Hi
this is my first post so bear with me if I am somewhat slow on the uptake.
Here is my question I need to upgrade computers and am looking at Laptops for versitality and hopefully one larger enough to be used as my main machine.
any suggestions or warnings would be appreciated.
I especially need to know of any problems with graphics cards or processors
 
Thanks

What software are you going to be running on these laptops?
 
What is your budget per laptop?
 
What size screen would you like to have?
 
You'll be going 64-bit all the way (hardware and software) right?
 
 

I will be running Civil3D and Autocad plus some various word and excel
 
Budget probably about midrange i am guessing 750 to 1200
 
I would like to have a large 17 inch screen at least
 
I am going 64 bit

$750 to $1200?  Hmmm....good luck.
 
Maybe you should head on over to the AutoDesk website and check out the system requirements that are posted for each.  These specs should be considered as the "minimum" to run the program. 
 
I think most laptops in your price range will probably ship with an integrated graphics chip onboard and not a dedicated graphics card.  For that you might have to bump up the price range to $1500-$2000.
 
I suppose if you aren't planning on doing a lot of complex 3D work that the onboard GPU would suffice.
 
What brands do you have in mind?John Connor2011-03-23 17:32:32

I went to the Autodesk website and have printed out their mininum
seems like every place I go tolook at computers they don't list any of the same CPU's or graphics cards.
I am not sure which machine to look at
I am hoping to find suggestions from users that have had good experiences with a particular setup

It is near impossible to find the exact same computer specs at two different manufacturers.  You try to get as close as you can as far as the OS (and version), the CPU, amount and speed of RAM and maybe the hard drive speed and capacity.  Anything more than that consider it a plus.
 
Try Lenovo...they make the Thinkpad.  I understand it is a good machine.
 
You could try Xi Computers.  They make a real nice laptop but I am afraid it is out of your budget.
 
Check out what a college, like SUNY-ESF (Environmental School of Forsetry in Syracuse, NY) recommends its landscape architects purchase and base your setup on their specs.  This is a five year program and they do some real serious work on their computers.  I know for a fact they use Dell Latitude's with dedicated graphics cards.
 
Serious work demands serious hardware.  Skimp now and you'll be complaining later.  It's all up to you.John Connor2011-03-23 18:56:09

Here is a source of workstation grade laptops you can check out.
 
http://www.cad2.com/workstations/laptop-workstations.html

Ok thanks for the input, I agree that i don't want to skimp on computer, but I also need to be able to pay for it so I can get to work. The same issue we all are facing right now, shortage of funds. I found a source that seems to knowledgable about Autocad and is helping me reveiw required mininum and wants and finding a machine that will work.
again thanks for you help

Sure thing.  Good luck in finding a computer that fits not only your needs but your budget as well.  It's always a challenge to get the best bang for the buck.
John Connor2011-03-23 22:53:10