Student looking for laptop - Advice please :)

[Dr.Pants]

get a dell monitor. the best value. u can snag a 1080p 22 inch monitor for less than $150

I only got a cheapy 22" from ebuyer (link), I wasn't bothered about colour perfection, it's literally just for holding the library window in FCP. I also hook my xbox up to it with a VGA cable. It does it's job, and it's cheaper than getting a TV license

The Dell for $150 is a TN panel... Usually they can be weeded out with the "1080p" marketing scheme (that term belongs to televisions). Schtumple, from what it looks like, you have an OEM of a BenQ G2400? Do you have colour-shift? ((Totally off topic...))

Back on-topic, LCD screens can be divided up into three basic categories - TN, *VA, and IPS. TN panels are cheap to make but have the best response time, usually very low; however, insofar the physical limitations have only allowed TN monitors to display 6-bit colour. The standard RGB colour-gamut is 8-bit... *VA and IPS panels have a lower response time and can display 8-bit colour which is the native output.

The MAIN thing is that TN panels, to display 8-bit colour, dither. Dithering is where on one frame one colour is displayed, and on the next frame a different colour is displayed to make the colour accurate to the eye... But to the eye only. The "accuracy" is perceived and non-native to the monitor.

While a lot of monitors on laptops are TN (My Precision M4400 included ) I am pretty sure that the MBP line come with *VA panels; at WWDC, they made a point about the quality. Personally, they're not TN which is a plus, but I happen to think they are just a step up in quality.

I'd say work for a few more days, and then next year grab a monitor if that's what you decide. Not having one for a year won't be the end of the world, but it may increase the print quality of whatever you put out

 

[Jamesthatcher]

I'd say work for a few more days, and then next year grab a monitor if that's what you decide. Not having one for a year won't be the end of the world, but it may increase the print quality of whatever you put out

So you would suggest getting the 13", or 15"? - work abit next year then get the monitor?

 

[Fizzoid]

If you're going to have to work a whole year before you can afford a monitor, I'd suggest getting the 15" now

 

[Jamesthatcher]

If you're going to have to work a whole year before you can afford a monitor, I'd suggest getting the 15" now

I can afford both, but i 'll just have to get an extra 3 or so days of work during the summer, really, i am just trying to find out IS IT WORTH THAT LITTLE EXTRA.

- Also is there any difference between the high end 13" and low 15" I 've read a few posts, but not seen many comprehensive answers.
Some have said better speakers, better battery's, is any of that true?

- should i just go for the low end 15", work a little extra and get the monitor?

 

[Fizzoid]

Depends on whether portability or screen real estate is more important to you. Only you can answer that one

 

[Schtumple]

Sure, but if i got the 2.66 model i 'd defiantly have to get an extra few days of work, and i doubt i 'd be able to afford the monitor for awile,
- is it worth those extra few pennies??

I 'll be studying at hertfordshire university, it's got a fantastic course and awesome facilities, check out the website i would link you, but i 'm really not that tech savvy on forums

Thanks again for your help

j

Get the 2.66 and get the monitor at a later date, you're not going to notice it not being there.

Hertfordshire's a good uni, got a friend that goes there, can't remember what she studies but she never really complains about the place.

Of note as well, if you're staying in halls, prolly best not to get the monitor, unless you're a clean freak, it gets messy real fast in there if you have all your flatmates come in alot, people used my room for watching films occasionally and left all their crap in my room, it was great

 

[Bengt77]

The 2 inch extra screen diameter wouldn't be worth a dollar to me, as I just plain like the 13" model better. It's the perfect take-it-with-you-everywhere size.

 

[Jamesthatcher]

Get the 2.66 and get the monitor at a later date, you're not going to notice it not being there.

Hertfordshire's a good uni, got a friend that goes there, can't remember what she studies but she never really complains about the place.

Of note as well, if you're staying in halls, prolly best not to get the monitor, unless you're a clean freak, it gets messy real fast in there if you have all your flatmates come in alot, people used my room for watching films occasionally and left all their crap in my room, it was great

Yeah, i think i 'll have a great time there

Good point about the halls, i didnt really think about that, it will probs get very messy!! lol

Where did you study yourself?

