Recommend me a mobile CAD machine ~ $1500

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

I've been in the market for a new computer for a couple years now, never pulled the trigger, and stopped doing a lot of side work due to a new job.

I recently did a small job for a buddy that took longer than i wanted it to due to slow PC performance.

I do a fair share of 3D modeling, rendering, some FEA, some CFD, and run CS4. While the models aren't necessarily huge (most fit in a 24" box), some are quite detailed.

I would really like to go back to a laptop, with the option of a dock and large monitor setup for my office.

Just saw this today, and the specs are exactly what i'd want in a machine: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/s...#disqus_thread

not too sure on Samsung's quality, but are there any really worthwhile options out there in addition to this machine?

TIA

[PhReE]

I just configured up a sweet machine for right around that price...

This may not be exactly what you are after, but it is a great value, and includes the latest tech.

From here: http://www.avadirect.com/gaming-lapt...asp?PRID=24176

Configured like this:
CLEVO W150ERQ Core™ i7 Notebook Barebone, Intel® HM76, 15.6" Full HD LED Matte, Intel® GMA HD / NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 650M 1GB Graphics
INTEL Core™ i7-3720QM Quad-Core 2.6 - 3.6GHz TB, HD Graphics 4000, 6MB L3 Cache, 22nm, 45W, EM64T EIST HT VT-d VT-x XD, Retail
NVIDIA GeForce® GT 650M 1GB GDDR3 Mobile Graphics Card for W150ERQ
CRUCIAL 16GB (2 x 8GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz SDRAM SODIMM, CL9, Non-ECC
SAMSUNG 128GB 830 Series SSD, MLC Samsung S4LJ204X01, 520/320 MB/s, 2.5-Inch w/ 3.5-Inch Bracket, 7mm, SATA 6 Gb/s, Retail
SAMSUNG 1TB SpinPoint M8, 5400-RPM, 8MB cache, 2.5-Inch, SATA 3 Gb/s, OEM
CLEVO Dual Layer Super-Multi DVD±RW Optical Drive for Clevo W150ERQ
NETWORK Built-in 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet LAN Card
WIRELESS Wireless 802.11b/g/n LAN Card and Bluetooth Module for W150ERQ Notebook
NOTEBOOK ACCESSORY Built-in Fingerprint Reader (Included)
MICROSOFT Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition w/ SP1, OEM
WARRANTY Standard 1 Year Warranty for Clevo Notebooks

Bold are the items I changed from the default config. Price as configured is $1619.40

Note that this includes:
Matte LCD (vs glossy)
Ivy Bridge Quad Core (Slightly upgraded model but there is only a $22 difference, and IMHO it's worth it.) This is the latest gen CPU that just came out this month.
Samsung 128GB SSD for system
Samsung 1TB Drive for data
16GB of ram (it's cheap and would be a good upgrade)


The laptop also includes a nVidia GeForce 650M which should work very well with your apps. (As they tend to prefer CUDA over ATI cards).

[BRealistic]

The MSI GT60 and GT70 are good options.

http://www.msimobile.com/level3_prod...x?cid=6&id=356
http://www.msimobile.com/level3_prod...x?cid=6&id=359

But if you want some usability when not plugged in to an A/C outlet, you will need to shop for a more efficient package.
12+ GB ram and powerful dedicated graphics cards really eat up the battery life.

[PhReE]

The machine I listed has optimus which means it shuts off the dedicated graphics when its not in use and switches over to the intel graphics. It's pretty slick. I am hoping to get one of those really soon.

[BRealistic]

The machine I listed has optimus which means it shuts off the dedicated graphics when its not in use and switches over to the intel graphics. It's pretty slick. I am hoping to get one of those really soon.

Yeah, the MSIs I linked also have Optimus.

[zhenya00]

Only thing I can suggest is that for a work computer, spring for the extended, on-site warranty. I'm not sure what the smaller manufacturers offer in this respect, but nothing sucks more than losing access to your computer for a week or three while you send it in for repair.

[BRealistic]

Only thing I can suggest is that for a work computer, spring for the extended, on-site warranty. I'm not sure what the smaller manufacturers offer in this respect, but nothing sucks more than losing access to your computer for a week or three while you send it in for repair.

Well, the OP does have the current slow PC to fall back to if something goes wrong.

