Help needed on what to purchase (graphics student)

[vti_786]

Hi guys, was wondering if anyone could help please, got a friend who asked what would be a good laptop to get for his graphic design course at university.

can anyone recommend a good laptop that will be capable of video editing on a not so big budget?

[vti_786]

is this any good:


http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5083864/c_1/1|category_root|Office,+PCs+and+phones|14418968/c_2/3|15701344|Laptops+and+Netbooks|16164797/c_3/4|cat_16164797|Laptops|16164800.htm?_$ja=tsid:11527|cc:|prd:5083864|catffice%2C+pcs+%26+phones+%3E+laptops+and+netbooks+%3E+laptops

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

This laptop has a quad core processor:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-a...82363-pdt.html

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/234150

The Phenom II X4 N930 is basically the same speed as a desktop Athlon II X4 processor running at 2GHZ.

This laptop has a Core i5 430M:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/180888

Unlike the desktop Core i5 this is a dual core processor with Turbo Boost and HT and is basically the same processor as a 2.26GHZ Core i3.

[vti_786]

thankyou very much for your time, just a bit confused, should be looking at processing power rather than the gpu?

because the msi fx600 has a decent gpu compared to the ones you have listed, well so i think,lol

thanks

This laptop has a quad core processor:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-a...82363-pdt.html

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/234150

The Phenom II X4 N930 is basically the same speed as a desktop Athlon II X4 processor running at 2GHZ.

This laptop has a Core i5 430M:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/180888

Unlike the desktop Core i5 this is a dual core processor with Turbo Boost and HT and is basically the same processor as a 2.26GHZ Core i3.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Video encoding and editing software tends to be multi-threaded and hence in most cases will run faster on a quad core or dual core with hyper-threading.

[vti_786]

Video encoding and editing software tends to be multi-threaded and hence in most cases will run faster on a quad core or dual core with hyper-threading.

ahh, ok, much apreciated for your help. think i may recommend the ACER Aspire 5553G

[Pob255]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/224897

It's not going to be cheap, personally I'd say not a laptop, go with a desktop

[scaryjim]

... should be looking at processing power rather than the gpu?

Hard to say without knowing exacly what software they're going to be able to get their hands on, tbh. *Some* design programs may be GPU accelerated for *some* functions, but if you prioritise the GPU over the CPU then your friend is going to suffer when they use software that isn't GPU accelerated.

I think of those the Phenom II Acer CAT has suggested is the best bet: being a recent AMD laptop it'll most likely have the HD4200-class IGP which should support GPU acceleration for any software that can use ATI GPUs.

Although, as Pob says, he'll get a *lot* more grunt out of a desktop: any reason they're insistent on a laptop? With sensible purchasing choices they could get a SFF desktop with lots of grunt for their design work, *and* a netbook for taking to lectures / making notes / general web and email use. Also for design work they'll need an accurate, high resolution screen with good colour reproduction: not something they're going to get in a reasonably priced laptop! I believe your friend needs to think more carefully about this...

[Funkstar]

Also for design work they'll need an accurate, high resolution screen with good colour reproduction: not something they're going to get in a reasonably priced laptop!

You'd be surprised at how little most designers care about this, certainly the ones I've worked with anyway.

Just like most musicians care a lot less about interconnects and cable qualities than "audiophiles"

[Golden Dragoon]

Just like most musicians care a lot less about interconnects and cable qualities than "audiophiles"

Very true, copper is copper in my book, I wouldn't pay £100 for a cable to connect my bass to my amp when a £15 one will do just as well.

[scaryjim]

... I wouldn't pay £100 for a cable to connect my bass to my amp when a £15 one will do just as well.

But you also wouldn't buy a £5 cable, I'm guessing (I certainly wouldn't) The question is whether a laptop monitor is a £5 cable or a £15 cable, I guess...

[Golden Dragoon]

Nope I wouldn't buy a £5 cable, but not because the sound is any different, it is simply because of the build quality, ones much cheaper than what I buy tend to have cheaply made, badly soldered connectors, the cables themselves are still the same though lol
I know it's not really the same with screens, as a good one is well worth paying extra for, I was simply validating Funkstar's point.

[Pob255]

Then again I know musicians for whom cable quality is a near obsession.

And many designers are mac obsessive, good or bad it doesn't matter as long as it's mac

Actually thinking about it I think I can give you a better example, Comics (books not standup)
Some comic artists care about monitor quality and setup some not, but I don't know a single colourist who would slit his wrists before using a bad monitor set up.