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Laptop Spec - £500~

Question asked by Martin Brown on Jun 28, 2017
Latest reply on Jun 28, 2017 by Martin Brown

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Hi Folks,

Is it possible to buy or build a laptop for around £500-600 that will be capable of running Solidworks 2017 onwards. (17" Screen)
The laptop won't be subject to heavy huge assemblies or need to do any visualize work. The most taxing thing will probably be some reasonably light Simulation work. My work is forestry based design, so trailers, cranes, grabs etc.

Just looking for some advice on what to focus on? Should I go for an i7 Processor & a good Graphics card as recommended and "settle" for other components or should I go for an i5 say but add a solid state harddrive etc.
Best combo please!

Thanks,

Martin

Gian Flavio Violi Jun 28, 2017 9:45 AM

Correct Answer

Multibody parts are gonna require contacts. Therefore is strongly recommended to get maximize RAM even to the point of compromising CPU performance, just to make sure the analysis won't end because you ran out if it. I'll might be slower but it will finish. Depending in the contact complexity, you might be able to pull it of with 12GB (it just becomes your first priority instead of a high speed high core count CPU).

Regards,

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Gian Flavio Violi Jun 28, 2017 9:29 AM

Define light simulation work. Parts only? no contacts? small parts? linear static analysis only?

If so, I would go for a 2Core/4Thread CPU at LEAST, recommending 4Core/4Threads or better if possible. For 500 Pounds you won't be able to buy a Certified Graphics Card, so don't bother at all with a dedicated graphics card laptop (at least for SolidWorks purposes). I would suggest 12GB ram if you are doing any simulation work, I have 16GB on my home computer and I often run out of memory.

Regards,

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Martin Brown @ Gian Flavio Violi on Jun 28, 2017 9:42 AM

Hi Gian,

Yeah parts/multi body parts like sections of a crane boom for example, only basic tests, linear statics analysis like you've mentioned.
Thanks for that, gives me a good starting point as prices are mounting up very quickly!
This will be a laptop for work experience and students to use without our work, it would be nice to be able to use it for demanding day to day stuff or work at nights as well if need be, hence trying to squeeze as much out of it as possible.

Thanks.

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Gian Flavio Violi @ Martin Brown on Jun 28, 2017 9:45 AM

Regards,

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Martin Brown @ Gian Flavio Violi on Jun 28, 2017 9:53 AM

Ah I see! Thanks for the quick response, I'll see what i can find now.

Thanks,
Martin

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Gian Flavio Violi Jun 28, 2017 9:29 AM
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Correct Answer
Define light simulation work. Parts only? no contacts? small parts? linear static analysis only?

If so, I would go for a 2Core/4Thread CPU at LEAST, recommending 4Core/4Threads or better if possible. For 500 Pounds you won't be able to buy a Certified Graphics Card, so don't bother at all with a dedicated graphics card laptop (at least for SolidWorks purposes). I would suggest 12GB ram if you are doing any simulation work, I have 16GB on my home computer and I often run out of memory.

Regards,
GF
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- Martin Brown @ Gian Flavio Violi on Jun 28, 2017 9:42 AM
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  Hi Gian,
  
  Yeah parts/multi body parts like sections of a crane boom for example, only basic tests, linear statics analysis like you've mentioned.
  Thanks for that, gives me a good starting point as prices are mounting up very quickly!
  This will be a laptop for work experience and students to use without our work, it would be nice to be able to use it for demanding day to day stuff or work at nights as well if need be, hence trying to squeeze as much out of it as possible.
  
  Thanks.
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  - Gian Flavio Violi @ Martin Brown on Jun 28, 2017 9:45 AM
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    Correct Answer
    Multibody parts are gonna require contacts. Therefore is strongly recommended to get maximize RAM even to the point of compromising CPU performance, just to make sure the analysis won't end because you ran out if it. I'll might be slower but it will finish. Depending in the contact complexity, you might be able to pull it of with 12GB (it just becomes your first priority instead of a high speed high core count CPU).
    
    Regards,
    GF
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    - Martin Brown @ Gian Flavio Violi on Jun 28, 2017 9:53 AM
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      Ah I see! Thanks for the quick response, I'll see what i can find now.
      
      Thanks,
      Martin
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Laptop Spec - £500~

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