#Notebook and network
17 messages in this thread
I would appreciate some advice. I am interested in buying a notebook
for many uses including the ability to run 3dsR3. What is the
minimum necessary configuration and brands of notebooks. I am also
interested in networking the notebook to my 486 to be used as a
possible render engine What would be the necessary config for the
pcmcia card and network card. I will initially only will be
networking the 2 computers but would like the ability to network 2-3
more. Thanks for your input. Samuel Coor
Sam:
I have a Ergo Notebook computer that I use as both a slave on the network (via
PCMCIA ethernet) and as a workstation when I travel. It is a 486DX/66 with
16mb RAM (memory on these things run about $100/mb), 200mb HD and an active
matrix color screen. As far as min. requirements for R3, there the same as a
desktop system. Just be sure that the notebook will support a minimum of 32mb
RAM.
– Steve Ormonde
thanks
Why does the notebook need to be expandable to 32MB RAM? Is this necessary for
networking?
I would imagine that "expandable to 32MB RAM" would drive the price of the
notebook through the roof. That was, at least, my experience in trying to find
one that would expand to 20MB RAM. Most of the ones I looked at only went to
12MB, then the 20MB ones jumped about $500 from there.
Michele
The usual reason. If you plan on using it for 3DS, the more memory, the
better. It seems that most DX based notebooks will support up to 32mb RAM
while the SX are less expandable, plus you can't run 3DS on an SX based
computer (without the additional math chip).
– Steve Ormonde
Oh. I guess I assume everyone else is using their laptops for the same reason
I use mine. I use it only for modeling on 3DS, plus all my other day-to-day
doodah like faxes and Cserve. The big hulk in the corner does all the actual
rendering.
Michele
Actually, I use my laptop for interactive presentations, 3DS modeling, as a 3ds
rendering slave (when I don't need to take it with me) and for the day-to-day
stuff when I'm on the road. I suppose not everyone needs a "notebook" computer
this versatile, especially with its price tag.
BTW, what do you model with 3DS?
– Steve Ormonde
I have a Sharp PC-8650 notebook that I run 3DS on. It's active matrix color,
expandable to 20MB RAM. I paid $3000 for it.
Make sure you get Super VGA display as this is necessary to run the Materials
Editor in 3DS.
I'm not sure why you were advised to get a notebook expandable to 32MB RAM.
Finding one that expands to 20MB RAM was hard enough, and I paid for it. Right
now mine has 4MB and will cost $600 to upgrade to 20MB.
By the way, you can get an internal fax/modem to run with the Sharp for $300.
Also beware tiny notebooks, they usually require you to buy an external floppy
drive that the salesman neglects to tell you about until you're paying for the
notebook.
Michele
>>I'm not sure why you were advised to get a notebook expandable to 32MB RAM.
Finding one that expands to 20MB RAM was hard enough, and I paid for it. Right
now mine has 4MB…
You can run 3ds3 on a 4MB notebook? What are you animating, Michele, a rotating
cube? <g>
– Jack
Couldn't be that…..would probably take at least 8MB <g>.
Hardy har har. I bet my 4MB laptop can beat up your machine any day. (Easier
to raise over my head to wind up for a good clobbering.) <g>
Michele
That's a good point <g>, I didn't think of that.
BILL
A rotating cube? You can make 3D objects with this software? Geesh, and here
I was working with 2D surfaces all this time. <g>
I do the modeling on the laptop and assign basic materials. Then I port the
model over to the beast (the 486 tower with 16MB RAM), tweak it and render.
Keeps both computers busy and me happy.
Michele
Ah… All makes sense to me now.
– J
$600 for 16mb of RAM on a notebook? I don't know where you are getting your
memory from but most notebooks use proprietary SIMM's which mean lots more
money than the usual desktop variety.
– Steve Ormonde
I got my laptop at State Street Discount in New Hampshire. They told me they'd
swap out the 4MB for 20MB for $600. Maybe the salesman was out to lunch, who
knows. Or maybe he really said "potato chips" and not "RAM chips".
Michele
PMJI, A division of my company sells a 486/66 notebook (The Cruiser) that has
a color active matrix that can be easiliy removed to put on an overhead
projector and can display a 10'-15' image or video. It is expandable to 32MB
(64MB within 2 months) has built in sound (SB), PCMCIA, 340MB – 600MB HD,
modem, trackball, stealth scratchproof chassis….etc… It also has an
external SVGA and S-VHS output.
I carry one with me for many reasons, I can create a rough model for a client
right before their eyes, I can show clients or a large audience previews or
images of their projects, logon to ASOFT wherever theres a RJ11. Of course I
have the 256MB, the 128MB, and 3-64MB 66's for the real work.
If any one is interested in a system like this, E-Mail me and I can have
someone send lit.
Kurt McKeever
RTI Animation
(a division of Revered Technology Inc. located in Camarillo, CA)