Question New Laptop Time

[RaidHobbit]

Hi, its my final year on a design, computer science, and software engineering degree. I need a new laptop and I`m thinking of the following:

i5/i7 8 - 12 cores
4600 or 4700 RTX
32 GB DDR5
512/1TB NVMI
15 to 17 inch screen - 1080/2k

One area I am struggling evaluating laptops is with sound quality. I need it to be audiophile or audio forensics level, like a professional digital audio player. I will be doing the following a lot:

Programming
Analysing Large Datasets and working with Large Data Models
Graphics Design - Rendering, 3D Modelling
Audio Production
(Gaming in Spare Time)

I use:
Adobe Creative (including Photoshop and Audition)
3DS Max
Unity/Unreal

I do not understand what Intel have done with their ultra line of processors, what is the difference? Is AMD better?

The audio is the thing I`m struggling with most. Any recommended Laptops £1000 to £1500 please.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hey there,

So, first things first. Audio hardware on laptops generally suck. They are often the last part to be considered as being important. Well, okay maybe not that bad. They are basic enough. Certainly not audiophile level.

If you went with something like this: https://www.durable-uk.com/en_GB/products/safety-cleaning/cleaning-products/screen-cleaners/

Then add an external soundcard like this: https://en.creative.com/g6/

Would that work?

Yes, the laptop is a refurb, but does come with warranty. I guess it fits in budget. For something new, you are really looking at a little more dosh.

Like this: https://www.scan.co.uk/products/16-...ddr5-1tbplus1tb-nvme-ssd-8gb-geforce-rtx-4070

 

[RaidHobbit]

Oooo that deals with it nicely.

Thanks! I`d prefer a new laptop, I guess with an external sound card the focus switches to being fast enough to crunch data sets, and having a decent enough graphics card for 3D modelling and gaming. I was thinking 4070 but there are also 5060s/5070s.

Will I get one under £1500 or do I need to add another £500 on?

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Oooo that deals with it nicely.

Thanks! I`d prefer a new laptop, I guess with an external sound card the focus switches to being fast enough to crunch data sets, and having a decent enough graphics card for 3D modelling and gaming. I was thinking 4070 but there are also 5060s/5070s.

Will I get one under £1500 or do I need to add another £500 on?

I think at £2k budget you would get a better laptop, perhaps with more updated components. But that makes the external sound card a less attractive solution.

Bumping up GPU to a 4080/5080 for example, and you're immediately looking at £2.5k.

Here's a broader look at some similar laptops, running 4070's in most cases. But there is one with a 4080 (which would be better for your need),. but it costs a lot more than your budget of £2k. - https://www.scan.co.uk/shop/computer-hardware/gaming-laptops/all#t24.f32=32GB%20(2x16GB)&t24.f31=NVIDIA%20GeForce%20RTX%204070%20Laptop%20GPU,NVIDIA%20GeForce%20RTX%204080%20Laptop%20GPU&t24.f23=2560x1600%20(WQXGA)

In terms of which to buy, that's hard, because, if I had the money, I would go for something more powerful, so I didn't have to replace it a couple of years down the line. But, you need to get what suits you and fits your requirements, in terms of performance, aesthetic etc.

Edit: In the last couple of years, laptop prices for high end machines have gone nuts! IMO, there not much value to be found. Because the increased performance you might get for extending the budget, isn't with the increase in cost. Greedy OEM's.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

The best advice I can offer would be to go to a retail PC chain, and actually try these models out, see what takes your fancy. Buying blind by recommendation can leave you feeling underwhelmed sometimes. But those laptops I've linked are good ones. Will suit your needs.

I do also like this creator model, it's very understated, and doesn't have all the RGB bling that some gaming laptops suffer with.

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/16-...x-32gb-ddr5-1tb-nvme-ssd-8gb-geforce-rtx-4070