I used to hate laptops until my current job (cad, design, etc)... where that is all we have with external large monitors and keyboards.
At first I was like "Why laptops", then you have to take the laptop home or to a job site and you realize how convenient the laptop really is.
And I think this is more true now than it ever was as laptops have become viable desktop replacements (power, size, battery life).

Edit.. looking at those MSI laptops again, I did not realize they had multicolored keyboard lighting. That's not exactly businesslike. Hmm.

Ok- business mobile workstation.

What about a Lenovo Thinkpad?
The ThinkPad W Series has "NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Optimus Graphics technology (2GB)" which is a powerful work graphics card.
And adding on site warranty is like 55 bucks.


http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...0F26CCAC867854

[zhenya00]

Well, the OP does have the current slow PC to fall back to if something goes wrong.

Indeed, but that gets more and more difficult the more your work environment gets customized to your day-to-day pc. A couple of years from now that old slow pc may be hopelessly outdated.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

good options guys, i really appreciate the input

I just configured up a sweet machine for right around that price...

never thought of doing the custom route

The MSI GT60 and GT70 are good options.

http://www.msimobile.com/level3_prod...x?cid=6&id=356
http://www.msimobile.com/level3_prod...x?cid=6&id=359

But if you want some usability when not plugged in to an A/C outlet, you will need to shop for a more efficient package.
12+ GB ram and powerful dedicated graphics cards really eat up the battery life.

the GT70 seems to be exactly what i want. i work out of my house so being plugged in isnt an issue.

Only thing I can suggest is that for a work computer, spring for the extended, on-site warranty. I'm not sure what the smaller manufacturers offer in this respect, but nothing sucks more than losing access to your computer for a week or three while you send it in for repair.

this is not something i'll be using every day, more like a few hours each week.

Well, the OP does have the current slow PC to fall back to if something goes wrong.

I used to hate laptops until my current job (cad, design, etc)... where that is all we have with external large monitors and keyboards.
At first I was like "Why laptops", then you have to take the laptop home or to a job site and you realize how convenient the laptop really is.
And I think this is more true now than it ever was as laptops have become viable desktop replacements (power, size, battery life).

Edit.. looking at those MSI laptops again, I did not realize they had multicolored keyboard lighting. That's not exactly businesslike. Hmm.

Ok- business mobile workstation.

What about a Lenovo Thinkpad?
The ThinkPad W Series has "NVIDIA Quadro 1000M Optimus Graphics technology (2GB)" which is a powerful work graphics card.
And adding on site warranty is like 55 bucks.


http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...0F26CCAC867854

yeah i mean my PC works, i can use it for most jobs. as far as the MSI being unprofessional, most of the work i do is for friends in the automotive industry.

[Mister MK4]

x2 on the extended warranty. Kind of an apples/oranges comparo but I bought a high end laptop as a graphics workstation a few years back and the GPU cooked within 18 months. Because of the limited space in the machine I could only replace the GPU with the same model... which was NLA.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

thoughts on this one? http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G75VW-AS7...ref=pd_cp_pc_1

from reading into things, the kepler-based GPUs are the way to go over the Fermis? NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2G GDDR5, while lower in model number, is kepler-based as opposed to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M 1-3G GDDR5, which is Fermi. does this even matter?

the thing i like about the ASUS is it has a slot for another HDD, so i could load in a cheaper SSD.

[PhReE]

thoughts on this one? http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-G75VW-AS7...ref=pd_cp_pc_1

from reading into things, the kepler-based GPUs are the way to go over the Fermis? NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 2G GDDR5, while lower in model number, is kepler-based as opposed to the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M 1-3G GDDR5, which is Fermi. does this even matter?

the thing i like about the ASUS is it has a slot for another HDD, so i could load in a cheaper SSD.

That one's not bad, but you should really check out the Clevo laptops.

I would stick with Kepler, much lower power consumption, latest tech, etc. The 670 and 675 are Fermi based and they ar faster if you plan on gaming, but for CAD use a 650/660 would be plenty.

The W170ER would be good if you want a 17" (or the W150ER if you want a 15")

Both of those machines support two hard drives + a CDROM at the same time.

Check out this config of the 17" one I just did, $1578 and it comes with a 120GB SSD + 750GB HD and a blu-rayy drive, and 3 year warranty.

