Laptop shopping | FerrariChat

Laptop shopping

Discussion in 'Technology' started by TestShoot, Apr 11, 2010.

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  1. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    #1 TestShoot, Apr 11, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2010
    I just got a new client, I'll need to supply my own laptop. I am looking at the Qosmio, Alienware and ofcourse the lingering doubt around a mappletosh.

    I think Apple is eliminated right away because of their lousy processor choices, cost.

    My usage:
    • PHP/Web development
    • Localhost via IIS/Apache
    • DB synch
    • Light GFX production
    • Light media production
    • Shared desktop conferencing

    Scenario: writing local code on my local served site during a product tour while possibly transcoding a media file. CS4 and the upcoming CS5 suite are the main tools. I am feeling that under $2500 for a rig with an extra battery and extra RAM are in order and do-able.
     
  2. Innovativethinker

    Innovativethinker F1 Veteran
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    CS4 as you know is very processor and memory hungry, but I believe it also runs in 64 bit, so you may want to take that into consideration when choosing what to buy.

    I don't think I would want to try to mix a laptop with graphics production work.

    I'd buy a more powerful desktop, and a very light laptop with a solid state drive.

    GotoMyPc works well if you need to access the heavy stuff while on the road. It also now works on a Mac.

    I like Thinkpads, been buying them for over 10 years and never had an issue with them.

    Good luck on your search.
     
  3. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    I do believe that with these new i7m processors and up to 2gb dedicated memory on video cards, that the laptop of today is more powerful than the desktop of just 3 or 4 years ago. The Alienware laptops are called "gaming laptops" because of their grunt. The Qosmio is listed as a "desktop replacement" with a huge 18.4" screen.

    Having both a laptop and desktop for this client is not possible because of my duties. Desktop emulation and remote access is still very poor to this day, and running in that memory space, I can't execute many things. If it were just portability, I have an HP slimline box that is fantastic, but most of the time my power source might be the power inverter in my BMW.

    After a trip to Frys (and seeing Shannon Elizabeth there) I held the Qosmio, it was huge and bulky, but seriously badass and the touchpad was a little weird. Now if I can find a place that sells Alienware instore to look at, I'll move closer to my decision.
     
  4. ferraridude615

    ferraridude615 F1 Veteran

    May 4, 2006
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    Under $2500 you may want to look at the more conventional laptop brands like Dell or HP. A significant chunk of the Alienware price is the name and the pretty lights on the keyboard.

    Just looking on the Dell website I found the Studio 17 with a core i7 at 1.73ghz, 500GB at 7200rpm, 1GB Radeon 4650, 8GB ram at 1333, and 7 Ultimate all under $2000 and I'm sure there is a better deal to be had there too.

    Not to mention the Dell probably has a decent battery life whereas you might be lucky to get 45 minutes out of the alienware.
     
  5. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    #5 TestShoot, Apr 12, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
    Pretty good point there. Alienware is a Dell with marketing and a shiny new case. 8gb of RAM definately flips my switch, I'll look in to that. The Qosmio seemed a little flimsy to me, mostly because ot the size of the monitor and no locking mechanism, so a good bump and I may break the hinge. But that is why you get a warranty right?

    HP sucks, bad, like really bad. No, SERIOUSLY BAD! I have a new computer from HP because their mother boards stink. I got a new machine from them 2 years ago for my bday when my bro was a reseller of HP, and in three months the MB was dead, so it was recalled, 6 months later that one died so they sent a newer model computer. Same story, I am on box #3 and it has MB issues. A total of 14 return trips and 3 different computers to HP since Sept 08.

    There was an old joke back in the day, a well travelled gentleman is standing at a train station watching TV on his watch next to a mountain of suitcases with stickers from all over the world. Another guy walks up and is amazed!
    "Wow, where'd you get that?"
    "Japan"
    "I will buy that from you right now"
    "Sure"
    and the gentleman hands him the watch and two huge steamer trunks
    "Thanks for the watch, but I don't need luggage"
    "Oh that's not luggage, those are the batteries"
     
  6. 4REphotographer

    4REphotographer F1 Veteran

    Oct 22, 2006
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    Ever thought about an iMac? I realize its a desktop but a very portable one. The power on the new ones is pretty impressive and if you're looking at a larger screen laptop I doubt the iMac would be much harder to transport and you'd get a much bigger and better screen.
     
