Need a new laptop, please weigh in...

This topic has 1 reply, 8 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by Jonathan Smith, RLA.

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March 5, 2011 at 7:39 pm #164502

Participant

I am changing jobs this week and am losing my current laptop TODAY. The last 3 days have been spent searching for all possibilities for a replacement, but at this point, I am pretty much glazed over with information overload.

Could really use some input, please!!!

I really don’t want to spend more than necessary as I realize today’s machines are made to be disposable. (my previous comp., a Dell, lasted for 10 years) I also don’t want to overload the machine and purchase more than is necessary for my purposes.

I run AutoCAD 2010, some SketchUp, InDesign, Photoshop and a few other obvious programs. I also keep a large amount of image files.

So, I am thinking somewhere along these lines:

i3 processor

4GB mem

500GB HD

15.6″ – 17″ screen

Toshiba or Dell have been recommended

Am I over or under equipped? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

March 5, 2011 at 8:00 pm #164513

Jonathan Smith, RLA

Participant

Look for a refurbished Dell. Got mine for 1200. Runs great.

Here’s the specs:

Vostro 3700 Laptop
	Information
	Information
	Processor: Intel Core i7-740QM Processor (6M cache, 1.73 GHz)
	Certified Refurbished
	8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
	Processor Label
	Palmrest W/O Finger Print Reader
	Software
	Back-lit Keyboard
	Miscellaneous
	DigitalPersona software
	Genuine Windows 7 Professional
	Documentation
	Software
	Win7 Starter Software
	Shipping
	1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M
	4 GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
	Silver
	17.3 inch Full HD WLED
	Roxio Creator 10.3 DE
	Software CD
	Label
	Operating System DVD
	Integrated 2.0 Mega Pixel Web Camera
	Software
	Information
	Power DVD Software
	6 Cell Lithium-Ion Battery
	64BIT Operating System
	Documentation
	Resource DVD
	500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
	Information
	125V Power Cord
	Shipping Material
	Dell 1501 Wireless-N
	Dell Wireless 365 Bluetooth Module
	Software
	130W A/C Adapter, 3P
	Label
	Windows Live
	Service Software CD
	Dell Data Back-up and Recovery Manager for Win 7

March 5, 2011 at 8:01 pm #164512

Jonathan Smith, RLA

Participant

I HATE looking for new computers on a budget…but I’ve only had good luck with Dell.

March 5, 2011 at 8:14 pm #164511

Melanie Reber, RLA

Participant

That looks like a really nice machine… but, aren’t you a little ‘iffy’ about a refurb unit at all? I am also really HATING this process, but it must be done!

March 5, 2011 at 8:51 pm #164510

Thomas J. Johnson

Participant

Here you go… these should suit your needs…

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=17&sel=Detail;116_35_41237_42734,Detail;98_266_9898_49588,Detail;112_458_10937_14910

I’d look for at least a 2.0Ghz processor, 4GB of Ram and a 500GB HD. 64 bit operating systems seem to be the way things are going but if all of your software is 32 bit, you might want to stick with 32 bit systems, otherwise you’ll have to purchase all new software for your new laptop.

I’ve had my MAC Powerbook G4 since 2005. I love it and it’s still in great shape but it’s hard to justify the cost of MAC stuff… The computers above are all under $700 and have a comparable spec to a $2400 MacBook Pro. That being said, if you’ve got money to burn, buy the bling. PCs can’t compete with the styling of a MAC. Just look at the ports/drives/chargers of a MAC and you’ll see the difference. Everything has been thought out and refined.

I’d stick with a 15″ screen. 17″ becomes cumbersome. Also, get an external hard-drive, if you don’t already have one, slightly larger than the laptops hard-drive to back up your data. That’s about it… Hope that helps.

March 5, 2011 at 9:46 pm #164509

Jason T. Radice

Participant

If your drawings have any complexity (or x-refs/blocks), you will need a beefier processor than the i3.

Also, make sure the laptop has a SEPARATE graphics processor AND separate memory, many of the i3 models (since they are the the least powerful) do not have this. They share the graphic processing on the main CPU and share the 4gb memory,

I really like my HP I bought 5 years ago with an AMD processor ( I only buy AMD), and it was a great price, even though it is quite powerful for a laptop (especially of its vintage) it is not a desktop replacement for serious CAD or 3D work. There is no way not to spend money if you want a decent machine in lieu of a proper destop workstation.

March 5, 2011 at 10:28 pm #164508