College Laptop

If you want to do any decent gaming, it'd be number uno... but that's really subjective considering it's a laptop and all.

Get a Mac

Que pasa?

... Yeah, Macs are great. I got it.

But out of the two, which would you prefer?

And feel free to suggest a Mac, and I will do some research.

X

Linus wrote:

Styro Folme wrote:

...I really don't want to have to drag a desktop all around. I figure a decent laptop with a dedicated card would get me by for now.

Well, what kind of gaming?

And is your budget <$800?

I mainly play Css, but that's mainly due to the limitations of my current computer. I'd like to be able to play Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3 to some extent.

The budget is around $800. $1000 is the very tops, and only if I find something amazing.

X

mod98commando wrote:

choopie911 wrote:

Yeah I know you said no macs, but for what you want to do...

You don't need a Mac to use Adobe applications you know, they work just fine on a windows system. And now that Mac's are running on the same hardware as many PC's, you'll be paying more money for the same hardware with Mac OS on it. If the price difference is worth it to you then that's fine, just be aware of that.

If I had to choose between those two computers in the OP, I'd say the first one. In general, I would go with neither though. If you can find a system with an Intel Core2 duo in it and similar specs otherwise then go with that. All the laptops I've seen with AMD chips have run extremely hot and heat kills electronics faster. Also, the Intel chips perform better so you win there too. The video card will be important for the games but your apps (Photoshop, etc.) will rely heavily on the CPU.

I have taken the processor issue in hand. AMDs are terrible when it comes to heat. Hands down. But they're cheap and fairly powerful. I've found as long as you're drivers are up to date, and your cooling systems are good, you shouldn't experience the lingering smell of toasted motherboard.

It will probably be a minute before I make a final decision, and I will keep my eyes out for the Intel processors.

X

You could build a nice gaming desktop for ~$700 (minimum) and then buy one of those netbooks.

FreeEnterprise wrote:

so, you are going to get into a field where photoshop/illustrator/indesign are the norm, but you don't want a mac...

That is like saying you want to work for GM but, you will only buy a Ford to drive...

Man up and get a mac, and CS4. Education discounts are amazing. The $400 extra dollars you will spend will be worth the experience, and the ability to tell your future employers that you have been working on a mac for X years.

More like $1000 extra. I'm sure if you needed a mac to work on your project, you could find one in a lab at your school

Edited by Bolt3 - 28 May 2009 at 11:23am

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE2NjA

$999...

and the operations system differences are huge between a mac and a pc. I work on both... My entire prepress department is mac, our offices are pc.

They tremble at my name...

It is the industry standard for a reason, and the OS is simply better, especially for graphics/ video/ music production. Yes CS4 works on PC, and that's fine if you want to, but I, and most graphic professionals will recommend mac. No you dont have to buy a mac, you could install os x on a pc if you want, but hardware consistancy is a bonus.

Can someone please link me some actual concrete data showing Macs are inherently better for design than PCs? I still think it's all about preference.

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