Mobile Workstation
I am looking at buying a laptop, what could people recommend.
I will use the laptop for the following
1. performing spatial analysis using GIS software
2. run virtualization - I am looking at running a number of virtual environments as development environments - mainly for geospatial applications
Aaahh -- Interesting
I am also building up a laptop for similar purposes.
Be interested to know what your actual applications are
You will find the hardware for a monster machine -- BUT -- the SOFTWARE is going to let you down.
ESRI -- if you really want to do justice to this you really need a SUN SPARC machine -- runs
SOLARIS 64 bit & ESRI in 64 bit mode.
You can install SOLARIS INTEL 64 bit on your laptop but the ESRI is compiled for SPARC.
ESRI windoze is really challenged -- not native 64 bit version for Windows and not even properly mutlithreaded as I understand it -- might also be RAM limitations
TRIMBLE Pathfinder Office -- runs under 64 bit windows -- in 32 bit emulation mode -- maybe 4.10 is better but I only have 4.0
Manifold is tru 64 bit -- BUT -- it is NOT ESRI.
If you are running virtual environments then you are going to need something that can handle LARGE ammounts of RAM -- not so
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Anyway
Are you going to be out in the field with the machine a lot ????
Do you need a "ruggedized" machine ???? THAT is a whole different ball game.
As I have said here a number of times I would suggest going for a
DELL PRECISION 17" ( With your kind of work you really need the extra screen real estate )
Also perhaps a
LENOVO Thinkpad W series
These are all serious machines from serious manufacturers ( at serious prices)
You just have to work out what features you are going to need & if they can be installed at a later stage if need be.
Often it is cheaper to get ALL the options up front in the initial order.
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Being a self funded cheapskate I am just upgrading my second hand D830
When I am finished with my D830 it will have
core 2 duo 2.6Ghz or up
8 gig RAM
320 Gb 7200 FIRST HDD
500 Gb 7200 SECOND HDD
( debating about SSD )
DL multi lightscribe DVD
The only downfall is that it does not have the latest GPU -- depends on what you want ??
With 512 Mb I will still be able to run all the fly-throughs and animations.
It also does not have e-SATA -- handy and better than USB or Firewire
The 3G WWAN card also has a powerful GPSr capability.
Upgrading to Intel WiFi / WiMAX -- WLAN / WWAN card
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People will tell you that it is impossible to "upgrade" your laptop -- what a load of old bull.
A lot of the parts that make up a laptop are mainstream and inexpensive if you know where to look.
Do a LOT of homework before you buy -- there are a lot of different little details when it comes to all the options.
It helps a LOT to have family or good friends -- "over-the-water"
OF course if your COMPANY is purchasing and already have a relationship with one of the big names -- then just go ahead and get ALL the trimmings.
MW
