QUOTE(Pontoffel @ 09/24/08, 02:04 AM) [snapback]292214[/snapback]
So you're saying the chances are that no matter what im gonna run into alot of problems trying to run Maya on a laptop?
Well atleast some, it depends on your definition of lot. In general its to be accepted that whatever you do your going to run into lot of problems with computers. But yeah im saying laptops aren't there yet. They probably suffice as they are for the crowd who do only limited surfing and maybe word processing as their main goal but laptops sure as hell aren't worth the extra money.
To this end i would like you to THINK really deeply on how often you use laptops on the move. Since theres only 2 things laptops excel over normal stationary workstations. Portability and noise levels (even so for the same kind of money you spend on laptops you can get as silent workstations).
For most parts the ONLY reason people buy laptops is because of some weird sense of status. A bit like buying a Humvee for driving into the shopping mall every day. So yes if your after this as your primary reason for computer go for it.
Portability itself is highly over rated, if you want something portabe get iphone or eeePC. They are truly portable. The problem with portability is that you pay for it in places that for 3d production often is not sane. You pay for the speed of your computer, since the air flow is worse inside a laptop so your processor is running half idle. Second you pay for your harddisk space. Sure 160 GB sounds a lot bud doing graphics you will soon hear oh my god my disk space is a problem. And trust me it is on a Workstation too but hey workstations have a Tera byte of hard disk space on redundant drives by now. Then theres screen estate, on workstation you can bet 24-30" as standard for graphics stations, or rather 2 of them eventually. Last but not least peripherals, for graphics work you want to have a decent sized wacom and a good full size keyboard now neither of these are very portable, but as a investment on yourself they play a good role. Do not underestimate ergonomics. (all this can end up costing you a lot) This all leads to the computer laptop or not to essentially beco,e atleast semi stationary since you are attached to power cords at all times for powerful stuff such as rendering. And it is VERY seldom people actually benefit form the portability directly. Trust me having had 4 laptops by now i know they dont move all taht much even tough i TOUGHT they would. So having a laptop for those 15-30 days of the year i do move them is a bit iffy (and then too mostly downstairs for meeting, sheesh). Even people who youd think move alot for laptops are less on move than you think.
Instead ofpt for the 3dr option.. Get a workstation place it at the location you will want to work. And get a cheap laptop to do the protable stuff. After all you dont want to work 24/7