Laptop Screens?

[keets]

I’m in the market for a new computer (PC), and the ones I’m am looking at have some different screen options that I can’t decide between.

I’m thinking about a Dell XPS, and there are 2 options:
1 - High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LED LCD (1440x900)
2 - Full Hi Definition, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch LCD (1920x1200)

Also, there is an Alienware I’m thinking about, and it has the following options:
1 – 1400 x 900 LCD w/ Clearview Technology
2 – 1920 x 1200 LCD

I’ve read some really good things about LED LCD screens, but would it be better to go to the 1920x1200 resolution? And does anyone know what “Clearview Technology” is? I haven’t been able to find a store with any computers with these resolutions so I can see to compare. Right now I have a 15” Dell widescreen with 1280 x 800 resolution, so I’m wondering if I have to go to the 1920 x 1200 to really see a difference.

Price isn’t an issue, and please don't tell me to get a Mac. That’s not an option.
Let me know what you think.

Thanks

[Take12]

Originally Posted by keets

Price isn’t an issue, and please don't tell me to get a Mac. That’s not an option.

Why not, keets?

[keets]

Where do I start?
1) Because I don't want to start a PC vs. Mac fight.
2) I have this argument all the time with my girlfriend all the time (she has a Mac book Pro), and it always ends when I say "How many times have I ask if I can borrow your computer (never), and how many times have you asked to borrow mine? (very often, until she ended up with a PC to use for work)"
3) I have a number of programs that won't run on a Mac, and I don't see the point of spending $500 to $900 more on a Mac to end up running Windows all the time. Not to mention, even the new Mac Book Pro only has 1400 x 900 resolution, and I'm really leaning towards the 1920 x 1200.
4) My girlfriend already thinks she's converted me from Canon (20D) to Nikon (D300). I can't get a Mac and let her think she's won again.
5) I don’t have problems with my PCs (except for the broken hinge on my current laptop, but I’m pretty sure the fall from the bed to the hardwood floor was the cause of that)

Do I need to go on?

[tekdiver500ft]

Don't get a Dell or Alienware. Talk to computer techs, and they will tell you to get HP. They are the best-built, most reliable (PC) computers on the market, second only to Apple. I have had Dell, Alienware, HP, and Mac. I have had nothing but trouble from the Dell and Alienware, but I still have an HP from 8 years ago that runs perfectly (okay, it is slow compared to new computers, but it still works), and I have a Mac that runs even better. Yes, you want the higher resolution, and unless there is some overriding reason to get one, stay away from laptops. You CANNOT accurately color correct or edit images on a laptop.

[Eero Makela]

My 3 year+ compaq which is basically a HP had a USB port fail with in the 3 year warranty also the wireless built-in failed in the 1st year (I lived with that issue, and fixed them all 1 week before warranty ran out)

HP is very good maybe the best not sure (in the NON-MACdonald's world)

Toshiba is the worst


I recommended finding a laptop you like and then on the site for said laptop see if you can get windows XP drivers for it so you are not stuck running Windows Vista on it.

OH and buy as much RAM as you can afford 3GB or 4GB if running in XP 32 or Vista 32. You can get more if you get 64bit windows. But I find that 3gb is more then enough even on Vista.

D300 files are not so large that you need more then 3gb RAM

[matthewlrigdon]

one of the guys over at Adobe had a problem with his HP, but was very complimentary of his experience.

Turns out, if you buy a workstation class machine from HP, you get three years of ONSITE service. Even the best brands may turn out a bad machine, but it's better to have them come to you than you have to send a machine to them. I think Dell used to have onsite, but I'm not sure they still do.

[Take12]

Thanks for that exhaustive reply, keets.

I could riposte all of your arguments, but I'll ask you just one question:

if 9 out of 10 media (photo, video, audio) professionals work with Macs, are all 9 stark, raving, mad? Or is the hold out kid?

Have fun!

[PaulT]

1920 x 1200 is a lot of pixels to pack into a 15.4" screen. I see a lot of 1680 x 1050 laptop displays at work and even that makes most text, menus and icons look very small. Personally I prefer 1280 x 800 at that screen size. A big external monitor may be worth considering if you must buy a laptop rather than a desktop PC.

[keets]

Originally Posted by Take12

I could riposte all of your arguments, but I'll ask you just one question:

if 9 out of 10 media (photo, video, audio) professionals work with Macs, are all 9 stark, raving, mad? Or is the hold out kid?

Take12 - Feel free to bash PCs all you want. I think the commercials that Apple puts out are the funnies ones on TV (it's the only thing I stop the TiVo for). I didn't really say anything negative about Macs in my exhaustive reply, except for the price. Personally, I’ve played with my girlfriends Mac a lot, and I don’t really like it. Also, I don’t work in media, I work in insurance, and 10 out of 10 of my colleagues are using PCs. I’m only into photography for fun, but I guess if I was in media, I might be the 1 of 10.

PaulT – Thanks for helping me answer my question. I didn’t think about how small everything else will look on the screen if I bump it up to that 1920 x 1200 resolution. I’ll probably go with the 1440 x 900 LED LCD. If I’m still not happy, I can always knock it back down, and I’ve still got the LED screen.

[JPhotoz]

My laptop is a 17".

I would not go smaller than that especially if you would be using Excel spread sheets. I can get a lot of a spreadsheet without having to scroll.

I own a Sony now only because I got a deal on it. I have had the XPS and did not think it was worth the extra money. You can get the same specs for $1,000 less in the 17" laptop version (not XPS)

If you are looking for Dell then go with the 1721 or what ever they are up to right now. I got a laptop of my fellow worker a deal on an HP (30% off) a few weeks ago. I don't know what is around for deals right now. I will look into it if you wish.

Let me know if I can help.

Jordan

[keets]

JPhotoz - I’m looking into 15” laptops because I take mine with me a lot of places, and don’t want to lug around any more then I have to. I’m looking at the Dell Studio 15, the 15” XPS or the Alienware m15x. I’m now thinking of the Studio 15 because I can add a Blu-Ray drive and still be cheaper then the other 2.This will be my 3rd Dell laptop. My first lasted me over 4 years with no problems, and my current is about to hit it’s 3rd problem free year, but I need a bigger hard drive, a new battery, and my mom needs a computer, so I’ll just donate mine to her.

[Mr Mikey]

I would sure like to read the supporting documents for those statistics about which computer type "professionals" use ? Can anyone post the link to the survey on that subject ?

As far as laptops, the college I work at is using Dells, but only Latitudes, they feel they are more durable. I have owned Dell, HP, Compaq, Toshiba, IBM and a few other names I cannot pronounce. I currently have an HP, which only has a 2 ghz processor and 2 gb ram (old but works great) I have no issues with it and it is totally reliable. As previously stated laptops screens are not known for the sharpest picture, but you can use a docking station and use whichever monitor you choose which does allow for color correction.

[Paul Shields]

I've been using a nice Levono/IBM Thinkpad laptop for the last year or so mainly for work purposes. It's a 15" screen at 1680x1050 so is big enough for photo editing, but the text is quite small and, most importantly, the colour fidelity is really quite bad. No matter how hard I try it does not calibrate anywhere near usable.

I use Macs for my photo stuff, but I've not used a macbook laptop so can't comment on how well they stand up to the competition, but judging by the number of people who do use them I would be looking in that direction myself. If it's not an option for the OP, then I'm not sure what else to suggest. Wasn't there a new laptop launched recently specifically for photo editing? I recall it had a huge scrollpad for this sort of thing. Can't remember who made it at the moment though...