Looking for a Mobile Workstation

[hamyo]

Well, I thought I'd take the advice of this forum discussion and find out what everyone here has to offer as for a direction to the laptop that would fit my situation. (plus I don't think I've seen a thead in this forum that really touched on what I'm asking, so this should be an interesting 'first')

Recently, I've decided that I could use a laptop in companion with my current desktop to help allow me to become more mobile with some of the projects and work I am starting to take on. My projects range everywhere from Web Design/Development, Print design & Layout, motion graphics to running DJ/VJ Software interfaced with the Turntables and other equimpent in my setup.

As requested on a thead in this topic, here is the F.A.Q. answers I've given:

General Questions

1) What is your budget?

$2000 - $2999 (or + if persuaded)

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen
d. Desktop Replacement; 17"+ screen

3) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Primary Ideal functions would be (Order of usage):

• Real-time DJ/VJ Software
  -- Turntable Interfacing w/ Audio File Manipulation
  -- (E.g. VirtualDJ and/or Rane Serato Scratch Live)
  -- (Video Output – VGA, DVI and/or S-Video for VirtualDJ)
  
  
• Web Design/Development / Print Graphic Design/Development
• Animation/Motion Graphics (Macromedia Flash/Director, Adobe After Effects)
• Office applications (MS Office, QuickBooks, etc...), Email & Web Browsing
• The occasional game and DVD/Video (if the schedule ever allows for it)

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

Mobile for use with DJ Software and when away from the house, but am interested in using Docking Station/Advanced Port Replicator when at desk.

5) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

Not primarily, but it would be nice to have that option to play/preview some of the newer games out there.

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

I've heard great things about Dell & Lenovo (As I like what I've been hearing about their Centrino Duo machines, as well as their Docking Station solutions) but, I am open to other brands, as long as they have good service & support.

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

I plan on having it plugged in most times, but would like the freedom to take it out to various WiFi Hotspots un-tethered when meeting clients where an Outlet might not be convenient, so perhaps somewhere between 3 1/2 - 5 1/2 (or higher) would be great.

8) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

Not really a problem, though if I could call and speak to someone to ask/answer any questions, that would be ideal.

9) What country are you buying this in?

USA

Screen Specifics:

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

a. XGA = eXtended Graphics Array; 1024x768; This resolution will give you the largest viewable text and images while offering the least amount of screen real estate.
b. SXGA = Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1400x1050; This resolution offers a middle ground between XGA and UXGA.
c. UXGA = Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1600x1200; This resolution will give you the smallest viewable text and images while offering the greatest amount of screen real estate.
d. WXGA = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array; 1280x768 or 1280x800; This resolution offers the same as XGA except that there is more horizontal real estate; 1280 versus 1024. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
e. WXGA+ = Widescreen eXtended Graphics Array+; 1440x900; This resolution is offered on 17" widescreen notebooks and is comparable to WXGA in terms of text and icon size versus available screen real estate. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
f. WSXGA+ = Widescreen Super eXtended Graphics Array; 1680x1050; This resolution is comparable to SXGA in that it offers a middle ground between WXGA/WXGA+ and WUXGA. Popular for movie viewing due to support for widescreen.
g. WUXGA = Widescreen Ultra eXtended Graphics Array; 1920x1200; This resolution offers the smallest viewable text and images while offering the greatest amount of screen real estate.

I believe any of these would be fine.

• b. SXGA
• c. UXGA
• d. WXGA
• e. WXGA+
• f. WSXGA+
• g. WUXGA

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

I don't think I really have a preference; though it sounds as if the matte/non-glossy might offer fewer glares from room light or other light sources. (but I think I could go either way if the advice goes down that route)

Build Quality and Design

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

Not really. As long as the look does not increase the changes of overheating or decrease it's functionality.

13) How long do you want this laptop to last?

Perhaps, somewhere between a few years to several years; as I’d like to keep it fairly 'future-proof' if that's possible.

Notebook Components

14) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 120GB?

80 - 100 GB is an OK range. (The Speed is what I've been told to concentrate on - 7200 speed is recommended.)

15) Do you need a DVD, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-R drive?

DVD/CDRW Combo drive is ok (but willing to add on a DVD-r if allowed)

That said, I look forward in hearing what you all might offer up as suggestions. I appreciate and welcome all input, suggestions and help you may offer.

Thank you in advance!
-James-

[stamar]

dell e 1705
7800 go core duo
coupon for 750 off link on this page 1250 shipped.

[Reize]

You might want to take a look at the Lenovo T60P, rather expensive but it's an extremely well built and high quality notebook.

[ZaZ]

Other than the Dell, you'll be hard pressed to find a 17" notebook with a matte screen. If you really want to be mobile, I'd recommend against a 17" notebook. The T series are great notebooks, but not really geared towards gaming. Perhaps something like the MSI 1039 with the x1600 card is worth a look.

