Is a juiced-up laptop (for Painter, mainly) worth it?

[Zirngibism]

I'm looking into an Intel-duel core processing laptop to use Painter in College. I know there's renderring involved with Painter, and that graphics generally take up a lot of processing.
So is getting the high-end laptop much of a help?
Does renderring typically take up a long time?

(I'm getting a good discount, so pretend cost isn't much of a factor, here).


This is what I'm looking at, anyway:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...dv9000t_series

[drummingpariah]

I'm looking into an Intel-duel core processing laptop to use Painter in College. I know there's renderring involved with Painter, and that graphics generally take up a lot of processing.
So is getting the high-end laptop much of a help?
Does renderring typically take up a long time?

This is what I'm looking at, anyway:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...dv9000t_series

high-end a big help? yes

rendering take a long time? it can, if you don't have high-end. if possible, go with the 512-mb version. video ram is extremely important for graphics work. the processor is much less important, and will be used mostly just by filters/effects.

you're certainly looking in the right direction. if you're just using it for painter, you'll be golden. If you want to do any 3d work, you're going to be pushing your limits. hard.

[Jin]

Data_Strings,

You'll need both RAM and processor speed to run Corel Painter and both RAM and processor speed are important.

Painter's brushes are very processor intensive.

It doesn't take using 3D programs to push your computer's limits. Just try using Painter to paint large images with large brush sizes and multiple Layers and you'll see pretty quickly what I mean.

I have only 512 MB RAM and a 2.53 gHz processor and it limits me a lot, to working with smaller images and smaller brush sizes.

Though I've used Corel Painter for 12 years and know the program well, I'm not up to date (obviously) with my computer specs.

I'd make a recommendation if I were more up to date but you'll find a lot of people who can help and I'd suggest you listen to a lot before making a decision, in order to weed out suggestions from those who think they know but don't.

Ask in the CGTalk Corel Painter Forum too, in order to get the largest number of responses from professionals who use Painter in their work and actually know what they're talking about.... from experience.

Good luck!

...

[Creatinity]

For Painter or Photoshop you don't care the graphic card...
Max out the processor (Core 2 Duo T7200) and the RAM (2Go min with Vista)...and also try to get a 7200RPM hard disk...

[Fredbt]

Get all of everything that you can afford. You can't get too much of anything when doing graphics on a computer. I realize a laptop is the best choice for many people and students in particular, but I would worry about monitor "real estate." I've tried painting with my MacBook Pro, but there is little space left on the screen after you load the palettes in either Painter or Photoshop.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Zirngibism]

Thanks for the input- keep it coming!

I'm definitely going duo-core processor, and the largest monitor I can: 17"

Oh, and in order to get the discount, it has to be an HP.

----------

It's now between these 2 (the left and middle one)!

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...ompare#CTO_CAN

[Arshes Nei]

I have a Duo Core Lenovo I got for 500 bucks. I upgraded the ram to the max, which you should *Always* do on your laptop. I went for an open box model because it still came with the warranty. I upgraded it to XP Pro.

Quite honestly, I never buy the latest model due to the prices falling so quickly on laptops, do however, make sure there are no blemishes on the screen and you can find a fairly decent laptop to work Painter and CS at a good price.

Mine does XD

[alti]

i just got a duel core presario 6500 its widescreen wich is good, and 2 gig ram upgrade, its like, born to use photoshop.

[Arshes Nei]

Forgot to mention: http://www.techforless.com/cgi-bin/t...AL&id=c72MjQNI

This is where I got my laptop from. You can find wacoms on there from time to time too.

[jvisgaitis]

I have a new dual core Macbook that works really well. I did upgrade it to 2 GB RAM. It ran Painter IX.5 fine, but since Painter X is optimized for Intel Macs its a lot better.