Hi there, just joined up. And looking for some advice.
Have done som serious researching on the topic but still need a comment or two (yes, I have looked through the threads in here as well).
I am in my first year and in desperate need for an computer.
Just started school and I need to be covered for the next 2-3 years and then I figure I have other needs and need to upgrade.
I will be introduced to the following programs: Auto-cad, Photoshop, In-Design, Rendertime, Sketch-up, Adope Illustrator.
I have almost decided on the dell xps M1530 with
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.o GHz,
NVIDA GeForce Go 8600M GT,
2048MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM,
250 GB HD
Or maybe the dell xps M1530 red edition if I feel like spending some on appearence..
INtel core 2 duo processor 2.20 GHz,
Nvida GeForce 8600M GT,
3072 MB Channel Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
320 GB SATA hard drive
I don't know much on computers so I need all the help I can get; Is this a total overkill? or will it cover me? Or just a bad choice?
Hope someone feels up for this discussion once again.
Thanks in advance and happy Easter everyone.
i dont know anything about whats in the market now, but i bought an HP between first and second year...and it lasted me through thesis just fine. in fact it's still going....now 4.5+ years old.
considering its age, and that it was top of the line at the time i bought it, its still got half the power of what you listed above and it runs all those programs just fine.
so in my option, you're fine with whatever, though i cant say i have any respect for dell computers, they don't generally stand the test of time.
just buy a nice long warranty with whatever you purchase.
i just bought the IBM t61p, with the new intel chipset, dedicated graphics card and the easter sale (25%??) it was a good deal... screen is a little dim but otherwise its nice
in my opinion i dont think its overkill cause these architecture programs really give computers quite a workout, oh and i would definitely add rhino to your software list
the xps are pretty good in terms of specs but you are definitely paying for that dell name, which to me isnt worth a penny
i just bought a sager this year, and if you do a quick check youll see you can get better components for less than a dell but then your not getting the same 'reliable' big brand name
also keep in mind, if your going to be running vista (cough cough.. dont do it), your going to need like 2 gigs of ram just to run the operating system.
Get the best you can afford, it'll last you longer. 2-3 years from now you won't think twice about that extra few hundred, but you'll appreciate still having a fast machine.
Get Dell's Gold Tech Support if you can. It is worth the extra cash - US help and very little wait time, if any. They'll also help you with any problem, even if it is not part of the warranty (they've helped me with tons of stuff).
And yes, Vista really sucks. Stick with XP Pro if you can, possibly the 64 bit version.
FYI, you'll need a more sophisticated 3D software. I still swear by FormZ for design work, Max for rendering (with VRay, Final Render, etc.), but Rhino is great too.
FYI i have a dell precision m65 (pretty much same stats with an openGL video card instead of the geforce) and it runs everything (rhino/cad/adobe programs) fine, even w/ multiple windows
i got it last summer to do my portfolio and i havent had any problems
i got vista though (because dell wouldve made me pay shipping for xp..which was like $300) and for the record i can still get all the necessary programs to work (although autocad 2008 doesnt so i use 07)
Physics cards have a special API that programs have to be written to plug into. That's only a few games at the moment.
In short order physics processors will be integrated into graphics chipsets. who knows how long it will be before that is standard enough to warrant changing program code to use it.
short answer: don't bother.
oh: I'd call the XPS line overpriced, but it's your money.
Agree on the overpriced XPS line. I got one of their workstation and it's just enormous for nothing; a bit cheaper than the precision line but for quite a lower quality and an shinier box.
I'd double check your graphics card against the specs on the Maya website. Even if you don't plan on using Maya, you know if your card is listed than it should be fine for less graphics intensive programs. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7639522
oh and they have the T9300 intel processor now for the laptops at IBM, Dell and some other makers, I have it and its given me no problems. btw the 256MB NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M graphics card renders mentalray, vray, flamingo, etc. models fairly quickly
Mar 25, 08 7:50 pm ·
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I know, but even still: laptop for studnt - xps M1530??
Hi there, just joined up. And looking for some advice.
Have done som serious researching on the topic but still need a comment or two (yes, I have looked through the threads in here as well).
I am in my first year and in desperate need for an computer.
