Inquiry on specs.. For the computer gurus out there.
By laydee
@laydee (12798)
Philippines
September 14, 2009 8:37pm CST
Hi guys.
I am planning to buy a new laptop and don't really know what specifications I should choose.
I'm not a computer expert nor a computer person but I do know how to use them.
Anyhow here are the things I need to do with a laptop:
a. I do photo and video editing once in a while so it has to be fast enough so that it won't take too much time rendering.
b. I am a multi-tasker so the memory should be big enough so that it won't cause my laptop to hang. Multi-tasking means I open multiple windows in one time (minimum of 3 maximum of around 5 types of programs).
c. I will be using it for presentations and such so it should not fail me in the middle of a presentation.
d. Handy enough and stable enough and doesn't break down easily.
e. I don't like saving a lot of files in the harddrive but when I do, these are huge files but will only be stored there temporarily.
f. I will be installing several programs needed for work.
What specs should I choose in buying a laptop then?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
15 Sep 09
You don't need to tie yourself down to exact specs, especially since there is so much variety out there. What you want to do is compare what's available in your area (if you're buying in person) or at your favorite online stores and see which laptop gives you the best deal for the money. You definitely want a fast processor, a large hard drive and lots of RAM. Choose a reliable brand of computer...not an off brand in order to save a few bucks...and you shouldn't have to worry about it crashing in the middle of a presentation. Also be sure to protect your computer with a good anti-virus program.
Personally, I like Dell and HP products.
@harpreet89 (723)
• India
17 Sep 09
Well for RAM go for 4GB and for processor, go for Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme.(min 2.5GHz).If 2.8GHz then it would be great...
But more emphasis should be given to graphic card coz its the one which will do your rendering task efficiently.Without this, your laptop would die in redering the outputs from 3DS MAX ,PREMIER and MAYA.
1 person likes this
@harpreet89 (723)
• India
17 Sep 09
Hi laydee, according to the specs that you've mentioned , you need a laptop which should be no less than a Computer.
Well all your requirements would be easily met by a single laptop except the first one--image and video editing.
That task is supposed to be done on a good Computer with a good graphic card so that it can do rendering without any effort.
Well if you install 3DS MAX or MAYA in a mid-end laptop, then rendering the output will definitely take ages.
So for that task you have to raise your budget and purchase a high end laptop.
The config of your laptop(acc to ur requirements):
Core 2 Duo/Core 2 Extreme processor(atleast 2.5GHz)
RAM-4GB (DDR2 or DDR3 whichever is avaiable, DDR3 is faster but costlier)
A nice screen(more than 15.6")
Hard Drive(min 320GB )
Most Important--GRAPHIC CARD--(MIN 512MB--if DDR3 OR 1GB--if DDR2.
IDEAL--1GB--DDR3)
More memory for graphic card should be taken in consideration(for image and video rendering).
You can take a look at these monster laptop
Dell precision-m6400(core 2 duo/core 2 extreme,4GB DDR3)
ASUS F50 Series F50SV-A2 Intel Core 2 Duo P8600(2.40GHz) 16" 4GB RAM with NVIDIA GeForce GT 120M-1GB
ASUS G Series G51VX-X1A Intel Core 2 Duo P8700(2.53GHz)15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M-1GB
For more queries,i'm ready to help you...
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
18 Sep 09
Hmm.. Thanks for the information, I'd certainly be looking at those types of laptops and specs.
Anyway, I am not going to use MAYA nor 3DsMAx yet, but thanks for reminding me since my partner is a trainer of those softwares and has been telling me he'd be teaching me those soon, so I guess I need to prepare for those huge-time-consuming-renders by those softwares.
Thanks!
1 person likes this
@ferdzNK (3211)
• Philippines
18 Sep 09
For your usage it's the video rending that need a lot of processing and resources. Consult your video editing application requirement and you'll see that what's currently available in terms of processor are more than enough. Just beef up your ram say 4GB, a video that will support HD and a large drive space for huge raw rendered video. Currently available laptop can handle this even those about to fall out of circulation. So what's left is your budget and your personal preference.
