A laptop for a student and an artist?
May 9, 2017 7:08 PM Subscribe
I'm going to be starting graduate school next fall and want to upgrade my old, slow laptop. I want two things that don't seem to come together: 1) a lightweight, small laptop that's easy to carry around, and 2) a laptop with accurate stylus input for drawing. Can I have both?
(Full disclosure: I have a very hacked-together understanding of computers and little knowledge of specs in any capacity and am probably going to say a couple dumb things in this post.)
My current laptop is a Fujitsu Lifebook T732 and I LOVE it. It's extremely accurate with the stylus and it's also been a well-functioning laptop for four years. The problem is, I haven't treated it very well--I've dropped the thing countless times (twice hard enough that I needed to replace the hard drive), I haven't been using a cooler, I've been using it on my lap constantly... and it's really slowed down. It was still slow even right after installing a new hard drive so I doubt malware or anything is the problem.
If it was just that I would probably look into just trying to tune it up, but from carrying it around for four years I've really begun to hate how heavy it is. It's discouraging me from bringing it unless I absolutely need it, which leads to a lot of time when I could have gotten work done but don't because I don't have my laptop. I also need a pretty big bag to carry it in, which gets in the way a lot. I'd really like something lighter and less bulky. I'm going into a clinical PhD program which will involve a lot of research and writing papers and also a lot of being on the go, so I really want something that's easy to carry around.
I don't just want to get a tablet with a keyboard because 1) in my experience they are nowhere near as accurate as my Lifebook, and 2) I need it to be able to run programs like Photoshop without lagging.
I don't need it to do any gaming (I have a gaming desktop), I just want it to run smoothly when I'm doing art or browsing the internet. I would also really like for it to have a larger keyboard because I have large hands with long fingers. I've tried some of my friends laptops and immediately disliked the keyboard and I think it was because of the keyboard size compared to the Fujitsu Lifebook (one was a Surface Pro 2, the other an Asus X202E).
Are there laptops that are lightweight, can run programs like Photoshop, and have very accurate stylus input? I'm willing to pay up to $1500, which is what I paid for my Lifebook. So far most of what I'm finding is geared towards note taking, which doesn't need to be as accurate as what I'm looking for, so I'm worried it would be a decrease in quality. Any suggestions?
(Full disclosure: I have a very hacked-together understanding of computers and little knowledge of specs in any capacity and am probably going to say a couple dumb things in this post.)
My current laptop is a Fujitsu Lifebook T732 and I LOVE it. It's extremely accurate with the stylus and it's also been a well-functioning laptop for four years. The problem is, I haven't treated it very well--I've dropped the thing countless times (twice hard enough that I needed to replace the hard drive), I haven't been using a cooler, I've been using it on my lap constantly... and it's really slowed down. It was still slow even right after installing a new hard drive so I doubt malware or anything is the problem.
If it was just that I would probably look into just trying to tune it up, but from carrying it around for four years I've really begun to hate how heavy it is. It's discouraging me from bringing it unless I absolutely need it, which leads to a lot of time when I could have gotten work done but don't because I don't have my laptop. I also need a pretty big bag to carry it in, which gets in the way a lot. I'd really like something lighter and less bulky. I'm going into a clinical PhD program which will involve a lot of research and writing papers and also a lot of being on the go, so I really want something that's easy to carry around.
I don't just want to get a tablet with a keyboard because 1) in my experience they are nowhere near as accurate as my Lifebook, and 2) I need it to be able to run programs like Photoshop without lagging.
I don't need it to do any gaming (I have a gaming desktop), I just want it to run smoothly when I'm doing art or browsing the internet. I would also really like for it to have a larger keyboard because I have large hands with long fingers. I've tried some of my friends laptops and immediately disliked the keyboard and I think it was because of the keyboard size compared to the Fujitsu Lifebook (one was a Surface Pro 2, the other an Asus X202E).
Are there laptops that are lightweight, can run programs like Photoshop, and have very accurate stylus input? I'm willing to pay up to $1500, which is what I paid for my Lifebook. So far most of what I'm finding is geared towards note taking, which doesn't need to be as accurate as what I'm looking for, so I'm worried it would be a decrease in quality. Any suggestions?
The slowdown could be due to some memory coming unseated (or breaking). Do another student a favor and see if wiggling the memory makes it faster, or if just removing one (or the other) of the memory bars has zero or a dramatic effect. If you determine that it is just a memory issue, then you can sell/give your old laptop to someone who will really appreciate it.
Since you say you've dropped it in the past, it may be that some memory just came loose. Worth a try - just watch out for static, watch a YouTube video/read instructions on how to get to the memory for your specific model.
posted by amtho at 8:04 PM on May 9, 2017
Since you say you've dropped it in the past, it may be that some memory just came loose. Worth a try - just watch out for static, watch a YouTube video/read instructions on how to get to the memory for your specific model.
posted by amtho at 8:04 PM on May 9, 2017
You can almost certainly get your existing laptop back up to speed by reformatting it and purchasing an SSD. But that doesn't solve the weight issue.
