Laptop for a multimedia/design student?

[rookybeats]

What kinda laptop could you guys recommend for an art student like me? I'm hopefully starting a multimedia course in September, and I need a laptop. I have an OK desktop but I want a laptop for convenience!

I'm going on a budget (€1000, absolute max would be (€1,200) so if you could help me out, gravy. It's just that each laptop I see, I see another one better soon after. will be done on it.

I'll need it for mobility, I want to be carrying it around to college, etc so I don't want something with tiny battery life. I'd like something that doesn't feel too cheap either, if that's possible.

This is the course outline -

http/www.csn.ie/htms/art/c-ar-multimedia.htm


Thanks guys!

 

[buwish]

Fill out the sticky thread at the top of the forum here and we can better help you out (makes things easier).

 

[jarchack]

Adobe Photoshop
Macromedia Dreamweaver and Director and Flash
3DS MAX and Combustion

You're lucky you have a decent budget. I'd be looking for an Asus/lenovo/alienware with discreet graphics like ATI HD or Nvidia GTS and core i7. Good luck with the battery though.

 

[rookybeats]

Thanks guys. I tried to fill out the sticky thread but it wouldn't let me edit?


@ jarchack - any good ones you have in mind?

 

[lostandwandering]

Thanks guys. I tried to fill out the sticky thread but it wouldn't let me edit?


@ jarchack - any good ones you have in mind?

Just copy and paste the questions into your thread here and then add your answers.

 

[rookybeats]

Just copy and paste the questions into your thread here and then add your answers.

Taken from another post of mine from another forum -

General Questions

1) What is your budget?

€1000 max

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

15" and up - for viewing designs, 3d work, etc

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.

Ireland/Online

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

a. Like: Any kinds with good build quality and reliability
b. Dislike: Flimsy types

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistrubited?

Possibly, as long as it is in good condition

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

Multimedia - Photoshop, Illustrator, 3DS Max, Zbrush, Dreamweaver, etc. I'll be using it for photo viewing, importing and editing.

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

Both, I'd like to bring it around the house/college to work on my coursework.

8) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games?

I want it to be able to play the new source games, at least. I'm not a heavy gamer anymore.

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

4+?

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

Yeah, but if it comes to it I don't mind either way!

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Windows (7 would be preferable) or Mac OS. I don't have enough experience with linux to prefer it.

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Suitable for photo viewing/editing, 3d work, etc.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Up to you guys

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

Not really, but I don't want it too bulky. I don't want flimsiness either, with the screen shaking as I type.

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

2+ years, I'll be buying towards the end of summer 2010

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive?

200gb+ I can buy an external hdd if I need to

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?

Yep. I want to be able to read and write DVDs