AnsweredAssumed Answered

Current state of laptop workstations?

Question asked by Gary Garrison on Aug 9, 2019
Latest reply on Aug 15, 2019 by Heiko Sohnholz

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 9

Are laptop workstations good enough now to serve as a desktop replacement today?

I will be splitting my time coming up between our two buildings and I will likely need access to SW at both locations. My tasks outside of our main building will not be CAD related, but as projects come in I may need to work drawings for them.

So the question is as I am working for the next few months out of both buildings is a workstation laptop viable? We will be adding a second SW license and will be adding a new workstation anyway.

No one else has this question

Outcomes

9 Replies

Frederick Law Aug 9, 2019 5:06 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Few here used laptop only.

I use laptop to check drawing and model.
Also personal stuff.
Mine is Dell E7240 with touch screen. Touch allow pan, zoom and rotate of model.
i7-4600U Intel 4400 graphic, 16GB RAM 1TB SSD
I copied what I need to the laptop.

I use SW online license.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Heiko Sohnholz Aug 10, 2019 4:59 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Hi,
i'm working on laptops only since 15 years now.
Back in the days this was compromising in terms of performance. But today you'll have almost the full performance for everyday tasks. (If you choose not only a laptop but a "portable workstation").

I've used Dell Precision's for over 12 years but now i have a HP ZBook 17 G5 with a six core i9 up to 4,6 GHz turbo, a Quadro P4200, 32GB RAM, m.2 SSD and so on. Works pretty well!

Only if you need the highest performance, you'll have to stick with a desktop workstation. Rendering with Visualize on high end GPUs, Flow Simulation on 8-core (and up) CPUs, or handling the largest assemblies when every MHz core speed counts...

Go for a portable device!
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions
Dillon Troxell Aug 14, 2019 9:22 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I've got a new Dell Precision 5530. Aside from transitioning between my (3) 27" monitors and a 15.6" laptop, I see no performance difference between this and my work station.
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions
- Gary Garrison @ Dillon Troxell on Aug 14, 2019 12:00 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  The monitor issue could be remedied with the right docking hardware.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Ken Maren Aug 14, 2019 9:29 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
As an admin for the last 7 years, I have pushed all of engineering to go to laptop only. That's two separate companies. At the last company, we had an engineer that insisted he needed a faster desktop and spent 3x the cost of our laptops only to be proven that his crappy methods were what caused the issues. After I fixed his assembly and used proper large assembly methods (that he refused to use) the laptops were much faster. To me, it would be a very rare occasion that there would be a need for a desktop workstation over a laptop.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Roland Schwarz Aug 14, 2019 10:19 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Laptops fine for CAD. Using mine for NX and SW. Get a real CAD laptop with good graphics card, not a gaming box.

FEA is still noticeably faster on the big box.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Dan Golthing Aug 14, 2019 11:18 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
You would probably need a workstation class laptop. I used one for five years with no problems.

in some cases the laptops are faster than a desktop because shorter buss length, all other things being equal.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Matt Lombard Aug 14, 2019 12:06 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I second the 5530. The screen is small enough to be actually portable. I've had 17" laptops before, and they are murder to move. The dock connects to large monitors and other peripherals that stay on your desk.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Heiko Sohnholz Aug 15, 2019 3:51 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I own the predecessor - the 5510 - wich is a very compact, robust, beautiful and lightweight portable workstation. But i would recommend this only for simple tasks. It doesn't offer performance as 17" laptops can do. It's not just about the components, but also about the heat development / cooling system.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

Current state of laptop workstations?

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content