Sub-$1600 Laptop, Sony or Lenovo?

[TalonOP]

Using for:
-Photoshop
-Photography editing
-Movies
-Bit of Gaming

I don't want a desktop-replacement like HP's HDX, but I will be doing primarily graphics work and photo/video editing so I will need something that can handle graphics and also reproduce colors with some degree of accuracy (if that exists on a laptop). I've been trying to decide between these two:

--------------
ThinkPad T61 15 Widescreen - 1 Yr Depot Warranty (I added 3 year warranty)

-Intel® Core? 2 Duo processor T8100 (2.1GHz 800MHz 3MBL2)
-Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
-15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
-NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
-2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
-UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad) with Fingerprint Reader
-160GB Hard Disk Drive, 7200rpm
-DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
-PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
-4 in 1 Media Card Reader
-ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ
-3 year depot 9x5 Next Business Day

Sale Price: $ 1,423.25
--------------
SONY VGN-FZ280E/B 15.4" Core 2 Duo T7250 & BLU-RAY DISC
http://www.costco.com/Browse/P...-_-8-_-SonyVGN-FZ280EB

Intel® Core? 2 Duo Processor T7250 at 2GHz 800MHz FSB 2MB L2 Cache
2GB 677MHz Shared DDR21 (user upgradeable to 4GB)
250GB2 SATA (4200RPM) Hard Drive
Blu-Ray Disc?: BD-RE/DVD±R/DVD±RW Double Layer Drive
15.4? WXGA (1280x800) with XBRITE-ECO? technology
NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400M GT Graphics
Built-in 1.3MP camera and microphone
Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN (802.11a/b/g/n)
Integrated V.92/V.90 Modem with RJ-11 interface
10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet with RJ-45 interface
Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium
Dimensions: 14"(W) x 0.98"-1.4"(H) x 10.02"(D)
5.9lbs. with standard battery (weight is approximate and may vary)
1 Year Limited Warranty3
----------------

 

[sem1966]

Check out at fry's Sony FZ480E/B notebook. I saw this laptop at my local fry, it was very impressed me of the screen display, it came with LCD Features XBRITE-HiColor technology for $1799.99. Same graphic card, but it came with HiColor technology display, i not sure the sony VGN FZ280E/N model has the HiColor display.

 

[kadajawi]

I would go for the ThinkPad because the Sony has a glare display, which I wouldn't trust for accurate color reproduction. Your best bet would be a second hand Lenovo T60 though with a Flexview display. Those were S-IPS panels or so, and should be better than the panels (TN?) notebooks come with nowadays.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

The lenovo unless you really really want BluRay.

The Macbooks use integrated GPU's so you wouldn't get any sort of gaming out of them.

Also the Dell Vostro line can be had for good, cheap, powerful, and durable. Or there's always Asus.

 

[Brainonska511]

Take a look at Asus. They have a bunch of sub-1600 notebooks midrange cards and varying in sizes from 12" to 17".

 

[Throckmorton]

Apple

 

[BlueAcolyte]

I thought Asus was supposed to have good screens?

 

[Chapbass]

What about that gateway that Anand (or some anand employee) reviewed a few weeks ago?

 

[TalonOP]

Originally posted by: BlueAcolyte
I thought Asus was supposed to have good screens?

I heard that too. Do you know any specific models? At this point I think I am leaning toward the Lenovo. Re: sem1966, I can't justify spending $1800 for just a better screen even though it does look nice.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: TalonOP
Using for:
-Photoshop
-Photography editing
-Movies
-Bit of Gaming

I don't want a desktop-replacement like HP's HDX, but I will be doing primarily graphics work and photo/video editing so I will need something that can handle graphics and also reproduce colors with some degree of accuracy (if that exists on a laptop). I've been trying to decide between these two:

I'd just get a Macbook Pro and be done with it. You should be able to find some for great discounts in the edu store (surely you know someone getting an education somewhere?) and Amazon has 'em for notax if you're outside of CA, IIRC, another bargain (and has frequent mail-in rebates on them too).

You'll never have more troublefree computing then on a Mac, IMHO.

 

[TalonOP]

Thanks for your help guys. After looking at all my options it came down to a Macbook pro or a lenovo t61. Decided to go with the T61 because of the much lower price point with a 2 year extended warranty + accident protection. Going to keep my tower for serious editing/gaming but this should be sufficient on the fly.

CONFIGURED SYSTEM
$1,308.70

-2.5GHZ INTEL CORE2DUO PROC.T9300
-MS WIN XP PROFESSIONAL
-15.4" WSXGA+ TFT
-NVIDIA QUADRO. NVS 140M-128MB
-2GB PC2-5300 667MHZ 1DIMM
-UN(TRACKPAD TOUCHPAD)FINGERREADER
-100GB HDD,7200RPM
-CD-RW/DVD-R24X24X24X8XUB-S
-11ABGWIFI WL LAN USEULAANZ
-INTGWIRL WIDEAREA NET UPGR

-LENOVO THINKPAD PROTECTION WITH THINKPLUS DEPOT REPAIR - EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT - 2 YEARS - PICK-UP AND RETURN ($199)

 

[Commodus]

Have to say, that looks like a good deal; the MacBook Pro has the edge for graphics, hard drive space, and 802.11n support, but if you're not focusing on those, that's not an issue.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

You know you can use the Contractor's Purchasing Program and get like 15%? Off? I don't know. I remember configuring a T61p a few days ago for sub $1300 with 3 year accidental damage.

Edit: At this price range, If ind it extremely hard for you to go Apple. You're on the verge of being able to jump to Macbook Pro, but a MacBook is just NOT ENOUGH for you.

I actually recommend the Dell XPS m1330 or m1530 line to you. The 1330's actually quite sexy with its LED backlit display. You can opt for an 8400 on the 1330 or an 8600 on the 1530. I'm going to look into the m1530 a little more because it has the resolution I want and the 8600gt but comes at a heavier design than the Macbook Pro.

 

[Rottie]

If I am working on video editing or photo editing I would go with Apple Macbook Pro. If not and still not decide on which one you want then go visit at Notebook Review