Inspiron 1721 good enough for 2D/3D graphics work?

Hi guys!

I'm new here and new to the world of laptops

I'm looking to buy a laptop to help me do some light to moderate graphics
work. My budget is pretty limited.

I checked out the DELL Inspiron 1721 and the specs look good to me.

My main concern is would the Xpress 1270 GPU be able to handle some
3D CG stuff like modeling with 3D MAX and Zbrush?

If not, could I buy another graphic card and install it?

Thanks in advance!

 

get the 1720 instead. i would think you would want the best video card available for those applications--this being the 8600gt.

 

Ok, this is what I got:

Inspiron 1721
AMD X2 Turion 2.3GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HDD, ATI 1270Xpress 256MB GPU, Vista HOME

$1,049 (DELL.ca)


Inspiron 1720
Intel C2D T5450 1.6GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB 5400rpm HDD, Vista HOME

$1,099 with the 8400M 128MB GPU
$1,219 with the 8600M 256MB GPU

These are quotes from the DELL.ca and they don't include the extras like the bag, a better battery, 3yr support plan (as oppose to the 1yr)

Is the 8400M better than the 1270Xpress?

I'm just on a tight budget. Every little bit I could save helps!

 

try configuring them with different base configurations. You may get different end prices (like if you start with the middle expensive one instead of the cheapest one)

 

Yes, much better. about 6 times faster.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Ah one more thing!

Vista HOME versus Vista BUSINESS

Which is better for my needs? Like I mentioned earlier, the laptop will be mainly
used for graphics work and a slight possibility for light gaming.

 

Okay, first of Programs like 3Dsmax depend completely on OpenGL, nothing else for drawing the view port. I'd seriously recommend a GeForce or Quadro to you..

Having plenty of memory, and a lot of CPU power is a big plus. It'll reduce render times incredibly. Having a multi core CPU helps render times SO much that it's scary. Instead of just just typically doing one render pass, with multi core CPU you're able to render in multiple passes at the same time. Basically, it'll double if not triple the speed.

Note, if you pick Quadro graphics option (not available in the Inpsirons) you will not be able to run games, so if you plan to do gaming, pick the GeForce.

The Inspirons are perfect for 3D animation and graphics design. It's what I do for a living and I typically do everything on my 1520. Although for rendering, I use the render farms at work. I'm able to do video production, editing, video special effects, compositing, graphics design, audio production, 3d modeling and animation all on my laptop at the professional level. So you'll be perfectly fine lightweight stuff..

The 1720 you have posted should be perfectly fine. Although personally I'd seek higher and faster processors. But for you're need it'll be good.

You may want to opt for a faster hard drive if you plan to run Photoshop. Or a extra gigabyte of ram. Photoshop stores 5 copies of each project you have open so it's a memory and hard drive hog while in use.

Otherwise you're set to go.

Edit: all the windows versions are typically the same, they just have varied features and programs. Hom premium will be fine.

 

Thanks for the input B2TheEYo.

I just placed my order. Here's what I went for:

Inspiron 1720

- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 (4MB cache/2.2GHz/800Mhz FSB)
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
- 2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 Dimm
- 160G 7200RPM SATA HDD
- 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
- 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

I was also planning to upgrade my desktop but decided to keep it the
way it is for now and put more cash in my budget for the laptop.

 

Now that's a nice machine!

Hope it comes and you like it. And it's defect free