Any recommendations on laptops for running sw2006?

I've used a Dell M60 with the high-res 1920 pixel wide screen for the last 2 years and wouldn't change it for anything less (currently running SWks 2005 SP5). I design plastic parts exclusively and don't work on a desktop anymore (5 years on Dell laptops).

Alienware, Boxx, Dell, and Sager have been mentioned by many people, but price and warranty and support options vary widely. A fully configured Dell will run above $4,000, and some people on the newsgroup have touted the other mentioned (& HP & Sony, I think: You can search these terms on the Newsgroup), and some of those are maybe $1500 cheaper than Dell. Some do NOT offer the compatible video card SolidWorks requires for best work.

Regardless of the brand, I would be sure of the following:

1. Same or better nVIDIA video card as Dell M70

1. No less than 1.5 gigs DRAM

2. 7200 rpm fast hard drive

1. No less than 1600 pixel wide screen (I personally have good vision and like the 1920 pixel)

2. Bluetooth and 802.11 WiFi cards built-in (or you will keep tweaking external cards) (Bluetooth is invaluable for quick file transfers with other computers without disrupting network connections and also terrific for BT Mice and keyboards)

1. Gigabit Ethernet & FireWire for fast transfers and backups

2. Processor: Intels Pentium M (for mobile = Centrino) as fast as you can get is no slouch compared to the PIVs offerred in laptops, but consume much less power/fan time, and do seem to be as fast a many or most PIVs.

1. Laptop Bags: Get one with a foam protective separate sleeve to carry & provide extra cushion protection for the laptop and you'll eventually thank yourself when the eventual dump off the top of a desk ocurrs.

2. Docking Station: Dell offers them & some people love them, but I haven't used one.

1. Warning: Don't put coffee and beverage cups anywhere near a laptop, because sooner or later...you'll have to replace something expensive.

2. SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE: I bought Dell's CompleteCare because for an extra 0 or so I get 3 years of next day repair/replacement service, and believe me it is worth it the first time something bums out. I've had video cabling result in intermittent lines on the screen, and within 18-20 hours a guy shows up and changes out the screen, backlight cables, & video card. I thought just a cable or maybe a video card would do it, but the repair guy says they play it safe, as Dell loses big time if they have to come out a 2nd time and do it over AGAIN.

There may be other options and choices but these are key to having a happy productive life with SolidWorks and a Laptop.

Bo

I've used a Dell M60 with the high-res 1920 pixel wide screen for the last 2 years and wouldn't change it for anything less (currently running SWks 2005 SP5). I design plastic parts exclusively and don't work on a desktop anymore (5 years on Dell laptops).

Alienware, Boxx, Dell, and Sager have been mentioned by many people, but price and warranty and support options vary widely. A fully configured Dell will run above $4,000, and some people on the newsgroup have touted the other mentioned (& HP & Sony, I think: You can search these terms on the Newsgroup), and some of those are maybe $1500 cheaper than Dell. Some do NOT offer the compatible video card SolidWorks requires for best work.

Regardless of the brand, I would be sure of the following:

1. Same or better nVIDIA video card as Dell M70

1. No less than 1.5 gigs DRAM

2. 7200 rpm fast hard drive

1. No less than 1600 pixel wide screen (I personally have good vision and like the 1920 pixel)

2. Bluetooth and 802.11 WiFi cards built-in (or you will keep tweaking external cards) (Bluetooth is invaluable for quick file transfers with other computers without disrupting network connections and also terrific for BT Mice and keyboards)

1. Gigabit Ethernet & FireWire for fast transfers and backups

2. Processor: Intels Pentium M (for mobile = Centrino) as fast as you can get is no slouch compared to the PIVs offerred in laptops, but consume much less power/fan time, and do seem to be as fast a many or most PIVs.

1. Laptop Bags: Get one with a foam protective separate sleeve to carry & provide extra cushion protection for the laptop and you'll eventually thank yourself when the eventual dump off the top of a desk ocurrs.

2. Docking Station: Dell offers them & some people love them, but I haven't used one.

1. Warning: Don't put coffee and beverage cups anywhere near a laptop, because sooner or later...you'll have to replace something expensive.

2. SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE: I bought Dell's CompleteCare because for an extra 0 or so I get 3 years of next day repair/replacement service, and believe me it is worth it the first time something bums out. I've had video cabling result in intermittent lines on the screen, and within 18-20 hours a guy shows up and changes out the screen, backlight cables, & video card. I thought just a cable or maybe a video card would do it, but the repair guy says they play it safe, as Dell loses big time if they have to come out a 2nd time and do it over AGAIN.

There may be other options and choices but these are key to having a happy productive life with SolidWorks and a Laptop.

Bo

I will second Bo's suggestion of the 7200 RPM drive. We have some M60's with the 5400s and they are lethargic compared to the M70's with the 7200s.

If you want a desk top replacement then an M70 but if you want something you can carry around to meetings then an M20.

The M20 is what I have and its great as an occasional use machine - but only because I use a workstation for most of my work - I don't need to be a weightlifter to take the m20 with me with all the other stuff , like presentation boards etc when meeting a client.

TTFN

Jonathan

I would agree with everybody else, and would say that you should get a laptop that is as close to a desktop workstation as possible. If you are looking for other brands/merchants, you could try CyberPower Systems.

Also, something else to get would be an external laptop mouse. I really like the wireless type because a standard desktop mouse has a 6 ft cord, which is too long if you are connecting to a laptop.

Check out the RadTech BT500 wireless mouse.

Initially, everyone thinks it is too small to be usable, but once you use it for a bit (at least when you travel), you find it works just fine.

Bo

Not bad, but I have a Logitech wireless mouse that is about the size of a normal mouse, but the batteries last longer. It has a single scroll wheel that can also go side to side for horizontal scroll bars.

And something just between the two Dells: the HP HP Compaq NW8240. Runs great here.

-Marc

Regardless of what wireless mouse you use, check out the 15 minute recharging batteries and its dedicated charger from Radio Shack (which handles both AA and AAA battery sizes).

The one time charge to buy the RS charger can be made up in savings by not having to buy batteries which used to cost me more in 2 months than the RS charger cost.

My first set of RS rechargable batteries lasted 2 years before I had to buy a new set. The money saved was probably hundreds of dollars of AAA & AA batteries.

Bo

I just got done installing 2004 on a work Dell M70.

2.14 GHz processor 2GB ram GeForce Go Graphics card.

41 seconds on the STAR benchmark which is comparable to an AMD64 2X

4400+.

It is difficult for a some people who haven't seen a high end laptop performance with SolidWorks to believe that it is highly capable. I think that comes from the performance of most consumer laptops, and probably older ones at that, with older CPUs.

Both Intel, with their Centrino processors, and laptop manufacturers are seeing the massive shift to laptops, where they are getting near or over 50% of market share.

I won't be surprised to see the next rev of the Dell M70 to be even more capable and power effecient when it hits in 2006.

Bo

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Zander wrote:

This is because the Centrino is a decent performing chip compared to the Pentium 4. Now that desktops have hit a plateau in speed it makes more sense to get a laptop because it won't be outdated in six months.