  7. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    no form of desktop is possible. I can't see myself sitting in an airport bar with an iMac.
     
  8. DMC

    DMC Formula 3

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    +1 to whomever mentioned ThinkPads. Check out the ThinkPad W700, I just spec'ed out one with a Core 2 Duo T9600 proc, 6 GB RAM, NVIDIA Quadro FX GPU, and a 320 GB 7200 RPM hard drive and it came to $2600. It has a RAID capable drive controller and an extra drive bay so you can double them up and mirror them of you want. 17" screen and Windows 7 64-bit Professional plus a 9-cell battery. Should fit the bill for what you want to do.
     
  9. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    :D

    What about a Mac Book / Pro?

    You appear "open" to the idea of Apple kit - What's your "hangup"?

    Maybe "we" can garner another convert ;)

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  10. 4REphotographer

    4REphotographer F1 Veteran

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    I think power, and I'll agree, it does seem the entire Macbook line is underpowered compared to other machines on the market. Though I'm happy to deal with my underpowered MBP. :D
     
  11. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    +1

    I agree - There's no question you pay more for Apple kit, and it doesn't have the HP of "high end" (gaming) PC's - But the question becomes, "so what?".......

    How often nowadays do we see a legitimately pegged CPU? [Unless it's running Flash of course ;)]

    Nothing in the OP suggests high end compute power is needed, and Mac's "just work" - No need to spend $ (and endless hours - How much is your time worth?) on anti-[virus|spyware|crap] S/W.

    Get a Mac and be happy :)

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  12. 8 SNAKE

    8 SNAKE F1 Veteran

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    In general, yes. In this specific case, I wouldn't buy one right now. Apple is due to roll out new Macbooks very soon.
     
  13. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    8, I have to buy one by the end of next week. I know Macs would have i7's in the near future, but not by the time I want to buy.

    Mac lacks quite a few tools for development that I use regularly. It would also be nice to develop on a platform used by almost 90% of my users worldwide.

    Te price difference is in the Win7 box's favor too.
     
  14. 4REphotographer

    4REphotographer F1 Veteran

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    Unbelieveable, nice call 8. New MBPs this morning with i5s and i7s. Great timing.

    I think it's a sign. :D
     
  15. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    LOLZ@MBP I just saw the new offerings, not a chance. By the time it is configured to something that looks like what I want, I am at $3200+ so that ain't gonna work and that is not all the bells and whistles.

    Alienware gaming laptop is $500-600 cheaper for the same config. I just won't touch an Apple. Though the Apple cases are rugged, laptops in general are usually dead or obsolete in 2 years so I think of them as almost disposable.
     
  16. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    I agree on Windows based laptops - 2-3 years and replace. But, Mac's last a lot longer - My newest is now ~5 years old and is still going strong(ish)..... My old G4 is in the family room as a "guest" system and still plods along nicely.

    At least that's (partly) how I justify their higher cost - you can amortize it over a much longer period.

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  17. 4REphotographer

    4REphotographer F1 Veteran

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    One thing to keep in mind is that you don't have to buy all the extras from Apple. I know you mentioned 8GB of Ram which is $400 on Apple's config, I bet you could get it at about half that from a 3rd party. The same goes for a hard drive. What were you looking at that was $3200?
     
  18. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    I'm guessing he upped the CPU speed, went for the faster drive and so on - Which is, IMHO, totally uncalled for!

    4G of RAM is plenty (wish I could up mine to that - I'm maxed at 2G!) - In a few years, when an additional 4G is about $50, maybe upgrade, but for now, I honestly wouldn't bother.

    Same thing for the optional, high speed CPU's - I bet even with CS4/CS5 you won't see any difference in real world performance.

    Hard drives - Add a 3rd party external or two for next to nothing - RAID if you want, TimeMachine to do backups on another - Cheap!

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  19. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    #19 TestShoot, Apr 13, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2010
    you don't have an option, if you go mac, you are stuck waiting for new product, i know this, i have been a mac user for 25 years. i also don't plan on really needing it much beyond its expected 2 year lifespan. i am getting out of the consulting biz and when i warranty repair whatever i buy it becomes a hand me down to someone.
    8gb, and added a 3 year warranty. and yes, you need extras for the mac, add in 200 for the win7 o/s, and it is even more. i am a power user, and 8gb is a bit much i'll admit it and no i don't need to buy from apple, but i want to hit the ground running, probably on a plane.

    regardless of the system, a laptop cooler, some cables, virus scan, and othe things are required. for the price of the mbp, i get a lot more, and if it is lost/stolen, i won't cry as much over 2500 worth of hardware versus 3200.

    i have an i mac 27", with the screen recall and all that good stuff. i am not ditching mac, it is just a very poor choice for a mobile power user right now.
     