- FREE!! Continental (U.S. Lower 48 - UPS Ground Only) Ground Shipping on ALL Sager Laptops (Enter Coupon Code: "SAGERFREESHIP" during order process)
- 17.3" FHD 16:9 "Glare Type" Super Clear Ultra Bright LED Glossy Screen (1920x1080) (SKU - S1R506)
- Sager - 3rd Generation Intel® Ivy Bridge Core™ i7-3610QM (2.3GHz - 3.3GHz, 6MB Intel® Smart Cache, 45W Max TDP) (SKU - S2N224)
- nVidia GT 650M 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology (SKU – S3R520)
- 8GB - DDR3 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (SKU - S4R378)
- 120gb Intel 520 Series Solid State Drive (SSD2 Serial-ATA III) (SKU - S5R055)
- 750gb 7200rpm (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache) (SKU - S5R305)
- 6x Blu-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Super Multi Combo Drive - Special! (SKU - S7P557)
- Internal 9-in-1 Card Reader (MMC/RSMMC/SD/Mini SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS/MS Pro/MS Duo)
- Bluetooth Included (See “Wireless Network” Section Below)
- Sager - Intel® Advanced-N 6235 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module + Bluetooth (SKU - S8R111)
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (6-Cell)
- ~Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Installed (64&32-Bit CD Included) w/ Drivers & Utilities CD's + Microsoft Office Starter 2010 - Included with OS Purchase
- Sager 3 Year Parts & LIFETIME Ltd Labor Warranty w/ Lifetime 24/7 DOMESTIC Toll Free Customer Support - Special! (SKU - S9P211)

If you want to go with 16GB of ram instead of 8GB then you can do that also, and if you are not interested in the blu-ray then you can take that out.

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

still waiting on payment for the one job, stumbled on this deal today. heard mixed results on hp's build quality, but jeez, with the coupon this seems like a killer deal:


HP Pavilion dv7t Quad Edition customizable Notebook PC
A3G47AV

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
3rd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3720QM Processor (2.6 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GT 650M Graphics with 2GB GDDR5 memory [HDMI, VGA]
FREE UPGRADE to 8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
1.5TB 7200 rpm Dual Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
32GB mSSD Hard Drive Acceleration Cache
Microsoft(R) Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word/Excel(R) only, No PowerPoint(R)/Outlook(R)
No additional security software
30% off 9 cell Lithium Ion Battery
17.3-inch diagonal Full HD Anti-glare LED-backlit Display (1920 x 1080)
FREE Upgrade to Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner
HP TrueVision HD Webcam
Intel 802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R)
Backlit Keyboard
Included 2 Year Warranty
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Estimated ship date: June 18, 2012
Free standard shipping on this item
The HP Home & Home Office Store will accept returns or exchanges for this product up to 21 days after delivery
« Save for re-order Remove »
Qty. Update »
Price: $1,904.99
Coupon: –$628.65
Price after savings: $1,276.34

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

well fug it, pulled the trigger on saturday and ordered this configuration:




HP ENVY 17 customizable Notebook PC
A6U45AV

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
3rd generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3720QM Processor (2.6 GHz, 6MB L3 Cache)
Radeon(TM) HD 7850M Graphics 1GB GDDR5 Memory [HDMI, DP]
12GB 1600MHz DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
750G 7200 rpm Hybrid Hard Drive
Microsoft(R) Office Starter: reduced-functionality Word/Excel(R) only, No PowerPoint(R)/Outlook(R)
FREE 2-year Norton Internet Security subscription (a $99 value). Pre-installed.
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery - Up to 5.25 hours of battery life +++
17.3-inch diagonal Radiance Full HD Infinity LED-backlit Display (1920x1080)
SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
720p HD video streaming webcam supports Skype
Intel 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R) with Wireless Display Support
Full-size Radiance backlit keyboard
Adobe(R) Photoshop(R) Elements 10 & Adobe Premiere(R) Elements 10
2 year limited warranty included
HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Estimated ship date: June 27, 2012
Free standard shipping on this item
The HP Home & Home Office Store will accept returns or exchanges for this product up to 21 days after delivery
« Save for re-order Remove »
Qty. Update »
Price: $1,989.99
Coupon: –$656.70
Price after savings: $1,333.29

[PhReE]

Not bad actually!