Laptops for Arch Techs?

DanGalway

Hi all,


This is a question to all Architects / Technologists - im hoping to buy a new laptop in the new year and im looking for advice regarding what type to buy.

Im a technologist and i use AutoCAD 2013, Google SketchUp 7, 3DS Studio Max 2010, Adobe Photoshop 7.0 and hopefully will learn Revit Architecture 2013 in the new year.

Can anybody recommend laptops, memory size etc for the above?

Thanks!

beyondpassive

We use the Sony VAIO with upgraded chip, graphics card, double up on the RAM and with the 19 inch screen.

Dabzarch

beyondpassive wrote: »

We use the Sony VAIO with upgraded chip, graphics card, double up on the RAM and with the 19 inch screen.

+1 on the above.

I have also used one of the high end mobile workstations along side my current one and i have to say i found no difference in performance.

shane6977

I wouldn't be so much much concerned with the type / brand as with what comes "in the box". I would recommend you look at the hardware requirements for each piece of software you intend using, pick the most onerous one as your baseline and then improve on those specs as best you can afford.
Also, ask yourself do you really need a laptop to do your work on? Laptops can't really be upgraded by much as there is the space restriction inside. A desktop PC can be easily upgraded and rebuilt if required at relatively low cost. If you want the laptop to bring to client meetings you could use the PC for doing the work and have a fairly low cost laptop to show the client presentation material.

Mellor

The days of needing a high spec PC or laptop for Cad and 3D packages is gone.

shane6977

Mellor wrote: »

The days of needing a high spec PC or laptop for Cad and 3D packages is gone.

Why so?

Mellor

Because the processing power of entry level computers today is far greater than high spec laptops a few years ago. Running the OS, background processes, and the demands of Cad, Photoshop etc have increased over time. But no where near the rate of increase in available power.
I bought a reasonable high spec Dell in 2005. A cheap entry level machine today would wipe the floor with it.

There are still reasons to get an above average machine, but running architectural programs isn't one.
For example, i'd absolutely get a solid state drive (SSD), even its its small with a large disk drive as back up. Simple better technology not because I need it.

DvB

If you plan to run Revit 2013 i would suggest you simply get the best processor & as much RAM as your budget allows. We're running it atm with 16GB of RAM & it labours on medium sized models, the graphics cards are fine but the drain on RAM is alot more than we were originally led to believe, each upgrade from Autodesk seems to increase the process power required also.

DanGalway

Thanks guys!

Was looking at the Sony VAIO:

Design: Black

Configured:
Intel®Core(TM)i5-3210M, 2.5GHz
Windows 8
320 GB Serial ATA (5400 rpm)
12 GB 1333 MHz DDR3L-SDRAM
DVD disc drive
39.5cm LED, 1920x1080+webcam
Intel® HD Graphics 4000
No Wireless WAN
No Long-Life Battery
Engraving FREE

Software:
Office 2010 Home & Student
No protection
No Adobe Creation
No Adobe® Lightroom 4
Imagination Studio Suite 4

Also Included:
1 AC Adapter
Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11abgn)
HDMI(TM) output
Security features
Backlight keyboard

Total Price 1,188.00 € inc. VAT

Please feel free to comment on the above!

I know nothing about laptop memory /capacity etc; basically i would be using AutoCAD 2012 or 2013 and Revit Architecture 2013 mostly!

I was also recommended the MacBook but feel it may be more expensive??

gman2k

I've never been a fan of Vaio, too glitchey and too much paying for the brand.
As mentioned above, SSD......
Do this straight away, get a fresh install of W7 and you will be flying.
Photoshop 7 is old now, so you won't have a problem running it, on any modern laptop, likewise with any 2d CAD work...