Laptop for modeling?

2007-12-06 15:07:41

#1

DefCon-17: Maple Syrup Faggot; +362|6155|Vancouver | Canada

I'm gradually losing interest in video games, and since I want an upgrade, I was thinking of getting a laptop.

I'm looking for a good one that'll handle Maya (3d program) like a dream.
..I'll be using Photoshop and a tablet too.

I got a question about the internet connectivity though..
Would it be possible to plug the router cable I'm currently using for the net into any laptop, or would it need a special adapter?

I'll still play video games on occasion, so I'd prefer a high end laptop.

My maximum price range is around 2,500 CND.

Any suggestions?

2007-12-06 16:50:28

#2

VicktorVauhn: Member; +319|6391|Southern California

DefCon-17 wrote:
I got a question about the internet connectivity though..
Would it be possible to plug the router cable I'm currently using for the net into any laptop, or would it need a special adapter?

I'm guessing you have an ethernet cable coming from the router to your PC? If its Ethernet or USB it should be fine....
In fact if you don't have some weird special card or adapter for your current desktop you should be fine...

2007-12-06 17:10:27

#3

vpyroman: Aeon Supreme commander; +16|6615|UCF

DefCon-17 wrote:
2,500 CND.

So that's about $3,000 USD? You'll need a discrete Graphics Card, ideally some sort of 8 series by Nvidia.
I'm not a laptop person, but that's my laugh at the US economy and advice.

2007-12-06 17:11:45

#4

aimless: Member; +166|6123|Texas

Check Alienware or Voodoo, they might have a few good laptops for under $3000 USD.

2007-12-06 17:11:54

#5

Ryan: Member; +1,230|6842|Alberta, Canada

vpyroman wrote:
DefCon-17 wrote:
2,500 CND.
So that's about $3,000 USD?

No, it's $2,476 USD.

2007-12-06 17:49:36

#6

elite.mafia: Banned; +122|6452|USA

Anything with an 8600M will do... And since you say you're done with gaming... a macbook Pro would suit you perfectly.

2007-12-06 17:58:39

#7

Smithereener: Member; +138|6314|California

elite.mafia wrote:
Anything with an 8600M will do... And since you say you're done with gaming... a macbook Pro would suit you perfectly.

Agreed. A Macbook Pro is a good choice for you. Plus, if you ever decide to play a few games or so, it'll double as a light gaming machine too.

IF you want more choices beyond that, I'd suggest taking a look at the HP 8510w or the 8710p/w. The former is 15.4" and the latter is 17". But they both have the Quadro FX equivalent of the 8600m GT and 8700m (I think) respectively.

2007-12-06 18:35:48

#8

Scorpion0x17: can detect anyone's visible post count...; +691|6764|Cambridge (UK)

For a notebook, for Maya, look for one with either:

'Radeon Mobility' (or if you can find one, a FireGL) from ATI.

or:

either a Quadro or a GeForce M from nVidia.

You gonna be pretty limited in the laptop market - or you're gonna have to spend money to get a decent gpu.

If you can, lean towards either a Quadro or FireGL - these are optimised for OpenGL (i.e. stuff like Maya/3DStudio/etc) whereas GeForces/Radeons are optimized for DirectX.

2007-12-06 18:51:05

#9

DefCon-17: Maple Syrup Faggot; +362|6155|Vancouver | Canada

Hmm..I forgot about the MacBook.
I've never used a Mac though.
..Except at my friend's house.

I'll check the other suggestions out.

Thanks guys.

2007-12-06 18:55:16

#10

some_random_panda: Flamesuit essential; +454|6389

MacBooks are good, but don't expect to be typing for extended periods on them - the edge of the keyboard cuts into your palm/wrist.

2007-12-06 19:42:40

#11

DefCon-17: Maple Syrup Faggot; +362|6155|Vancouver | Canada

Well I'll mainly be using my left hand on the keyboard for shortcuts and such, so that's no problem.

One more question: If I did get a Windows laptop, should I get XP or Vista?
Keeping 3D work in mind.

Edit:
How does this sound?
PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.00GHz/667MHz/4MB)
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows Vista® Business, no media, English
MEMORY 4 GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 2 DIMM edit
GRAPHICS CARD NVIDIA® Quadro FX 2500M, 512MB (dedicated), OpenGL
OPTICAL DRIVE 8X DVD-ROM w/ CyberLink PowerDVD™ for Vista Business
HARD DRIVE 160GB Hard Drive (5400RPM)

Last edited by DefCon-17 (2007-12-06 19:48:44)

2007-12-06 20:00:53

#12

Dauntless: Admin; +2,249|6741|London

I think this sounds better:

PROCESSOR Intel® Quad Core™ Processor Q6600
OPERATING SYSTEM None
MEMORY 2 GB, DDR2-800
GRAPHICS CARD NVIDIA 8800 GTX, 512MB
OPTICAL DRIVE Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW
HARD DRIVE 250GB Hard Drive (5400RPM)

$ 2659.74

I know it's slightly over your budget but I think it's worth it.

