Can you recommend a laptop useful for graphic and architectural design?

Question

I am an architect and also a graphic desingner but i don't know much about computers. I need a laptop (notebook) in which i can use all those heavy design softwares with efficiency, specially talking about time, and at a high quality resolution. I want the computer to be as fast as possible. I also would like a wide screen notebook.... for what i do, can anyone recommend something for me? Which brand? procesor type, and other things i need to have?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what your price range is but heres what I'd get.
2gb of RAM
2.4ghz intel dual or quad processor.
Nvidia makes some graphics cards called Quadro Fx specially for CAD drawing and other stuff but I dont think they are for notebooks so you can get an Nvidia 7950 which should be just fine.
Dell would be fine. They make 15.4 inch screens with a 1200x800 res.
Also take a look at www.ibuypower.com since this sight may have a cheaper price depending on what you get.

Answer 2

Im with Edwin. They may be expensive and you may have to save for a bit b4 getting one, but a Macbook Pro with a 1Gb graphics card or Alienware M17x with dual graphics cards is your best bet. Macs have the best editing software, and are good with graphic design. Alienware are beast powerhouses that can handle anything you can throw at them. Either is exactly what you need. A Dell studio laptop is good, but its a step down from your 2 best options. So if you are serious about graphic design, save and go for the best. Good luck! Edit: the sony laptops you were looking at would need a pretty good upgrading from the starting point they give there. Both would need to go up over $1200 to suit your needs. and thats baseline. For later on when the detailed graphic designing comes in the sony Vaio wouldnt be enough and you would have to upgrade again anyway =/ My suggestion is to go with saving for a one time upgrade to alienware or Macbook. EDIT EDIT: Joe has some good suggestions on the HP, but to match the Dual radeon hd 5870 that come standard in the M17x you would have to upgrade to the NVIDIA Quadro 5000M. which is going to cost the same as the Alienware M17x in the end. so really once again its all about how much you can afford. there are some good HPs that he suggested that are cheeper at the cost of a lower quality GPU.

Answer 3

Go with Intel's Core 2 Duo, at least 2 GB of RAM - more RAM the better - 200GB hard drive minimum, I like Nvidia's graphic cards - get one with at least 256 MB of RAM. I'm also a fan of Windows XP vs. Vista. You need to figure some things out - how much do you want to spend? Where will you be using it? Go check out your local Best Buy to get an idea of what you're looking for, then use that information and search the web a little. I'd be happy to help if you have any more questions.

Answer 4

CAD programs and/or Graphic Design programs do MUCH better on an APPLE computer than a PC. If you're a Graphic Designer, you would already know this. Also, how can you design something graphically, if you don't even know how to use a computer? You do know that to be a Graphic Designer you have to KNOW HOW TO DO IT! LOL! I'm guessing you WANT to be a graphic designer and/or architect. Otherwise, you would already know the common/correct answer(s) to your question(s). Nothing's better for writing graphics than a Mac! good luck :)

Answer 5

Get a Dell Inspiron with a NV8600 video card, you get a choice of 3 different screen types. They are all widescreen. Top CPU is the C2D t7700. 2GB of RAM. 3 sizes 14, 15, and 17 inch. It would be a good choice because it can be customized over the phone.