New Laptop, advice needed!

[Jettatore]

My vote still goes to the Lenovo W700 or the W700ds.

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/gbweb/LenovoPortal/en_GB/catalog.workflow:expandcategory?current-catalog-id=FD6DB49790C7411D933567FC361231FB&current-category-id=7169546BFB61412BA52F819D914F4A03&tab=2#tab-container-5

[viob]

Need a new laptop as well and will have a closer look at the new Vaio F Series. The come with i7 720, up to 8gb ram, 7200rpm HD, 16.4" (officially colour graded) display full HD. Just about graphics with Nvidia GT 330M I'm not sure. The series just came out this week and let's see what first tests will tell us... but pricewise it's very competitive. For the full on specs it's about £1400.
P

[Archonius]

Thanks, the Lenovo W700ds does look quite nice and if bought from ebay is well within my price range. Is the:


Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9600 (2.8GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)
NVidia Quadro FX 2700M CuDa parrallel computing processor 512MB (dedicated)

powerful enough for heavy renders? My Alienware M17 had quadcore 2 ish and dual 512 graphics.

I'll take a look at the sony later when i have more time. More comments are very welcome, thanks.

[biliousfrog]

Thanks, the Lenovo W700ds does look quite nice and if bought from ebay is well within my price range. Is the:


Intel Core 2 Duo processor T9600 (2.8GHz 1066MHz 6MBL2)
NVidia Quadro FX 2700M CuDa parrallel computing processor 512MB (dedicated)

powerful enough for heavy renders? My Alienware M17 had quadcore 2 ish and dual 512 graphics.

I'll take a look at the sony later when i have more time. More comments are very welcome, thanks.

Dual GFX cards are useless in 3d apps unless you're using one of the GPU aware renderers currently being developed, otherwise you'll just have a spare adding extra heat to the system.

'heavy renders' is a vague term and depends on your work...is it going to be as fast as a desktop PC at half the price? - probably not...will it stress the computer and generate a lot of heat? - definitely, probably one of the reasons for your previous problems.

The Sony sounds like a much better spec'd system.

[Jettatore]

Archonius (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=383891): You will probably want to go for the Quad Core processor if you want faster rendering, it's an option for either model if you buy from the store (not sure if the W700/W700ds sells in the UK officially). The main difference between the 700 and the 700DS is that one has a second monitor that slides out, and you pay a decent amount extra for this lone feature. Both have built in hardware color calibration and both have built in Wacom tablets.

Now you would have to double check this, but I'm pretty sure you could upgrade the processor later from a dual to a higher end quad, which may even prove to be a cheaper option. But check with Lenovo or a reputable source on this, and also see how it may affect a possible warranty if you did it yourself.

[cgbeige]

A quad core i7 in a laptop - that must get a half hour on batteries. Why get a laptop if you're looking for a quad machine that big?

Get at least 6GB of RAM.

[tuna]

A quad core i7 in a laptop - that must get a half hour on batteries. Why get a laptop if you're looking for a quad machine that big?



The point is that carrying around a desktop and monitor isn't practical. Fortunately he lives in a country with electricity and plug sockets.

[meleseDESIGN]

A quad core i7 in a laptop - that must get a half hour on batteries.

A i7 processor doesn´t need much more electricity as a Core2Duo or other Quad-Core CPUs. I guess for Render-Tasks nobody will use batteries, not even a chimp.

[viob]

Just to come back to the Vaio and the Nvidia GT 330M. Has anybody already worked with this new generation of Nvidia? Any idea about the performance in comparison to the other laptop cards?
P

[InfernalDarkness]

Just to come back to the Vaio and the Nvidia GT 330M. Has anybody already worked with this new generation of Nvidia? Any idea about the performance in comparison to the other laptop cards?

The 330M is just a slightly higher-clocked 240M, from what I've read. It's a budget GPU, and should be good enough for most tasks, but I wouldn't expect blazing gaming or viewport performance from it. Still, not a bad choice for a laptop GPU!

