Laptop config for design soft.

I've been looking at the m15x for a while, and like everyone else, a little weary of getting one right now. My question is about what configuration would suit me best w/out wasting money. I need a laptop that can handle running photoshop, illustrator and indesign all at the same time, let me render in AutoCad quickly, do 3D apps like 3DsMax and Maya, and also a bit of video rendering. Would also love to play games like COD4 (which i know the m15x can easily handle), though by no means am i a gaming enthusiast. Budget is around 3g's. Here is what I have now:

720p screen (not too happy about the glossy though)
8700M GT
Extreme X9000 2.8
1 GB RAM (upgrade to 4 gb Crucial once received)
200 GB 7,200

Is it better to go all out on the processor and hold back on the vid card since I will be using it more for design than gaming? Also, the 1200P screen, i would think that res. would be mighty tiny, but the matte screen is a big plus! Appreciate all responses, you guys are awesome!

 

I think you should go with the 1080p screen, You can always adjust the text or change the resolution when you want.

 

Not speaking from experience but just reiterating what some 1080p users have said - the screen real estate is great for photoshoppers/illustrators/video renderers and since you said "at the same time" and "the matte screen is a big plus" I think it would be a great to go with that..
Sorry I can't answer your question about Processor vs Graphics card..
What's the posted config totalling to right now ?

 

right now w/ 1080p screen $3,074 + about $100 for crucial 4gb RAM. $2704 w/out screen. haven't decided about vista, is ultimate much better than premuim? i'm tempted to pay $50 to get XP after hearing what **** vista can be...

 

I'm using my m15x for Photoshop, Graphite, Illustrator, etc.
DEFINITELY go with the 1080p matte screen. I am loving it. I'd also go with XP. Wish I had...

 

The Corsair 4GB RAM on newegg.com is $71 if I recall correctly.. Don't think there are any hidden costs, and it comes with Free 3 Business Day shipping..
Hmm where's that link.. Ahh here we go..

Edit: Ahh I see that the Crucial has DDR2 800, but that won't really be utilised by system unless you have Montevina, which isn't released as yet..

 

There is no difference performance wise between Vista Ultimate and Home Premium. Most of the differences are enhanced security features in VU.
I have been runningj Vista Home Premium on my m9750 for 8 months now and have had no issues with it. I also run several intensive CAD applications and they run fine on Vista. I would suggest getting Vista since it will come with SP1 now. You will be migrating to Vista sooner or later anyway.
A 15" screen is a little small for running multiple applications and you should definitely choose the 1920X1200 scrreen if you intend to do that.

 

anyone know anything about the vid card vs. the processor?

 

I'd say even running mostly design stuff you will not feel a big difference between 2.6 and 2.8. Maybe with the new intel platform in June you'd see more difference there. Or if they'll include overclocking for the 2.8.

 

Agreed, the X9000 is not worth the money simply because A) you won't notice a difference between it and a processor a few hundred megahertz slower, and B) you can't overclock it, which is the whole reason to get the Extreme in the first place. The T9300 is your best bet for a good compromise between price and performance.

 

Dammn these guys really beat me on answering your questions.

Nothin much to add except your pic is very pleasing for the eyes.

 

Hey, I am usually the one that pushes people either one way or the other when it comes to screen resolution. In your case, I would suggest getting the 1920x1200 screen. I do a fair amount of photoshop / premiere pro / (starting) after effects CS3. Honestly you pretty much need the 1920x1200. If you go with the 1440x900 you will find yourself trying to fit a lot on the screen which won't happen. I know that it is pretty easy for me to have 3 .psds open at once encase I have to edit them using a style or something. I've used a 1440x900 mac book pro and the 1920x1200 just really blows it away in terms of the real estate.

 

well the processor recommendation helps out a lot, brings the price down much lower, so thanks for that advice! The T9300 is still able to play the occasional COD4 and Red Alert 3, correct. And also future proof for about 4 years?

Is the 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8700M GT a good choice for what i need?

With the screen and T9300, the price went down to around $2,500. Thanks again for the help, really appreciate it.

Glad you like the pic.

 

Actually CPU is not an important factor in gaming and I will say t9300 is perfectly fine. Base on your usage, 8700 GT is good enuff for all your graphics editing and occasional gaming. But take note 8700Gt will not be able to play most games on max setting.

As for future proofing - max is 3 years. Technology move very fast nowadays.

 

Hmm I honestly would reccomend the 8800GTX. I'm pretty sure that HEAVY modeling requires a pretty strong graphics card if you want to do it really fast. The 8700GT 512mb will be fine for everything else though, as photoshop really relies on RAM for large files (I'm talking 19,000 x 9,000). Your config sounds good but you will probably not get 4 years out of it, maybe 3 MAX.