R52 for photoshop?

Been looking at getting a laptop for Photoshop on the go, was thinking of a few Acer models in a previous post (to save the typing)

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=27767

But the suggestion of a r50e made me think, the spec is not as jazzy as other brands. But reviews made it clear that IBM/Lenovo laptops are far better built.


Looking for a £500-£800 laptop that I can upgrade as time goes on, that will last a few years of mobile student usage (pot head friend’s proof). It will mainly be used for a Photoshop work in a studio or the great out doors, and your basic office/web/email stuff. The r52 is 300£ more than the r50e, but is using the latest Intel platform and seems a little more future proof, plus has Bluetooth\wireless integrated.


My questions are:

Is the r52 (the cheapest model) a good idea for mobile photoshoping? What is the screen like? Accurate colors? How bright is it?

Does the difference between the r52 and a similarly priced r50e model worth the extra 300£? (My purchase will probally be used for the next 3-4 years so it must last, so on the surface it would seem a better plan to by the latest stuff)

Would I be better to consider another brand instead? Does the famous IBM quality make a difference? Is IBM a good choice at all for Photoshop?

(Bare in mind I'm not an apple user despite there artistic rep. and the use of an IBM laptop at my apple centric university amuses me)

Thanks for your time,

David

 

The SXGA Flexview screen is very good. The rest of IBM screens are average. Photoshop tends to use CPU and memory so get the best/most you can. Laptop screens are not nearly as color accurate as their desktop conterparts. The R52s are a little heavier and have more plastic in them, but same good build quality and keyboard.

 

Well, despite its decent built quality, if you are looking for a machine for professional photo-editing, i will suggest the models with glossy screen. I am using R52 with PM 1.6 and 1gb DDR2 and used photoshop for some photo editing. It's smooth but the XGA screen are so down the line compare to those glossy screen I've used before.

you can choose upgrading to SXGA with a fair amount of money as zaonz said. But you definitely can get a machine with much better specs on other brands like HP and asus.

And one thing, R52 is heavy and I don't really think it's a good idea to bring it around all the time.

Hope that helps

 

i dont know about sxga, but normal xga would not be appropriate for design because its view angle is limited (normal matte screen) - the oclor.

 

If you want a glossy screened notebook, I would suggest a Fujitsu, but like ThinkPad T series they are expensive. Of the less expensive glossy screens, I have always like HPs.

 

I carry my R51 all the time and its not heavy for me.

 

3Kg ain't to bad, and to be honest I can't really afford anything other than a 3kg-2.5kg laptop.

So does anyone have any models to look at? Or know a uk dealer that customises them?

 

Are all IBMs SXGA screen Flexiview, or are they only available in selected model?

 

I'd visit the Lenovo UK website. They have links to dealers for all their models.

Oh...and if you're not in a huge hurry to get it, I'd seriously look at the new Z60M. It would be ideal for you needs and the cost would be similar (slightly higher) to an R.
:buyIBM:

 

i can only afford a celeron m/256mb combo... plus, given the semi-review on the frontpage a few days back, it just don't seem that portable. The z60t however... if it wasn't that i need a laptop this term, i'd wait, save up, and buy that.

 

All of the SXGA T series are FlexView, but i think some of the R series are not. You might want to look at something like the Compaq V2000/HP dv1000. They won't have the build quality of a ThinkPad, but are good budget machines. Equiped with a Pentium M and 12 cell battery it should go six hours on medium settings. Good Luck.

 

to buy a celeron/256 for photoshop is not money wise

 

Only the 15' SXGA and UXGA model come with flexview screen
(14' SXGA are not, neither 15' XGA)
I had a t42p 14' w/SXGA and now thinking of switching to flexview screens
regular picture displaying is fine, but colors are just so washed out when playing video
here are the specs of the two screens
14' SXGA (hydis)
Screen size 14.1"
Model HT14P12
Resolution SXGA+
Outline Dimension (typ.) mm 299.0(W)×228.0(H)×5.2(D)
Active Area mm 285.6(H)×214.3(D)
Number of Pixels 1400(H)×1050(V)
Pixel Pitch mm 0.204(H)×0.204(V)
Weight g 405typ
Number of Colors 262K
Supply Voltage v 3.3
Power Consumption 5.2
Brightness (typ.) cd/㎡ 150typ.
Contrast Ratio 200 : 1
Backlight 1CCFL
View Angle (typ.)
(CR 10:1) L/R 45° / 45°
15° / 35°
Signal Interface LVDS 1ch/2ch Selectable
Response Time ms 25typ
Production NOW

15' SXGA or UXGA (LG or ID-Tech)
http://www.idtech.co.jp/en/products/pdf/I-N150P3-L04-03.pdf

a little summary here:
contrast ratio brightness
14 SXGA(TN) 200:1 150
15 flexview(IPS) 400:1 200

conclusion:
if you do a lot of photo works, get a flexview model

 

One thing i do need to make clear is that the screen isn't really much of an issue... i have a desktop PC for my main editing. The laptop is mainly going to be used for downloading images and reviewing them, not heavy editing. All I really want is an Acer Travelmate 2403WXCi, but with a Pentium M instead of a celeron, and 512mb of RAM.
The screen is perfect, as is the size but I can't seem to see anything.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/78822/acer-travelmate-2403wxci.html
(bugmenot logs you in just fine...

