Should I REALLY get a laptop with a professional graphics card if Im doing Animation course?

Hey,
I'm start a 3D animation course in uni in September. I've looked around a bit and it seems the T500 suits my needs almost perfectly:
Matte screen, 15" 1680x1050
2.4+ Ghz CPU
Lightweight
Very good battery life
etc

Except just one thing: The GPU isn't one of those professional ones used for CAD.

I want to know how much this matters? I mean, would my ability to do work in 3Ds Max, Zbrush, etc really be hindered in comparison to if I had a FireGL or something?

 

Consider calling your professor and asking.

I doubt a class is going to exceed the capabilities of a T500. Does the course description say anything about requiring students to have a professional CAD system available?

 

Why not go for the W500 instead?

 

FireGL/Quadro = stable, industry-grade drivers.

An X4500 is not really an option for 3D work...

 

Eh? The T500 has an ATI Radeon Mobility HD 3650

W500s are too heavy and dont have the switchable graphics that can help save battery power.


Alright I'll try get a hold of a professor's contact. But any more replies speaking from experience will be appreciated.

 

I'm not sure how graphics intensive this is, but I occasionally use the Hammer Editor for map making in TF2 on my T500. It runs smooth as butter. It is basically CAD with Source Engine materials.

 

Found this in my bookmarks from a while back, hope it helps.

http://www.experiencebuilding.com/content/professional-versus-consumer-graphics

AutoCAD is one of the few programs that will significantly benefit from a professional graphics card.

 

First off the W500 and T500 are the same laptops with the same graphics cards. The W500's card is specialized for 3d/cad work and the T500 is mainstream, just a plain old 3650. The W500 does have switchable graphics. Please read before you post.



If the cost difference between the two laptops is < 100$, get the W500.

 

that article only talks about Revita and AutoCAD, which are more for architects I think. I'm going to be working (possibly) with maya, 3ds max and zbrush.

Of course I have read up. There's no mention on the website of the W500 having switchable graphics. And the extra weight (+1lb) is a concern for me.

 

Sorry, double post.

 

Yes it does.
I'm running my W500 on the integrated intel right now. "ATI Mobility FireGL V5700 (512MB VRAM) with Intel AMT" Why it's called AMT, I don't know, but it is the intel integrated video.


When it first came out, I don't believe it had integrated intel...but they certainly do now.



And the W500 and T500 weigh the same.

 

Ahh right I see. They could have been more specific about what AMT is.

Alright. Do you know how heavy the W500 is compared to the T500 then?

 

The same weight.

Assuming both are dedicated video versions, with the same battery, and same screen (I'm not sure if there's a difference in weight between the LED, 1280x800, 1680x1050, or 1920x1200), they'll be exactly the same.


The 4.5lb it shows is for the T400. It's a typo on the T500, but it shows the proper weight in the TABOOK.

 

Ah I see. Ok thanks for clearing all that up Just one more thing, what is the 1680x1050 LED screen like? The colour reproduction etc.

 

I don't think they offer an LED screen in 1680x1050 (unfortunately).

Mine's a CCFL, by LG. Beautiful screen, great color.

 

I would suggest:

w500
15.4" 1680x1050 (WSXGA+) CCFL display
CPU that satisfies your budget (probably P8700 or T9600)
Vista Home Premium
6 cell to cut down on weight, or 9 cell for 50% more battery life
DVD burner, 802.11N, Bluetooth, et. al. at your option


Posters were reporting earlier this week that the w500 was actually coming out to very slightly less than the T500. In any event, if the premium for the w500 is $100 or less and you are using apps like Maya, 3DS Max, or CAD then you should opt for the w500 instead of the T500.

 

As others have said, the W500 is, if configured the same, is identical to the T500, other than the different gpu. It has switchable graphics (if using Vista), and is not heavier, If you are using professional CAD programs, get the W500.

 

It really depends on how complex your models need to be.

You need to ask your prof.

Simple models are well served by even integrated graphics.

All the models I have done were fine with an nVidia Quadro FX1400. They were low to medium complexity architectural models with which I made fly through videos.

With architectural models you can generally get away with looking at wireframe models, which don't need masses of 3d processing power. However if you are doing something complex, and need 3D rendering in real time to be able to manipulate the model, you need all the graphics processing power you can get.

For final output, you want lots of cores and lots of Ram. Raytracing / general rendering just take frikkin ages and are heavily processor and ram dependant. The number one wish of everyone of on my course was more RAM. Number two was faster / more CPU's. Hard core graphics came in a distant 3rd, but we weren't doing the sort of work that required it. Don't know about your course. Again ask your prof.