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Want to get a new Computer

Question asked by Andy Crabtree on Feb 20, 2009
Latest reply on Feb 26, 2009 by Andy Crabtree

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Yeah I was thinking of getting a new computer here at work. i currently have a Dell Optiplex 745, it works really well with soldiworks but the video card could need some updating. I want to start workin some at home so i dont have to work on saturday's. i am looking at Dell Laptops. What one would you recommend on getting, price is a small factor, but if they want the job done then they will spend it. What are you thoughts?

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Charles Culp Feb 20, 2009 8:05 PM
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You will never get a laptop to work near as well as a desktop. If you spend most of your time at work using Solidworks, then you should stick with a desktop.

There are some laptops that are adequate, hopefully those that have them can pipe in.
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- Wes Mosier @ Charles Culp on Feb 20, 2009 9:35 PM
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  I agree with Charles, you should stick with a desktop at the office if that's your primary workplace.
  
  As for a home system, you can generally pick up a decent desktop for a low price. It also depends on the size of your files / assemblies, and if you really need the system to be "portable" or not.
  
  I run SW 2009 on an old Dell M5 when I'm out on business, and when I'm home I use an old Gateway computer I bought 7 years ago. My office workstation is a beast, but that's because I'm at work 60 hours a week and deal with pretty large assemblies here.
  
  I've found the most import things for me have been hard drive speed & a decent graphics card. Your needs may be different though.
  
  -My two cents.
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  - Andy Crabtree @ Wes Mosier on Feb 21, 2009 11:37 AM
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    Well I would stick with this Desktop but, like a I said, I want to work at home and when I travel out of town I can work while I am waiting at the airports and hotel rooms. I work 60 to 80 hrs a week right now and I tired of coming here on saturdays. We have a few laptops here in the office and they seem to work pretty well with solidworks, kinda slow but not that bad, mine is the only desktop and it needs some upgrading. i was think of getting one of the big laptops that are used for gaming. but I don't know yet.
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    - Bruce Fisher @ Andy Crabtree on Feb 21, 2009 11:52 AM
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      I agree with the desktop unit being the best for performance, but if a laptop fits your needs better, look for a workstation class model with a CAD rated video card. Lenova has a 700 model that looks pretty fast, and Dell, HP, and others sell comparable units. Check the SW customer portal for certified mobile video cards before making your choice. Good Luck.
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    - 1-BS9STV @ Andy Crabtree on Feb 23, 2009 10:43 AM
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      Dell has the M6400, and M4400, Lenovo has the W700 and I think it is a W500, HP has a workstation laptop as well. I hear MSI has some good laptops as well. Hope this helps you since you asked for laptop information. Stick with the nVidia Quadro cards. I have a Lenovo for travel and it works great.
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Charles Culp Feb 23, 2009 2:11 PM
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Here are some options:

http://www.solidsmack.com/end-...ore-beast/2008-09-23/

http://www.solidsmack.com/leno...op-3d-cad/2008-12-23/

and a long discussion on desktop vs laptop:

http://www.solidsmack.com/soli...r5400-rack/2009-01-07/
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Ken Chappell Feb 23, 2009 2:18 PM
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Andy,

I personally love the freedom of a laptop. I can work anywhere (as long as I bring the files local). It's great being able to go home and work on projects that are behind - no weekend trips to the office. However, as we all know freedom comes at a price.

Your highest performance laptop (at $2500-$3000) is already slow compared to mid-high level desktops at ½ - ¾ the price. And, once you do commit to a laptop, be prepared to quickly be out-dated by your software. Your upgrade potential with a laptop is very slim at best.

We bought this computer (below) based on SW2007 compatibility - worked great! I'm still happily running SW2008 with no issues! But, SW dropped it from the 2009 compatibility list; therefore, I'm not jumping at the chance to make my life miserable.

Now that I have a laptop, I might consider a desktop this year.
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- Phil Marra @ Ken Chappell on Feb 23, 2009 2:38 PM
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  Andy,
  
  Where can you get a "highest performance" laptop for $2500-$3000? Im willing to pay 4K or more and all I was able to get was junk from XI. After returning it I decided to look at the others and Im still waiitng to hear that the DELL M6400 has some bugs figured out. Not that I want to lay out that kind of cash, but I cant agree that $3k or less is going to get you a high end laptop/mobile workstation.
  From everyting I see 3K is going to be the low end if you need any kind of power.
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  - Ken Chappell @ Phil Marra on Feb 24, 2009 2:23 PM
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    Sorry. I'll retract the term "high performance". I'm relying on SW certification list to set my performance level. I understand that this is probably a mistake since the list could be biased towards mid-level systems to reduce sticker-shock. However, based on my happy experiences with SW 2007/2008, I'd do it again.
    
    As of now, I would be looking at the HP EliteBook 8530w Mobile Workstation.
    
    Intel® Coretm2 Duo Extreme Processor X9100* (3.06 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache)
    Vista Business 64
    4MB DDR2
    160GB SATA 7200RPM
    NVIDA Quadro FX 770M (or cheaper with ATI Mobility FireGL V5700)
    DVD+/-RW with Lightscribe
    Bluetooth/Wireless up to draft N
    System price: $2,813
    
    Unfortunately, it would have to be replaced another computer by the time SW2011 (guessing) rolls out, but freedom is a cool thing.
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    - 1-FTNDGU @ Ken Chappell on Feb 24, 2009 2:40 PM
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      I've been working on my Laptop since last August. I have a 2007 Dell Latitude 131L. All i did was max out the memory on it. I guess it would depend on what size assemblies you create or work with. I have a VPN connection to access SW from home.
      
      I only come to the office 2 days a week. I get far more done at home in less time because i have no disruptions and chatty noise. Because of my abililty to work from home i have worked many extra hours on weekends depending upon the project. But the freedom to work from home with no 60 mile total commute is well worth it. give me that over a desktop performance any day!
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      - Jim Zink @ 1-FTNDGU on Feb 25, 2009 12:46 PM
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        Mobile workstations offer excellent performance - comparable to a desktop workstation with the same speed CPU.
        
        Compare results at http://www.spec.org/gwpg/apc.d...c_sw2007_summary.html. The two Dell notebooks listed complete the benchmark in 130 (M6400) and 133 (M4400) seconds, respectively. Both were tested with 3.06 GHz CPUs. The fastest desktop is the HP xw4600 with a 3.33GHz CPU. It completed the same benchmark in 124 secs. A Fujitsu desktop with a 3.16GHz took 127 secs. The performance penalty on the mobile platform is marginal.
        
        Both HP and Dell have LOTS of refurbished mobile workstations available through their outlet centers at very reasable prices. For example, an M6300 with a 2.5 GHz CPU, 4GB RAM and 120GB HDD is going for $1,339 and is covered by a 3 year warranty. Another example is an M4400 with a 2.8GHz CPU, 2GB RAM, and 160GB hdd for $1259.
        
        You CAN have your cake and eat it while you're on the road!
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        Andy Crabtree @ Jim Zink on Feb 26, 2009 11:33 AM
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        Thanks guys!! The funny thing is now I am having some issues with my Desktop. Big time!!! I am going to start a new topic on it. If you would please check it out and try to help. Thanks again!!
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