Tech Questions!

[Waffle_King]

Hey guys,

I had a quick question. I've been doing a fair amount of work lately that utilized a computer. Now, I have my standard PC desktop- but I think it's time I branched out to a laptop so that my images, music, reference, interent, and hopefully someday soon my digital painting programs could travel with me.

Do you guys have any recommendations on a Laptop that has the power for programs like painter and big image editing? I'm comfortable with macs but atm I think I would prefer a PC.

Also, on the subject, I have been thinking about investing in a wacom tablet. Any suggestions? I'm something of a young professional,and am pursuing art as a career, if that factors in.

Thanks so much! Happy 2006!

--Andrew

[Ilaekae]

I'm not really the best one to answer this question probably, because I might be a bit behind the times...

but...

I find it hard enough concentrating with equipment and software that I have to trust on faith to get what I want done with a minimum of fuss, so I don't see a real advantage to the portable bit...I need power, quiet, and a lot of monitor space. I don't need a kid dumping his Coke on my keyboard from laughing about the dog shit his poodle just left on my shoe top. Is portability that big an advantage?

...oh...on the tablet...get one...wacom...big...you'll like it...

but...

it might be a bit of a carry on problem working with it with that flip-top porta-comp...






...just a thought... :)

[darth massacre]

Laptops for DOING art = bad....well if you want a good one it won't come cheap.
Laptops for PRESENTING art = good
If you want to be able to do digital art wherever you go....my advice is give up the portable digital artwork and stick to a sketchbook.

Wacom tablets = always good. Like Ilaekae says, big is good, bigger is better but also depends on the physical space you have on your computer desk.

[Waffle_King]

Thanks so much guys.

I think you hit the nail on the head Darth- I wanted the laptop more for presentation / portability than making actual pieces.

I was thinking of the wacom intuos 3 6x8. I don't have a huge workspace, and to be quite honest price is a big thing for me. My current main source of income besides the steady trickle of freelance work is waiting tables, so it's tight.

Ok, well, I'm glad to head that laptops really are just for portability... Sketchbooks are much more affordable!

-Andrew

[Blue]

Any new processor with at least a gig of ram will work fine. I have a 1.5ghz powerbook with 1.2 gigs of ram and I work on it exclusively. I travel around a lot, so the portable part is a factor, otherwise I would own a tower.

And yes, a wacom is a must, knock off brands are just that, and are not worth your money. If you want to add a new level to drawing on the go, i would suggest a Tablet PC (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=48468) like the Toshiba Protégé M200 (http://www.tabletpctalk.com/pictures/toshiba-m200.shtml). Nothing like drawing on the screen itself like an actual sketchbook. I only wish apple would make one, since I really do prefer OSX over any other OS.

[Waffle_King]

Yeah, I think at this point the laptop is out. Good ol towers for now!

*tosses powerbook casually out window*

Now, about the Wacom! you fellas think 6x8 is enough?

[Blue]

The size of the tablet is completely decided by how you draw. If you draw with your whole arm, then go big. If with your wrist wresting on the paper, go small.

Graphire is more economical, but not as fine tuned as its more expensive brother, Intuos. I use a graphire 8x6 happily, so i can tell you its not junk, but an intuos is pretty sweet. :)

[darth massacre]

I use a graphire 8x6 happily, so i can tell you its not junk, but an intuos is pretty sweet. :)
LOL, no its not junk....the tablet is only part of the equation...the artist however plays a bigger role in that equation :^^:

9X12 and above will provide you with a lot of flexibility in strokes.