If not, my recommendation is a Surface Pro 4. It's a little over two pounds, and super compact with the keyboard. The Core i5 Surface Pro 4 is a little faster than your existing laptop, so running Photoshop will be similar to what you see now. Your battery life will likely go up significantly.
The Surface Pro 2 had a ~10" screen, so the keyboard was smaller. The Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3" screen, so it's almost exactly the same size as what you have now. The Surface keyboard is really, really good for a detachable tablet keyboard. Try one in store. You'll be surprised. (The Surface Pro 3 keyboard is the same size but not nearly as good).
Drawing on the SP4 gets very good reviews. The drawing is not quite as good as an iPad Pro, but the iPad Pro also can't run desktop apps.
Keep in mind that the lowest spec'd SP4 is a Core M3, which is fine, but slower than your existing laptop. Get the i5 or i7. You can't upgrade the RAM, so if you need 16GB, get it when you buy the device. Also note that althought the Surface Pro 3 is a good device, is nearly as fast and can use the SP4 keyboard, it has less drawing sensitivity than the SP4.
If you've knocked memory lose in your existing laptop, you'd see a reduction in memory by opening Task Manager, because the machine doesn't see it anymore. If it's half in the slot, it's reasonably likely that it would short and ruin the module and/or your motherboard. You'd know.
posted by cnc at 8:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
If not, my recommendation is a Surface Pro 4. It's a little over two pounds, and super compact with the keyboard. The Core i5 Surface Pro 4 is a little faster than your existing laptop, so running Photoshop will be similar to what you see now. Your battery life will likely go up significantly.
The Surface Pro 2 had a ~10" screen, so the keyboard was smaller. The Surface Pro 4 has a 12.3" screen, so it's almost exactly the same size as what you have now. The Surface keyboard is really, really good for a detachable tablet keyboard. Try one in store. You'll be surprised. (The Surface Pro 3 keyboard is the same size but not nearly as good).
Drawing on the SP4 gets very good reviews. The drawing is not quite as good as an iPad Pro, but the iPad Pro also can't run desktop apps.
Keep in mind that the lowest spec'd SP4 is a Core M3, which is fine, but slower than your existing laptop. Get the i5 or i7. You can't upgrade the RAM, so if you need 16GB, get it when you buy the device. Also note that althought the Surface Pro 3 is a good device, is nearly as fast and can use the SP4 keyboard, it has less drawing sensitivity than the SP4.
If you've knocked memory lose in your existing laptop, you'd see a reduction in memory by opening Task Manager, because the machine doesn't see it anymore. If it's half in the slot, it's reasonably likely that it would short and ruin the module and/or your motherboard. You'd know.
posted by cnc at 8:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
The problem is, I haven't treated it very well--I've dropped the thing countless times (twice hard enough that I needed to replace the hard drive)
I would caution you against getting something like an expensive high end Surface tablet unless you can get it with a no-fault extended warranty. The Fujitsus are engineered to be pretty resilient (at the cost of size and weight) so if you've managed to repeatedly drop it to the point of killing the drives, I suspect something designed to minimize size and weight at the cost of resiliency might not survive. If you can't get such a warranty, you might aim for some of the ~$500-600 Wacom enabled systems that aren't as nice but will be less painful if you have to replace them.
posted by Candleman at 10:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
I would caution you against getting something like an expensive high end Surface tablet unless you can get it with a no-fault extended warranty. The Fujitsus are engineered to be pretty resilient (at the cost of size and weight) so if you've managed to repeatedly drop it to the point of killing the drives, I suspect something designed to minimize size and weight at the cost of resiliency might not survive. If you can't get such a warranty, you might aim for some of the ~$500-600 Wacom enabled systems that aren't as nice but will be less painful if you have to replace them.
posted by Candleman at 10:32 PM on May 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
Is it important that you be able to draw on the screen? If that's not critical, the other option is to get a usb drawing tablet (like a wacom or one of the monoprice-type ones), which would give you more options on the computer front.
Another option given your budget would be to get a really cheap, light laptop for carrying around and keep a good-but-maybe-heavy laptop at home for drawing (obviously this depends on your use patterns).
posted by trig at 11:52 PM on May 9, 2017
Another option given your budget would be to get a really cheap, light laptop for carrying around and keep a good-but-maybe-heavy laptop at home for drawing (obviously this depends on your use patterns).
posted by trig at 11:52 PM on May 9, 2017
Re weight: three of the lightweight (<3 lb) laptops/convertibles with SSDs that I've tried have had issues that I think relate to difficulty placing decent fans/addressing heat when they're trying to optimize for size/weight. (Noise from the fan; battery just shutting down [which I believe is related to difficulty regulating temperature with some of the more novel fan/cooling solutions that don't involve heavier, more traditional fans]). I suspect that's why a lot of the lighter ones use M3 processors (which might not be great for the programs you need for art stuff). I have a feeling you might need to go to the 3-4 lb range to get the speed/power you want (without having cooling issues) in your budget. That's if you're sticking with Windows OS, not sure about Macs (maybe go for some kind of Mac).
