Need laptop recommendations

[Freddy Scribbles]

Hi folks,

I'm in the process of looking for a new laptop for animation/illustration/motion graphics. I'm currently working on a six year old Dell that's bit the bullet (again), and I'd like to get something new and shiney and not quite so obsolete.

I'm not so good with tech specs even if I do know how to take my computer apart and put it back together in about ten minutes flat.

So any info folks can offer would be great. Must keep with a laptop for now as I need the portability.

Many thanks

[Freddy Scribbles]

ps. and yes I'm doing my homework. This isn't just a "Give me!" thread.

google is my friend. but a tech review isn't the same as input and experiences from people who have to make a living from their machines.

[Brashen]

If you are looking for a workstation for the love of all that is good in this world do not buy a laptop. 'Portable Workstations' are not really portable and cost an insane amount for what your getting and the batteries cant sustain them for long periods of time and not to mention the back pains you'll be getting. Truth be told you should look for a desktop. If you decide you do want a desktop afterall let me know.

[Freddy Scribbles]

I do actually really, really, really want a desktop. Like so super really you can't believe.

Unfortunately, at the moment I'm in between places. And we're not talking a two hour car ride here or an hour and a half train trip. I've been jumping cross country and internationally and probably will be stuck doing so for the next year or two.

Thus I am stuck needing a laptop or I end up traveling to see the family (USA east coast) without being able to work or perhaps out to see some potential employers where I did my undergraduate work (USA West Coast) or I end up back "home" where I've sort of semi-settled and have been doing freelance (UK West coast). See? Desktop is a little bit difficult to carry on a plane. bugger it all I hate planes. -_-

But thank you and I will definitely come banging on your door when I can actually figure out where I'm living for more than six months at a shot. :D

[Freddy Scribbles]

ps. portable simply means being able to pick up and move from A to B for three weeks and keep working than perhaps B to C for a few months and keep working and finally C to A again for another few months. Never have been much for dragging a laptop around period. that's what paper and pencils are for!

...although paper is surprisingly heavy

[Not Pink]

Toshiba, Dell, and HP, dont look at anything else or you paying for brandpower.

Tosh:
-pro:
writes RAM to HDD by powering off, 2-3 second boot and power down times
generally nice features, and newer satellites have some kicking speakers
generally a good feature to price ratio
-cons:
stock HDD has been known to kick the bucket quickly
generally very large

HP:
-Pro:
Tablets are available, making quick artwork easier.
generally very reliable
great costumer support (i've never had a problem)
-Con:
tablets dont do many levels of pressure or tilt sensing
most HPs use AMD processors which are hot as a MF for your lap (i.e. it makes penis paninis)

Dell:
-Pro:
reliable tough little fuckers, takes a long time for them to die
generally very cheap
-Cons:
when they do die, they die and die again, and their customer service sucks, and their "repairs" are never fully repaired...
generally very poor features-to-price ratio, less bang for the buck
the tablets they do offer are good, but expensive as hell


all in all I'd say Tosh for 3d work, HP for 2D

[Hexokinase]

Lenovo also makes fairly cost-effective laptops for the power you get in them.

Sounds to me that you might be seeking a Desktop Replacement if you're not concerned with weight and battery life. If you're not doing any intensive gaming or running high-end 3d software, a relatively low-end desktop replacement will do the trick.

Best pro-tip I can offer: Do NOT buy features that you will not use. If you don't need an Intel Quad Core Duo Processor in your laptop, then don't get one.

Check out some laptop buying guides on the net. CNet's may be of some use. (http://reviews.cnet.com/laptop-buying-guide/)

[PieterV]

It's hard to come by nowadays, but if you're going to use it for 2D work try to find one with a decent screen (matte and with a good viewing angle). On mine it's nearly impossible to spot where it's black and where it's 70% gray because of the shitty view angle. Despite this problem my images usually look fine on other monitors, it just looks very decieving when you're actually doing it.

[Tonic]

But what about battery charge? Do notebooks still holds about three hours, and half-hour with plugged tablet? Are there any upcoming technologies that will change this?

I'm too going to buy laptop, mainly for 2D painting outdoors.

[Freddy Scribbles]

So far quite a few people have recommended HP in terms of being solidly built as far as brand names go. Should be used for 2D illustration and video editing with some sound design work.

Most taxing programs I tend to use are illustrator/photoshop with Flash coming in a close third.

The illustrator stuff has nearly killed my current computer (Inspiron 8500) on several occasions due to the massive levels of detail. Oy.

I agree with the screen issue. I've started doing research into individual parts. I will probably try to stay away from Nvidia because I've had loads of trouble with my videocard in the past - Nvidia Geforce 4200. It crashes every two years on the dot just about. And then costs ridiculous amounts of money to replace (well now it does since I'm no longer warrantied!)

What are people's opinions on Vista? Most of my software (CS2) predates Vista by several years. I don't really trust the OS's reliability from what I've heard from people. I'm going to try to do a work around where ever I buy and get a machine without the OS or downgraded to XP. Possibly with the expectation of waiting until the new microsoft OS is released. So many choices!

And now...back to staring at computers and wondering why all of the screens switched to glossy. Ugh.

[Freddy Scribbles]

PS. thanks to everyone who's responded thus far. :D

[FranciscoShreds]

Here's something worth looking into if you don't want to go with a specific brand. D.I.Y. Notebook (http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/diy_notebooks/ocz_diy_17-gaming_notebook-small_intel-ati_crossfire_edition-small_) I was thinking about it myself before I decided to wait till 7 comes out and build myself a workstation.

[zaorr]

When is someone going to make a mobile digital memory pad.

Just a screen with a good painting program on it and some memory that you can use to upload saved scetches and stuff to your PC.

[sourgasm]

If you get a laptop from BestBuy, you will be sorry. The major manufacturers practically engineer their notebooks to fail. At the very least, get an extensive warranty.

Check out the powernotebooks.com explanation (http://www.powernotebooks.com/articles/index.php?action=fullnews&id=17).

Just one gimps opinion, of course.

[Rist]

I've not had an issue with my Macbook Pro since I bought it last year. Depends what you are willing to pay and what on I guess.

[Freddy Scribbles]

I have been in the very long (going on three weeks now) process of getting a replacement videocard for my Inspiron 8500 (gah! 3 weeks without digital drawing! sob) Finally ended up on Ebay. But took my comp to a tech (local place) for a tune up as it were.

Got the dust blown out of it and got a chance to pick his brain a little bit. He's been using Acer and recommended Asus, Acer and Lenova (I think I used them back when they were IBM). He runs a four year old Acer Ferrari and has had no problems. And he likes their tech support. Might lean towards Lenova just because of what they put in their machines. Not really wanting to deal with NVidia again and leaning towards ATI.

He's also been testing the release candidate for Windows 7 and says it's loads better than Vista, capable of running on as little as 512 MB Ram.

Thought about Mac since I've got loads of mac-fans living with me in England at the moment. But there'd be no point since I'd essentially run it as a windows machine in bootcame. Why pay for a brand when you're not even using it? I just can't afford to get a new machine PLUS new software. Of course...I ought to see if CS2 will even run with Windows 7. O.o

So...the plan now is to get replacement part (hurray Ebay), replace it, and get on with life until approx. December/January when it will be new machine time. Windows 7 is scheduled for Manufacture release in August which should mean it hits the shelves by October which means I don't really want it for a couple of months while they bash out the bugs.

still have to look in to specs and see what's out there...
mostly just need to get my poor 6 year old dell back on its feet and give dell one hell of an ear lashing for wasting my time, taking my money, and sending me the wrong part. *GRUMP*

the tech gods must hate me!