Looking for a new laptop

[Justin13]

I'm in school with an engineering major (might switch to industrial technology) but I'm getting a new laptop and I was wondering what would be a really good set up at a decent price for me to get. Also what programs should I make sure it can run besides autoCAD? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

I was looking at an acer aspire s7

[ReMark]

I would recommend a laptop running Win7 64-bit, with a 8GB of RAM and a dedicated graphics card. If you can find one with a solid state drive so much the better. I'd say $1500-$2000 would be a decent price.

[Tiger]

Can you find new laptops with Win7 still? Isn't it all Win8 now?

 

I have win8 on my laptop at home and granted I don't use it for any cad-programs but never had any issues with it. And the start-up time alone makes it worth the upgrade!

[ReMark]

I think some manufacturers will let you choose which OS you want loaded. For example, Xi Computers offers the following choices for their Xi PowerGo XT Configuration.

 

[f700es]

All good suggestions, if you have a touch screen option Windows 8 is very nice. I'd make sure you start with a Core i5 3rd gen cpu if you go the Intel route. Do not get one with a lower spec CPU than that. Ultrabooks are nice but as Remark said make sure it has a dedicated video card. Most of these do not and most will not have an optical drive.

 

I am a Dell fan and I think the Inspiron 15z would be a good starting point. $999.99 with a quad core Intel Core i7 cpu, 8 gb ram, 500gb hdd with 32gb ssd, 2gb nVidia GF630m video card, dvd-rw, 15" touch lcd and backlit keyboard. You can drop down to a Core i5 and save a bit if need be. With these specs it can run anything.

[JD Mather]

For CAD work I recommend getting a 17" or larger (I use Alienware M18) with full numerical keypad keyboard.

I also recommend a 3DConnexion SpaceNavigator for 3D work.

Students can get Autodesk software for free here http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

Personally, I wouldn't even consider a 15" for CAD work.

Edited May 28, 2013 by JD Mather

[ReMark]

If you buy a 17" laptop see about renting a Sherpa to carry it for you.

[f700es]

If you buy a 17" laptop see about renting a Sherpa to carry it for you.

 

Yeah really , they are great until you have to carry it around with you. Seeing as how one can get a 23" lcd for $120, I see no need in a 17" laptop unless one has "size issues"

In all seriousness a 17" does have a big screen but a 15" is not bad and then connect to an external monitor if you need more screen space. Have the lcd back on your desk in your room and you are set.

 

Alienware 17.3 laptop is 9.39 lbs, the 15z is 4.78 lbs. If you ride a bike to class like I did you can do a wheelie all the way there with that weight! Just lean back and pull on the bars.

[Justin13]

Thanks for all the help and info guys. I have a 46" led smart tv at my house so if I need more space I'll just use that if I need more screen space so I think I'll go with a 15" laptop

[TKall]

I am very happy with my Dell Precision M6600. It came with an Intel Quad core i-7 processor running at 3 something GHz, 32 GB RAM, A 500 GB SSD, a 500 GB hybrid drive, a Nvidia Quattro 4000 video card and a beautiful screen. Cost was about $2300.00 But yeah, it's heavy.

[f700es]

I am very happy with my Dell Precision M6600. It came with an Intel Quad core i-7 processor running at 3 something GHz, 32 GB RAM, A 500 GB SSD, a 500 GB hybrid drive, a Nvidia Quattro 4000 video card and a beautiful screen. Cost was about $2300.00 But yeah, it's heavy.

 

How many inches thick is it?

[TKall]

Thanks to my trusty Stanley 30 ft PowerLock, which, incidentally, happens to be right next to me, I am able to answer your question. it is about 1.5 inches thick.

[f700es]

Actually not too bad

[TKall]

I have to travel a lot and I need a powerful computer I can move around. I wanted the pretty red M6700...but damn, that was a little spendy. This computer is loaded and I really like it.

[PlanetMyHero]

@TKall: 32GB RAM how many seconds you need for boot time?

[TKall]

Planet:

It boots in about 15 to 20 seconds. I like this feature because I tend to have a lot of things open at one time, two compilers, autocad, a couple of browser windows, word, excel and it is inevitable that there will be some software conflicts occasionally. But the computer boots so fast that I will usually just reboot it to clean it up. I also have a Motion Tablet computer, Model J-3500 with an ssd. It is a little screamer too. i-7 processor, 4 GB RAM. SSD is the way to go.

[Mike_Taylor]

Planet:

It boots in about 15 to 20 seconds. I like this feature because I tend to have a lot of things open at one time, two compilers, autocad, a couple of browser windows, word, excel and it is inevitable that there will be some software conflicts occasionally. But the computer boots so fast that I will usually just reboot it to clean it up. I also have a Motion Tablet computer, Model J-3500 with an ssd. It is a little screamer too. i-7 processor, 4 GB RAM. SSD is the way to go.

 

I totally agree, an SSD is the way to go. I have a 64 GB SSD for my OS and 240 for regularily used software. I get 12-15 sec boot times (16-17 from a cold boot). Software tends to be ready to use extremely quickly as well, plus setting all the temp folders to my SSD (and cleaning it regularily) really increases preformace.

[Dadgad]

I'm in school with an engineering major (might switch to industrial technology) but I'm getting a new laptop and I was wondering what would be a really good set up at a decent price for me to get. Also what programs should I make sure it can run besides autoCAD? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

I was looking at an acer aspire s7

 

I bought a new Acer with 16 GB of RAM and a dedicated 4GB graphics card last month, for $1,000 and have for the most part been very happy with it. I am still learning somewhat reluctantly to use Windows 8. The one thing that ANNOYS me about this new ACER is that, as smart as they are, they failed to include a CAPS LIGHT, which makes me feel a bit like I suffer from Turret's disease whenever I type something.