Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
(OP)
I'm trying to pick a good laptop to run SolidWorks. So far my top choice is the HP 8450w, specifically the B2A78UT (i7-2640M 2.8GHz 8GB 500GB DVD/RW 15.6").
I prefer HP's laptops to Dell's, they look and feel better built, and Dell portable workstation look "chunky".
I'd like to know whether this is a good choice. I'm trying to balance value and features. The specific model I picked has the features I need for SolidWorks, most important a 15.6" screen and it's the most affordable HP model featuring 2GB's of video memory.
I notice some models feature the AMD FirePro M5950 with only 1GB of video memory. Is that a big step down from the Quadro 1000M with 2GB's? From my understanding video memory can affect SolidWorks' performance significantly.
For a little more money I can get a processor with an additional 2MB of cache, would this make a big difference even though it has a lower clock speed (2.8GHz Vs. 2.4)?
http:// shopping1. hp.com/is- bin/INTERS HOP.enfini ty/WFS/WW- USSMBPubli cStore-Sit e/en_US/-/ USD/ViewSt andardCata log-Browse ?CatalogCa tegoryID=v foQ7EN5Xpg AAAEuPyFCF gH7&ju mpid=re_R2 95_product _listing_s hop_atlas_ SHOP%20NOW
I prefer HP's laptops to Dell's, they look and feel better built, and Dell portable workstation look "chunky".
I'd like to know whether this is a good choice. I'm trying to balance value and features. The specific model I picked has the features I need for SolidWorks, most important a 15.6" screen and it's the most affordable HP model featuring 2GB's of video memory.
I notice some models feature the AMD FirePro M5950 with only 1GB of video memory. Is that a big step down from the Quadro 1000M with 2GB's? From my understanding video memory can affect SolidWorks' performance significantly.
For a little more money I can get a processor with an additional 2MB of cache, would this make a big difference even though it has a lower clock speed (2.8GHz Vs. 2.4)?
http://






RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
(see https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/49864)
I thought I read a couple months ago that HP was moving away from making hardware?
Also check out the FAQs above for other suggestions http://eng-tips.com/faq.cfm?pid=559
Helpful thread: thread559-316505: Solidworks compatibility
Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Now I'm working on a Lenovo ThinkPad W500 and If I was to change today I would go with the new version W520. I really like the build of the ThinkPad and I much prefer the installed software from lenovo vs HP.
As for your questions about the graphic cards you can have a look at the solidworks site http:
For the processor I'm very interested in the response you will get from others because I don't know the real impact of better cache and I've been looking for answers for a while now.
Besides all this I think your looking for a very good machine for the price with what you've selected.
Pat
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Dell:
M4600 is for our low, to Moderate users of Solidworks.
M6600 is for our Heavy to Super heavy Solidworks users.
We have had ZERO problems out of the Dell PC's with Solidworks. We have tested the Lenovo W520's and they work great for AutoCAD, but not so well with Solidworks. The Dell PC's always out perform them in every way We have tested.
I hope this helps... Do note we have a Company account through Dell, so we do get a certain Percentage off, but I don't think its more than 10%.
Kind regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum PoliciesBerry Plastics
Cad Admin\Design Engineer
GEASWUG Greater Evansville Area SWUG Leader
www.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
It's not the first time I read you say that. I know it may be hard to quantify but do you have an idea of how much better the Dell perform over the ThinkPad. I just built a Dell M4600 vs a Lenovo W520 online with the exact same configurations going to the waranty and I get 327$ less for the lenovo so I wonder if I only look for the price is the Dell still the better choice price/performance wise?
Sorry for hijacking the thread
Thanks
Pat
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
What is your budget?
CPU speed is king where general SW performance is involved.
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
http://ww
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum PoliciesBerry Plastics
Cad Admin\Design Engineer
GEASWUG Greater Evansville Area SWUG Leader
www.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
TOP
CSWP, BSSE
www.engtran.com www.niswug.org
www.linkedin.com/in/engineeringtransport
Phenom IIx6 1100T = 8GB = FX1400 = XP64SP2 = SW2009SP3
"Node news is good news."
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
The price was not as bad as I thought it would be. There is no tax calculated in it yet, but the base price is a little higher. I did make some cost reduction changes, like a standard 320GB HDD, versus the 128GB SSD like we use here, everything else should be nearly the same.
I hope this helps,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum PoliciesBerry Plastics
Cad Admin\Design Engineer
GEASWUG Greater Evansville Area SWUG Leader
www.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
I've sent you an email!
Pat
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
TOP
CSWP, BSSE
www.engtran.com www.niswug.org
www.linkedin.com/in/engineeringtransport
Phenom IIx6 1100T = 8GB = FX1400 = XP64SP2 = SW2009SP3
"Node news is good news."
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Until we have a a problem using the Dells, I am not going to even consider a Lenovo workstation for a Solidworks user.
That is just my opinion. - Kind regards everyone!
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum PoliciesBerry Plastics
Cad Admin\Design Engineer
GEASWUG Greater Evansville Area SWUG Leader
www.scottjbaugh.com
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
TOP
CSWP, BSSE
www.engtran.com www.niswug.org
www.linkedin.com/in/engineeringtransport
Phenom IIx6 1100T = 8GB = FX1400 = XP64SP2 = SW2009SP3
"Node news is good news."
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
The only spec. I know right now is that it has 32Gb RAM, Core i7 and 256 solid state hard drive. I think it's gonna be a beast...
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks
Regards,
Cockroach
RE: Buying a new laptop to run SolidWorks