need help on laptops

[cyning]

which laptop would b suitable 4 me 2 use 4 graphic design? my budget is rm4k+ but must be less than rm5k.

so far i kinda lik dell xps m1530..
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/notebooks_best?c=my&cs=mydhs1&l=en&s=dhs#connect

n can any1 tel me which graphic card 2 look 4?

[JC]

Graphics design? Only a Mac will do. :)
Will suit your budget if you get a MacBook...

[cyning]

lots of ppl tellin me 2 get mac..isnt it xpensive? macbook pro is nicer..lol...but vry xpensive...

y u recommend mac le?

[Zazu]

A7 bought a macbook recently... photoshop runs faster on Macbook.. cost 4599.
You can get last year's model for cheaper... but it is fast running out.

I have a dell XPS 1330.. lousy vista... couldn't install photoshop.. dunno why....

[JC]

You are right, MacBook Pro is chun... but Macbook Aire is chunner... :p
Macs are great for graphics design...

[Zazu]

You are right, MacBook Pro is chun... but Macbook Aire is chunner... :p
Macs are great for graphics design...

the air is nice.. but not practical IMHO.. but if JC can gibe me one.. i wan. :D

[JC]

JC gibe Zazu one MacBook Air photo. Nah, take... :p

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5781/1309tp7.jpg

[Zazu]

JC gibe Zazu one MacBook Air photo. Nah, take... :p

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5781/1309tp7.jpg

how many photos needed to exchange for one real one?

[JC]

how many photos needed to exchange for one real one?
I've been collecting since its launch... still not enough... :(

[Zazu]

I've been collecting since its launch... still not enough... :(

i think those shops u go to don collect the mac air photos wan.. i think they like certain photos with agung head wan :D

[LiLiaN]

ooooo macbook air.... (i'd sooooo love to have one)

[Zazu]

ooooo macbook air.... (i'd sooooo love to have one)

the euro is so big nowadays.. prob set you bek a couple.. :D

[justin hong]

I have a dell XPS 1330.. lousy vista... couldn't install photoshop.. dunno why....

I installed Photoshop on my Vista home basic, running no problem.

[Zazu]

I installed Photoshop on my Vista home basic, running no problem.

mine dunno why cannot.

[cyning]

lol. so...i shud get mac book? can upgrade wan, rite?

[JC]

yes.. get a macbook. What do you mean by "can upgrade'?

[LiLiaN]

the euro is so big nowadays.. prob set you bek a couple.. :Don student stipend, hardly can afford it... :squeeze:

[cyning]

yes.. get a macbook. What do you mean by "can upgrade'?

upgrade s in...the graphic card etc..cos i went 2 c sony vaio n they say i cant upgrade those stuff.

[JC]

I doubt that you can upgrade those stuff in any notebook for that matter.
The only stuff you can upgrade is probably the RAM and the hard drive.
Generally, a standard Mac is enough to work most common software.

[Zazu]

I doubt that you can upgrade those stuff in any notebook for that matter.
The only stuff you can upgrade is probably the RAM and the hard drive.
Generally, a standard Mac is enough to work most common software.

final cut pro cannot be installed into macbook ... onli macbook pro. :(

[JC]

final cut pro cannot be installed into macbook ... onli macbook pro. :(
Can opt for final cut express...

[Dino]

Macs are like your dream date. Sophisticated,good looking,have expensive taste and you long to have a date like that so that you can show it off to your friends. But the longer you date him/her, you realize that its just another one of those dates that have looks but then controls/force you to do things his/her way once you . Like if you want to use Colgate toothpaste, your date says NO, you have to use Darlie and nothing else. :squeeze:
Sometimes you're better off with an ordinary date. :p

[Anson F-Clef]

final cut pro cannot be installed into macbook ... onli macbook pro. :(

Eh?? I thot that Final Cut Pro is merely dependent on how NEW and UPDATED the OS is and not merely the processing power - ??

[Zazu]

Eh?? I thot that Final Cut Pro is merely dependent on how NEW and UPDATED the OS is and not merely the processing power - ??

it's dependant on the graphics card too!

