Laptop for Matlab/Photoshop

[Xenon14]

Need laptop for Matlab/Photoshop (Matlab will be generating data in Photoshop, so both will be running all day long).

Must haves: $640 limit, 13"-14" screen, and HDMI out.

I found this (http://www.staples.com/Dell-Inspiron...ACd&PID=552179), but are graphics too weak?

Please advise/suggest.

 

[Davidh373]

I would make a recommendation for a dedicated card for workstation apps, but you don't have the money. I believe they will run though.

 

[Knavish]

I would make a recommendation for a dedicated card for workstation apps, but you don't have the money. I believe they will run though.

Matlab's entire GUI runs in Java, so you're not going to get any boost from a dedicated (video?) card there.

I don't think photoshop gets huge gains from the GPU either -- especially since the target app isn't professional photography.

I think that laptop will do fine for your budget. I ran Matlab all the time on my Latitude D620 (CoreDuo@1.8Ghz w/ 2GB) and now use a Latitude D620(Core2Duo@2.4Ghz w/ 4GB). For my work, the ram upgrade made a bigger difference than the CPU upgrade.

 

[mfenn]

Matlab's entire GUI runs in Java, so you're not going to get any boost from a dedicated (video?) card there.

I don't think photoshop gets huge gains from the GPU either -- especially since the target app isn't professional photography.

I think that laptop will do fine for your budget. I ran Matlab all the time on my Latitude D620 (CoreDuo@1.8Ghz w/ 2GB) and now use a Latitude D620(Core2Duo@2.4Ghz w/ 4GB). For my work, the ram upgrade made a bigger difference than the CPU upgrade.

The bolded is very important. OP, can you give us some idea of the type of work that you'll be doing in Matlab?

 

[elconejito]

I have no idea about matlab, but for photoshop that looks just fine. The GPU only plays a role in UI type stuff like panning, zooming, etc. It has no influence on the actual processing of images. I'm not sure, but I'd assume the integrated Intel HD graphics support OpenGL, which if it does then you're golden. If it doesn't, you're not missing much.

The biggest keys will be RAM, CPU, then hard drive. In that order.

 

[Fox5]

Matlab is all about cpu (and amount of memory depending on your data sets, which if you're leaving it running all day might be a lot).

You could probably upgrade the laptop later with more memory if you need it. The cpu is also about as good as you can get on a laptop.

A fast solid state disk would help if you're generating absolutely huge data sets.