Question

Laptop for AutoCAD

Asked by: julianmatz

Hi! I'm wondering what kind of hardware and software would be required to run AutoCAD on a laptop - I mean in terms of memory, CPU, OS, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

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Asked On
2009-10-27 at 11:33:17ID24848293
Topics

AutoCAD Software

,

CAD & Architecture Software

,

PC Laptops

Participating Experts
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Answers

 

by: borgunitPosted on 2009-10-27 at 11:42:30ID: 25675912

 

by: FrankD91474Posted on 2009-10-27 at 11:48:42ID: 25675977

I would suggest an HP EliteBook, one with an Nvidia Quadro  works very well with AutoCAD and SolidWorks

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/321957-321957-64295-3740645-3955549.html

These laptops are fully loaded, with aluminum enclosures.  Most of the consumer level laptops will not work very will with such demanding applications.

 

by: jamietonerPosted on 2009-10-27 at 11:53:03ID: 25676018

I would go with a Dell mobile workstation with a quad core CPU and a quadro graphics card and as much ram as you can afford(4gb if using 32bit xp). If youre using autocad 2010 then win7 will work, but for the older versions use xp.

 

by: julianmatzPosted on 2009-10-27 at 11:58:42ID: 25676069

Thanks. I also read the specs, but recommended specs are not as good IMO as experience and recommendations from experts.

But I was wondering about SSE2 - I'm assuming it will probably be a laptop with an Intel Core2 Duo, and as far as I know they all support SSE2. Is there anything else I should take into account regarding this? Special motherboard or something? Or can I take that any laptop with Core2 will have SSE2?

 

by: jamietonerPosted on 2009-10-27 at 12:32:58ID: 25676453

The core series is sse4 and the more powerful i7 is sse4.2.

 

by: ConsultPCPosted on 2009-10-28 at 01:53:50ID: 25681052

The AutoCAD2009 run ok with any new laptop over 1500 USD (1200 euro). Of course, if you want to develop a extremely complex 3D design with rendering i recommand you a desktop with a quad core CPU and a Nvidia Quadro or a Matrox VGA card.

 

by: darrenmcwiPosted on 2009-11-04 at 05:15:57ID: 25738948

Depends more on how you'll use autocad than anything. The other expert's recommendations are all sound.

 

by: julianmatzPosted on 2009-11-08 at 22:13:43ID: 25773694

Thanks everyone!

So, a dual core CPU would work but a quad core would be much better ... ?

Could you give me more details about the graphics card? I presume onboard graphics is out. I'm not really up to speed with latest graphics technology. Quadro is obviously an Nvidia brand. How important would this be and what is the minimum I should be looking for. Does ATi have an equivalent?

 

by: jamietonerPosted on 2009-11-09 at 05:07:26ID: 25775537

"So, a dual core CPU would work but a quad core would be much better ... ?" Yes. The better the card the faster autocad will render. Ati has the firegl series but I have never seen one available in a laptop.

 

by: julianmatzPosted on 2009-11-16 at 14:43:08ID: 25835104

Thanks again!

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