Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 115523 2011-01-22 03:55:00 Laptop recommendation please powerover (12121) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1171628 2011-01-22 03:55:00 Hi there guys, needed a laptop for business use.

Price: under 2000
Prime applications: Inventor (3D CAD design package), Power Basic, LabView, and more
Preferred OS: win7 pro
Screen size: 15-17 inches

I was looking at Dell Vostro 3700, with i5-560M Processor, 4GB of ram, Nvidia Geforce GT 330M, 1GB Graphics, for $1800

Problem is I don't know much about mobile graphics cards, so will it handle Inventor?? what is the GT 330M's equivalent desktop graphics card (Performance wise)?

Any other recommendations?? I don't have to stick to Dell and any input will be greatly appreciated.
powerover (12121)
1171629 2011-01-22 06:31:00 Well I'm running solidworks on an Asus 5450 fanless card with 1024Mb of video RAM and 2GB of RAM on the motherboard with a core2 duo E7500 CPU. I could use more RAM but am completely skint and since the Mobo has only 2 slots I would have to buy 2X2GB modules gary67 (56)
1171630 2011-01-22 07:22:00 Well I'm running solidworks on an Asus 5450 fanless card with 1024Mb of video RAM and 2GB of RAM on the motherboard with a core2 duo E7500 CPU. I could use more RAM but am completely skint and since the Mobo has only 2 slots I would have to buy 2X2GB modules

thanks for the reply...but Im after a laptop....
powerover (12121)
1171631 2011-01-22 09:07:00 Assuming solidworks and whatever you want to use are the same/similar sort of demanding programs, you can get that laptop and have faith that it will run it properly.
My laptop's gpu is similar to his 5450, but lower than the 330m my i5 is lower than the one you're looking at but would be stronger than his c2d I would imagine.
8ftmetalhaed (14526)
1171632 2011-01-22 11:13:00 I have a Dell Vostro 1015, running Windows 7 Pro.
It was supplied with W7 and XPpro discs. Had it for about eight months, never missed a beat. Very good clear screen, 100% stable. Use Microsoft security. Very good key board and runs cool. No numeric pad, but this would detract from the keyboard. Cost me $900.
mzee (3324)
1171633 2011-01-22 18:57:00 Assuming solidworks and whatever you want to use are the same/similar sort of demanding programs, you can get that laptop and have faith that it will run it properly.
My laptop's gpu is similar to his 5450, but lower than the 330m my i5 is lower than the one you're looking at but would be stronger than his c2d I would imagine.

sweet, this is sort of what I am after thanks so much :D
powerover (12121)
1171634 2011-01-22 18:58:00 I have a Dell Vostro 1015, running Windows 7 Pro.
It was supplied with W7 and XPpro discs. Had it for about eight months, never missed a beat. Very good clear screen, 100% stable. Use Microsoft security. Very good key board and runs cool. No numeric pad, but this would detract from the keyboard. Cost me $900.

My first laptop was a Dell aye, very nice, never missed a beat too :D
powerover (12121)
1171635 2011-01-22 19:19:00 I mentioned my specs so you could see it's not necessary to have the greatest of everything average will run CAD just fine gary67 (56)
1171636 2011-01-22 20:16:00 I mentioned my specs so you could see it's not necessary to have the greatest of everything average will run CAD just fine

oh...fair enough, misunderstood ya, sorry :P

but hows asus 5450 compared to nvidia GT 330M?? I still don't have a clue..

Thanks for the reply.
powerover (12121)
1171637 2011-01-22 21:17:00 I don't know, I just went with that card so that I could run dual monitors, it's fanless so quite as it might end up in my media server and it fitted my budget. Its certainly no high end card gary67 (56)
1 2 3