How much does a celeron M370 suck compared to a Pentium M?

 

The Celeron M 370 will be almost exactly as fast as a Banias (read: older) Pentium M 1.5GHz. However, it will run hotter and have shorter battery life when it's not loaded, as it does not support SpeedStep, whereas the Banias Pentium M does.

 

Does the difference in perfomance between the older 855 series chipsets and newer 915 series mean much? I need to be able to play video's back threw it, plus the graphics on the newer ones seems capable of running Milkdrop (an winamp vis. i'm fond off). Will a older Pentium M be better than a newer Celeron M (both 512mb, former 400MHz(DDR), latter 533MHz (DDR2))? With my budget I really don't expect much more than 2-4hrs life at the very most.

So, this is my idea spec
14" screen (1280x800 is ideal)
Pentium M (latest version preffered)
512mb of RAM
under 3kg
40GB HD
don't care about cd/dvd capabilitys what so ever.
around £500-£700

 

Closer to 2 with the Celeron.

 

Hmm... the older Pentium M will use a LOT less battery. However, the Celeron M on the i915GM chipset... graphics will FAR outclass those of an older Pentium M. Memory will be faster, because the i855GME only runs RAM at 333MHz, and the i855GM only runs it at 266MHz. Anyway, the FSB for the Banias P-M, the Dothan C-M (yes, there's a Banias C-M. However, the 370 is a Dothan.), and the earlier Dothan P-Ms is 400MHz. It's 533 only on the newer Dothan P-Ms.

That 14" 1280x800 thingy tells me that you want a Z60t. It would be *JUST* inside your budget, before RAM upgrades. You'd still be on the Celeron M, however.

 

Anyone know where there being sold in europe yet? All I can find is firms who want to sell them by the packing case to other shops.

In other news, been looking at this:
http://www.acer.co.uk/acereuro/page...aram=UK&LanguageISOCtxParam=en&crc=2550759496
The TM 3211 seems like a P-M version of the TM2403 I was looking at. Same case and screen from the looks of it.

How easy are laptops to upgrade? My desktop has pretty much evolved from a 486 to a p4, not one clear system overhall, just a new case here, new drive there, new mobo and chip every few years. Aside from the RAM and HD, what else can i swap out?

 

Umm... no. Acer's quality and support is the worst in the industry, from what I've heard.

Anyway... laptops can go up in CPU, as long as it's the same socket and thermal requirements (a Banias P-M or C-M laptop can go to a Dothan P-M or C-M easily, if it's a socketed chip, for example). Some laptops, mainly gaming laptops, have upgradable graphics. Otherwise, you'll need a new laptop to do a platform upgrade.

 

I think Acer offers good value, but they are not the best built and they cost much less than other well buil brands.

 

**** it, there's a market out there for people like me. Something where I could just select a screen size and type, a sutible chassis, then choose the compents I want.

The r50e/52 is well built, and well spec'd, but with a screen that isn't that great. There also about 100£ more than there rivals.

Dells i6000's are well spec'd, in my price range, but to bulky and ugly.

Acer 2403 is good, but only comes with 256mb DDR2 533Mhz and a Celeron M, the 3211 is perfect... just a little to expensive (unless i wait untill after christmas and buy then... but then I could probally afford a z60t!! or something better...) .

But then i read that acer's quality and customer service sucks... (which i can understand, now i work for BT Broadband tech support).

Seems to me, that what ever my budget, some form of *portable* unit with a Pentium M Dothan, 512mb DDR2 533mhz, intergrated graphics. at least 3hrs battery life and a widescreen 14" display would be perfect. Everything else is superflous.

All it has to do is allow me to use office, firefox, winamp, vlc, ableton and photoshop. It also needs to double as an upgrade to the 1" lcd on my D70 SLR. Thats the core of need lol.

(sorry to go on and on but I only have limited resources and I always make a habit of spending months reading up before I make any major purchase...)

David

(edit: You people * out d/\mn?! lol)

 

Perhaps something like the HP dv1000 would be a good fit.

 

well then my suggestion is you would probably be satisfied with R52. try it, and return it if somehow it doesn't fit (the screen). regarding the screen again, it is moderate, good for long use, but not really good for a deep photo editing

 

I got an R52 with 64 MB VGA memory, it is cool & not that heavy ( 3 kg ) & I am carrying it all the time. I love my machine but not its screen,specialy in outdoor usage. & I really recommand that if you are going to do graphic job with that upgrade it to SXGA or something better ( i dont know if they have SXGA+ ) ... Unless the screen R52 is fantastic
and about the apearance trust me IBM doesnt look so good, in the first days I was shocked !!! but after getting used to the apearance, now i love it