breh Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 So I'm looking at buying myself a laptop to turn into a "hackintosh". Compatibility is really essential for everything except things like firewire/bluetooth. I've got around $800 to spend and I'd like to get something recent. The "Best Laptops" thread lacks recomendations in it's current posts so I thought I'd ask here. So I humbly ask you insanelymac for recommendations on a compatible 15 inch laptop. :] thanks in advance. ps. messing around isn't too much of a problem for me.. just hopefully not too much being required Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketch Junkie Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 Hi everyone, I'm a total noob at this sort of thing, and I was wondering if any of you could help me as well. I'll be attending an animation program in the fall, and one of the students recommended I purchase a laptop. I'll need to be able to Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, Flash, etc, as well high-end 3D applications like Maya and ZBrush. I've noticed that, although virtually any processor can be used for a hackintosh, certain processors show up as "unrecognized" or something. Does this really matter, as long as both cores are working at full capacity, or do I need to get one with Intel Core 2 Duo? Will I still be able to run 3D graphics programs on an AMD, Pentium, etc? Also, which install method (iPC, kalyway, etc) works best for laptop computers, and is easiest for the complete beginner? EDIT: I just read a tutorial on installing from a retail DVD, which looks pretty simple (save for installing all the necessary drivers and patches), so I'll probably just do that, which means I'd have to get an Intel Core 2 Duo. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1203977 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyckyj Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 The Vostro 1520 should work good but you HAVE to get it with the Nvidia graphics: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=171636 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1204562 Share on other sites More sharing options...
breh Posted July 21, 2009 Author Share Posted July 21, 2009 The Vostro 1520 should work good but you HAVE to get it with the Nvidia graphics: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=171636 Actually there's a 200(cnd) something discount on it for a few more days. Reading the thread you linked makes it seem like a pretty good idea. Anyone have any other opinions/suggestions? :] ty Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1205009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketch Junkie Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 {censored}. I just bought a Gateway NV5812H this afternoon at Futureshop (like I said, I'm a total noob). It comes with an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, but has expandable video memory. Do you think this will be okay, or do I REALLY need a nVidia or ATI Radeon? I'm not really going to be doing much 3D graphics work on it (mostly just modelling, rigging, animating, etc), but I'll mostly use the desktop computers at school, so it's not like I need this to be a professional quality machine---just as long as it's fast enough, doesn't crash in the middle of a project, etc. What do you think? Am I fine with this, or should I return it and order something better? In either case, I'd like to do a test run of the installation before committing. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1205015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick14 Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 YOU REALLY NEED nVidia GRAPHICS ! new Ati and Intel won't work Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1205019 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sketch Junkie Posted July 21, 2009 Share Posted July 21, 2009 Dang. Well, I'll see how the installation goes with the Gateway, and if it works out, I'll probably trade it in for something with NVidia. Given my lack of knowledge/experience with computer modification, I may not be able to get the installation to work at all, in which case, I might as well just get a Macbook instead of a Vostro (or anything in the $1000+ range). Like I said, I'm probably just going to use it for basic stuff (2D mostly) more than anything. I'll talk to some of the other students to see what they use, but I doubt many of them use their laptops for 3D graphics. Thanks for all the advice! EDIT: Also, what if I simply replaced the graphics card later on? Would that work, or does it need to be pre-installed? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1205519 Share on other sites More sharing options...
breh Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 still lookin Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/175362-laptop-recommendations/#findComment-1207862 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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