 

[CK Williams]

I just switched from a 15" MBP (1st gen) to a 13.3" MBP. I don't notice the difference in screen size unless I put it up next to a larger screened laptop. The screen quality is fantastic and in most instances I don't notice the glossy screen. The key feature for me was the portability, with the cost savings being an added benefit. My shoulder can tell the difference at the end of the day after lugging the smaller machine around. IMO, if you are looking for a portable machine, go with the 13.3" and get a external to do your major editing on.

Good luck in your schooling and with your purchase.

 

[Jamesthatcher]

I just switched from a 15" MBP (1st gen) to a 13.3" MBP. I don't notice the difference in screen size unless I put it up next to a larger screened laptop. The screen quality is fantastic and in most instances I don't notice the glossy screen. The key feature for me was the portability, with the cost savings being an added benefit. My shoulder can tell the difference at the end of the day after lugging the smaller machine around. IMO, if you are looking for a portable machine, go with the 13.3" and get a external to do your major editing on.

Good luck in your schooling and with your purchase.

I think i 'll just have play around with them at the apple store, but for only an extra 2 inches 150 quid is alot!

Thanks for your help CK

 

[Schtumple]

Yeah, i think i 'll have a great time there

Good point about the halls, i didnt really think about that, it will probs get very messy!! lol

Where did you study yourself?

I'm at Portsmouth, just finished my first year, not a great uni, but the nightlife is pretty awesome. Go to every carnage you can, they're amazing.

 

[Jamesthatcher]

I'm at Portsmouth, just finished my first year, not a great uni, but the nightlife is pretty awesome. Go to every carnage you can, they're amazing.

Ah, Alas not that far from where i live, I live in the new forest, which is near southampton.

Yeah i 've heard that they are pretty awesome!

What are you studying there?
How's your Macbook faired, worth the investment yes?

 

[Schtumple]

Ah, Alas not that far from where i live, I live in the new forest, which is near southampton.

Yeah i 've heard that they are pretty awesome!

What are you studying there?
How's your Macbook faired, worth the investment yes?

Ahhh nice, I'm not actually from Portsmouth so I don't know the surrounding area to well (I do know where Southampton is though).

I do Television and Film Production, I make short films basically Sadly, my MBP is currently at the Apple store in Exeter, the logic board fried on my last day of uni, perfect timing really.

Aside from that, it's performed perfectly throughout the entire year, without it I doubt I would've got a 2.1 (Equivalent of a high B/low A if i remember correctly), having your own mac is really useful, not having to rely on uni equipment comes in handy alot. Never need to worry all the machines are gunna be booked out

 

[Jamesthatcher]

Ahhh nice, I'm not actually from Portsmouth so I don't know the surrounding area to well (I do know where Southampton is though).

I do Television and Film Production, I make short films basically Sadly, my MBP is currently at the Apple store in Exeter, the logic board fried on my last day of uni, perfect timing really.

Aside from that, it's performed perfectly throughout the entire year, without it I doubt I would've got a 2.1 (Equivalent of a high B/low A if i remember correctly), having your own mac is really useful, not having to rely on uni equipment comes in handy alot. Never need to worry all the machines are gunna be booked out

Least it lasted the year, i 've heard they are quite good with fixing\replacing things, having said that I hope that doesn't happen to my laptop

My iMac has lasted a good 4 years, and never had a problem. Infact it's been left on 99% of that time, hence why i 'm going back to apple, the quality i think is worth the price

 

[Schtumple]

Least it lasted the year, i 've heard they are quite good with fixing\replacing things, having said that I hope that doesn't happen to my laptop

My iMac has lasted a good 4 years, and never had a problem. Infact it's been left on 99% of that time, hence why i 'm going back to apple, the quality i think is worth the price

Yeah they're good at fixing, I found the Genius staff to be very intrusive and rude though, one of the guys told me I'd stuck a screwdriver in my CD drive, which royally pissed me off, but oh well, it's being fixed at the moment, should get it back sometime soon

Yeah the new unibodies are lush looking things, you definitely pay a considerable amount just for the casing!