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07/27/2009 01:43:28 PM · #1 |
I will be purchasing a laptop soon and wondered if anyone had any recommendations. I will not buy a Mac, so please don't bother trying to sway me :)
It will be for photography purposes almost exclusively...ie photoshop and editing...so the monitor has to be awesome and I need lots of space (again, not getting a Mac!).
I have a desktop at home which I will still use as my main computer, but I need the laptop for travel purposes.
Figured I would ask a bunch of photographers first before asking the kids at the store! |
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07/27/2009 01:46:12 PM · #2 |
What's the budget, and how portable does it need to be? I plan on buying a netbook in the near future, but they have small screens and though capable of running editing apps, are not terribly powerful. Very portable and convenient, however, with long battery life. You probably won't want a netbook, but maybe an ultraportable laptop would suit.
Message edited by author 2009-07-27 13:47:20. |
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07/27/2009 01:48:40 PM · #3 |
If Mac is out, then just pick a price range. They're all pretty much the same.
The only possible exception is Sony. They make a decent product. But the Dells, HPs, etc. of the world all buy the same components from the same sources. Look at the specs and buy what you can afford. The more expensive item will have higher specs.
I don't mean to sound flippant, but you will find equal numbers of people who love their Dells that love their HPs, and equal numbers of people that will never own one or the other again. |
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07/27/2009 01:52:42 PM · #4 |
depends on how much you are willing to spend. i'd probably go to dell and customize an inspiron or studio laptop based on your budget. make sure it has plenty of RAM. looks like you can even still get them with XP if you want ;)
i had photoshop cs3 on my work laptop, which is a dell latitude with only 2GB RAM and it ran fine. |
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07/27/2009 01:56:15 PM · #5 |
I don't really have a budget per se. I expect to spend a lot (though of course I'd like a good deal and would love to NOT have to spend TOO much)
I guess I was hoping for someone that owned a laptop that they liked to recommend it... I mean obviously, I could just pick one with all the right specs, but if someone has one that they use and like a lot then I'd like to know about it, ya know?
I haven't done a whole lot of research because, honestly, It's all just greek to me. I thought I'd start with forums and then research based on feedback.
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07/27/2009 01:56:20 PM · #6 |
In my experience don't go with HP they suck... in my family we've had 3 HP's and every single one always has TONS of problems. My laptop right now I've had for 4yrs, and the motherboard has been replaced twice, the battery once, and a bunch of other parts too, if it wasn't for the extended warranty I bought I would have bought a new one a looong time ago.--other than that, I have not done any research to suggest a laptop for you, I just know i've had problems with HP.
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07/27/2009 02:04:39 PM · #7 |
I use an Acer Aspire 9302AWSMi with upgraded memory. It has 17" widescreen and handles PSCS3 and Lightroom 2.4 with ease. The screen is Acer CrystalBrite and is as sharp as a pin. Colour rendition is great and battery life about 2.5 hours.
Hope that helps, although it isn't the latest model, I don't see any need to update it just yet. I also use a 500Gb and a 120Gb external H/D on it.
ETA: Also running Vista Home Premium, runs as smooth as a baby's bum.
Message edited by author 2009-07-27 14:58:33. |
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07/27/2009 02:07:32 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by elsapo:
In my experience don't go with HP they suck... in my family we've had 3 HP's and every single one always has TONS of problems. My laptop right now I've had for 4yrs, and the motherboard has been replaced twice, the battery once, and a bunch of other parts too, if it wasn't for the extended warranty I bought I would have bought a new one a looong time ago.--other than that, I have not done any research to suggest a laptop for you, I just know i've had problems with HP. |
When HP took over Compaq I think they move completely over to the Compaq DNA for their laptops. I think their quality really improved.
We just swithed to HPs from Dells here at work. The HPs seem to be doing better, but that's compared to a 2 year old Dell.
The problem here isn't so much the computer but all the security crap they put on it. Disk encryption, anti-virus, scheduled scanning, monitoring tools, and all seem to take away about 40% of the computing power. Plus we're running XP on them since Vista was a non-starter in most corporations.
Message edited by author 2009-07-27 14:07:44. |
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07/27/2009 02:25:39 PM · #9 |
Anything you buy right now, make sure you get a coupon for a free or discounted upgrade to Windows 7, which is due out this fall.