[cyning]

I doubt that you can upgrade those stuff in any notebook for that matter.
The only stuff you can upgrade is probably the RAM and the hard drive.
Generally, a standard Mac is enough to work most common software.

hmm...i've checked out the RAM n hard drive..looks ok 2 me..anyway my main concern is their type of graphic card..most of the laptops i've seen so far gives lousy graphic cards..:sus:

[cyning]

Macs are like your dream date. Sophisticated,good looking,have expensive taste and you long to have a date like that so that you can show it off to your friends. But the longer you date him/her, you realize that its just another one of those dates that have looks but then controls/force you to do things his/her way once you . Like if you want to use Colgate toothpaste, your date says NO, you have to use Darlie and nothing else. :squeeze:
Sometimes you're better off with an ordinary date. :p

:h: ....so...wt r u tryin 2 tel me? lol...

[Dino]

:h: ....so...wt r u tryin 2 tel me? lol...

Basically, while Mac's does desktop publishing really well, you need to make sure that your other needs can also be satisfied. If your coursework requires you to run MS Visual Studio, you can't run that on a Mac(not sure there's a mac version or not). If you the one that likes to try out new programs, most probably you'll need a PC platform to run it. So bottomline, while Macs are excellent in desktop publishing, looks great and are superb machine, just make sure that it can support all your computing needs. Oh....and Mac's replacement parts are very expensive and hard to find also. Even in US, its a little bit difficult to find. Good Luck.

[kheng]

I hv been reading thru reviews of laptops....tho i wud like 2 buy a Mac 4 her, i m also afraid dat there will b problems involving software ....anyway she told me she dun mind a Dell n i was thinking bout d XPS M1530 ....i think for her course she wud need higher memory...but i m nt too sure bout d graphics card...its 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT... any comments?....watz d difference between this n the one with SLI technology?

[kwimango]

i would say if you really have the MOOLAH to spare, get a normal macbook, it doesnt need to be the macbook air, or even a macbook pro. you just need to know what minimum specifications are needed for you to run your programs, and invest wisely.

when i bought my iBook G4, i found that a high end iBook with really good specs (2GB RAM, 60GB Hdd etc) are at least SGD1K cheaper than a really low end powerbook. so guys buying the powerbook were actually paying more for the look and design of the machine

don't forget now that macs now run on the intel platform, and you can run Windows on a Mac (using bootcamp). So by getting a mac, you'd actually get the best of both worlds to a certain extent

when it comes to software, the things i can think you'd need in a creative course:
- desktop publishing : adobe photoshop, illustrator, indesign etc
- web publishing : adobe dreamweaver, flash etc
- video editing : adobe premier, iMovie, Final Cut Pro
- music editing : garageband
- 3D graphic design : autocad (if u got the dough) and 3D studio max

of all the categories above, if you're doing video editing and graphic design, you really need a powerful machine with high end graphic cards, CPU, memory and hard disk drive. As for the rest, just any normal machine would do

my advise, wait till u know what software you need to get before buying a laptop

[Dino]

I think you would need to realize that with a notebook, your performance will never be as good as a desktop, unless you are willing to fork out a lot of money.
You cannot really upgrade your video card or processor in a notebook but you can(to a certain extend with a desktop). Personally for me, my machine is set up for gaming and if you ask me, a good PC gaming machine with dual high end SLI video cards(GTS or GTX 8800) and Quad Core processor could probably do a job better then a Mac.

But ultimately, i think its the features of a Mac that you need to take into consideration. I don't work with graphic design so i really cannot say which is better. Take into consideration support for the Macs as well. Trust me, you are going to have a hard time getting support for Macs as compared to PC's. At least for PC, you can go ask your friend but for Macs, u dunno where to go but just google it out.

Compare what features you need for your course and then make the decision
from there. If you are going to get a mac just because everyone says its good and you like it because its nice looking, you may just need to re-evaluate your thinking there.

