As a web designer, you frequently assume different roles: at times, you’re a photo editor, manipulating images; at others times, you’re a video editor, creating flash videos; most of the time, you’re writing code, pounding away at a keyboard for hours.
A useful laptop for web designers will be able to handle all these different projects, offering powerful hardware for flash work, a large screen for previewing and photo editing, and a solid keyboard that can handle the demands of a typing profession.
Lenovo Thinkpad T500 - $2223
| Thinkpad has long been regarded as one of the best laptop lines available, and the T500 takes that rank to a new level. While it may not be the prettiest laptop, it has excellent specs and will meet the needs of the most demanding web designers.
The Lenovo T500 features a Matte finish 15.4″ display with a resolution of 1680 x 1050. It runs a powerful Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 2.8GHz processor, ideal for intense workloads, and features dedicated ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 graphics. For connectivity, the T500 sports 802.11 a/b/g/n wifi and Bluetooth 2.0. |
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Dell XPS 1530
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Style and sophistication are blended together nicely with the sleek Dell XPS 1530. For the specs, this laptop is incredibly light at just under 6lbs, and ideal for web designers who frequently travel.
With a 15.4″ display at a resolution of 1280 x 800, this laptop is better suited for those who primarily code. It has a 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 processor, 4GB of DDR2 RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT graphics. Connection is simple and robust with WWAN, Ethernet, 802.11 a/g/n wifi, and Bluetooth, as well as three USB ports, HDMI, VGA, S-Video, Firewire, and an ExpressCard slot. |
Toshiba Satellite 305D - $900
| The Toshiba Satellite 305D is a humble middle between specs and price. It features an AMD Turion Dual-Core TL-64 2.1GHz processor, which may not be as fast as Intel’s, but it will certainly get the job done.
The Satellite 305D has a large TruBrite 17.2″ widescreen display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. It is loaded with an integrated ATI Radeon X1250 graphics, 4GB of RAM, and a 250GB 5400rpm HDD. Staying connected is easy with the integrated 802.11 a/g/n wifi. |
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MacBook Pro - $1999
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If you’re not tied down to the Windows OS, you can’t do better than the new 15″ Macbook Pro. Featuring a 15″ LED frameless display, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, glass multi-touch trackpad, and an NVIDIA 9600M GT graphic chip, the Macbook Pro will meet whatever demands you throw at it while remaining thin, light, and stylish. Connectivity includes built-in Air Port Extreme 802.11 n wifi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and Gigabit Ethernet. |
Samsung Q45 - $1500
| Web designers don’t always need large, hulking machines. Sometimes, small is better, but finding the perfect mix of petite and power can be difficult.
In comes Samsung’s newest laptop, the Q45. With a small 12″ display, they managed to pack in an excellent 1280 x 800 resolution. It runs an Intel Core to Duo T7100 1.8GHz processor, which is powerful enough for most web designers. Adding 802.11 a/b/g wifi, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, LAN, a 6-in1 card reader, SuperMulti optical drive, and a 160GB HDD, you’ve got everything you need in a 4lbs package. |
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HP Pavilion HDX16
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HP has been taking it’s Pavilion laptops to a new level, and the HDX16 sits at the forefront of that movement.
With a bright 16″ display and 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, the HP HDX16 is sleek, stylish, and thin while providing the power needed to get the job done. It has 4GB of RAM and a 320GB Serial ATA HDD, and offers 802.11 wifi, Gigabit Ethernet, and Bluetooth 2.0. As a perk, HP also tossed a pair of subwoofers into the mix, too. |
Sony VAIO BZ
| Sony’s VAIO notebooks are best known for being stylish and small. The BZ business VAIO combines the best of both world’s, offering a dark charcoal finish on a thin, stylish chassis, though with a weight of about 6lbs, it is not the most portable machine.
The VAIO BZ features an Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 processor and 2GB of RAM. It sports a 15.4″ LCD display with a resolution of 1440 x 900. The keyboard is the best feature of this notebook, with comfortable keys and a large size tackpad and buttons, making typing and navigation an effortless task. |
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Fujitsu LifeBook S6520 - $1755
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An excellent mix of portability, screen size, and power, the Fujitsu LifeBook S6520 squeezes a 14″ screen into the light, small body commonly used for 13″ notebooks. This laptop isn’t very attractive, with a plain black matte-finish chassis, but it has a comfortable weight of 4lbs.
The 14″ display has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and has excellent viewing angles. The systems runs on a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 CPU, and has 4GB of RAM, making it a decent workhorse in a small body. Connectivity is standard: 802.11 a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1, as well as Gigabit Ethernet, and a PC card slot. |
Asus M70S - $2400
| If you’re looking for a desktop replacement for web design, the Asus M70S is the perfect laptop. Featuring a full 1TB of storage in the form of two 500GB hard drives, you’re guaranteed to have enough space for all your projects.
Adding to the goodness, the M70S features a 17″ widescreen LCD with a crisp resolution of 1920 x 1200. It runs and Intel Core 2 Dup T9300 2.5GHz processor and 4GB of DDR2 RAM, with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 (1GB dedicated memory). To stay connected, the M70S has standard 802.11 a/g/n wifi, and the added security of a biometric scanner. |
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Alienware Area-51 M9750 - $4000
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If you demand a bit of everything - fast processor, extreme graphics, HD display, and all the frills to make any project possible, the Alienware Area-51 M9750 comes in at number one. With a glossy 17″ 1920 x 1200 display, you’ll be able to view your projects at maximum resolution and bright clarity.
The system runs an Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.3GHz processor and DUAL NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX graphics. It boasts 4GB of RAM and two 160GB 7200RPM hard drives. There’s an 8x DVD burner for fast use, Bluetooth 2.0, and 4965AGN WLAN. The system weighs 8lbs, and features a professional, black matte chassis, ideal for the professional who needs a notebook to meet all demands. |
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5-11-2008
I don’t think that the new Macbook Pro is a good laptop for designers, because of that glossy screen.
well… what laptop means ? Portability right? In an brightless ambient (i.e. outside our home) the screen reflects too much. I’ve seen one in action, and i will not spend $2000 on a mirror.
But i’m an apple fan, so i decided to go for a 24′ iMac instead, just because the laptop doesn’t bring me mobility.