Desperately need a new, powerful laptop for mobile work.

[fuzzybabybunny]

OMG... I'm a real estate photographer and I'm getting really busy. My little LG X100 lappy with the 1.8" HDD just can't cut it anymore with all the photo processing. It's literally killing me.

I was going to wait for Acer to release their new ultraportable Travelmate lappy with the i5 chip, but I honestly don't know if I can wait anymore. I'm hurting that bad...

I work in my car and Starbucks most of the time. I need a screen with a high resolution and a very fast processor and HDD. Durability is a plus because it'll be going everywhere. Smaller size and light weight would be nice, but not sure if I can justify losing the processor speed as a result. Cost should be around the $1000 mark.

I don't give a rat's ass about gaming video cards, although one that can do HD video would be great.

A touchpad is a must (no Lenovo nipples)

AHHHHHHH!!!!

 

[TheStu]

Define 'high resolution' and what is your target screen size? Other than the touchpad, do you have any brand preferences?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Define 'high resolution' and what is your target screen size? Other than the touchpad, do you have any brand preferences?

No brand preferences, but something reliable and durable obviously. I heard HP and Dell both have issues with quality control.

High resolution... 1600 x something would be nice. I could do as low as 1366. Screeen size... 15" max?

How does 15" Macbook Pro compare to other Windows lappies?

 

[MJinZ]

OMG... I'm a real estate photographer and I'm getting really busy. My little LG X100 lappy with the 1.8" HDD just can't cut it anymore with all the photo processing. It's literally killing me.

I was going to wait for Acer to release their new ultraportable Travelmate lappy with the i5 chip, but I honestly don't know if I can wait anymore. I'm hurting that bad...

I work in my car and Starbucks most of the time. I need a screen with a high resolution and a very fast processor and HDD. Durability is a plus because it'll be going everywhere. Smaller size and light weight would be nice, but not sure if I can justify losing the processor speed as a result. Cost should be around the $1000 mark.

I don't give a rat's ass about gaming video cards, although one that can do HD video would be great.

A touchpad is a must (no Lenovo nipples)

AHHHHHHH!!!!

Battery life?

I think you would be looking at a Core i7 Quad Core system for maximum power and an SSD.

Since you do photo work, a 15" + system would probably be preferable to a small sized screen.

I would look at Asus for an economical option, though I don't think they make any Core i7's in the 15" range yet.

Otherwise, Clevo and Alienware will offer 15" Laptops with a Core i7.

If screen quality is important, the Alienware M15x has one of the most stunning screens in the size. I would say only the Macbook Pro and Studio XPS 16 surpasses it (slightly).

 

[MJinZ]

No brand preferences, but something reliable and durable obviously. I heard HP and Dell both have issues with quality control.

High resolution... 1600 x something would be nice. I could do as low as 1366. Screeen size... 15" max?

How does 15" Macbook Pro compare to other Windows lappies?

The Macbook Pro would actually be a good choice for you, if you are able to uh, double your budget and accept the fact that your CPU will burn (articles reports 101C) inside of your system if you do a lot of CPU intensive tasks. You'd be getting 2 cores and Hyperthreading, but they should be sufficient.

 

[wwswimming]

i think you have to make the trip to the local Fry's or Best-Buy to evaluate the keyboard and the monitor on any prospective laptop.

also to make sure it's nipple-free

then maybe buy it through Amazon or an etailer if the store price ain't right.

for example, this Toshiba appealed to me -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834114809

UNTIL i checked it out at BestBuy. Chiclet keyboard. no good.

i've had the same thing happen with a monitor, except in that case i bought it and ended up selling it on Craigslist. it had GREAT specs & loads of recommendations - but was useless in person.

since you're buying a personal workstation, that in-person diligence will pay off. even if you have to limp along another few weeks with the old one.

 

[corkyg]

BTW, Fuzzy, the "nipple" eraser head can be removed and the control disabled. Don't let that get in your way.

 

[TheStu]

No brand preferences, but something reliable and durable obviously. I heard HP and Dell both have issues with quality control.

High resolution... 1600 x something would be nice. I could do as low as 1366. Screeen size... 15" max?

How does 15" Macbook Pro compare to other Windows lappies?

For the amount of performance you get, the 15" MacBook Pro has the best battery life out there if that sort of thing matters to you. And if you use OS X, then the trackpad is incredible (less stellar in Windows).

However, as MJinz pointed out, it is well outside your budget. A refurbed 13" MacBook Pro meets your budget as you can find those for $999, but really, you need an SSD.

I would try and find a laptop with dual hard drives, and pull one of them to drop in an SSD.

I disagree that a Core i7 quad is necessary for photo work though. A mobile Core i5 or even an older Core 2 Duo will get the job done.

What software are you using for the photos?