[cyning]

...If you are going to get a mac just because everyone says its good and you like it because its nice looking, you may just need to re-evaluate your thinking there.

err...wel, i kinda liked the dell dat my mom mentioned. affordable 2.. but lots of ppl tel me dat mac is btr...:squeeze:

[Dino]

err...wel, i kinda liked the dell dat my mom mentioned. affordable 2.. but lots of ppl tel me dat mac is btr...:squeeze:


Do you think that Dell would suite your need for your Graphic Design field?
Who are the ones saying Mac is better? Graphic Design artists? Or people who thinks Mac's look cool or different?
If you get Mac just because of its looks cool, then get that Dell. I cannot see any justification paying that much just because of looks.
Unless of course Mac has features that you simply must have to do Graphic Design, they by all means go for a Mac.Then again, a killer PC specs probably can do a job as good as a Mac. As KwiMango says, you need to find out what software you need before buying it. If its a coursework requirement, then different story.My dua kupang.

[cxtreme]

u might wanna think of getting a tablet pc as well...i'm not sure whether ur course will include drawing etc...if it does then a tablet pc will be just nice. i think one of the dell models is a tablet pc.

[cyning]

Who are the ones saying Mac is better? Graphic Design artists? Or people who thinks Mac's look cool or different?
.

erm, the people i asked were those taking the same course s me. (but diff age) but mac is kinda xpensive.

[Dino]

erm, the people i asked were those taking the same course s me. (but diff age) but mac is kinda xpensive.

Ask them why you need a Mac?
Besides the "it looks good" answer, coz i also want to know this answer from a Graphic Design point of view.:o
I really cannot see how PC can loose to a Mac in terms of processing power.
I suspect Graphic Designers uses Mac is because of tradition and culture and nothing more.

[Dino]

Also i think hardcore Mac users have an elitist attitude.:p

[Alkapocino]

Also i think hardcore Mac users have an elitist attitude.:p

Are you talking about my unker kamkuey? :p

[Dino]

Are you talking about my unker kamkuey? :p

:rolleyes:



One more thing to add, if all your labs and teachings are done using Macs, then yes, get a Mac, no question asks.
You don't want to be the person with a Dell and everyone using a Mac. Asking for help is like a chicken and duck talk.

[Zazu]

Get Dell but run mac OS in it.. Maybe JC can install it for you...can be done...i think but i'm sure JC can do it in his sleep.

[kwimango]

Trust me, you are going to have a hard time getting support for Macs as compared to PC's. At least for PC, you can go ask your friend but for Macs, u dunno where to go but just google it out.

Compare what features you need for your course and then make the decision
from there. If you are going to get a mac just because everyone says its good and you like it because its nice looking, you may just need to re-evaluate your thinking there.
dino has a good point there, better to consult your coursemates and find out what they use in the labs etc

as for mac support, i dont think malaysia has any apple stores, but in singapore, you can always walk into an apple store where the have a "genius corner".. there will be mac experts there who would gladly help you with whatever problems you have

take note that macs aren't perfect, they just have lesser problems then windows machines!

I really cannot see how PC can loose to a Mac in terms of processing power.
I suspect Graphic Designers uses Mac is because of tradition and culture and nothing more.
actually, guess what? PC World has benchmarked this, and declared that:"The fastest Windows Vista notebook we’ve tested this year is a Mac. Try that again: The fastest Windows Vista notebook we’ve tested this year–or for that matter, ever–is a Mac. Not a Dell, not a Toshiba, not even an Alienware. The $2419 (plus the price of a copy of Windows Vista, of course) MacBook Pro’s PC WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 88 beats Gateway’s E-265M by a single point
see here! : http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136649-page,3-c,notebooks/article.html


One more thing to add, if all your labs and teachings are done using Macs, then yes, get a Mac, no question asks.
we actually either use a mac machine, or those dedicated silicon graphics machines for some of our graphics courses in university, so u really have to check with your seniors!

one thing i really recommend getting is.....
at least a 19 inch LCD screen, and a mouse (or a tablet)... i really can't see how you would be able to survive graphic design and maybe even photoshop by squinting into a tiny 15 inch lcd screen of the laptop and navigating using a trackpad!!!!!

