Laptop: For computer animation and gaming.

[eiasuka]

Starting school soon and i'm deciding on majoring in computer animation/3d animation. Right now budget is $2000, but i'm willing to go higher. Anyone has recommendations?

[Tea1337]

I would say you should get a laptop for workstation use, then a separate one for gaming. but i'll see what i can find.

 

For workstation: http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f43k-96033-k3100m-msi-gt60-workstation-barebones-p-7175.html Doesn't go over budget

 

For both: http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9570-clevo-p570wm-p-3595.html It has a desktop processor so it needs lots of power to be used to it's full potential, also needs lots of air. And is over $200.

 

Better choice: http://www.xoticpc.com/alienware-880m-p-7119.html Yes it's an alienware, but you get a lot for your money, a GTX 880m with 8GB of RAM, perfect for what you intend to do, and great for gaming!

 

@eiasuka

[eiasuka]

thanks for the recommendations. Initially I wanted to spend the money on a gaming rig and get a workstation. but I live in 2 different places right now, so a laptop is more reasonable.

[Scionyde]

I would say you should get a laptop for workstation use, then a separate one for gaming. but i'll see what i can find.

 

For workstation: http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f43k-96033-k3100m-msi-gt60-workstation-barebones-p-7175.html Doesn't go over budget

 

For both: http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9570-clevo-p570wm-p-3595.html It has a desktop processor so it needs lots of power to be used to it's full potential, also needs lots of air. And is over $200.

 

Better choice: http://www.xoticpc.com/alienware-880m-p-7119.html Yes it's an alienware, but you get a lot for your money, a GTX 880m with 8GB of RAM, perfect for what you intend to do, and great for gaming!

 

@eiasuka

 

Wow, I didn't know Sager made a laptop with a desktop CPU. But damn, that thing is bulky.  :lol:

 

@eiasuka - Tea1337 made some decent recommendations. I think I'd agree that separate rigs might be a good idea, but if that's really impossible, you might have to make a trade-off? You can game on a K3100M, but the framerates you'd be getting won't be amazing for the money you're spending. Surely, the college you're going to would have computer labs with the necessary hardware for computer animation software?

 

I like the the workstation and Sager NP9570 suggested for their specific roles(although carrying around the NP9570 everywhere would be a pain in the ass). However, for gaming, I think I disagree with the Alienware. They're a decent brand, but for the money you spend, other brands might give you more on hardware. The Sager 9377-S, for example will have a slightly better CPU and will come with a SSD instead of a SSHD. It'll be a bit cheaper than the Alienware if you choose to configure the Sager to come with 8 GB of RAM to be on par with the Alienware. The Alienware might come with a little bit better build quality, however.

 

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9377s-clevo-p377sma-p-6981.html

[Tea1337]

Wow, I didn't know Sager made a laptop with a desktop CPU. But damn, that thing is bulky.  :lol:

 

@eiasuka - Tea1337 made some decent recommendations. I think I'd agree that separate rigs might be a good idea, but if that's really impossible, you might have to make a trade-off? You can game on a K3100M, but the framerates you'd be getting won't be amazing for the money you're spending. Surely, the college you're going to would have computer labs with the necessary hardware for computer animation software?

 

I like the the workstation and Sager NP9570 suggested for their specific roles(although carrying around the NP9570 everywhere would be a pain in the ass). However, for gaming, I think I disagree with the Alienware. They're a decent brand, but for the money you spend, other brands might give you more on hardware. The Sager 9377-S, for example will have a slightly better CPU and will come with a SSD instead of a SSHD. It'll be a bit cheaper than the Alienware if you choose to configure the Sager to come with 8 GB of RAM to be on par with the Alienware. The Alienware might come with a little bit better build quality, however.

 

http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np9377s-clevo-p377sma-p-6981.html

I meant the GPU has 8GB of VRAM, oops

[eiasuka]

Thanks for the help guys. I'm still deciding which to choose and pooling in my money. Just wondering if I should just buy it stock and upgrade it myself.