Laptop Advice...what do you think?

acaweb · Jan 24th, 2008, 20:13

Hey admin-I hope this is not in the wrong forum if so please move.

I am getting ready to upgrade my equipment and am looking at developing on a laptap vs my desktop as well as all my software (still on Photoshop 7). I run Flash, photoshop, fireworks, illustrator and the like sometimes all at once so I need a fast puter with a decent graphics card.

The laptop I am looking at is the ASUS F3 Series F3KA-A1 NoteBook from Newegg. I would like to stay under $1500 (US).

Thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks-Anita

alexgeek · Jan 24th, 2008, 20:34

Before all the Mac lovers come in I'll suggest that you get a laptop with a wider screen.
I coudln't see any info on the gfx card, what it's like?

aso186 · Jan 24th, 2008, 20:35

Looks good

IMO though, I'd stick to Intel's in laptops. Otherwise that sort of spec looks good for what you want. In fact, that is very good value, so perhaps go for it despite being AMD. See what others have to say

EDIT: alexgeek has a fair point about the graphics. Didn't think about that but you ought to consider it wisely considering the kind of things you want to run off it.

acaweb · Jan 24th, 2008, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexgeek

Before all the Mac lovers come in I'll suggest that you get a laptop with a wider screen.
I coudln't see any info on the gfx card, what it's like?

Thanks for your reply. I have to go PC on this purchase-though I do have a Mac for testing...

Anyway the gfx card is ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 Dedicated Video Memory of 512MB. I found some info on it here: http://ati.amd.com/products/Mobility...600/index.html

sound decent?

JustinStudios · Jan 24th, 2008, 22:27

It's an ok video card.

When you buy a laptop your stuck with the video card you get. Most of the video cards can't be removed without a solderer. Unless your planning on hard core gaming I'd say that your fine by that.

AMD is MUCH cheaper than Intel, and until the Intel Core Duo's came out, Intel admitted they were almost 3 years behind the technology of AMD's Athlon 64 processors. Intel didn't really ever improve the Pentium 4, they put all of their effort into the new Core Duo's.

Intel is generally faster loading apps, boot process, and the new ones use MUCH less power, therefore prolonging battery life. AMD's are still nice processors, but they are not as highly ranked as the newer intels anymore.

alexgeek · Jan 24th, 2008, 22:54

I prefer Nvidea but 512mb is great.

Monie · Jan 25th, 2008, 02:00

Graphic: I'll go for ATI.
Processor: Depends on the usage! AMD is best for gaming world.

JustinStudios · Jan 25th, 2008, 03:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monie

Graphic: I'll go for ATI.
Processor: Depends on the usage! AMD is best for gaming world.

Not since the Intel Core Duo's came out unfortunately. If you look at benchmarks and all that jazz you'll see the new AMD just isn't cutting it.

If you want the facts type "AMD or Intel Core Duo" into google and start reading. The new Intel chips are untouchable.

c010depunkk · Jan 25th, 2008, 05:41

Yeah, I agree on the chip thing. If you can get an Intel, do it! They use less power and have a way better performance.... I speak from experience..

acaweb · Jan 25th, 2008, 16:43

I really appreciate all the advice.

Do any of you use a laptop to develop on? Maybe that is not the way to go. I am currently on a desktop I built in 2003. I need to switch systems with a faster video card, more ram, faster processor and updated software. Just purchased Adobe Design Studio CS3, but my current system can't handle it.

I don't want to build another machine even though it's the best way to go economically-I'm a nerd, but I'm a girl and I don't like my hands getting cut up

So what machines are you using? Laptop or desktop? And if you don't mind the specs so I can get an idea of where to go would be awesome.

Anita

aso186 · Jan 25th, 2008, 17:02

If you're going to be on it long(ish) hours, you want a fair bit of power and you're going to be doing graphics / development, I would probably recommend to go with a desktop.

Like you say, the economy is going to be better and you most certainly will get more 'bang for your buck'

Plus they're great to work on! Okay, I guess with a keyboard and mouse, a desk and your own monitor, you might not tell the difference, but then it defeats having got the laptop in the first place!

One other thing. If you're custom building, chances are you're going to get better hardware longevity too. Personally, I don't like the idea of working on a cooped up laptop for 6 hours +, but my own PC would be plain sailing for days

JustinStudios · Jan 25th, 2008, 21:13

I use a laptop as my main PC. I have it hooked up to my monitor and television and I have a mouse and keyboard for it as well. Works good enough for me to do all of my work on. Thing I like about having a laptop as my main pc is that when I need to take my work "on the road" i can just pick it up and go. Everything I need is already there and ready to go for me.

I also have a desktop that I built in 2004 and it's so outdated now that I don't even use it much, even though it is more powerful than my latptop haha. But a laptop's movability is extremely nice.

Monie · Jan 25th, 2008, 23:50

I have this old model acer laptop:

Acer TravelMate 8103 WLMi
Processor: Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz, 533 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache)
LCD: 15.4” WSXGA+ TFT LCD (1680x1050)
Hard Drive : 120GB Seagate
Memory: 1GB DDR2-533 SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
Graphics: ATI Mobility X700 with 128MB of DDR Video RAM PCI Express
Operating System: Windows XP Pro w/SP2

But I prefer my desktop computer which somehow is also outdated which is Intel Pentium 4 (3.0MHz) with HT Technology.

alexgeek · Jan 26th, 2008, 00:29

Acer are horrible laptops. You need the charger in 24/7.
Turning them on after their unexpected sleep takes 9000< hours.
And the mousepads are usually very dodgy.
= I hate acer.

Dell laptops are okay, not amazing but fairly good.

Monie · Jan 26th, 2008, 00:34

Since that Acer have lots of service center in my place, Acer laptop is very popular!
Never use Dell before but I might buy new laptop and I will consider Dell as my first choice tho...
So which laptop do you refer to as "amazing"?

unitedcraig · Jan 26th, 2008, 00:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexgeek

Acer are horrible laptops. You need the charger in 24/7.
Turning them on after their unexpected sleep takes 9000< hours.
And the mousepads are usually very dodgy.

I agree with the charging and the sleep thing, also shutting down takes about 5 minutes literally, and that's with no programs running.

Iv got the Aspire 5630
http://www.acer.co.uk/public/page4.d...crc=4135006823
I'm quite happy with it, apart from the shutdown time it's a decent laptop, (though I'm sure someone will disagree with me soon

)

webgal · Jan 26th, 2008, 00:48

I have two screens. I'm thinking I need three.