Laptops?

[robertkist]

I guess you're only limited by screen resolution, video card (should be ati or nvidia), 1 or 2 gigs of RAM, and price.
My old P4 1.6 Ghz Fujitsu notebook had an ati mobility with 64 MB - you probably want at least 128 mb - and it was okay for occasional work on simple scenes. It even handled semi current games decently (WoW, Civ 4, Sims 2). The only problem was that it had only 1024 x 768.
Guess you could even look for a cheap refurbished or used laptop for this.

[Howitzer]

I wouldn't get a used system, get a new one. Here is one I purchased just last week. It runs 3dsmax, Photoshop, and Silo perfectly. [Link] (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=srch1&Ntt=Acer+5050&N=0&Dx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&D=Acer+5050&Ntk=All&product_code=342116)

Blender will need an opengl dll file from a FireGL driver to run well though. PM me if you need it - it was kinda hard to find the driver now that AMD has taken over ATI (FireGL driver link 404s)

[KingMob]

I just got a dell m90 nearly tricked out and it is amazing.

Not cheap, but worth the investment, runs max, mudbox and zbrush like a champ!

[mech7]

I would first check how much i want to spend then i would look for that amount of money what is the best quality / performance..

[leigh]

Don't get one!! Or else you'll never get away from CG and you need holidays from it!!

[maX_Andrews]

macbook pro, sony vaio, or lenovo

As far as macbook compatibility, you coud quite easily install and boot into XP 90-100% of the time, and as such you would not have compatibility issues. But then you also can run final cut and a host of other cool OSX apps on the go as well...up to you though...

[Creature]

I'd vote for Lenovo too. Sitting on one while I'm typing this and I love it. Rock solid, fast and really silent.

I don't have any good experiences with Acer though. They always seem to die on me after a few weeks.

[Tirjasdyn]

I use a Dell Xps m170

It chugs along like a bulliet train on speed.

Of course I have a wide screen tablet and all my books & notes in it's backpack too...I get asked alot if I'm homeless.

I tell them no...I just like coffee shops and jeans.

[Stevemoh]

M90 from ebay.

[Rumr]

Well guess what, Im about to ask some others but Im getting this next week from me to me for xmas.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/go_np5950.html

Cant wait.

[wasted weasel]

i wouldn't rule out the macbook pro's either.
slim and light,
I have bootcamp installed with windows xp
mine runs maya, max and combustion with no hiccups yet (non 64bit though)

[barcode]

I got a t42p a a year and half ago and it's been a very reliable laptop and great for cg. Also Lenovo is having a sale right now. All the other artists at work are buying Macbook Pros now since they like the design of the system and can run boot camp.

[AJE]

i wouldn't rule out the macbook pro's either.
slim and light,
I have bootcamp installed with windows xp
mine runs maya, max and combustion with no hiccups yet (non 64bit though)

I have a Macbook, with 2gb of ram, and it runs Maya and Lightwave at the same time... and it has killer battery life compared to my last laptop (HP).

Mine is a small one, so screen real estate is at a premium, but I like it because it's very portable... and it's not a big deal to haul around.


As far as dual boot... XP Pro is a bit bugy with the Mac trackpad (PC Mouse solved this)... and other minor things.

AJE

[circle frame]

Just checked out the M90 and 8.6 lbs (3,9 kg) are you serious? Everything is relative right, but you wont be moving it around much that's for sure. I think my HP nc8430 is heavy and it's only 5.9 lb (2.7 kg).

Also it's made by HP so it doesn't blow up :)

[essencedesign]

If it's all the same to you , I would actually recommend a Tablet pc, some of the newer models from Toshiba are quite nice, strong enough to run a 3D app...but the best part is, as Leigh said, you can get AWAY from cg and actually DRAW on them....I never realised how much I miss drawing and painting since I've started this career....with a tablet pc you can do both, and drag your mind away from 3D for a while.......

[JasonA]

I bought a Dell M65 a few months back and its been pretty solid overall, and its not overly bulky or heavy. Its been great as far as compatibility with 3D and 2D apps go, but one strike against it I'd mention is that the screen is not nearly as bright as my old Dell 600m, which I found odd. Anyways, its been great for me so ther's my two cents worth!

[maxmal23]

I recomend to you the wokrstation Dell Precision M90

Check out http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/precn_m90?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

and configure http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=m90min&s=bsd

Good Luck!

[maxmal23]

I recomend to you the wokrstation Dell Precision M90

Check out http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/precn_m90?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

and configure http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=04&kc=6W300&l=en&oc=m90min&s=bsd

if the money not is problem...
Hot video card Nvidia quadro FX 3500M

Good Luck!

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