New laptop advice

[Troy P]

Hi,
I am looking to buy/build a laptop for using max with vray and photoshop on. Can anyone please share their experiences will what models they are using and what to look out for? (Graphics card processor, etc)

Thanks
Troy

[infotech]

To get the best performance with Max and VRay, I tend to focus on these four components when choosing a system:

Processor (CPU)
Go with Intel i7 quad mobile processors. Each core is hypethreaded providing you 8 render buckets in VRay.
If four threads/buckets will do, then a two core i7 or i5 is also available.


System Graphics (GPU)
If you can afford it, go with a Nvidia Quadro. Both their hardware and drivers are optimized/certified for CAD applications.
If they are too pricey, opt for the Nvidia GeForce series. They excel in DirectX acceleration and have found them to be more stable than ATI's offering.
And with both Nvidia cards ... the more CUDA cores the better.


Memory (RAM)
If you will be going with the newer i7 CPU's, then you are pretty much set with DDR3 memory.
And with a 64bit operating system, the more memory, the better. I would typically go with 8GB or more.


Hard Drive
This is usually the slowest component (bottle neck) in systems. To get the fastest read/write performance, go with Solid State Drives (SSD).
If they are too pricey, then make certain to get the highest RPM drive available (around 7400RPM) with SATAII 3GB interface.


For no holds barred performance (if you can afford it)
I would suggest the ThinkPad W701ds
+ Up to i7 920XM Processor
+ Up to 16GB 1333MHz DDR3 RAM
+ Up to Nvidia Quadro 3800M
+ Configurable with two SSD drives
+ built in Wacom digitizer
+ built in monitor calibration/Pantone Color Sensor
+ 2nd pull-out 10.6" WXGA LED screen
+ Established Lenovo durability

- Large/heavy/bulky
- 2 hr battery lifer per charge
- Pricey ($6000+ fully configured)
- Not the nicest looking lappy