Laptop for work (Design)

YourFog

Hey all,

Looking to upgrade my laptop for work and am a little overwhelmed by options.

My budget is up to e1900. Needs to be able to run Adobe apps with no bother, have a camera, good color accuracy and I'd also like something somewhat portable (nothing over 16").

What I've looked at and some issues:

Dell XPS 13 - First laptop I thought of but I'd like dedicated graphics and unsure of irisXE. Anyone experience with this? - 15" is just out of price range

MSI Creator - great spec but may be a bit chunky and there is NO HMDI or display port 😔 Apparently the fan is loud (https://www.currys.ie/ieen/gaming/pc-gaming/gaming-laptops/msi-creator-z16-16-gaming-laptop-intel-core-i7-rtx-3060-512-gb-ssd-10227063-pdt.html)

Legion 5 - Plastic build (https://www.currys.ie/ieen/gaming/pc-gaming/gaming-laptops/lenovo-legion-5-15-6-gaming-laptop-amd-ryzen-7-rtx-3070-512-gb-ssd-10220310-pdt.html)

Acer ConceptD - Specs and screen look great? - Hinge screen a gimmick (https://store.acer.com/en-ie/conceptd-3-ezel-pro-laptop-cc314-72p-white-nx-c5kek-001)

Dell G15 - Recommended to me in past. Great specs but low color gamut (https://www.littlewoodsireland.ie/dell-g15-5515-gaming-laptop-156in-fhdnbspgeforce-rtx-3060-amd-ryzen-7-16gb-ram-512gb-ssd/1600649356.prd)

Any opinions are appreciated!

Glasso 👀

acer swift x pro

get 2nd or 3rd level email address or someone with it for 15% code from unidays or student beans

light, super portable compact, disrete nvidia gpu, good cpu, metal case, good screen

https://store.acer.com/en-ie/acer-swift-x-pro-ultra-thin-laptop-sfx14-41g-blue-nx-au1ek-001https://store.acer.com/en-ie/acer-swift-x-pro-ultra-thin-laptop-sfx14-41g-blue-nx-au1ek-001https://store.acer.com/en-ie/acer-swift-x-pro-ultra-thin-laptop-sfx14-41g-blue-nx-au1ek-001

there is a version with newer gpu but not on irish site

the gaming laptops you have there are not really that portable (not day to day in any case)

or ideapad 5 pro ideal. student discounts also available. very well reviewed. metal case, good screen

heavier but still portable

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/500-series/IdeaPad-5-Pro-16ACH6/p/88IPS501619

YourFog

Much appreciated, Glasso!

The Acer looks great and didn't come by it before. I would be a little worried about 8GB RAM as boss said to get 16 min.

For context, it is actually work purchasing laptop for me. Opinion on the XPS 15 here (https://www.dell.com/en-ie/shop/laptops/xps-15-9510/spd/xps-15-9510-laptop/cn95103cc#customization-anchor)? I just discovered that I can get a 10% discount from Dell :)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118468409#Comment_118468409

the ideapad 5 pro is a decent dell xps 15 imitation at less than half the price

YourFog

Oh and the recommendation by the Lenovo rep

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/thinkpad/p-series/ThinkPad-P14s-Gen-2-14%E2%80%9D-Intel/p/20VXCTO1WWENIE1

JoChervil

I see you are looking for PC. I prefer Mac for design. Bought recently MacBook Air 13" with 16GB RAM, as this recommended for the newest design software.

Flinty997

Depends if you want portability, as thrown in a bag run about town, go to meetings get a 13" and 14" all day battery life. If you will be working off the laptop screen and rarely moving it, I'd go bigger. But some people are ok with 13" screens. My work 14" I almost always have it plugged into a monitor. I went for the Legion Pro for my own personal use. Mainly because of the 16:10 and bright screen. Also lots of full speed USB ports, rather than sharing one through a hub etc. If I was going to want long battery life, its hard to beat the MacBook. The Legion 5 Pro has massive power brick which kills the portability of it. Less powerful machines get away with slim chargers or USB C chargers.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118468967#Comment_118468967

There's nothing special about that machine IMO. Its bog standard business laptop.

YourFog

Thanks guys! You do have me thinking about the MacBook option too.

I actually have a 13" MacBook pro from 2013 that I still use as my personal computer and it got me through college. I also used a 14" Dell 7400 in a previous non-design role and that was great!

I've been using windows for work this past year but it would be easy for me to switch. The new 14" MBP looks absolutely perfect but at over 2 grand, it's a bit of a stretch. I really don't like the lack of ports on the 13" MBP and Air.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118469117#Comment_118469117

Cheers Flinty997, this is a very good point on the size of the power brick. While I'm not moving about a lot at the moment, I hope to in the future as my job is fully remote.

Flinty997

The M1 Mac are a bit of game changer in laptops. I couldn't use Macs in my Job. While I love the Legions, and I've thrown them in bag, for the occasional car journey. I wouldn't want to carry them around all day. Its not my only laptop either. I've also HP Elite book for work. I have no complaints about it. other than a very awkward docking station which I stopped using and replaced with a USB C Hub.

Glasso usually knows about some deal or other.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118468967#Comment_118468967

the amd 5600h model with nvidia 3050 for 1199 - discount is v good I think.

the 5600h is plenty powerful for your work (5800h not needed)

3050 card a good update over the 1650

I would take a look at this review

this guy normally only looks at v. expensive laptops but was impressed by this

screen is good quality and ideal size for Adobe stuff and better than what you get in gaming laptops

the build is a nice metal case and looks more professional than pulling out a gaming machine

it's 1.9kg which is still "portable" imo but may not be ideal for everyday portability although doable - you would know your use cases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDdmVlnA_HY

YourFog

Thanks for the further breakdown, Glasso. Looks really good and I'll say it to work. I definitely want to avoid the large gaming machine laptop. I've lived with that before.

What's your opinion on the 13" M1 MacBook Pro?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118470818#Comment_118470818

wouldn't be a mac person but it's a good chip

if you don't mind / are familiar with the OS then consider it

up to you to work out what screen size you need / are comfortable with -

check as well how the adobe apps run on mac os on the new chip - should be fine at this stage I imagine

there is a new 14 m1 pro also but pricey

https://9to5mac.com/2022/01/11/macbook-air-vs-pro-comparison-which-should-you-buy/