Laptop for heavy rendering

martynaaas

Estimable
Nov 8, 2015
4
0
4,510
Hello TH community,

I'm looking for a new laptop and I really want to get a powerful laptop that is going to be future-proof and very portable (so not too heavy). I will start out with a list of software that I'm working with on a daily basis:

- 3D rendering: 3DS Max, Rhino, Sketchup, Vray, Corona.
- CAD: AutoCAD, ArchiCAD.
- Editing: basically Adobe CS Suite.

These are pretty much my priority programs that I use constantly, therefore my next laptop should deal with these tasks easily. I will use this laptop for work in an office-home-presentations, thus it cannot be a PC.

Now, regarding specs of the laptop I've put up a list of things that I would like to have:

CPU: i7-6700HQ (equivalent or better)
GPU: GeForce GTX 960M (equivalent or better but I'm open for suggestions)
RAM: 16GB, preferably DDR4 (I have 8GB now and I feel like I'm running out of memory quite easily)
SSD: 250GB or more (I will be using external HDD, so no need for that)
Display: 15" (it has to be portable so I feel 15" is in the perfect spot between weight and function)

I would also like if it didn't overheat and be too loud when cooling. I'd like to have a metal case for my laptop. Also, the longer the battery life the better.

I'm willing to spend up to 2000 euros (Europe). I'm also open for your suggestions if you feel like this build lacks something.

EDIT: Seems like Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW is the best option out there at the moment but feel free to suggest other options.
 
Solution
If you want an ultrabook namely zenbook or dell XPS you are going to sacrifice performance and money as hell.

What if you go for a 1060 or 1070 graphics laptop

They mostly include good specs overall, 16 or 32GB of memory, an SSD, Core i7 CPU and almost desktop class graphics cards. Size is not a huge problem a lot of them have either 14 inch or 15.6 inch displays and the weight starts from 1.8 kg up to 2.7 kg

Oliver_21

Commendable
Feb 17, 2016
122
0
1,710
If you want an ultrabook namely zenbook or dell XPS you are going to sacrifice performance and money as hell.

What if you go for a 1060 or 1070 graphics laptop

They mostly include good specs overall, 16 or 32GB of memory, an SSD, Core i7 CPU and almost desktop class graphics cards. Size is not a huge problem a lot of them have either 14 inch or 15.6 inch displays and the weight starts from 1.8 kg up to 2.7 kg
 
Solution

martynaaas

Estimable
Nov 8, 2015
4
0
4,510


Wow, wasn't aware that 1070 and 1080 grapics laptop already exist and are actually at a competitive price for what they have. I was able to find this list (for anyone interested):

http://www.ultrabookreview.com/10939-laptops-nvidia-1070-1080/

I really dig Aorus X5 v6 as it has everything I need plus 15" high-resolution anti-glare screen and total weight under 3 kg. I might need to wait and save up a bit more but I believe this could be my working machine for the next 4-5 years at least.

Any thoughts on other ones from the list? Also, is there really a massive difference between 1070 and 1080? 'Cause they vary in price a lot in my opinion.

 

Oliver_21

Commendable
Feb 17, 2016
122
0
1,710


The 1070 already performs really well so it is not worth it to get a 1080 laptop unless you don't mind the massive increase of price and size

That laptop is OK, just ensure it has good cooling, similar options are from gigabyte, asus and prostar

https://www.amazon.com/i7-6700HQ-Geforce-Windows-Notebook-Computer/dp/B01K80ZBAA/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478380881&sr=1-7&keywords=1070+laptop

http://www.pro-star.com/index.php?r=product/detail&model=P650RS-G

https://www.amazon.com/P35Xv6-PC4D-Notebook-Skylake-i7-6700HQ-GeForce/dp/B01KB8RB0C/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1478380975&sr=1-2&keywords=1070+laptop+gigabyte

the differences in weight are not huge then get the one with the best cooling

http://www.notebookcheck.net/ here you may find some reviews to help you make your choice