Question:
3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
General Questions
1) What is your budget?
£600 - £700 = $1000 - 1400
2) What size notebook would you prefer?
Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen (but less than 4kg)
3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
3D CAD rendering, Adobe programs (Photoshop Illustrator, etc), multi tasking (using more than 1 program at the same time)
4) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Taking it travelling with me, but I will be in one place most of the time.
5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
I won’t be gaming on it. I use it only for 3D CAD work, and rendering 3D models. I sometimes use Maya (but not much as yet)…..
6) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Toshiba
7) How many hours of battery life do you need?
2-3 hours
8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
No
9) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in?
UK
Screen Specifics
10) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Standard probably.
11) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?
I prefer to keep icons/text on the screen small so there’s more room for 3D model work, so I prefer UXGA - 1600x1200 (but will compromise to SXGA if necessary)
12) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
I’m not sure. Whichever is best for 3D modelling and rendering. I use Photoshop a lot too.
Build Quality and Design
13) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
No. As long as it’s not built like a brick and I can carry it comfortably in a backpack.
14) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
I’m buying it now. I’ll be using it for about 10 months, then I will sell it as I only need it temporarily (I have a good desktop).
Notebook Components
15) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 160GB?
120GB - upwards
16) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW and CD/RW
Thanks for any advice!!
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
How about these?
Acer aspire 9423WLMi
Toshiba Satellite Pro P100
The Toshiba has a go 7600 which is a nice powerful card, should be good for CAD and photoshop etc.
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
if you can afford it, the dell 9400 with the 7900gs will probably give you optimal performance in your price range. also, perhaps the fujitsu siemens xi 1546 (not completely sure if that is the right model number....), though i don't quite remember what it costs.
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
Wow :) It's seems we are all thinking along the same lines. I have considered the laptops that you have suggested, so I'm glad that I'm thinking in the right area.
I actually put up a previous post asking about the Acer aspire 9423WLMi and everybody said that it would be way too slow for what I wanted it for :(
The fujitsu siemens xi 1546 seems identical to the Dell 9400 and seem alot better than the Acer (for the extra $200-300). The only downside to these 2 laptops is that only have 80GB Hard drives and 1 GB RAM initially installed.
But is the Acer aspire 9423WLMi (with 2GB RAM) BETTER than a Dell 9400/fujitsu siemens xi 1546 (with only 1GB RAM)?? I wouldn't have enough cash to upgrade the RAM if I bought the Dell 9400/fujitsu siemens xi 1546.
I was also thinking about the Dell M90 (which also has only 1GB RAM). Do you think I can get away with 1GB RAM in these laptops, for what I do?
Thanks for you input!
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
Dell Precision M90 has the most powerful professional video card (FX1500M or FX2500M) on the market which is optimized and certified for 3D design software applications so the M90 is the best choice if you can get it with your budget.
The Dell 9400 with the 7900gs (powerful gaming card) and the Fujitsu Siemens XI 1546 with the X1800 (powerful gaming card) are other good options.
1GB ram is enough for now and also you can always add extra RAM.
I would forget the Acer Aspire 9423WLM because you can not do any 3D tasks on the Go 7300 and you can not upgrade it.
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
This is a decent price and seems to fit the bill dont know how good though you'd have to investigate http://laptops.timeuk.com/computers/...R_M790ST_17%22
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
This is a decent price and seems to fit the bill dont know how good though you'd have to investigate http://laptops.timeuk.com/computers/...R_M790ST_17%22
You are suggesting a notebook with an integrated graphics ?????????????????
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
Sorry didnt realise it had only got an x300 in, thought it was an x1400 confused it with an Hi-GRADE Id seen.
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
I've narrowed it down to the following options ;) :
Dell 9400 (1GB RAM, 2GHz Intel Duo 667 Mhz FSB, 17", 256 MB Nvidia Geforce Go 7900 GS) for about £740:
Dell M90 (1GB RAM, Intel Duo Centrino 1.83GHz 667 MHz
FSB, 17", 512MB NVIDIA Quadro FX-2500M) for about £800
Rock Quadra/Xtreme TI (1GB RAM, 3.4GHz 800FSB, 256MB Nvidia Quadro FX Go 1400) for about £950.....which is out of my price range...but I can dream can't I? :rolleyes:
If you had a choice of the above 3 laptops which do you think is most reliable AND best value for money AND best for 3D modelling/graphics programs?
Also, I've heard horror stories about Dell technical support, and I have spoken to them on the phone a couple of times. The Dell helplines all seem to be re-directed to India. I have nothing against India, but it takes twice as long to talk to people whose 1st language is not English, and these phone calls cost alot of $$, so I' getting turned off of Dell completely. Memories of long expensive phonecalls to AOL and Tiscali helplines (also Indian) fill me with dread :eek:
Can anybody recommend me alternatives to the above laptops mentioned that are equal in specifications? Maybe a HP or IBM or Sony?? Basically anyone who produces laptop specs similar to above AND that also has good technical support?
I'm not asking for much am I? :)
Answer:
Re: 3D CAD modelling/rendering laptop needed - FAQ FILLED OUT
As I said before, Dell Precision M90 is the best option, just beacuse is a professional workstation.
Dell 9400 is just an acceptable option but so much behind M90
"Rock Quadra/Xtreme TI" - I don't know what that is, but it's just outdated..
Another option would be HP Compaq nw9440 (NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500M)
There are few more but rather "exotic" options.