I am in the market for a laptop for my upcoming year in Australia. This laptop will be my only computer with me for an entire year so it will be responsible for all of my processing and storage (external hardrives). I am thinking that I will go with a Dell but would be open to suggestions. I used to follow the computer industry closely but it has been quite a while so not even sure what is recommended for laptop technology these days.
The laptop will mostly stay in the car so weight isn't a huge issue but I don't want the Behemoth of a laptop I have been using for the past few years. Battery life is important though.
Softare will include Adobe Creative Suite 1 (mostly PS and GoLive) as well as Nikon Capture. I think those will be the two big memory hogs.
Also, what can I do about calibrating the screen? Any experience there?
Any comments on where to buy and the specs I should look into would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
Drew
Posted by Tim Stenning on June 14, 2006 at 2:39 PM
I've been traveling with a little Ibook. I love it. I save everything to CDs. On the other hand, I hear that the new MACs don't support PS (yet)....so, that's a problem. I'll look forward to seeing what others say.......Of course, in a car, you can keep the battery charged. Tim Stenning
I have heard good things about the Panasonic Toughbook. There are several different configurations (and prices). A quick look at PC Connection shows average battery life at 5 hours.
Some of the command staff for our fire department use them in the field on large fire incidents. These laptops are tough and dust proof, which will be a consideration for you Down-Under.
Be sure you have a word processor along with your photo software.
As far as calibration goes, the Eye-One and the Monaco Optix XR have received favorable comments. Be sure that whichever brand you use is comaptible with both CRT's and LCD's. I use the Optix-XR: It has worked well for me, and is easy to use. I got mine from Chromix, who I highly recommend.
Let us know what you decide upon.
-PB
ps: BTW, you'll need a very large crate in which to carry me and my 4x5! Your trip sounds like the experience of a lifetime!
Drew, I would be sure you got the latest dual core processor and built in wireless - something like centrino. You will be in many areas and hotels where internet access can be made a lot easier with wireless.
RE monitor calibration there are several systems that calibrate Laptop screens. Monaco, Spyder etc. However I would suggest that you find some way to standardize the screen viewing angle. Even with calibration the angle of view or tilt of the screen will affect the color appearance.
i'll make the suggestion of the new MacBooks or MacBook Pro's.... yes its mac. and yes, CS1 doesnt run native yet....
BUT you can install windows on it, and you'd have the best windows laptop available...
again, i'm a mac guy, so yeah, i'm gonna suggest macs... but seriously take a look... the new MacBooks start at $1100, and would easily be able to handle running CS1... the new Intel Dual Core chips are amazing!
Discussion
4 repliesThe laptop will mostly stay in the car so weight isn't a huge issue but I don't want the Behemoth of a laptop I have been using for the past few years. Battery life is important though.
Softare will include Adobe Creative Suite 1 (mostly PS and GoLive) as well as Nikon Capture. I think those will be the two big memory hogs.
Also, what can I do about calibrating the screen? Any experience there?
Any comments on where to buy and the specs I should look into would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
Drew
I have heard good things about the Panasonic Toughbook. There are several different configurations (and prices). A quick look at PC Connection shows average battery life at 5 hours.
Some of the command staff for our fire department use them in the field on large fire incidents. These laptops are tough and dust proof, which will be a consideration for you Down-Under.
Be sure you have a word processor along with your photo software.
As far as calibration goes, the Eye-One and the Monaco Optix XR have received favorable comments. Be sure that whichever brand you use is comaptible with both CRT's and LCD's. I use the Optix-XR: It has worked well for me, and is easy to use. I got mine from Chromix, who I highly recommend.
Let us know what you decide upon.
-PB
ps: BTW, you'll need a very large crate in which to carry me and my 4x5!
-p
RE monitor calibration there are several systems that calibrate Laptop screens. Monaco, Spyder etc. However I would suggest that you find some way to standardize the screen viewing angle. Even with calibration the angle of view or tilt of the screen will affect the color appearance.
BUT you can install windows on it, and you'd have the best windows laptop available...
again, i'm a mac guy, so yeah, i'm gonna suggest macs... but seriously take a look... the new MacBooks start at $1100, and would easily be able to handle running CS1... the new Intel Dual Core chips are amazing!