendly, hes asking you guys what stats his computer should be... would you recommend linux to that kind of user? ( i dont know how user friendly linux is now, i have not used it in years )
I'd say get a Quad Core processor, 2gigs of ram, Windows XP, and a NVIDIA graphics card (preferrably GeForce 7600 - 9800 series, but I'm not positive).
Alright, I'll be maxing RAM since it is so cheap these days. So that is not a problem. A graphics card like Nvidia = sounds good to me. For the hard drives, the speed. Can someone explain that to me please? You know 7,200 or 5,400. It always says a number like that. I'll be running windows because of the adobe suite for it. What's better, Intel or AMD Processors? And lastly, what are some better companies for laptops? Thanks for the replies.
HD speed is how fast the HD can retrieve data. The number you see is the rotational speed, high number = fast spin time. But it also means more heat and noise. lol, Intel vs AMD again... Check this article out for more in-depth explanation: http://techreport.com/articles.x/12091 Lenovo = CHEAP, much cheaper compared to similar alternatives HP = cheap, but sometimes not top quality Sony = very nice, but expensive Acer = generally good, prices range from cheap to expensive
Sony delivers high quality machines.. I can say cause I own a Vaio myself, but along with the machine you are also buying the name brand along with it. Sony jacks up there machine's prices so much.... Should really be only 80% of what it really is.
Thanks, my knowledge of laptops has expanded tremendously. Know a lot about the hardware and the companies. I just have one more question. What about Toshiba laptops?
Toshiba, like Sony, have prices ranging on the expensive side. And also like Sony, the quality is really nice too. Honestly, I don't know how to compare the two though, you'll just have to look at individual products.
Cool, I did not know Toshiba was known so highly as Sony. You are great help Zero. +rep Now would it be alright if I post some links to my possible laptops here and you guys tell me what ou think of them? I would do this during this week.
Sony has some of the nicest LCD screens but otherwise they are hugely overpriced and proprietary...even beyond the hassles of most laptops.(I worked for Sony in a repair center) I have to say if at all possible do not buy a laptop for graphics as you can do much better with a desktop or alternately go much cheaper. 4 gigs can be cheap but if you can afford it you should look for lower cas latencies even though they don't seem to be the focus any longer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cas_latency 4850 ati is a better deal, look on tom's hardware, but 8800 in all it's forms is solid as well unless you are using a multi threaded program quadcore is a joke...even most of those don't utilize it all that well go with dual core atm, quad prices will come down pretty soon because of some new tech coming out soon I support Acer as well also consider looking at http://www.newegg.com