Laptop for work - Video editing/graphic design

Genga on 08/11/2017 - 11:37

Hi – Hoping for some help with guiding my employer in a new laptop purchase.

I will be going overseas for ~6months to El Salvador, Central America. I’m taking leave from my job but have made arrangements to continue working on a part time basis once I am settled over there.

My role consists of desktop publishing, graphic design and some video editing, and my employer is providing me with a laptop to take with me – a 14" Lenovo ThinkPad T460p Signature Edition – Windows 10 Pro, Intel Core i7-6820HQ CPU @ 2.70GHz, 16GB RAM, 250GB HDD.

I have only been using this for a couple of weeks and while it seems to be fast, I have been experiencing some crashes using Illustrator, and storage space is less than ideal – I would have to take a portable HDD with me.

I have been given the go ahead to get quotes from our IT supplier for one or both of:
• Upgrade the HDD of Lenovo (I’m thinking to 1TB)
• Purchase a new machine specced correctly for my needs (will use this while away and bring back to use in the office going forward)

I’m told the Lenovo cost around $4000 with docking station and MS Office.

So assuming I’ll have a budget of around $3000 for laptop only, does anyone have any suggestions, or highlight what are the must haves in terms of specifications? Processor, graphics/video card etc?

I have some basic knowledge around this, but feel I need to be a bit more informed when talking to our supplier so we don’t get pushed toward something that doesn’t fit our needs!

I've seen the Lenovo E570P (i7 CPU, 16GB RAM and 240 SSD + 1TB HDD combo) recommended to other users - Am I missing something with the price difference between consumer and business laptops?

A secondary question is around power supply – El Salvador has a 110V power supply, what are the potential risks/pitfalls of this long-ish term? Should I invest in a transformer?

Any guidance greatly appreciated!

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 08/11/2017 - 11:47

    Am I missing something with the price difference between consumer and business laptops?

    I currently use the E570P — this is strictly a consumer laptop as it lacks some of the business features of the T series — namely the magnesium alloy roll cage which makes it lightweight and durable, and also docking ports. Its an ok machine but it doesn't fulfill the role of a portable workstation (even though it's specs are quite good), and I also think it lacks enough modern I/O ports. It doesn't have USB type C or Thunderbolt.

    Anyway, the E570P probably isn't what you're looking for as it would be a downgrade in durability, portability and battery life.

    The newer T470P is the performance version of the T470, the biggest difference being that it comes equipped with 940MX GPU out of the box and also a quad core Kaby Lake processor. However, it does give up the Thunderbolt port.

    There's also a T470S which is the "slim" variant of the vanilla T470 but it has a smaller battery.

    • Genga on 08/11/2017 - 12:22

      Thanks @Scrimshaw. An upgrade to the T470P model may be the way to go if we do opt for the new purchase.

      Would you have any insight to the power supply issue?

      • scrimshaw on 08/11/2017 - 12:24

        All modern laptop powerbricks support 100~240v power standards, so a laptop PSU bought here will work in US, and a laptop psu bought in US will work here too.

        Just looking at my powerbrick now on my Lenovo — it says 100-240v~2.5A 50-60hz

        read this forum post if you have any other q's
        http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1916294

        • Genga on 08/11/2017 - 13:56

          Thanks again - questions answered!

  • tio on 08/11/2017 - 12:33

    I'm gonna a bit biased and recommend the Dell XPS 15 with UHD touch screen.

    7th Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700HQ Quad Core Processor (6M cache, 2.8Ghz up to 3.8 GHz)
    NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 1050 with 4GB GDDR5
    15.6" 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) InfinityEdge touch display
    16GB, DDR4, 2400MHz
    512GB PCIe Solid State Drive

    Just got one from the recent 20% Ebay sale for $2400

    • Genga on 08/11/2017 - 13:54

      Thanks Tio - I wonder if our IT supplier would be competitive on price given access to enterprise pricing etc. I'll add this to my suggestions.

  • Toons on 08/11/2017 - 13:34

    There are a few new beasts coming out

    Have you considered seeing the cost of the same items in El Salvador or what it would cost to have one delivered there being in central America, they use US currency prices could be better bang for your buck if your allowed to purchase that way, you would perhaps be able to get local support too if anything goes wrong while your there.

    • Genga on 08/11/2017 - 13:59

      I hadn't actually considered this. I think the way our IT is set up it would have to be funneled through our supplier, but it wouldn't hurt suggesting. The working remotely part was a bit of an after thought - was originally just going to take 6 months off, so am just trying to sort through all logistical and practical issues now!

      • Toons on 08/11/2017 - 14:28

        Sometimes it never hurts to ask the odd question with the Black Friday, cyber Monday sales coming up in 2 weeks, could be a prime opportunity to get something at an even better price.

  • HighAndDry on 08/11/2017 - 18:45

    "Windows 10 Pro, Intel Core i7-6820HQ CPU @ 2.70GHz, 16GB RAM, 250GB HDD"

    Uh, what's the video card? You're doing a lot of graphics-heavy work, the video card is going to be important. And if that laptop doesn't have one…. 1. why not, and 2. fire your IT dept…..

    • Genga on 09/11/2017 - 08:42

      Well we outsource our IT support, and i have to say it does leave a lot to be desired in all facets, not just purchasing.

      When I run the DirectX diagnostic Tool, I see the below:
      Display 1: Intel(R) HD GRaphics 530
      Display 2: Intel(R) HD GRaphics 530
      Render: NVIDIA GeForce 940MX

      When I look at the Display adapter properties:

      Total Available GRaphics Memory: 8246MB
      Dedicated Video Memory: 128MB
      System Video Memory: 0MB
      Shared System Memory: 8118MB

      • dcep on 09/11/2017 - 12:22

        yea, crappy stuffs there.

        get something with 1050Ti

  • JazzaWil on 10/11/2017 - 23:38

    Wouldn't something of this caliber be better for the work needed? I'm not sure i'd probably let other commentators have a say on this laptop.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers-tablets/laptops/msi-gami…
    (Not necessarily from them but hey idea of a laptop)
    $2999
    Edit: MSY have this for 2699

    http://www.msy.com.au/notebooks/18031-gigabyte-p57w-1060-701…
    (Equivalent specs i believe but cheaper price)
    $2299

    Not sure if these would be better than whats listed above but thought id throw in my 2 cents

  • systema on 14/11/2017 - 11:10

    The CPU should be fine for your needs, but the GPU and storage are hopelessly outgunned here.

    Also, the T460p has a nasty reputation for poor thermal management and overheating. I would be wary of using that in the tropical climate having the processors rendering at full tilt.

    I agree with what some of the others have mentioned and the followings are probably the specs that you will need to look for.

    CPU - Quad core i5 / i7 HQ
    GPU - 1050ti or above with at least 4GB VRAM
    Storage - 240GB (or larger) SSD + 1TB (or more) HDD / SSHD for bulk storage
    RAM - at least 16GB
    Display - wide gamut UHD display (or use a good external monitor)

    You will also want to make sure that the cooling system of the device is up to par.

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