02-22-2014, 04:00 AM
I've never looked into Apple products, so not a lot of details, but a friend who is Apple showed me how you can sketch on an iPad with an Apple pen. I think that iPad he showed me was... $500? $400? Comparable to a Cintiq and Intuos if just for sketching on the go. Check out that possibility on Youtube (to see what the drawing process look like). There seem to be multiple palettes you can save, several brush/pen functions, and a few extra functions you have to pay extra for (eg. a color mixing area). You can also print the filled "sketchbook" out to become an actual, bespoke Moleskin from that app.
To pain plein air digitally you'll need an umbrella and Jack Link's.
The second monitor doesn't need to be that good quality, it's just for displaying reference images, like if you print some image out and taped it to a wall. If for some reason you really want to see the ref in good quality, drag it over to your good quality monitor temporarily. But not sure how second monitor will work with a laptop... not sure what adjustable monitor mount is, but can't you use an orange box?
A powerful laptop that can also be used as studio machine with large screen is ASUS N750J, with upgrades to relevant specs. Apparently you _can_ replace hard drive in a laptop, contrary to what I've been told all along, so I even had an SSD installed by one of the computer guy for a bit of under-the-table fee. The screen is 17.5", and weight is... okay, because it's metal-cased, but definitely lighter and thinner than Alienware or ASUS' G-series. You can plein air on it with an Intuos (optional: buy the wireless stub), an umbrella, and a $10 camping folding stool. ... I don't see N750J on ASUS' global site, but check out its relatives anyway in the N series. I was in Asia when I had to buy it (sudden death of old laptop in middle of project). The laptop and the SSD (Crucial M500, 480GB) together was under $2000. Crucial has really good reviews both performance- and price-wise. I only use the SSD for programs and not file-saving, but even that used up most of the 480GB with 120GB free. ... I might have to uninstall Skyrim and Amalur.
For printer/scanner check out Epson, or watch for sales event at your local stores, for daily use. Not for really good quality printing though. Anker 8200 laser mouse might still be cheap enough at this point, but its prices has been climbing steadily, take a look.
To pain plein air digitally you'll need an umbrella and Jack Link's.
The second monitor doesn't need to be that good quality, it's just for displaying reference images, like if you print some image out and taped it to a wall. If for some reason you really want to see the ref in good quality, drag it over to your good quality monitor temporarily. But not sure how second monitor will work with a laptop... not sure what adjustable monitor mount is, but can't you use an orange box?
A powerful laptop that can also be used as studio machine with large screen is ASUS N750J, with upgrades to relevant specs. Apparently you _can_ replace hard drive in a laptop, contrary to what I've been told all along, so I even had an SSD installed by one of the computer guy for a bit of under-the-table fee. The screen is 17.5", and weight is... okay, because it's metal-cased, but definitely lighter and thinner than Alienware or ASUS' G-series. You can plein air on it with an Intuos (optional: buy the wireless stub), an umbrella, and a $10 camping folding stool. ... I don't see N750J on ASUS' global site, but check out its relatives anyway in the N series. I was in Asia when I had to buy it (sudden death of old laptop in middle of project). The laptop and the SSD (Crucial M500, 480GB) together was under $2000. Crucial has really good reviews both performance- and price-wise. I only use the SSD for programs and not file-saving, but even that used up most of the 480GB with 120GB free. ... I might have to uninstall Skyrim and Amalur.
For printer/scanner check out Epson, or watch for sales event at your local stores, for daily use. Not for really good quality printing though. Anker 8200 laser mouse might still be cheap enough at this point, but its prices has been climbing steadily, take a look.