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Best Laptop for AutoCAD?

Printed From: CAD Forum
Category: EN
Forum Name: CAD - general
Forum Description: General discussion about CAD, formats, standards, management, licensing, networking, harware, other CAD applications
URL: https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=9426
Printed Date: 16.Aug.2026 at 15:59


Topic: Best Laptop for AutoCAD?
Posted By: Mike Skipta
Subject: Best Laptop for AutoCAD?
Date Posted: 25.Jul.2013 at 17:44
I know that the laptop isn't the best to use for CAD programs but we need to use them in the field.
I have a Dell Precision M6500. The company is going to HP this time around. Any Ideas on the best one to get with the best video card?

Mike


Replies:
Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 31.Jul.2013 at 11:52
I would highly recommend that the company rethink their decision to go with HP and instead look at Xi PowerGo XT laptop by Xi Computers.  And it is always a good idea to get a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.


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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

Posted By: Mike Skipta
Date Posted: 01.Aug.2013 at 14:25
Thanks for your reply John,
I will pass this information along to our IT department.
Mike

Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 01.Aug.2013 at 15:38
If they balk at the price they should at least use the specs as the criteria for selecting a suitable CAD oriented laptop.  Too often the IT department buys what they want rather than what you need.


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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 03.Aug.2013 at 09:48
What's kind of funny is that at the Exhibition Center every year at Autodesk University the HP area is one of the biggest and most lively.  But I don't use an HP laptop for AutoCAD myself.  I've been very happy with a fast Jetbook.  Truthfully any laptop with an Intel i7 or equivalent processor, a fast hard drive, and at least 8 GB of memory will run AutoCAD just fine.  A good quality gaming video board, Autodesk certified or not, will also run more applications. 

If you really need a 'ruggedized' laptop you can spend the money.  But really you don't need it;  in most cases any good quality machine is likely to wrok just as well.

Dave.


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Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite

Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 03.Aug.2013 at 18:32
I think there is a big difference, performance wise, between a laptop you can buy off the shelf and one that is configured for running a program like AutoCAD.  Bear in mind you get what you pay for.  You should also keep in mind you would want this laptop to last at least three years.

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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

Posted By: andrew_neil
Date Posted: 23.Aug.2013 at 09:19
Since you are going to use it for Autocad it is wise to go with a machine with ample RAM at least 4GB and dedicated GPU unit to make it really worth.You can try Lenovo y500 which I think is great for this pupose.It has nvidia 2gb ddr5 high quality graphics card which I think worth a look.
Thanks

Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 23.Aug.2013 at 13:13
4GB of RAM these days would be considered paltry.  8-12GB or whatever the max the laptop can accommodate would be better.


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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

Posted By: sungod2010
Date Posted: 24.Aug.2013 at 20:00
Dell Precision m6500 is mine too

Posted By: andrew_neil
Date Posted: 08.Oct.2013 at 11:17
One thing is clear,for these type of work you need a dedicated GPU unit at first

Posted By: Mike Skipta
Date Posted: 08.Oct.2013 at 16:54

Thanks for all your replies.

Unfortunately the IT department’s take is that any computer running AutoCAD must be able to play with the entire company program’s that they use. A few things they probably would not have a problem with, is RAM and a quality Graphics card. As far as HP versus another brand I’m sure they put this out for Bid to get the best deal with what works with the company programs.

I like the larger screen with the Dell Precision M6500 and haven’t had any problems with it however, it comes with a price. It’s much heavier to lug around.

Is anyone using a HP laptop now and if so, how do you like it?

Mike


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