So, uhhh, guys. I’m looking to purchase a new computer, laptop or desktop. It really depends if the laptop will provide me a high performance with the mobility, or if the desktop will provide the highest performance without the mobility.
I’m under the impression that while all the parts of a new computer are important, the processor(s) and the ram size and speed are critical. Am I right?
how much you got?
For ZB, memory and processor performance are high on the list. ZB doesn’t use your GPU (Graphics Adaptor) as much. If your target app is ZB, you will want to get something that runs Windows really well. (I use Macs myself, but I have other reasons to be on the Mac platform.)
Depending on how mobile you’re going to be a laptop might be a good choice. In my case I travel with a very powerful laptop with 4GB of RAM memory and a Wacom Cint12WX.
If you’re going to be stationary more, you can get more bang for your buck from a desktop system. We’ve had good luck with systems configured for us from Boxx, but they are pretty pricey. I have not personally been happy with our Dell equipment, but they are very favorably priced.
-K
Hi
I recommend the following for bang for the buck value:
Desktop: Intel Quad core (Q6600 is great value but there are other 9600’s whatever - that are really good too) cpu with 8 gig ram on a MB that supports raid. Midrange graphics card and a couple of big fast SATA disks as raid and a third disk for the operating system and programmes.
I recommend windows XP 64 bit and later maybe the new Windows 7 when it arrives and is stable if that is at all possible - hehe.
Whatever you do stay clear of VISTA - it is the single most stupid and downright unfriendly operating system ever invented.
Mobile notebook whatever: Again a Quad core or dual core with 8 Gigs ram and as big and fast a disk as possible.
OK Having said that please understand that there will be a lower performance on the notebook no matter what you do. That is just the price of mobility.
However you can still perform all but the really big polycount stuff and heavy rendering on a mobile.
I suggest you get a small desktop case that fits the stuff and put a handle on it for mobility. I have had one like that for 4 years and it served me very well. I know it’s a bit cumbersome but if you are really needing your power on a job outside of your studio or whatever it is really great.
Now I just use a notebook for this aspect but I hardly ever leave my studio to work these days.
Please understand that there are far better solutions and more powerful ones, but you then MUST spend a lot more money.
I just advised on a bang for the buck scenario.
PS I would not go for macintosh solution for allsorts of reasons that I will not mention because there are a lot of very sensitive mac users that will flame me if I say anything - hehe.
Cool. Thanks for the replies, guys.
Some follow up questions/Answers:
I have around 2500 - 3000 Dollars to work with and maybe even a bit more.
I really desire mobility because I’m at an age where I just can’t stand working at home. Years ago stuffing myself in my room would have been ideal, but now that would kill me.
Since all I have to sacrifice is heavy rendering and super high poly counts I guess I’m good for a laptop. Just to be clear though, what does a super high poly count mean? 5,000,000? 10?
Can I really get 8 gigabytes of Quality ram in a laptop? Would it not overheat?
What’s a few good sites for laptop customization?
You should be able to get around 4M poly range with 2GB RAM. These days you’ll want 4 to 6 GB of RAM (ZB can only use a max around 3-4GB.) ZB will likely start slowing for sculpting in the 10M poly range on most systems anyhow. High power laptops run warm, but I haven’t noticed wither the Apple’s or HP’s having a problem with this (the machines I’m most familiar with.)
Take a look at some of HP’s offerings (IMHO) if ZB is your main app. They have some pretty nice systems which you can goose-up for about $2K. Getting yourself a small portable tablet (I recommend Wacom’s) or if your budget will stretch a small Cintiq. (I carry my small Cintiq and laptop in a roller case built for 17" laptops (Swissgear makes a nice one for about $100) so it all fits in a nice package. If battery operation is critical, skip the cintiq and use an Intuos tablet (USB powered.) I’m pretty sure the HP’s also have a “fat battery” available for more juice on the go.
-K
4 gigs max and 4 million polies, hmm? That’d be fine I think, since I’m interested in doing art for games and am familiar with modularization.
Alright, so I guess my last two qustions would be:
Is Windows 64 bit really a good choice? I thought most programs were built to run better on Win32.
What’s a number of good, reliable sites for customizing laptops. Last place I bought something from was Cyberpower 2 years ago, and it was decent but was that a mediocre choice? In the end, is buying from HP, Dell, Gateway, or even Cyberpower a better choice for Laptops?