Just started school and I need to be covered for the next 2-3 years and then I figure I have other needs and need to upgrade.
I will be introduced to the following programs: Auto-cad, Photoshop, In-Design, Rendertime, Sketch-up, Adope Illustrator.
I have almost decided on the dell xps M1530 with
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.o GHz,
NVIDA GeForce Go 8600M GT,
2048MB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM,
250 GB HD
Or maybe the dell xps M1530 red edition if I feel like spending some on appearence..
INtel core 2 duo processor 2.20 GHz,
Nvida GeForce 8600M GT,
3072 MB Channel Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM
320 GB SATA hard drive
I don't know much on computers so I need all the help I can get; Is this a total overkill? or will it cover me? Or just a bad choice?
Hope someone feels up for this discussion once again.
Thanks in advance and happy Easter everyone.
i dont know anything about whats in the market now, but i bought an HP between first and second year...and it lasted me through thesis just fine. in fact it's still going....now 4.5+ years old.
considering its age, and that it was top of the line at the time i bought it, its still got half the power of what you listed above and it runs all those programs just fine.
so in my option, you're fine with whatever, though i cant say i have any respect for dell computers, they don't generally stand the test of time.
just buy a nice long warranty with whatever you purchase.
i just bought the IBM t61p, with the new intel chipset, dedicated graphics card and the easter sale (25%??) it was a good deal... screen is a little dim but otherwise its nice
in my opinion i dont think its overkill cause these architecture programs really give computers quite a workout, oh and i would definitely add rhino to your software list
the xps are pretty good in terms of specs but you are definitely paying for that dell name, which to me isnt worth a penny
i just bought a sager this year, and if you do a quick check youll see you can get better components for less than a dell but then your not getting the same 'reliable' big brand name
also keep in mind, if your going to be running vista (cough cough.. dont do it), your going to need like 2 gigs of ram just to run the operating system.
good luck
Get the best you can afford, it'll last you longer. 2-3 years from now you won't think twice about that extra few hundred, but you'll appreciate still having a fast machine.
Get Dell's Gold Tech Support if you can. It is worth the extra cash - US help and very little wait time, if any. They'll also help you with any problem, even if it is not part of the warranty (they've helped me with tons of stuff).
And yes, Vista really sucks. Stick with XP Pro if you can, possibly the 64 bit version.
FYI, you'll need a more sophisticated 3D software. I still swear by FormZ for design work, Max for rendering (with VRay, Final Render, etc.), but Rhino is great too.
FYI i have a dell precision m65 (pretty much same stats with an openGL video card instead of the geforce) and it runs everything (rhino/cad/adobe programs) fine, even w/ multiple windows
i got it last summer to do my portfolio and i havent had any problems
i got vista though (because dell wouldve made me pay shipping for xp..which was like $300) and for the record i can still get all the necessary programs to work (although autocad 2008 doesnt so i use 07)
do any of you know anything about the physics accelerator card that's offered with dell's xps system? how is it different than a graphics card?
Physics cards have a special API that programs have to be written to plug into. That's only a few games at the moment.
In short order physics processors will be integrated into graphics chipsets. who knows how long it will be before that is standard enough to warrant changing program code to use it.
short answer: don't bother.
oh: I'd call the XPS line overpriced, but it's your money.
Go for a Tablet PC i say, It's not a Dell dude
Agree on the overpriced XPS line. I got one of their workstation and it's just enormous for nothing; a bit cheaper than the precision line but for quite a lower quality and an shinier box.
BYOB
I'd double check your graphics card against the specs on the Maya website. Even if you don't plan on using Maya, you know if your card is listed than it should be fine for less graphics intensive programs. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7639522
why are you fixed on the xps? I've found no major performance difference with the standard dell's (I have a 9400 17" notebook)
Dell are to bulky...and overprived
I got an Hp dv9500
Love it
--no regrets-- people in my studio usually have dell or mac
No way would I get a dell
oh and they have the T9300 intel processor now for the laptops at IBM, Dell and some other makers, I have it and its given me no problems. btw the 256MB NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M graphics card renders mentalray, vray, flamingo, etc. models fairly quickly
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