2007-12-06 20:24:56

#13

Catbox: forgiveness; +505|6715

I use 3dmax and Photoshop...Vue6...Zbrush.. and they will all run on a decent laptop... 2gb memory... good graphics card and a duo core...
The thing that makes these programs slow down is rendering and really high poly scenes... I wouldnt worry about a workstation card... quadro or ati fire gl... They are way more expensive and current top gaming cards are fine and a lot cheaper... and I would stick with XP for now...
Vista will be good eventually... then ill even switch...lol

Last edited by [TUF]Catbox (2007-12-06 20:27:02)

Love is the answer

2007-12-06 20:37:29

#14

DefCon-17: Maple Syrup Faggot; +362|6155|Vancouver | Canada

Well my budget could be increased to 3000$.
I think my dad might help me pay for it.

I will be doing high poly scenes (30-70k average) though.

2007-12-07 16:40:15

#15

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6196|Winland

Dauntless wrote:
I think this sounds better:

PROCESSOR Intel® Quad Core™ Processor Q6600
OPERATING SYSTEM None
MEMORY 2 GB, DDR2-800
GRAPHICS CARD NVIDIA 8800 GTX, 512MB
OPTICAL DRIVE Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW
HARD DRIVE 250GB Hard Drive (5400RPM)

$ 2659.74

I know it's slightly over your budget but I think it's worth it.

I would like to see that in a laptop...

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

2007-12-07 18:18:49

#16

elite.mafia: Banned; +122|6452|USA

Dauntless wrote:
I think this sounds better:

PROCESSOR Intel® Quad Core™ Processor Q6600
OPERATING SYSTEM None
MEMORY 2 GB, DDR2-800
GRAPHICS CARD NVIDIA 8800 GTX, 512MB
OPTICAL DRIVE Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW
HARD DRIVE 250GB Hard Drive (5400RPM)

$ 2659.74

I know it's slightly over your budget but I think it's worth it.

Yes, because of course an 8800gtx will fit in a laptop.... Yeah.... right.

2007-12-07 18:57:10

#17

Smithereener: Member; +138|6314|California

Freezer7Pro wrote:
I would like to see that in a laptop...

elite.mafia wrote:
Yes, because of course an 8800gtx will fit in a laptop.... Yeah.... right.

I suppose you haven't realised that 8800m's are due to release pretty soon. If I'm not mistaken, the notebook (rather thick one at that) that Dauntless has pointed out is a Clevo/Sager who are known for making pretty much the highest performance notebooks on the market. But personally, I think the Macbook Pro or HP 8510/8710 are much better choices - less performance, true; but thinner and longer lasting battery with capable performance.

2007-12-07 20:02:53

#18

Dauntless: Admin; +2,249|6741|London

Freezer7Pro wrote:
I would like to see that in a laptop...

elite.mafia wrote:
Yes, because of course an 8800gtx will fit in a laptop.... Yeah.... right.

Yeah I guess I just made the whole thing up...

http://www.powernotebooks.com/configure.php?special=551

Dumbasses.

2007-12-08 02:37:36

#19

Freezer7Pro: I don't come here a lot anymore.; +1,447|6196|Winland

Dauntless wrote:
Freezer7Pro wrote:
I would like to see that in a laptop...
elite.mafia wrote:
Yes, because of course an 8800gtx will fit in a laptop.... Yeah.... right.
Yeah I guess I just made the whole thing up...

http://www.powernotebooks.com/configure.php?special=551

Dumbasses.

Well, I give, but it's not unusual to see you giving the right tips for the wrong machines around here. Since that was a Conroe quad-based CPU and 8800GTX without m, I thought you had made a desktop.

The idea of any hi-fi system is to reproduce the source material as faithfully as possible, and to deliberately add distortion to everything you hear (due to amplifier deficiencies) because it sounds 'nice' is simply not high fidelity. If that is what you want to hear then there is no problem with that, but by adding so much additional material (by way of harmonics and intermodulation) you have a tailored sound system, not a hi-fi. - Rod Elliot, ESP

BF2S Forums Laptop for modeling?

DefCon-17 wrote:

DefCon-17 wrote:

vpyroman wrote:

DefCon-17 wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

Dauntless wrote:

Dauntless wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

Dauntless wrote:

Freezer7Pro wrote:

elite.mafia wrote:

Board footer