[Reize]

The FireGL V5200 would be enough for a light gamer who justs wants to be able to play the games though, would it not?

[ZaZ]

Sure would, but I personally wouldn't want to spend an extra grand to get it.

[hamyo]

Thanks for each of the suggestions. I didn't expect such a rush of replies. I also think it's nice to find that the models I've been researching tie in closely to what you've been recommending. I've been looking through Dell, Lenovo, Acer & Apple. Playing a little comparison and weighing the various options as to which I consider a need vs. a want.

The first stop for me was the ThinkPad. Nice, well built machines. (CPU, RAM, Wifi & Gigabit Ethernet, great docking station) these were where I started setting the bar of comparison. But they seemed to have limited built in USB support (only 3), no S-Video, no Firewire. The largest screen size is 15". Portability is nice for that, but DJ/VJ Software, Web/Graphic design (the primary uses) this could be difficult with the available screen real estate.

The Dell E1705 (same CPU, RAM, Wifi) certainly has the larger monitor, and has the additional Peripheral hook-ups. Though, the generic port replicator is more limited than the docking station of the Latitude & Precision (and ThinkPad) family. Also, the Gigabit NIC could be useful (as with transferring Motion Graphics files on the Gigabit networks at the office and home)

The Precision M90 started to appeal to me, as it seemed like the Dell response to the ThinkPad, but with those extra peripheral ports the ThinkPad didn’t have. Though I remember reading through other threads here, that the NVidia Quatro (or FireGL in the ThinkPad) were something to avoid. I did not see them as options that cost $1000 or more, but rather $100-$275 which is more negligible.

Just recently I went to Apple's website and noticed that they just came out with a newer 17" Macbook Pro using the Intel Core Duo and it's actually not priced too badly. Not to mention that it has the ability, w/ Boot Camp, to install/run a copy of Win XP on it. (So one could conceivably justify it as 2 comp platforms rolled into 1)

I’ve visited the various sites to print off and compare the specs and I am still not 100% swayed one direction or another. But through your comments, it has caused me to re-examine some models as I might have been too hasty to take a them off the deciding block. Also maybe I have overlooked/missed something?

I certainly appreciate your feed back so far and invite you to let me know if there is any criticism, comments, additional questions, recommendations and perhaps a “why” you are suggesting it. Thanks for your input so far, as I eagerly look forward in hearing from you. This thread as just peaked my interest to a whole new level.

-James-

[hamyo]

Zazonz:
Intersting, I don't think I am that familiar with the MSI models. How do they rank up? Performance? Support?

-James-

[stamar]

ok do you need to spend 2k?

I mean after you made the 1250 e1705 the extra 750 is just hanging out for you? Its not your money?

its more powerful than the mac book and its like $500 cheaper or more.
And what would you do with apple os? I mean once you spent the money to get windows on it and bought windows again technically...... would you use a utility called format to free up 20 gb of worthless space holding your osx partition? Or would you leave it there lurking waiting for a use?

ok so a precision doesnt have the discount and would cost 3k for what is exactly the same computer using a quadra card.


the msi 1039 is also a good value try xmeld.com its just not nearly as good a deal.... its not quite on the market yet also

[hamyo]

Hey Stamar, easy ... relax... we're all friends/colleagues here...

You're right. The savings for the E1705 puts it significantly less than much of the competition with those discounts. It's also quite comparable, as you stated to the Precision with virtually the same configuration. The only two things that I can see are different (other than the GFX card) could be the Gigabit Ethernet & the fact that it has the port for the Expansion Docking station.

I was also toying with the notions of dabbling with/venturing toward Autodesk's 3ds Max (or the like) as a possible avenue. (though a supped up Desktop might be more plausible for these applications)

As for the Macbook pro rationale, I was really considering it as I do utilize motion graphics at the office. (Apple Motion in conjunction with the Final Cut Studio package, as well as After Effects) I was also thinking that it would be nice to be able to switch from OSX to WinXP as I have various different software for each and feel each platform has it's own strengths. And, I may be wrong, but I think the 'Powerful than' thing is still up for debate with the many Mac/PC users out there. But I agree with you that it's probably more of an expensive and time consuming process to setup the Macbook with both OS, where the time and $$ would better be suited with the Dual/Quad G5s when it comes to A/V & Motion Graphics.

So from this, I can see that the E1705 is one good contender for the final decision. As for the configuration for the $$, as well as he availability, and I appreciate your honest opinion. I guess I could also mention that I am eligible for the IBM/Lenovo Employee discount, which I've priced out to be not to bad either. It's just a matter of can I get by with the 15" monitor, as the real estate for the E1705 (or M90, and Macbook 17") would be much easier to display all the things when DJing or Web Coding/Graphic Design.

Thanks once again for your input, and I invite you to comment further. I'll also take a look at the MSI.

-James-

(Anyone else care to comment? You are welcome to as well)