(Aside: couple of people with the HP model I have reported the thing exploding! Which happened because they left it running on soft surfaces, blocking the vents. The fans couldn't cope. Some Acers with comparable specs just shut down.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:03 AM on May 10, 2017
(Aside: couple of people with the HP model I have reported the thing exploding! Which happened because they left it running on soft surfaces, blocking the vents. The fans couldn't cope. Some Acers with comparable specs just shut down.)
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:03 AM on May 10, 2017
Some of the architects in my office use Lenovo Yogas
These are the Yogas. I adore mine. People like them because they are relatively cheap for the quality; the screen folds over to make a tablet/flat writing surface; the harddrives are SSD*, meaning a) you can drop the fuck out of them and they don't care, b) they are lightening fast (a complete Windows reboot in under 10 seconds for me.)
HOWEVER. Only specific models will work well with a stylus. The 900s will not; the 900Cs will. I don't know about any of the other models including the one I linked you to. You are going to have to buy a stylus and waltz down to a BestBuy or whatever to actually try a bunch, I think.
*Note: Do not buy a laptop without SSD, no matter how big the discount. It will be obsolete before you leave the store. I am absolutely not one of those people who's like wow this new tech doohickey is the BEST THING EVER but I have been computing for 30 years and SSD is on my Top 3 List of absolutely game-changing computing advances, right up there with WiFi.)
posted by DarlingBri at 3:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
These are the Yogas. I adore mine. People like them because they are relatively cheap for the quality; the screen folds over to make a tablet/flat writing surface; the harddrives are SSD*, meaning a) you can drop the fuck out of them and they don't care, b) they are lightening fast (a complete Windows reboot in under 10 seconds for me.)
HOWEVER. Only specific models will work well with a stylus. The 900s will not; the 900Cs will. I don't know about any of the other models including the one I linked you to. You are going to have to buy a stylus and waltz down to a BestBuy or whatever to actually try a bunch, I think.
*Note: Do not buy a laptop without SSD, no matter how big the discount. It will be obsolete before you leave the store. I am absolutely not one of those people who's like wow this new tech doohickey is the BEST THING EVER but I have been computing for 30 years and SSD is on my Top 3 List of absolutely game-changing computing advances, right up there with WiFi.)
posted by DarlingBri at 3:09 AM on May 10, 2017 [4 favorites]
Have you played around with Wacom tablets at all?
In your price range I would get a Yoga and an Intuous.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:41 PM on May 10, 2017
In your price range I would get a Yoga and an Intuous.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:41 PM on May 10, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions! I would really rather avoid getting a Wacom. I have used them before and found it very frustrating because I don't have great hand-eye coordination and the disconnect just feels too great. I know it's a skill that you have to learn, but I've also had friends who regularly use Wacom tablets who have tried my Fujitsu and remarked that it was much better than using a Wacom (one friend said: "I can't do this on my Wacom... I can't even do this with a real pen!").
However, in thinking about usage, I realize I only really need precise accuracy when I'm doing lineart or shading/painting. These are two things I pretty much exclusively do at home. The only things I do on the go are sketching and flat coloring, neither of which require a lot of precision. So perhaps it would work best for me to tune up my Fujitsu for linework/painting, and find something with a less precise stylus for on-the-go. So, a tablet or Chromebook with a stylus might work for me as long as there are art programs available on the platform whose files will be compatible with Photoshop, and as long as I can get a decent keyboard for it. Perhaps the Samsung Chromebook Plus or the Asus Transformer Book T100?
posted by brook horse at 7:32 PM on May 10, 2017
However, in thinking about usage, I realize I only really need precise accuracy when I'm doing lineart or shading/painting. These are two things I pretty much exclusively do at home. The only things I do on the go are sketching and flat coloring, neither of which require a lot of precision. So perhaps it would work best for me to tune up my Fujitsu for linework/painting, and find something with a less precise stylus for on-the-go. So, a tablet or Chromebook with a stylus might work for me as long as there are art programs available on the platform whose files will be compatible with Photoshop, and as long as I can get a decent keyboard for it. Perhaps the Samsung Chromebook Plus or the Asus Transformer Book T100?
posted by brook horse at 7:32 PM on May 10, 2017
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posted by General Malaise at 7:56 PM on May 9, 2017