Loking for smaller Laptop/netbook while using autocad...

[RavensFan]

Im a recent college grad (one year removed) and I just found a drafting job. Ive been looking at getting a smaller laptop/netbook that I have right now for easy portability. (Preferably in the 10-13 in screen range). I was looking at an asus netbook (http://usa.asus.com/Eee/Eee_PC/Eee_PC_1018P/), but wasn't sure how good it would be to run autocad in the range of 09-10 (we mainly use 10 at work).
My current laptop stats are:

-Intel Pent Dual CPU T2370@ 1.73GHz
-2.00 GB RAM
-32 Bit
-250 GB HD

It runs fine on my laptop, but what is the bare min for autocad to run? Would it work on any netbooks? Are there any good laptops that are really small in size that it would work on?

[ReMark]

Already I see two things that could pose a problem down the road.

1. Meager amount of RAM
2. 32-bit

Kind of like trying to go bowling with a cast on both arms. It can be done but it is going to be painful.

[Glen1980]

I have a 2.8ghz pentium D with 3 GB of Ram and LT 2011 drags and is frustratingly slow most of the time.

[Jack_O'neill]

A lot will depend what you are working on too. If your drawings are never over a couple hundred K, you might not have much trouble with those lightweight machines. If you're working on huge 3d files or doing renderings, you're gonna struggle.

[StykFacE]

I would not recommend a Netbook for any Autodesk products - ever. At least Core i3 with adequate RAM Laptop for any current Autodesk AutoCAD product - full or LT.

There are lighter freebie CAD design software apps out that work much like AutoCAD, such as 3DS DraftSight - might want to give that program a test run to see if it'll fit your needs. That should run very smoothly on a netbook since it doesn't have the heavy interface items (eg: Ribbon, High-functioning Palettes, etc) like that of current Autodesk programs.

[f700es]

Agree on all counts, get more than an Intel Atom based netbook/notebook. I understand the occasional use but I would also look at non Intel based video solutions. Bearing this I would look as AMD based units as Intel based units will have Intel video cards.

[RavensFan]

Thanks for the replies guys....

Right now I dont do too much 3d work. The 3d stuff I do do isnt enough imo to slow anything down. I dont do much rendering either. I talked to a guy at the place I work and he said dont bother with trying to get autocad on a netbook, unless its an old version. So I guess that moves me to a smaller laptop, or just using the netbook for web surfing and such, and my current laptop for autocad.

Do you guys know of a smaller laptop out there that is good (like below a 15" screen)?

[hugha]

Lenovo does a 12.5", 4GB Win 7 Pro64 lappy here

http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/...tech_specs.pdf

8GB models here:
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/...tech_specs.pdf
http://www.lenovo.com/shop/americas/...tech_specs.pdf

Caveat: $$'s, Intel 3000 integrated graphics and low res screen. You can hook on bigger, higher-res external monitors but the graphics can't be upgraded. Compare with your current laptop specs.

[f700es]

Again stay away from Intel based graphics for CAD machines. It does not matter about 2d or 3d they simply do not provide what AutoCAD needs. I agree with Tanner, if you are going to use an AutoCAD clone then you might be OK but please check the needed requirements of the program that you are going to be using.

[hugha]

ASUS 13" 8GB DDR3 Nvidia 520M 1GB VRAM 160GB SSD WIN7 Pro 64 Bit ...

http://commercial.asus.com/product/detail/154

Pricey.