How's this for a spec?

[osouk]

Hi - I'm new to this forum and not particularly knowledgeable on laptops...

I am unsure whether to go with a Mac or a 'normal' laptop. This is the spec I have come up with. I don't play games really (if I do then only strategy games) although I use Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator and tend to always have several windows and programmes running at once.

So - an apple or this? A similar spec Apple is a fair bit more - this spec below comes in at:

£1072.

Chassis & Display
Enigma II: 15.6" Full HD LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glossy

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-840QM (1.86GHz) 8MB Cache

Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)

Graphics Card
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 - 1GB GDDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 11

Memory - Hard Disk
250GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD2500BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)

DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)

Memory Card Reader
Integrated 3 in 1 Memory Card Reader (SD, MMC, MS)

Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & INTEL® CENTRINO® ULTIMATE-N 6300 WIRELESS upto 450Mbps

USB Options
4 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD

Bluetooth & Infrared Options
ENIGMA SERIES INTEGRATED BLUETOOTH ADAPTER (£7)

Battery
Enigma Series 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (4,800/5,200 mAh)

Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£109)

Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)

Anti-Virus
BULLGUARD INTERNET SECURITY - FREE 90 DAY TRIAL

External Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK250 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO (£19)

Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE

Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

Printer
HP DESKJET 1050 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER - J410A (£39)

Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft

Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)

Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity 1

any advice much appreciated!

 

[Teaz]

What you have come up with is good but I would consider this if your main prime usage are photoshop/illustrator or any other multimedia programs as it will be alot more suitable:


Chassis & Display
Optimus II: 17.3" Full HD LED Backlit Widescreen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glossy

Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Mobile Processor i7-2720QM (2.20GHz) 6MB Cache

Memory (RAM)
8GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 4GB)

Graphics Card
nVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M - 1GB DDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 11

Memory - Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)

DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)

Memory Card Reader
Internal 9 in 1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD: Mini, XC & HC/MS: Pro & Duo)

Bluetooth & Wireless
GIGABIT LAN & INTEL® CENTRINO® ULTIMATE-N 6300 WIRELESS upto 450Mbps

USB Options
2 x USB 3.0 PORTS + 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD

Battery
Optimus Series 6 Cell Lithium-ION Battery - 48.85WH

Power Lead & Adaptor
1 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£109)

External Keyboard & Mouse
LOGITECH® MK250 WIRELESS KEYBOARD & MOUSE COMBO (£19)

Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE

Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM

Printer
HP DESKJET 1050 ALL-IN-ONE PRINTER - J410A (£39)


This is a recommend spec for considoration but if not, what you have come up with is fine although a few adjustments can be made to help you save If you have a budget, it would be helpful to know.

 

[osouk]

thanks teaz - I need to have a think about budget - Around £1k all in I think... Do you think I'd get more in terms of value with an Apple? I rarely hear a bad word about Apples and I am tempted to take the plunge....

 

[Teaz]

If so then popping the OS to the Home Edition will save you as its just the same as the Pro but the Pro has some extra features which are not really needed usually as most people are happy with the Home Edition. Also switching the cpu to a lower one will save you more with the OS which should be a total of £909.

Depending what Apple is offering you as Apple tend to have overpriced stuff which are not even great as it says but that depends but im guessing it will be a laptop an not an iMac hub. If the Apple OS is more comfortable and more flexible aswel as the features for you to use then that is entirely your choice which is not a problem. Since your main use is photoshop/illustrator then i don't think you're going wrong since apple is usually praised for its features in multimedia use like photoshop and video editing but their products are no far ahead superiour to any other computers. You may rarely but someone else may have so you're not alone with Apples reputation.

Don't be discourage for what I say as its entirely your choice I just don't see anything superiour or superly amazing in Apple products.