I'm looking into getting a powerful laptop for mobile photo and panorama editing. I would like it to use an nVidia GPU and be at least a dual core with at least 4GB RAM with the possibility of upgrading it to 8GB. My problem is in finding a laptop where Windows is not included. I don't want to pay for something I'll delete as quickly as I can :] If you can recommend any linux-friendly laptop that meets those specs, please do. In case finding one without any M$ software preinstalled is impossible, but you do know of a model that is powerful and linux friendly once M$ Winwoes gets formatted, then also please chime in.
I live in London at the moment and I'd prefer getting a laptop from a physical store in London, but if you know of a good online deal from a reliable source anywhere in the world (except Nigeria ;] ), I'll be happy to hear about it.
Do you think getting a dual core with 4GB RAM makes sense in 2010? Is getting a quad core with 8GB RAM (I haven't seen any like that in the stores here) possible for a price that isn't linear, so for less than twice the dual-core 4GB's price? I'm familiar with how prices work regarding desktop PCs, for example you can get hardware twice as good for only 10% more of the price, but I'm completely green as far as laptops are concerned.
Honestly - i never thought before how fast and reliable APG/APT would be running on a Macbook Pro. I use a 17" 2,8Ghz Core 2 Duo which has two graphic cards included. One is for saving energy and the second one is for graphic power. With the excellent LED screen i do the complete stitching-process and finally Photoshopping easily in the hotel room when i travel.
I added a fast external rugged drive via FW800 and store all together with an A5 Wacom tablet in a flat suitcase. This is a very fine way to work - not only while travelling: at home i connect my 24" Cinema Display and have a two-screen set as an addition to my stationary Mac.
The biggest Pano i made with this combination was 5,6GB - layered Photoshop document. Easy work.
I know: it´s a bit expensive - but it´s really worth every cent. Related to what you get for the price it´s absolutely ok.
A friend of mine skipped his PC laptop, bought a Macbook Pro and runs Win7 on it (he needs to use Windows - he´s a database developer for some big newspaper-houses). He´s very impressed.
Another friend runs Linux on it - no big difference between Linux and the Unix based MacOs. Often he runs MacOs via the Unix-shell - that´s unknown magic to me . . .
best, Klaus
P.S.: somebody told me he´s going to change the dual core to a quadcore in the Macbook - he means the socket would fit. I don´t know . . . but seems to be a nice idea . . .
Last edited by klausesser on Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance. Coco Chanel
The linux version only has a core2 duo in the dropdown list, but the specs say that a core 2 quad is available. You may have to call them to get the quad.
One alternative is to buy what you need (not what you want) now. In a couple of years, buy the fastest processor (it will be much cheaper) and max out the RAM. Change the disk drive to a velociraptor or SSD.
Last edited by hankkarl on Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.