One important thing is the pointing device. The touchpads and trackpoints (the eraser stick thingy in the middle of the keyboard) vary wildly in their responsiveness. I had a Toshiba satellite at work a few years ago, and hated the trackpoint on it. After it died, I was issued an IBM Thinkpad (now made by Lenovo). It had both styles of pointing device. The trackpoint was wonderful and I could use it almost as easily as a mouse. The touchpad stunk. Play around with them and find what you prefer. The pointing device can make or break your experience with the laptop. |
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07/27/2009 02:25:45 PM · #10 |
While I agree that most laptop manufacturers are buying similar components from the same supply base, there is a big difference in how they are put together. Even within brands, there is a difference. Dell is one good example. Their business-oriented machines (Latitude series) are better constructed than their consumer-oriented Inspiron series.
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. You can configure a great machine, but it will run you about $1400 for a real photography-oriented unit. |
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07/27/2009 02:32:42 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
While I agree that most laptop manufacturers are buying similar components from the same supply base, there is a big difference in how they are put together. Even within brands, there is a difference. Dell is one good example. Their business-oriented machines (Latitude series) are better constructed than their consumer-oriented Inspiron series.
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. You can configure a great machine, but it will run you about $1400 for a real photography-oriented unit. |
Like I said, pick a price and go from there. |
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07/27/2009 02:49:07 PM · #12 |
My suggestions for a laptop are to go with Dell, Acer, or Lenovo.
Dell's Inspiron line is cheaper than their Stuio or business lines - cheaper in price, but a bit cheaper in quality. If you can afford to go with a Studio or Latitude, you may be happier. Acer can be a bit of a pain, since you can't customize a system with them - you get what you buy. On the other hand, it's easy to upgrade an Acer's RAM, etc, since they take generic parts.
Over the years I've dealt with the other major brands, and I find that they all have too many issues for my taste. Sometimes the issue is being too expensive for what they actually do, sometimes the issue is that they simply don't work well, or fail often. Toshiba is trouble, Fujitsu is overpriced, HP can be iffy, Compaq is utter rubbish, and anything Sony makes is total crap.
 scarbrd's reply, while flippant, is pretty much correct. Figure out how much you want to spend, and then comparison shop a couple of manufacturers. Customize systems from different lines and see how they compare - the primary thing is to pick a company you like, and then get the most features and performance for your money.
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07/27/2009 02:54:50 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Rompy:
I will be purchasing a laptop soon and wondered if anyone had any recommendations. I will not buy a Mac, so please don't bother trying to sway me :)
It will be for photography purposes almost exclusively...ie photoshop and editing...so the monitor has to be awesome and I need lots of space (again, not getting a Mac!).
I have a desktop at home which I will still use as my main computer, but I need the laptop for travel purposes.
Figured I would ask a bunch of photographers first before asking the kids at the store! |
Have had many Dell's (on #4 over 8 years or so) and have never had any major issues.
My mom just bought a Toshiba for about $600 from Best Buy that is also a pretty good machine for the money. 3GB ram, Vista with free Win 7 upgrade.
Nice machine. |
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07/27/2009 02:55:39 PM · #14 |
I too was going to comment about the Lenovo laptops - especially the T series. I have a T61 that is a complete workhorse and easily out performs my 2-year-old Macbook and our Toshiba Satellite. The screen isn't as bright as I'd prefer, but that is the only downside I can comment on. They will run a few hundred dollars more, but well worth it. The Centrino Duo platform is very solid.
Originally posted by kirbic:
While I agree that most laptop manufacturers are buying similar components from the same supply base, there is a big difference in how they are put together. Even within brands, there is a difference. Dell is one good example. Their business-oriented machines (Latitude series) are better constructed than their consumer-oriented Inspiron series.
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. You can configure a great machine, but it will run you about $1400 for a real photography-oriented unit. |
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07/27/2009 03:04:00 PM · #15 |
| Not sure if anyone said this by look at Lenovo T series with dedicated video card. The only thing that bothers me is that CRTL key and FN key are switched. Other than that I'm almost ready to buy one. |
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07/27/2009 03:12:31 PM · #16 |
| Thank you everyone. This was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Keep it coming if you got it...:) |
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07/27/2009 04:36:36 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by kirbic:
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. |
I have no experience with these, but I think to call them "formerly IBM" is a bit (byte?) misleading -- as I understand it IBM sold the Brand names/Trademarks (Lenovo/Thinkpad) to a Chinese computer manufacturer, and has no connection at all with the current machines. |
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07/27/2009 04:54:32 PM · #18 |
This was an example of good technology transfer and the design architecture of the machines were turned over to Lenovo and lenovo pays IBM a royalty. It was one of the early cases of licensable or export-controlled technology transfers. Many see this as a Win-Win-Win - IBM, Lenovo & consumers.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by kirbic:
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. |
I have no experience with these, but I think to call them "formerly IBM" is a bit (byte?) misleading -- as I understand it IBM sold the Brand names/Trademarks (Lenovo/Thinkpad) to a Chinese computer manufacturer, and has no connection at all with the current machines. |
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07/27/2009 06:35:40 PM · #19 |
| Don't you mean Win-Win-Win-Windows ...? ;-) |
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07/27/2009 07:10:30 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Don't you mean Win-Win-Win-Windows ...? ;-) |
Tommy has a stuttering problem. It's not polite to point. ;-) |
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07/27/2009 07:17:49 PM · #21 |
I've become an HP fan recently; In the last six years I have bought two Gateway tablet laptops and a Dell. The Dell was nothing special, and after I bought my second Dell, I felt it was cheaply made and returned it and bought the Gateway tablet. I was pretty happy with that, and bought the newer model two years later.