[viob]

...so any known problems with the 330M and Maya for example? With my old laptop I always encountered display problems with the Maya UI. Seems like there were problems with overlaying the menu over the desktop. Could never really resolve it... Did anybody use the 240M with Maya recently?
P

[Archonius]

Yeah, battery life isn't an issue. I want a powerhorse portable desktop laptop. Any battery life is just a bonus. The F series vaio seems pretty nice, I could lose the bluray writer that i'd never use and whack up the Ram to 8Gb and beef up the processor and it should be a nice machine. Not gimicy like an alienware or a lenovo but it's do the job for a fraction of the price.


3d Studio Max and Maya don't use crossfireX dual graphics during renders? Never knew that... Although to be honest I never checked. Then yeah, I'd prefer a single GPU as the over heating can become a huge issue.

I'm interested in what viob asked though, anyone know any issues with the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M GPU and any mainstream 3d graphics programs? I'm googling it now and cant find a great deal on it.

Can anyone suggest any other machines I can research? I really want to scan the whole market before I buy as its been a number of years since I've been in the loop in that way.

Thanks so far guys, all very helpful. I've ruled out the Lenovo, seems to me like you're paying more for the uneccessary gadgets than the machine.

[InfernalDarkness]

...so any known problems with the 330M and Maya for example? With my old laptop I always encountered display problems with the Maya UI. Seems like there were problems with overlaying the menu over the desktop. Could never really resolve it... Did anybody use the 240M with Maya recently?
P

I'm interested in what viob asked though, anyone know any issues with the NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M GPU and any mainstream 3d graphics programs?

I've ran Maya just fine on a 6150Go, and most of the issues you are talking about can be solved with proper drivers and proper Nvidia-per-application settings, across the board.

3d Studio Max and Maya don't use crossfireX dual graphics during renders? Never knew that... Although to be honest I never checked. Then yeah, I'd prefer a single GPU as the over heating can become a huge issue.

All standard renderers (Vray, mental ray, Maxwell, Final Render, Vue, Bryce, etc.) use only the CPU at rendertime. GPU rendering isn't in a workable, usable stage at all yet, although several newer renderers are coming close. Vray has GPU-acceleration upcoming, but for the past 20 years all rendering has been CPU-based, across the board.

Why did I use "across the board" twice in this post? (grins)

[tuna]

Thanks so far guys, all very helpful. I've ruled out the Lenovo, seems to me like you're paying more for the uneccessary gadgets than the machine.

Actually Lenovo make pretty good workstation grade laptops. You can get that one without the extra screen and the tablet (I agree they're sort of stupid). However Lenovo are pricey in the UK. I didn't consider them at all until I had moved to USA.

Also check out Dell Precision laptops and HP Elitebooks and the HP envy. Although some of these ranges are still catching up with new hardware (i5/i7) because they're designed to last longer and be much more stable over time, they can't jump on new technology as fast.

[goldilocks20]

I know someone who is also shopping around for laptops with the same requirements but with a mildly restrained budget has this on his shortlist. For your reference, I thought.

A Dell Inspiron w/ the following specs

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40GHz/ 1066 FSB/ 3MB Cache)
Genuine Windows Vista(R) Home Basic SP1 Edition 32 bit (English)
15.6 " 720p WXGA (1366x768) Display with TrueLife(TM)
2GB(2x1G) Dual-channel 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
8X DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R double layer write capability
Integrated Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

[Archonius]

I've had a look and the Dell Inspiron, Dell Precision and HP Envy and Elitebook and they seem far more expensive than the Vaio F series for a lower spec. After trawling internation Ebay I found a company trading high end customisable F series.


Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit Fresh Start Sony factory image with King's Recovery DVD

DVDRW CDRW

1.73GHz-3.06GHz (4 cores / 8 threads) 8MB 1333MHz 45W Intel Core 2 Quad i7-820qm

8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1333MHz RAM

500GB 7200rpm Seagate Momentus 7200.4 (79MB/s read and write)

OR
640GB 5400rpm Seagate Momentus 5400.6 (66MB/s read and write)

Backlit QWERTY keyboard with 10 digit keypad (103 keys)

NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 330M GPU or 310M GPU

For $2000 including postage from the US to austria (currently working a ski season). I can deduct 17.5% VAT as its for my business. So its around $1650 or £1024. I think thats a pretty good deal, not sure if I'd encounter any issues with the dvd drive region and voltage issues with it coming from the states and me using it in austria and then primarily the UK.

