[cammi]

I need a recommendation for a laptop that isn't a mac. I will be using the laptop as a 2nd computer and will take it with me travelling. It also needs to be fast/great with graphics and LCD, as I am studying web & graphic design.

What would you recommend for me?

I was thinking of buying the Lenovo T61P but only the T61 is available in Australia and Malaysia. But I also read that the LCD sucked (which sucks, cos I need a good screen for my work).

[DoubleHelix]

Lenovos are geared toward business users, not graphic design. Since that's the area most heavily saturated with Macs, you might want to reconsider the option. If a Mac absolutely isn't an option, look to the high-end offerings by HP and Dell.

[cammi]

I prefer non-macs in general. Also, in my class we do have Mac users and they have had a lot of trouble using the Adobe programs (dreamweaver etc) on their computers... every week they have some random problem with the progs. So I am beginning to think the thought that Macs are better for graphics is indeed a fallacy.

I currently own a Compaq Presario V4000 which is getting a bit old now... I love it, it was pretty cheap too when I got it a few years back. Maybe if it was a bit lighter, and I could upgrade it for more RAM and Space that would be good.

I wouldn't touch Acer or Dell with a stick. Or Gateway (not that we have those shops here now anyway...). I am primarily a IT person, just delving into design now.

[JohnWill]

Well, if the applications you are using for your graphic design is Windows based, then the Windows computer obviously makes more sense.

You need to start by listing the attributes that are most important to you by importance, such as the following.

Note: the order I used is arbitrary, you should put them in the order of importance, and add any additional things you can think of.

Maximum price
Screen Size & Resolution
Processor Speed
Memory Size
Disk Size
External I/O Ports (USB, Firewire, Network, Audio)
External Video Ports (type of connections)
Physical Size
Weight
Travel weight (with power adapter and other accessories)
O/S, Vista or XP
etc..

[elektrik.star]

Well, I personally have an HP Pavillion that's running Vista. I feel it alone is a good OS and computer, and I believe Ultimate will run even better on it.

My friend is also a graphic designer and it's the type of computer she has as well, though I have a 17' widescreen and she opted for 15'.

It really does depend though on what specs you're looking for. Worst come the worst, you might just want to get one of the best laptops you can and customize the parts in it yourself to get what you're truly looking for.

[DoubleHelix]

Closing the door on multiple brands will certainly limit your options. Personally, I don't like wasting my time making reasonable recommendations so the person can respond with, "I refuse to buy that brand for XYZ reason." Usually the reasons are based on sporadic anecdotal advice from friends or one bad experience years ago with a particular model or series.

This is the first time I've read of mass, frequent crashes of software on a Mac. My guess is there's more to that story as well.