Hello and thank you in advance for your advice
I would like to ask folks here who use laptops away from a desk what options you use for running Cad applications.  I'm researching a hardware upgrade and have found that I'm not often in a place where a mouse is practical and would love to have less to carry around.  The regular scratchpad that I use (I have a 5yr old Toshiba) works okay for regular web browsing and typing, but for cad, the lack of a scroll-wheel for zoom/pan/orbit makes for much slower (less efficient) work.  Is there a more recent unit (preferably 17") which allows for comfortable mouse-less constructions?
The HP 8710w has the user-input that I like, but the processor/ram are not sufficient.

Just FYI - while any laptop with 2Gb of RAM is fine for many users, I have a particular distrust of Windows, and so run Linux with Cad running in a virtual machines.  I'm going to be getting Solidworks as well, so this is going to put more stress on the processor than Autocad or Sketchup.

Thanks
Aaron

thanks Dave;
The issue isn't one of weight (a 17" laptop will weigh more than my current 15.6), but the fact that I'm not always at a desk, and so the computer is literally on my lap.  that said, where does the mouse go?

Even when mine is in my lap I usually find somewhere to run the mouse... even if it's on my knee!  I have a 17-in laptop too, and often have to use it in a crowded truck cab out in the field.  I'll always manage to find a place for a mouse.

I don't know about the stylus idea.  Wacam tablets are great with Photoshop, but it would just be another piece of gear in cramped space with AutoCAD.  And then I don't know that it would work anyway!

Dave.