Opinions on using laptop for asset creation?
polycounter lvl 11
Howdy,
I'm normally not a fan of these "what computer should I get" threads, but I'm wondering what y'all's opinion is on using a laptop as a primary content creation device.
I don't use a Wacom or anything yet, so mouse, headphones, and an external monitor at home are the main accessories I'd use.
Software/uses would be:
-Blender, Maya, Photoshop
-video encoding, rendering, 3D asset creation (model/map/texture)
Last bought a computer 5-8 years ago when the paradigm was still mostly "good laptops cost $2k+, desktops required for real work" - and I suspect that has changed significantly in the intervening years.
Edit: not necessarily looking for specific computer suggestions (though those are welcome), but more generally any pitfalls, concerns, or issues that might still exist relating to use of a laptop as a primary computer for content creation.
Thanks for the input!
-Stefan-
I'm normally not a fan of these "what computer should I get" threads, but I'm wondering what y'all's opinion is on using a laptop as a primary content creation device.
I don't use a Wacom or anything yet, so mouse, headphones, and an external monitor at home are the main accessories I'd use.
Software/uses would be:
-Blender, Maya, Photoshop
-video encoding, rendering, 3D asset creation (model/map/texture)
Last bought a computer 5-8 years ago when the paradigm was still mostly "good laptops cost $2k+, desktops required for real work" - and I suspect that has changed significantly in the intervening years.
Edit: not necessarily looking for specific computer suggestions (though those are welcome), but more generally any pitfalls, concerns, or issues that might still exist relating to use of a laptop as a primary computer for content creation.
Thanks for the input!
-Stefan-
Replies
In short, you could make it work, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Laptops are nice for travel, but I find they also tend to suffer from needing replacing more often. Price wise I've always been able to find a much more powerfull desktop for a fraction of the cost the same laptop would run.
Generally laptops tend to have weaker graphic cards and less ram. For example, my desktop at home is a monster wiht 32 gb of RAM and a decent graphic card (ran me $1200), where as I was unable to find a laptop that could support that much RAM and for that price, I was getting a smaller hard drive and a worse graphics card.
I also love having two 22" monitors. It's hard to go back to one after that!
Either way, it ultimately comes down to your own personal preference. If you see yourself leaving the house with it and working while you're out, a laptop is a good solution.
I use an external keybd and mouse and 2nd monitor, and I bought one of these to put it at eye height.
Also was nice when I was teaching, since I could pack it with me.
You can get beekcake laptops these days that will handle high end 3d, but they are expensive, huge, heavy, hot, and have terrible battery life. Basically, the opposite of all the things I want in a mobile computer. Additionally, even the biggest laptops have small screens compared to a standard 24" workstation monitor.
I have a 13 MBP, its tiny, light, and runs 2d stuff with ease, I can easily pack it into a messenger bag or carry on luggage when traveling, and the battery life is about 8 hours so I can actually use it if I take it somewhere (rather than being tethered to a wall/desk).
It also depends on the compromises you're willing to live with. Do you want compromised performance, ergonomics and work space so you can more easily haul the system a few times a year to events? Or maybe you take it with you multiple times a week and portability is essential?
Sure it's a compromise having just one screen but the alternatives is no computer or lugging around an entire workstation like I was going to a LAN party.
Personally, when it comes to docking a laptop to a desk and pretending like its a workstation PC, whats the point? Why not just get a half-way decent laptop for when you need to be mobile and use a workstation the rest of the time? Use dropbox or something to sync files and you're set.