But they are out of the picture. I've gone a similar route on desktops--my last desktop was an HP, and it's been great. So I've been eyeing the HP laptops for my next one.
You can get a pretty good HP laptop, with Intel Core 2 processor, with 4 GB memory and a 500 GB hard drive for around $800. That's with the LED lit display too, built in webcam and fingerprint reader, wireless N and Bluetooth.
Anyway, check out their site, and see for yourself.
BTW - BestBuy had an Intel based HP with 4GB memory, 250GB hard drive, 15.6" widescreen, for $399 in Sunday's paper. I don't know anything about that model, but it's a killer price (and it includes Vista Home Premium and free Windows 7 upgrade.
BTW - Make sure you get 4GB or more memory, and get Vista 64 in the meantime while waiting for Windows 7; Vista 64 is great.
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07/27/2009 11:46:38 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by kirbic:
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. |
I have no experience with these, but I think to call them "formerly IBM" is a bit (byte?) misleading -- as I understand it IBM sold the Brand names/Trademarks (Lenovo/Thinkpad) to a Chinese computer manufacturer, and has no connection at all with the current machines. |
You are correct, they have no current connection. I did not imply they did, merely that the pedigree of the brand is that they were formerly produced by IBM. If you look at the construction of the Lenovo machines, they have in fact retained much of the IBM design and construction philosophy. Whether that translates, long term, into the same reliability does remain to be seen, but it bodes well that they have not been overtly cheapened. |
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07/28/2009 12:00:23 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by signal2noise:
I too was going to comment about the Lenovo laptops - especially the T series. I have a T61 that is a complete workhorse and easily out performs my 2-year-old Macbook and our Toshiba Satellite. The screen isn't as bright as I'd prefer, but that is the only downside I can comment on. They will run a few hundred dollars more, but well worth it. The Centrino Duo platform is very solid.
Originally posted by kirbic:
While I agree that most laptop manufacturers are buying similar components from the same supply base, there is a big difference in how they are put together. Even within brands, there is a difference. Dell is one good example. Their business-oriented machines (Latitude series) are better constructed than their consumer-oriented Inspiron series.
For general construction, it's hard to beat the Lenovo (formerly IBM) machines. You can configure a great machine, but it will run you about $1400 for a real photography-oriented unit. |
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Thinkpad for the win!
Super durable (how durable you might ask? This rugged.) Solid computing power with decent GPU's. Probably the best keyboard out there (seriously, try out the various laptop keyboards and you'll see what I mean). If you want slim, the Lenovo equivalent to the Macbook Air is thinner, lighter, and lasts longer on a charge plus has an integrated optical drive. My T61P is incredible for performance and has taken drops from 3 feet directly to floor due to the clumsiness of a fellow coffeshop patron.
My one and only beef was the ordering process was pretty dumb, but I got mine RIGHT after the model debuted because I was going to get the highest grade of everything... and then the P came out so it made sense to go with the added GPU power.
If you are concerned about storage, you can use an ultrabay HDD so you have twin HDD support, or you can use a battery in the ultrabay, or the standard optical drive. Swapping out drives if you want increased storage on the standard HDD is a snap. They routinely have big sales during holidays, so Labor Day is a good possibility for a hundred or two off the current price. |
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07/28/2009 03:21:16 AM · #24 |
im getting a desktop replacement in the Vostro 1720 from Dell.
8gb ram, 320gb HD (I have 2 400gb USB ones), 1900x1200 17" screen, 2.4 processor for just under $1500.
Its replacing my inspiron 1300 which has been awesome for these past 5 years after I upgraded the 512mb ram to 2gb and I process 5d files all the time. |
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07/28/2009 04:09:23 AM · #25 |
I have a Dell and it's been great! I had one issue a few months after I bought it which turned out to be my fault, but the technician arrived at my place the day after I placed the call and the visit was free.
Now, how many companies do you know of these days who come out the day after a service call has been placed, but not only that, tell you it was something you did to the computer and still not charge you for the service call to fix your stuff up! |
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