[tuna]

Also watch out for import duty.

[meleseDESIGN]

I think thats a pretty good deal, not sure if I'd encounter any issues with the dvd drive region and voltage issues with it coming from the states and me using it in austria and then primarily the UK.


You should ask Dell Support about your thoughts if there´re voltage and DVD Region issues for your country. Perhaps you need a different PSU and Adapter for your electricity standards in your country.

[mattmos]

Dell's customer service seems to be going right down the pan - particularly the delivery service they use for the uk. Its a shame as I used to recommend them to everyone for decent build quality and affordability. Now I'd prob go for that sony viao, looks pretty sweet.

[Intars5d]

I join this thread, I am really looking into new notebook too. Now I have my like three years old HP Pavilion dv6000 with 2GB ram, 32-bit Vista and Centrino Duo 1.73Ghz and GeForce Go 7400.

I have 1500$ and look for new notebook for 3ds max and some other video related stuff. Never purchased electronics, computers on ebay. I trust ebay, many books ordered, not a single failed delivery or disappointments. But those were books and I knew what I am after. Can share anyone experience on buying those manufacturer refubricated notebooks from power-sellers? Or I should stick to new ones? Is it possible to get notebook with at least Nvidia GeForce 160M which starts to support Physx for dynamic simulations in 3ds max in this range on money?

I really want to make best decision this time for notebook. I am currently not interested and do not look for desktop PC, just notebook. My HP has overheating issue, it appeared like year ago. Besides CG I am VJ-ing enthusiast and I have horrible experience of computer shuting down unexpectedly right in the middle of the party which immidiately lit background screen with color very, very similar to those of Blue Death Screen.

New notebook is intended for working on something more like game cinematics animations, animation practicing,no millions polys and exploration of this Nvidia Physx simulation tool in addition to reactor but later isn't so important that I couldn't live without it. I want to step into 64-bit world

[meleseDESIGN]

Can share anyone experience on buying those manufacturer refubricated notebooks from power-sellers? Or I should stick to new ones?

Look if your ebay seller has a online store and go to there as well, sometimes you can get the product even cheaper in the sellers online store as from ebay. Also watch out for the warranty regulation, i would never ever invest that amount of money without to get a warranty. It´s not worth the trouble.

[Intars5d]

MeleseDESIGN, will take your suggestion seriously

What's harder for me is fact that I live in Europe and mostly need to look for International shipping. But that's fine and I understand shipping rates being what they are. This is first time when I let idea of purchasing notebook through net and not on local computer companies. Wanted to check if buying through ebay or some online store could get me something better for money I have, sort of not be lazy and give a research try.

So, anyone who maybe had very positive ebay experience and knows very good online seller who ships internationally, to Europe (Baltic region) and can suggest such? I am continuing my own search but still, tips are very welcome.

I am somewhat dissapointed in my local shops. I realize that maybe 1500$ is not enough for finding notebook with at least GeForce GTS160M, the lowest one which start to support Physx. It seems that wast majority comes with those GT cards which doesn't support. There is one more, really just an additional reason, not a major one for me wanting to be able use this Physx stuff. As 3ds max user I followed those Excalibur webinars. There was mentioned/rumored a possible plan to unify dynamics, simulations in max under Physx umbrella somehow. I just thought that maybe, if potentially my notebook could in future utilize something of it, which of course can't be for certain - such investment could repay itself.

If someone can "deadly straight" point out that in limits of 1500 bucks its impossible to get such notebook and I am wishing too much for my price, so be it. It will save time and I will drop this idea and search for different system

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7844/nvidianotebookvideocard.th.jpg (http://img509.imageshack.us/i/nvidianotebookvideocard.jpg/)

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_m_series.html

[Archonius]

After researching import tax on the ebay Sony Vaio F item I realised it could cost me a fortune so I scrapped that idea and I'm back on the hunt. Could you please review the laptop I've found in reference to 3d graphics design and VRay rendering in Maya and 3d Studio Max along with work in ZBrush, Photoshop and Motion Builder.


