what's your ideal 5k studio?

[hessa11]

It really depends on how fast you have been training, and what level of running you have been doing.

[Amit Dutta]

Hey Yolo, a powerhouse setup. I can only drool at 32GB of RAM and a 3GB video card seeing as I'm limited to mobility. Besides things like a kb etc, which I already have...I would get an expensive (or at least good quality) IPS monitor. Considering how important displays are to our work, a TFT just won't cut it nowadays iMO.
Nice though man. Interesting to see your choices! Thanks dude.

@hessa. Lol, probably should read my first post in the thread. It's not the kind of 5k you're thinkin. Haha. Running is bad for you. I like the idea of having knees and no arthritis in my later years. :)

[YOLOLEX]

Heres the thing, I think it might be better to get some stats on what the most commonly used monitor is and then get that one so you have quality control over your work. If you get the best monitors and stuff it looks nice to you but might have color issues and stuff.

Sucks to be mobile. Ive always considered trying to be mobile too to get out of the house and stuff, im thinking a cheap tablet build might work, considering most stuff outside would probably be basic ideas and rough sketching anyway. Are you gonna get the companion? Do you know how it works in direct sunlight?

[Amit Dutta]

Yeah that's why I would get an IPS panel over a TFT. Generally it seems they represent more of the srgb colour space, have wider viewing angles, use less power. It's why they are more expensive, and much better for graphics applications. TFT wins in price and seems to have slightly lower response times but that's more important for gamers, and I don't game.
The dell ultrasharp u2413 for example has 100% coverage of sRGB and great colour representation. :)

I personally love being mobile. I can upend my studio and go wherever I want. Going away for a weekend, I can take my studio with. Going overseas on holiday, I can take it along. Can't do plein air without a laptop. Wrt the companion, any painting outdoors with a screen will need a shade box setup of some sort. I've seen designs for laptop and tablet setups, but it's harder with a device that you actually have to draw on screen because your own hand needs access to the sreen so you can't I easily build a box around it. am thinking about how I could do that and so far besides a wierd sort of sheet with a cutout for my eyes over my head (LOL) I haven't really seen how it would work. If i was in the States they would probably shoot me on sight with that kind of getup!!!

It would be a challenging industrial design project. Could be a niche product if I can figure out a design of course, like the nomad. :) the need will dissappear once screen technology becomes better.

[meat]

...If i was in the States they would probably shoot me on sight with that kind of getup!!!

You would have the NSA twisting every surveillance camera towards you as the FBI tosses you into the back of that big van where information acquisition specialists awaits you with "open arms"!

[Amit Dutta]

'K, so just for the purposes of finishing off this thread, this is what I'm going for as of today.

Dell Precision m4800
mobile workstation. 3.2Ghz, 16GB RAM, 2GB Nvidia GPU, IPS screen with good colour space coverage, SSD, etc It's almost a year old model, but it's a beast. I got it for 2500 NZD which is 1500 bucks cheaper than the manufacturer price.
specs and review


Wacom Cintiq 13HD. 1200 NZD, down to 800NZD with insurance money.
With the cash saved on the laptop, I can get a mini cintiq. Not sure if it's the right choice as I don't know if I can still use it like a regular tablet when using a larger standalone monitor. I guess so, but it seems weird. Might end up with an inuos pro medium instead, which will be paid for by insurance.


Dell Ultrasharp U2713hm. Around NZD 850
27" Monitor, IPS, good sRGB cover, best 27" sub 1000 dollars monitor


Also going to get an ergotron LX monitor mount that is fully articulated, for around NZD 150, so I can still use my drafting table as my desk and just have the monitor swing out of the way if necessary.

That's about it. Total cost : NZD 4300. If i get the cintiq. Meaning I'm under budget by quite a bit. Might get some added goodies or just keep it for a rainy day. Will post images of my setup when it is all together :)
Exciting times!

[meat]

That laptop looks heavy. Does it heat up like a BBQ grill? Last Dell I had heated up like a BBQ grill on my lap during summer. It had to sit on a tangerine box.

[Amit Dutta]

Haha, yeah 2.9kg. Most mobile workstations are. My last dell heated up fierce to, but this one has twice the fan power and according to the review only hits 37 celsius at the base, which is ice cold compared to my last. We shall see...

[Elmst]

Refurbished 15.4-inch MacBook Pro 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel i7 with Retina Display: 1600.00

Wacom medium tablet: 300.00

2 27" Dell monitor: 800.00

The new apple laptops are amazingly fast and have shelf life of over 5 years, and with 2 27" screens you have a kick ass studio setup. The laptop and Wacom are light enought to be mobile AND You still have 1000.00 left over for anything else you need.

Just sayin:)

[Amit Dutta]

Yeah elmst, that's pretty much what I'm getting, except for the laptop. Got a refurbished dell m4800 i7 3.2ghz which is more powerful than the macbook.
Also going to try out my mate's 24hd cintiq to decide if I want a cintiq as well. I just won an art competition, and got some extra cash from that, plus the chance to win the grand prize of 5000us, so I may be able to drop it for a 24hd as well. Wish me luck :)

[Elmst]

Hey Monkeybread,
I have a Cintiq companion as we'll as a 21 Cintiq in the studio and I have to say I love them both! When I use the Cintiq compared to standard tablet, I use more of my arm, and my hand is far more relaxed resulting in longer more comfortable paint sessions. Congrates on winning the completion and be sure to give the Cintiq a little time, it took me a week or so before I really got use to it:)

Eric

[Amit Dutta]

Thanks Eric! Sounds pretty sweet though I'm not convinced about the cost yet. I know that psychologically we value the things we choose more than those we don't just because we have chosen them! So unless it significantly adds to me being better or more efficient I probably wouldn't get one because I'd be happy either way haha. Will let the thread know what I end up with :)