would appreciate help deciding on brand

[Buddy]

I read Xotic specs day after day. But can't figure out which brand to buy. Maybe my decision should be based on the best warranty ?

I don't want a gamer pewter. Don't play any games.

I do graphics. Adobe Photoshop, photo editing (no video editing). Typically I think you'd need processor power & ram.

I usually have quite a few programs running at the sametime.

I like a high resolution monitor because I have a lot of programs open and need the desktop space.

I'd appreciate input to help me decide.

[powerpack]

I believe photoshop has gone GPU capable so do not discount GPU especially for the future.

You seem to know your needs so you are a better judge than I? I would say all sold here are good so not going to say one brand right now. I would bring your attention to say the Force 3551 it is a good balance has a high resolution screen good GPU but not insane, as you don't game. It is an Xotic product so the support should be the best.

[Joseph@XoticPC]

I believe photoshop has gone GPU capable so do not discount GPU especially for the future.

You seem to know your needs so you are a better judge than I? I would say all sold here are good so not going to say one brand right now. I would bring your attention to say the Force 3551 it is a good balance has a high resolution screen good GPU but not insane, as you don't game. It is an Xotic product so the support should be the best.


Powerpak has made a very good recommendation. The Force series has outstanding support as well as performance. The Force 3551 really provides the largest gamut of upgrade options as well as performance for its price-point. That said, many of the Sager models will fit your needs nicely. We provide outstanding support and warranty for them as well.

Asus has a great warranty, but unless you really go for their high performance machines G51 and G71 you wont get the same performance you would out of the Force at the same price.

Please let me know what other questions you have. I would be happy to help. Feel free to shoot me an email at Joseph@xoticpc.com.

Thanks,

Joe

[powerpack]

Buddy you were correct in thinking CPU and RAM are the most important. What is your budget and do you prefer 17" or 15.4" or not issue? I ask because while I still think my 1st recommendation was good if I know the answers to the new questions might offer others. Yes you might do fine with lesser GPU. But budget would let me suggest what might work better for you.

[Buddy]

BUDGET: btwn $1500 & $1900
SCREEN SIZE: 16'' or less

I've been looking at the Sager 8662 & 8690 but will take a loot at Force 3551. Would like to purchase in the next week to ten days.

[powerpack]

NP8690 is a little out of budget when configured. Also they are not yet shipping so would be delay in getting. But I certainly think a great choice if these obstacles are not an issue. The NP8262 is a great choice and can be configured nicely in budget.

But these are gaming notebooks so you are paying a high price for a system that offers things you don't need like killer GPU. But I could see why you would still want just wanted to point out.

And as you mentioned/asked in first post. The Force will have the best warranty in my opinion.

[NasGhost]

The Force 3551 is good. As it has been said, it has a nice balance, but isnt overboard where you dont need it to be. Because of that, you could get a nice CPU as well as anything else that my appeal to you ( maybe an SSD ? ) and still come in under your budget.

My recommendation however, is to wait. Why? Because there is a new kid on the block called ( unofficially ) i7-m, which is Intels latest mobile architecture. Since the CPU will be the most important component of your system, upgrading to even the weakest of this new architecture would likely give you a increase over the Q9000 ( which is the only quad core you can afford in that model with your budget, assuming moderate other upgrades ).

Were I you, I would look into the upcoming Asus M60J.

[Buddy]

Thanks all. I was wondering about the Q9000 vs. upcoming i7-m / CPU comparisons. Didn't understand significance of processor power and/or speed. Thought a 2.66 or 2.88 would be mega fast....but then compared to a Q9000 or other latestest greatest processors even slower speed rated........my take is. It'd be better to have a hotter processor even a slower speed than a high speed older technology processor.

You're right about 'overkill' in the fact. I don't play games. So an expensive video card is a waste for me. But I don't know exactly how to seperate out the gaming computer from the Photoshop computer. So I generally just go for the gaming pewter. HOWEVER.....I would prefer to put my $$ where the power is for me. CPU maybe ?

I'll postpone my purchase for now for a month and see what develops. And try to educate myself more btwn now and then.

thanks again - BUDDY

[powerpack]

My suggestion is while you research all areas spend a little extra time on the apps you will be using. I say because GPU's have much greater overall computing power than CPU's. So there is much talk of harnessing the power of the GPU for applications other than gaming. Photoshop is one that is mentioned. What version you use affects if it can use the GPU. So that said try and get an idea of if your apps do in fact at present or in future will take advantage of. If they do you want to get the appropriate GPU. This will help in your work greatly.

Yea you can't compare clocks equally across different architecture. And yes they do keep improving. i7 clocks about 20% improvement over Core2. The i7 also has a feature called Turbo. If cores are not used or under used the ones needed will overclock. Example the 820QM 1.73Ghz can clock core as high as 3.06Gh. I think you can see how that could come in handy.

So good luck.

[Buddy]

Is there any concern with app compatibility with quad core ? I use an older sign design app and don't want it to crap out b/c of quad core vs. duo core.

[powerpack]

Not with an application that works on current hardware. I believe 64bit CPU's and 16bit applications have issues could be hardware. Most are OS issues. 16bit is so old I doubt you are using any.

[NasGhost]

Not with an application that works on current hardware. I believe 64bit CPU's and 16bit applications have issues could be hardware. Most are OS issues. 16bit is so old I doubt you are using any.
Basically; you shouldnt have really anything to worry about. Like PP has said, legacy 16-bit apps wont work in a 64-bit environment ( though, said 16-bit apps would be over a decade in age ), but any newer and/or recent programs should work fine.