  20. zygomatic

    zygomatic F1 Veteran
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    #20 zygomatic, Apr 13, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2010
    FWIW, I've heard not-so-great things about Alienware quality of late. Basically the criticisms revolve around poor build quality, high cost, and no significant edge in performance over comparable competitor units.


    I'm a fan of my ThinkPad's ruggedness, though it isn't by any stretch of the imagination ultra-high-performance. My dell laptop (again, not a killer by any means) has been only okay.
     
  21. Fast_ian

    Fast_ian Two Time F1 World Champ

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    Fair enough..... You did sort of open the door to Mac's in the OP, and I would have thought with this release (i5 & i7) HP wouldn't be an issue. But, its obviously your choice!

    I think I'm gonna start another poll asking "who buys extended warranties?" - I've never bothered in the belief that if it's gonna break, it'll do it in the first 12 months - Only bit me once with an iPhone that died after ~13 months. Is it "cheap insurance" or a waste of money? I dunno......

    Cheers,
    Ian
     
  22. Qvb

    Qvb F1 Rookie
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    I have an Alienware laptop from before they were Dell owned, and I also have a brand new Alienware desktop. My laptop fried it's motherboard the first week I had it and it became a problem getting it fixed as Alienware was only in Florida and I had to ship it to them to fix it.
    They told me it would be about a month with shipping both ways and the repair time. I complained, a lot, overnighted it there and they had it back to me in a week (ish). But now that they are Dell owned, I don't think that same situation would occur. The problem with Alienware now, is that they have very limited graphics card options. When they made my laptop, (which is (was) a mobile desktop monster (20lbs, 40 minute battery when new)) you could get CAD cards instead of gaming cards. Now that they are basically Dells gaming division, they only have gaming options. This may not be a problem for CS4/5, but I had to buy a separate card when I recently bought my desktop.

    The persons comments about MAC's lasting longer has not been the case in my house and particularly since anything before they switched to Intel chips is now almost worthless as you can not run their latest OS and therefore can not run the current "i" applications. (I guess, technically, you can upgrade to the last OS and run the current apps, but upgrading to an old OS seems like it's time for a new computer) My Alienware laptop is now 5 years old and is still fast enough (having some heat issues though) and the case is indestructible, my wifes 3 year old MAC laptop, the last model before the switch, is slow and falling apart. One benefit of Windows making lousy operating systems is that XP is still current.
     
  23. Qvb

    Qvb F1 Rookie
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    On the other hand, MAC and Adobe have always gone together. Anyone who is used to using PhotoShop on a MAC, hates it on a PC. CS4/5 is what MACs are built for.
     
  24. TestShoot

    TestShoot F1 World Champ
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    I placed my pre-order for CS5 upgrade today. I know Mac's are king for colorspace, I have Lacie Monitors and a coloreye, so I am on top of that, but this is not what my laptop would be for anyway. I routinely open 198mb raw image files on the iMac, and doubt the laptop would be a good choice for gfx with the limited realestate anyway.

    I just today had to cobble together several video clips in Premiere, for a 30-second commercial, transcode it and spent the bulk of my afternoon running SQL queries against a 30gb DB and lots of Drupal development.

    I thought about the MBP assuming they would have a better price point with the i7's but they failed me. As for the warranties, it all depends on the level of service, I usually get fast turn around and I do break my stuff a lot travelling. Often a warranty is pissing money away, but I have been lucky.
     
  25. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Stay away from laptops designed for home use...this excludes all Alienware garbage, most Dells and Apple stuff; these devices simply cannot withstand getting their asses kicked by life on the road, airport or bus station.

    Take a look a Lenovo's Thinkpad (formerly IBM Thinkpad) line. I have the R series with a small SSD and it's a stout little ****er...strong screen hinges, metal and CFRP chassis makes for some damned durable gear.

    The W series looks up your alley, just make sure to splash out for an SSD for your OS drive...pricey but monumentally worth it. Toss in a few max life batteries, a good travel case and you will be good to go.
     

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