...or even this refurbished laptop: http://www.buy.com/prod/hp-elitebook-8740w-wh276ut-17-led-notebook-intel-core-i7-i7-720qm-1/214983440.html?listingId=235509521
On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 3:52 PM, Stephen Davidson <[email protected]>wrote: > so, something like this might do the trick?: > > http://dealnews.com/Lenovo-Ivy-i7-Quad-16-Laptop-w-Quadro-2-GB-GPU-for-1-205-free-shipping/657079.html > > > > On Mon, Jan 14, 2013 at 2:55 PM, Matt Lind <[email protected]>wrote: > >> Basically what I'm hearing from everybody is laptop still isn't cost >> effective for what I intend it for. >> >> To answer a few questions: >> >> I am insisting on a Quadro graphics card because here at the studio we've >> tested every GeForce released in the past 7 years and it's been a crapshoot >> whether they work reliably or not with Softimage - especially with OpenGL >> shaders. Problems range from flakey behavior to blue screens. I have had >> almost no issues with Quadros. I would prefer to pay a little more upfront >> for assurance my sparse free time is put to good use on my hobby than >> troubleshooting and pulling out what little hair I have left to get that >> extra ounce of performance which doesn't matter in the long run. >> >> I won't be doing long intensive 3D renders as my focus will be on >> realtime stuff, but I may be doing some IO intensive data streaming for >> video editing. I will be working with large raw files from my D-SLR, so 14 >> bit log color support is important. It's not an issue if I can plug a >> laptop into a full size monitor. I'd also like to do some cross platform >> development between Windows and Linux. Some will be Softimage plugins, >> others being Android apps or standalone apps for home use which use OpenGL. >> >> I purchased my current workstation from Dell outlet in 2005 and was a >> great deal (50% off). I decked it out to maximize processing power and IO >> bandwidth, then purchased the Quadro separately from Ebay. I was >> considering doing the same thing again until I saw the handwriting on the >> wall about everything moving to the cloud, realtime, mobile, and so on. If >> the decision was purely financial a workstation would be a no-brainer, but >> it didn't look like a smart investment for the long term if the goal is to >> be technologically relevant down the road as these technologies progress. >> That's my dilemma and motivation for a laptop. I was considering the Dell >> precision mobile workstation 6670 from Dell outlet, but last inspection >> this weekend showed the configurations I was looking for already sold out >> :( The laptops recommended on Nvidia's website are no longer available >> for HP and Lenovo. >> >> I already have the Galaxy Note phablet, therefore I don't need a tablet >> at this time. >> >> Sooo....workstation now with short relevant lifespan or pay a little >> extra for a laptop which isn't quite feasible yet? Hmmm... >> >> >> Matt >> >> >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: [email protected] [mailto: >> [email protected]] On Behalf Of Tim Leydecker >> Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2013 2:56 AM >> To: [email protected] >> Subject: Re: everybody's favorite question... >> >> Hi Matt, >> >> for people in the US, there´s pretty good refurbished hardware available >> from Apple, Dell, HP and possibly a bunch more: >> >> HP >> http://www.hp.com/sbso/buspurchase_refurbished_specials.html? >> >> Dell (laptop link but there´s more if you search for refurbished on the >> site) http://www.dell.com/us/dfb/p/precision-laptops >> >> Apple >> http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac >> >> >> I would think that the above and the likes give a good balance between >> guaranteed performance and pricing for a dedicated home use and may allow >> to access features otherwise too expensive to justify for a personal >> machine. >> >> Personally, I wouldn´t expect a laptop to last longer than 2 years for >> it´s primary use but can imagine there´s enough options to pick from for a >> solid, mobile experience and a pricetag that´s justifiable accordingly. >> >> It shouldn´t hurt too much if it´s stolen or broken suddenly, imo. >> >> >> Cheers, >> >> >> tim >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 12.01.2013 04:15, Matt Lind wrote: >> > .What computer should I get? (for home). >> > >> > I have always used workstations and have already done the research for >> > another purchase. However, it's been nearly 8 years since my last >> > investment and my trusty Dell Precision workstation is starting to >> > fail L. I am considering going mobile this time. I'm asking for >> > people's experience with laptops as I have never used a laptop for 3D >> > work before and have mostly heard bad things in the area of reliability >> and lack of selection. I don't need top of the line, but I am interested >> in something durable that won't break the bank and performs at least as >> well as a mid-grade workstation. Besides 3D, I'll be doing a lot of >> coding, photography (editing), and some video with my DSLR. So color >> accuracy and IO would be important features. I would tend to think an SSD >> hard drive, multi-core CPU (4+), USB 3.0, a decent Nvidia Quadro card would >> be a good baseline. Anything else people recommend in a laptop? Or to >> avoid? >> > >> > Please reply offline. >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > Matt >> > >> >> > > > -- > > Best Regards, > * Stephen P. Davidson** > **(954) 552-7956 > * [email protected] > > *Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic* > > > - Arthur C. Clarke > > <http://www.3danimationmagic.com> > -- Best Regards, * Stephen P. Davidson** **(954) 552-7956 * [email protected] *Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic* - Arthur C. Clarke <http://www.3danimationmagic.com>
