My next computer?

[B.J.]

(Note: I'm putting this in the Art forum because of the very specific requirements I'm looking for.)

Okay, I really need to upgrade my computer. It's currently 9 years old (!), and I cringe at the thought of having to turn it on because it now takes forever to boot (I'm thinking mostly because of Windows updates).

Anyway, I've been searching high & low for a good replacement. A decent laptop would do me just fine if I just wanted to do a one-for-one swap, but I want some added functionality. Specifically, I'm looking for a good laptop/convertible/tablet/whatever that I can actually use for drawing. Now, I know that I could just get a laptop and buy a Wacom Cintiq to go with it, but I can't justify the additional $1000 for just a hobby. I also already have a separate Wacom tablet, but the disconnect between drawing on that and seeing it on the screen is a bit much for me. So, that leads me to looking for something with that built-in, which narrows the field quite a bit.

Also, since I actually want to draw, it needs to be pressure sensitive. Yet again, narrows down the field.

In addition to that, most of the ones I've seen use something other than Wacom's technology (usually Ntrig). That may be fine by itself, but most of the major programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, GIMP, Inkscape, etc.) *only* support Wacom for pressure sensitivity. (I think.)

So after all that, I may have found a computer that might work. As far as I can tell, the ASUS EP121 is the only thing out there that meets all my wants. Even so, the drawbacks (to me) are a fairly small 12.1" screen (I would like to do other stuff like games as well) and lack of a CD/DVD drive.

I hope I've explained things well enough through all that. So I'm curious to know if there are any other options out there that would work? Or should I just go with a regular laptop & wait a bit longer for the right technology?

 

[Dac]

I'd suggest a HP touchsmart.

http://www.amazon.com/HP-TouchSmart...SWPC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1303252980&sr=8-6

I dont have this model, but I do have an older one, the HP tx2000 series that has served me well over these past few years. It's a little slow now, but thats due to the specs it shipped with (2GB RAM, nVidia ion graphics chip etc), the newer models have considerably better RAM and faster processors.

Having said that, I can still run Adobe Master Collection CS5 and Cinema 4D R12 in 64 bit mode quite well on my 3 year old 2GB of RAM laptop. Also, what looks like a structural "weak point" in the hinge really isnt, as i've picked it up from the screen many times without it sheering off. I can't say the same for the newer models, but if their anything like the older one, they are going to last you some time.

The HP does still have a rather small screen as 12 inches, but it also acts like a fully fledged laptop. I too have eyed the Eee slate, but I'd want it only as a tablet and I couldnt use it as a fully fledged PC, which the HP definately is.

 

[The Axeman]

Why a laptop? A desktop can be far more powerful for the same money, and can be easily upgraded and repaired where a laptop cannot. I have never understood why people who rarely travel pick laptops over desktops.

I recently replaced my main machine with a brand new quad core 8600 machine with 8Gb of memory and a terabyte hard drive. It's far faster at 3D rendering than my old E6600 machine with 3Gb of memory, and only cost £350. That money would only get me a bottom of the range laptop, no better than a calculator next to the desktop.

 

[Dac]

Why a laptop? A desktop can be far more powerful for the same money, and can be easily upgraded and repaired where a laptop cannot. I have never understood why people who rarely travel pick laptops over desktops.

I recently replaced my main machine with a brand new quad core 8600 machine with 8Gb of memory and a terabyte hard drive. It's far faster at 3D rendering than my old E6600 machine with 3Gb of memory, and only cost £350. That money would only get me a bottom of the range laptop, no better than a calculator next to the desktop.

Mind telling me where you got a machine with those specs for that price from?

 

[Vance]

Mind telling me where you got a machine with those specs for that price from?

In the US, just a couple of weeks ago, I was sadly forced to replace my machine and got a quad-core with 6G memory, 1T drive, et al. The setup (including a printer and new monitor) was $800, so it's not too hard to see that price now.

I did have to immediately replace the video card with a nice shiny one for another $150, however.

 

[B.J.]

Why a laptop? A desktop can be far more powerful for the same money, and can be easily upgraded and repaired where a laptop cannot. I have never understood why people who rarely travel pick laptops over desktops.

I have my reasons, including the fact that I'm trying to get rid of my desk to make room for my wife's piano. I have a small house and three kids, so I have to make some sacrifices. Besides, I don't know of any desktops that would have a pressure sensitive tablet screen.

 

[The Axeman]

I would have thought a dedicated tablet input like a Wacom would have been a much better idea than a laptop/tablet hybrid, both in terms of cash and usability. For the money a laptop is a costly leg warmer, underpowered and obsolete very quickly compared to a desktop. Unless I was required to travel with it, I would never choose a laptop as my only PC.

Dac, i get most of my stuff from Ebuyer.com or Dabs.com. Normally i just buy bits and build my own, but these guys are putting out complete PCs at prices that beat the parts costs. I recently bought my new main PC from them, and just before that a small form factor meda centre PC for £300. It sits in the same bookshelf as my main TV and runs everything. It gives me TV, streaming media and games in my living room.

 

[Dac]

I would have thought a dedicated tablet input like a Wacom would have been a much better idea than a laptop/tablet hybrid, both in terms of cash and usability. For the money a laptop is a costly leg warmer, underpowered and obsolete very quickly compared to a desktop. Unless I was required to travel with it, I would never choose a laptop as my only PC.

Dac, i get most of my stuff from Ebuyer.com or Dabs.com. Normally i just buy bits and build my own, but these guys are putting out complete PCs at prices that beat the parts costs. I recently bought my new main PC from them, and just before that a small form factor meda centre PC for £300. It sits in the same bookshelf as my main TV and runs everything. It gives me TV, streaming media and games in my living room.

Cheers man, I usually check eBuyer a lot, but never heard of dabs. I'll give em a look out.

I built my last rig from components I got from Overclockers, but for some reason the motherboard they advertised as "compatible with vista!" just refuses to install vista, and they wouldnt take it back.

So suffice to say im a bit sour on them.

 

[Belisarius]

I'd say be cautious with all-in-one computers (HP Touchsmarts and the like), as they too have some overheating issues, and all your eggs are in one proverbial basket if something does go wrong...you have to send the whole unit out for repair. And cracking the case is a pain in the ass, IMHO.

For the money, I'd go with a desktop. Cheaper, more powerful, upgradeable. No heat problems. If you must get a touch-integrated unit, and you need something portable, I think Dell has a swivel-touch laptop design, though it's probably a bit more expensive. Don't know how pressure sensitive it is, though...a dedicated tablet will still be superior.


~Belisarius