Newbie Grad Student Looking for PC vs. Laptop Advice

[tigerlily20202]

Hi all:

I'm starting a graduate program in digital art and animation this fall, and I'm looking into buying a lap top so I can do some of my work at home. I'm a complete newbie.

I hope to specialize in Autodesk programs like Maya...and I'm transitioning from a MAC. I would really appreciate some affordable recommendations and/or tips to consider before I invest in a computer. I'm also interested in a WAICOM tablet but since I'm new, I probably wouldn't go after the newest/most advanced model.

I'd like to get a lap top and I was also thinking about getting the student version of Maya. Preferences (Dells vs. Hewlett Packard, websites, etc.) are also appreciated! I've heard PCs are the way to go for digital art, however, so please chime in. I could really use the guidance.:batgirl:

Thank you for your help!

[Arshes Nei]

Get a desktop and please read other "laptop/pc/computer" threads in this forum ;)

[ikken]

I hope to specialize in Autodesk programs like Maya...and I'm transitioning from a MAC. I would really appreciate some affordable recommendations and/or tips to consider before I invest in a computer. I'm also interested in a WAICOM tablet but since I'm new, I probably wouldn't go after the newest/most advanced model.

maya is working under osx, so do mudbox, z-brush and 3dcoat (if you need digital sculpting);
photoshop's perfomance is better on macs, same with the rest of adobe CS program, except for flash;
I see no reason to switch, but if you do
make sure your videocard is made by Nvidia's, not ATI (otherwise you'll have a hell lot of pain in maya), and your cpu is better be intel;
other than that - get as much ram as you can afford + a 64 bit operation system.

2nding Arshes's suggestion - go for a desktop.