[Dino]

actually, guess what? PC World has benchmarked this, and declared that:"The fastest Windows Vista notebook we’ve tested this year is a Mac. Try that again: The fastest Windows Vista notebook we’ve tested this year–or for that matter, ever–is a Mac. Not a Dell, not a Toshiba, not even an Alienware. The $2419 (plus the price of a copy of Windows Vista, of course) MacBook Pro’s PC WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 88 beats Gateway’s E-265M by a single point
see here! : http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136649-page,3-c,notebooks/article.html


Vista?? Hhahaha....Vista i have but don't touch coz i dun trust it.But then again, if you have the fastest processing power but all you do is edit photo....kinda overkill. Unless you are doing Pixar related graphics rendering then different story.



one thing i really recommend getting is.....
at least a 19 inch LCD screen, and a mouse (or a tablet)... i really can't see how you would be able to survive graphic design and maybe even photoshop by squinting into a tiny 15 inch lcd screen of the laptop and navigating using a trackpad!!!!!

Eh....a notebook with 19 inch screen? She may need to hire someone to carry it to class everyday. :p

[cyning]

:rolleyes:



One more thing to add, if all your labs and teachings are done using Macs, then yes, get a Mac, no question asks.
You don't want to be the person with a Dell and everyone using a Mac. Asking for help is like a chicken and duck talk.

err...i went 2 the campus b4. the only class dat uses mac is the animation wan if im nt mistaken. the counselor say they use it 4 3d stuff.

[Dino]

err...i went 2 the campus b4. the only class dat uses mac is the animation wan if im nt mistaken. the counselor say they use it 4 3d stuff.

So from what i gather, your campus is majority PC then. End of the day you need to know if PC or Mac would better suite your eduction needs. If majority of your coursework is done in PC, then i would go for PC. But thats only one person's opinion. :o

[cyning]

haha. pc a bit ma fan le..n it's nt s if i hav so much strength 2 pack the pc into a box when it's time 2 leave. lol.:p

[athena]

haha. pc a bit ma fan le..n it's nt s if i hav so much strength 2 pack the pc into a box when it's time 2 leave. lol.:p
i think dino's PC is not desktop la... laptop can be PC ( as in runs under Windows) or Mac...

[Dino]

i think dino's PC is not desktop la... laptop can be PC ( as in runs under Windows) or Mac...

;) :)

[cxtreme]

hmm...i was considering the imac when i was in the same predicament with u...no need to tapao so many things..just carry the monitor, mouse and keyboard only since the cpu is built in...hehe

[cxtreme]

HP singapore has an offer for students

HP Pavilion tx2028 AU which is a tablet pc
AMD turion 2 ghz
Geniune Windows Vista Home Premium
2gb Ram 2 DIMM
160gb hdd
touch screen and digitized screen
Wireless Lan and bluetooth
NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150
8X DVD Rw with dual layer support
integerated webcam and mic
12.1wxga HP BrightView Wide Touchscreen display.

SGD $1699 for students (normal price SGD 2828)
only applicable for MOE registered students with a valid matriculation card.

[cyning]

i think dino's PC is not desktop la... laptop can be PC ( as in runs under Windows) or Mac...

:o lol..

i lik tablet pc. vry interesting. pricey. nt so big sreen. btw, wt is MOE?

[cxtreme]

MOE =Singapore Ministry of Education essentially it means that the student must be a registered student with MOE. i'm not sure whether that applies to tertiary students as well since we do come under MOE...hmm maybe can ask ur bro in NTU to check out? looks like quite a good deal

Looks like its selling in Malaysia for about RM 4800..

I'VE just called the HP hotline and ask. Your brother should be able to purchase that model for u if you're interested in it using his NTU student card. However, there's no upgrade option for the model but it does come with free 2nd n 3rd year Singapore warranty and 2 batteries.this model is a tablet pc

[VJ]

Hmmm....perhaps it maybe a lil out of place for me to suggest to take a look at the Macbooks. The Pro's are on the pricey end but hey if money is no issue for you then go for it, otherwise if you find that the standard Macbook black or white should be good enough for what you do then I can say that you won't be disappointed. The OS X is the main thing for going for a Mac, plus if feel the need for windows only applications then you can put Vista or XP on it via Bootcamp, Parallel Desktop or even try Cross-Over.

[Hammerhead]

Vista?? Hhahaha....Vista i have but don't touch coz i dun trust it.But then again, if you have the fastest processing power but all you do is edit photo....kinda overkill. Unless you are doing Pixar related graphics rendering then different story.

. :p

This I agree, mine oso if he no syiok from time to time, he go siesta....:squeeze: