Need Laptop Advice
Need Laptop Advice
(OP)
I'm looking to purchase a laptop that will run SolidWorks well, but also do a good job with games and audio editing. I've narrowed it down to two laptops, and would appreciate any input you might have.
Laptop A - Acer TravelMate 8104 $2200
2.0M
1GB RAM
128 MB ATI x700 PCI-E
unsure of HD speed
Laptop B - IBM T42P $1900
2.0M
1GB RAM
128 MB ATI FireGL T2 AGP 4X
7200 RPM HD
I also think that the Acer has a higher front side bus rating, due to the fact its a newer chipset than the IBM.
Has anyone had any luck running SW on an ATI X700 Mobile chipset?
Thanks.
Laptop A - Acer TravelMate 8104 $2200
2.0M
1GB RAM
128 MB ATI x700 PCI-E
unsure of HD speed
Laptop B - IBM T42P $1900
2.0M
1GB RAM
128 MB ATI FireGL T2 AGP 4X
7200 RPM HD
I also think that the Acer has a higher front side bus rating, due to the fact its a newer chipset than the IBM.
Has anyone had any luck running SW on an ATI X700 Mobile chipset?
Thanks.
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Search this group on laptops, you should get many hits.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
my coworker had the t41 an that was a slick little machine, and as far as acer goes, i have an aspire and absolutely love it. it runs solidworks, but too glitchy (dimensions appear/disappear at random). everything else it runs amazingly.
any other ideas?
RE: Need Laptop Advice
If you don't laptop with an approved video card, then you are going to see many glitchy things as well as slow downs, crashing, instability, etc... So that's up to you on how important/expensive your time is for you to live with the glitchy, crashy issues or get a laptop that you will not complain about.
Try looking on ebay. An AE here got his M60 for around $2000.
There is new lower end CAD laptop by Dell. I believe it's the M20. Check it out.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
It has some really awsome specs including either a ATI Mobility RADEON X800 with 256MB DDR3 or NVIDIA GeForce 6800GO with 256MB DDR3 or NVIDIA Quadro FX Go 1400 with 256MB DDR3 video card options. Tha last card being a very good option.
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I don't know if SW has certified this card yet it has only been available since feb 2005 in the UK
Try the link below
http:
RE: Need Laptop Advice
BOXX and EUROCOMM
both of the above companies supply the same machine. I have been told that they are all made by the same company and just badged for each company
RE: Need Laptop Advice
NVIDIA Quadro FX Go 1400 with 256MB DDR3 - which is the same card as the M70 gets. - Compared that to the SW graphics card and testing.
1) The standard M70 without any customization is $2,377.
The Alienware MJ-12M 7700 without any customization is $2,627
2) Dell gives a broader band of different CPU's Unlike Alienware
3) They both give the same amount of RAM (256) which should be upgraded to at least 1 gig. - 1GB, 533MHz, DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMMS)
4) Alienware gives you the choice of different cards (which those are not supported by SW). Dell does not give you the choice of Video cards it maintains the Quadro card.
5) Alienware comes with a 40 Gig HDD as does Dell.
With these choices here are the costs for each system
Alienware: $2,774
Dell's M70: $2,776
Where is the benefit other then personal Preference and some different options?
The basic laptops from each has the Dell as the least Expensive, but as you customize it the cost grows and the Dell seems to cost you more depending on the options you choose. But to get a system the will work effectively, it comes down to choise or personal preference.
My personal Preference is a Dell. I have 2 of them and both most reliable.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Dell 15.4" UltraSharpTM Wide Aspect (choice of WUXGA, WSXGA+ or WXGA)
The Alienware MJ-12m 7700 17" widescreen
If you looking for a new Mobile workstation, I suggest you check out either of these 2 systems, both have the pros and cons, it's up to you to decide what you like.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
The main differences are
the alien has a 17 inch screen
it uses a standard pentium HT processor not the mobile processor
It is expandable to 4 gig of ram from 4 slots (mem is sensible price compared to dell)
You have the option to have 2 hard drives ( i have had the 2 x 60 gig 7200rpm non raid option)
There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. The alien uses more desktop components so is more of a desktop replacement than laptop, the increase in power has the down side of poor battery life.
The dell is based on mobile tech so it gives some on the performance to gain battery life.
It is purely a personal choice. My reasoning was that I was using the machine away from home so the big screen was a selling point and the battery life was not a problem because how many times do you do CAD on the train
As finishing note If you contact any of the vendors for the main CAD systems ie Unigraphics, solidworks etc they all use the dell M60 and I would presume they are moving to the M70
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I ment to say "I'm not slating Dell"
Brain works quicker than my fingers
RE: Need Laptop Advice
That's true about RAM, but at 1 gig the prices are compariable.
You have option in the Dell to have a removeable HDD and a primary HDD as you do the Alienware.
The M60 was last years Laptop this year it's the M70 or M20.
The M20 has a Support ATI card. I played with it at SWWC this year. I liked and the price is good good too. Starting price is $1,927.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies
www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I think your US prices are a lot better than for us poor UK consumers
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716
RE: Need Laptop Advice
RE: Need Laptop Advice
http:/
It looks like a better solution for me because it has a newer and certified card (the firegl mobility 5000) and is much closer to my $2000 price range. I did find an IBM T42P that I could get for around the same price, but that model is starting to be outdated and I'm not a fan of 4:3 aspect ratio.
What do you think?
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ371-376
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-1091
FAQ559-716
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I am switchig from 10 years on PowerDraw (MAC only) to SW (PC only), and being so famiiar with PCs looking for good one. Found one on E-bay:
IBM ThinkPad T40p 1.6GHz 14" 1GB DVDR/CDRW SXGA+ T42p
14000x1050 ATI FIRE GL 9000 WiFi Bluetooth Warranty Item number: 6777536387
- everything looks fine according to SW website requirements, but not sure about speed?
Thanks,
Yuri
RE: Need Laptop Advice
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Yuri
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Need Laptop Advice
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I have also checked Solidworks requirements for Graphic cards, etc., the problem is: they are giving info about certified cards different way than computer stores..., but I will do more home work to learn the subject.
As per spend/need: $2000-2500; general mechanical design of small parts and assemles with <50 parts + "Tool Box". Display: 15" min. + good service.
Yuri
RE: Need Laptop Advice
I got the HP nw8240, and absolutely love it. It was obviously designed to go head to head with the IBM Thinkpad. It (the nw8240) has a magnesium alloy casing, very comfortable touchpad and track point with rubber tops, and a great keyboard. Spec wise, its pretty solid, with a 1.8P-M processor (2.0 option), single DIM 512MB DDR2 memory (single 1024MB option), 80GB 5400RPM HD (60GB 7200RPM option), 128MB ATI Mobility V5000, wireless, bluetooth option, etc.
Anyway, it runs SolidWorks great, and I don't even have the upgraded model (it even supports RealView very nicely). I recommend it highly and got it at a very good price (about $2100 shipped, from www.pcmall.com).
RE: Need Laptop Advice
Yuri