Best laptop for 3D modelling and animation

[Analizer]

Hello CF.

From September 28th I will be off to Bournemouth University to do Games Technology course, therefore I am looking for a laptop ranging from £1300-£1700 or $2080-$2720 for 3D modelling (rendering) and animation.

I was looking at Alienware laptops, do you think they can handle the job or is there something better than them?

Laptop must be at least 18" and have 6gb+ of RAM.

Analizer.

 

[Virssagòn]

A pc would be better for that kind of stuff, but if you have to carry it to everywhere you'll be fine with a laptop. Alienware is good, but far overpriced..

 

[wolfeking]

I have a feeling that you will be let down. You need to go with a sager or the like with a Quadro graphics card to render/model to a level that is worth the money you are spending.

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/precision-m6600/pd?oc=w08m6602&model_id=precision-m6600 would be my recommendation unless you can find a W520 Lenovo or a Sager with the Quadro 3000 for less.

 

[Analizer]

I don't want a PC as I will carry the laptop with me.

Is there anything with a screen which is 18"+?

And I will be let down with what? With Alienware?

 

[DMGrier]

I don't want a PC as I will carry the laptop with me.

Is there anything with a screen which is 18"+?

And I will be let down with what? With Alienware?

Alienware you spend a lot and don't get as much as far as hardware.

 

[wolfeking]

Is there anything with a screen which is 18"+

Probably not. And you asking for one begs a explanation of how monitors works. A 1080p screen will show the same amount of data no matter how large the screen is. You see the same amount on a 15" 1080p as you do on a 42" 1080p, but the smaller you make the screen while maintaining the resolution means you get a more detailed image.

 

[Analizer]

OK, so forget the screen then. Are there any more laptops I could look at or just that Dell?

 

[wolfeking]

Lenovo W520 and the Sager NP9170

 

[Analizer]

That Lenovo is more expensive than the Alienware M18x.

 

[wolfeking]

You have to pay for quality. And it is one of the best laptops on the market currently.

 

[Analizer]

I have found this one:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lenovo-Th...tops_Nov05&hash=item41696f1631#ht_1830wt_1111

I think it's basically the same. But as far as I know the Quadro 2000M is not for gaming and I would like to play from time to time, not on low settings. And the 15.3" is pretty small, so if I would work during travelling it will not be great experience.

Is Alienware M17x really that bad?

 

[wolfeking]

The M17x is far overpriced, and not as well built. Also it is not equipped with graphics meant for modeling. The Lenovo, or Precision from dell are much better units.

 

[Analizer]

Yes but modelling will not be the only thing I will do on that laptop, I'd like to play a game sometimes like I said before.

Are there any other laptops I sould look at?

 

[wolfeking]

You are not thinking ahead. The quadro will model far better and not really be far behind the same consumer card gaming wise either. My FX2500m actually outperforms a 7900m GTX that it is based on.

You will be better off with a Quadro than a gaming card. The few more frames a gaming card will give you in game is not worth the loss of efficiency in modeling.

 

[Analizer]

Then tell me why the benchmarks are better on GTX 660m/675m than the quadro 2000m?
What games could be playable on this video card?

And the look of the Lenovo is terrible to be honest.

 

[wolfeking]

couple of things. 1. The quadro 2000m is a GTX 460m. It is a different design (fermi), less memory, smaller bandwidth, slower clock and less cores. 2. You should be able to play any game currently out. You will not max them no where near it, but you will play at around medium (its the same basic card as the desktop GTS 450).

 

[Analizer]

The whole unit will not just be 3d modelling and I would like to play some games, not really on medium 'cos I'm one of those people that graphics also matter to me.

Why will the quadro 2000m be better at modelling than for example 660m/675m?

 

[wolfeking]

you see you are comparing a top end to a low end. You are basically asking what is better, a ford LTD or a Rolls Royce Phantom.

The 660m and 675m will be faster because of the architecture. IF you went to the K200m, then it would be a close race.

and graphics are not that important. It takes a very skilled eye to see the difference between medium and maxed out graphics. Look at BF3 for example. the first one is maxxed out @ 720p and the second is medium presets at 720P

 

[Analizer]

Actually after having a long think about the whole thing I will build a computer so if someone could the please post the hardware here including a 22 or 24" monitor (or 2).

 

[DMGrier]

Actually after having a long think about the whole thing I will build a computer so if someone could the please post the hardware here including a 22 or 24" monitor (or 2).

There is a desktop section for that.