Spefications

ProcessorIntel® Core™ 2 Duo Penryn (T9600 - 2.8 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB)Screen16.4" (Sony X-black LCD, FULL HD 1920x1080 Resolution)Operating SystemWindows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bitRAM8GB (DDR2 800MHz)Hard Drive500GBOptical DriveBlu-Ray Writer (Blu-Ray HD Writer + DVD-RW & CD-RW)GraphicsDedicated (ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 with 1GB Dedicated RAM)Wireless LANWireless (WIFI LINK A,B,G,N Includes MIMO) Network Card10/100/1000 Gigabit Fast EthernetIntegrated WebcamYes (Integrated Sony Motion-Eye camera)Card Reader4-in-1 card reader (MS, MS Pro, MS Duo, SD)USB Ports3x USB 2.0 portsBluetoothVersion 2.1 + EDRSpeakersIntergrated Stereo SpeakersVGA PortYesKensington LockKensington lock slot Charge Time2.5 HoursExpressCardExpressCard™/34 slotHDMI1 HDMI ConnectorFirewire IEEE 1394 portBattery Life2-3 Hours (up to 3 hours with power management)Weight3-4 Kg (This Model 3.2 Kg)



Thanks guys, you're a big help! I've been googling for reviews but I can't find any recent reviews on the Sony Vaio FW. One 2 years old says the frame rate is poor for 3d work but this spec is completely different. Your haste would be much appreciated, items ends in 2 days.

[Archonius]

Damn double post.. ignore this message.

[meleseDESIGN]

In your situation i wouldn´t buy a Dual Core Laptop anymore.
Instaed take a Notebook with at least an 4Core HT mobile i7 processor installed, if you do a lot rendering on the road this will make your life much easier for sure.

The T9600 processor isn´t so bad for single threaded task, but it will be more than twice as slow as an mobile i7 in rendertime. 8gigs should be ok for most situations during your workflow. Unfortunatelly it´s just DDR2, means slower and higher voltage as DDDR3. The Ati 4650 is also listed in Maya/Max HQ brief at Autodesk´s side, so you wont run into big troubles, little issues with this card you could probably fix within the driver settings.

[Archonius]

Im struggling to find machines with the i7 processor for a reasonable price. Can you suggest any more models? I'm probably going to be buying from a ebay store as these are often considerably cheaper than from a manufacturer.

I just found this Acer Aspire. I normally avoid Acer like the plague but I'm willing to keep an open mind.

Acer Aspire 5940G Notebook PC
Intel Core i7 (I7-720QM) 1.6GHz Processor with 6MB L3 Cache and 2.5 GT/s Bus Speed
4096MB DDR3 SDRAM
500GB 5400rpm Serial ATA Hard Drive
15 inch Acer CineCrystal LED backlit TFT LCD
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 with 1024MB DDR3
1.0Megapixel Integrated CrystalEye Webcam
Bluetooth 2.1
802.11a/b/g/Draft-N WLAN
Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Fingerprint Reader
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
1 Year Warranty

Edit:

Also found this acer with quad core.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 2GHz cache 6MB
Memory: 4GB DDR3
HD Capacity: 1TB 2x500GB
Display: 17.3"
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M 1GB
Optical Drive: DVD-RW
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium
Battery Life: Up to 2.5 hours

and finally:

Hp DV7 3020ea Laptop
Intel ® Core ™ i7 720QM 1.6GHz (2.8 GHz Turbo Mode, 6MB Cache, 1333 MHz FSB)-17.3” WXGA High-Definition Widescreen Display
NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M 1GB graphics
6GB of fast DDR3 memory
1TB ( 1000GB) Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection


Let me know your thoughts guys. That HP DV7 at the end is less than £1000. Below my max spending money and seems like the best option. But im not sure.

[meleseDESIGN]

Nothing bad about ebay sellers, most of them have also an online store outside ebay and offering even better prices there.

Forget about the Q9000 processor, to slow. I really like the Hp DV7 3020ea, it has a fast processor, enough RAM (DDR3/4 DIMMs as well), a good display size, nice gfx card and a lot of disk storage.

It seems you have found what you need. ;)

[Bullit]

I have an HP DV7 dual core, it is okay. From that list it is certainly the better one.

[Archonius]

HP DV7-3020ea bought and paid for. Thanks for your help guys, thread closed.

[gawl126]

Congrats on the purchase!

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