Laptop purchase no idea

[NorthernSands]

CAD will be seriously graphic intensive. Your best bet would be a "gaming" orientated "rig" at least that way it should have a decent graphics card in it

Sorry, disagree. Most CAD packages need specific GPUs with specific drivers to work 100% and supported. A general gaming rig *should* be OK, but run into problems and you're on your own...

 

[HandyAndy]

Take a look at auto desks AutoCAD software requirements for example..

System requirements for AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD for Mac LT 2020 | AutoCAD LT 2020 | Autodesk Knowledge Network

Ready to get started? Download a free trial Buy now System requirements for AutoCAD LT 2020 (Windows) Operating System Microsoft® Windows® 7 SP1 with Update KB4019990 (64-bit Only) Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Update KB2919355 (64-bit Only) Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit only) (version 1803 or...

knowledge.autodesk.com

 

[Figaro]

I don`t think AutoCad is particularly demanding, I`d have thought PC`s in the £5/600 range would be more than adequate.

 

[HandyAndy]

Sorry, disagree. Most CAD packages need specific GPUs with specific drivers to work 100% and supported. A general gaming rig *should* be OK, but run into problems and you're on your own...

Fully agree that a fully fledged CAD designer would want a specific GPU but for this STUDENT, a gaming rig will be a much cheaper compromise IMO, as you say it "should" (famous last words)" be OK.. Certainly far far FAR better than the PC spec the OP originally asked for.

 

[HandyAndy]

I don`t think AutoCad is particularly demanding, I`d have thought PC`s in the £5/600 range would be more than adequate.

Recommended: 3+ GHz processor
Recommended: 16 GB Memory
Recommended: 4 GB GPU with 106 GB/s Bandwidth and DirectX11 compliant

Quick look at "laptops direct" and a scan down the specs of laptops between £500-£750..
Not a SINGLE laptop meets any of the recommended specs

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[NorthernSands]

Fully agree that a fully fledged CAD designer would want a specific GPU but for this STUDENT, a gaming rig will be a much cheaper compromise IMO, as you say it "should" (famous last words)" be OK.. Certainly far far FAR better than the PC spec the OP originally asked for.

Depends on the software. Solidworks, for example, can be *very* picky about not only GPU but OS patch level and driver version combined. A student who has a deadline to meet won't want to be refused support because they are not running a tested combination of software and hardware.

And it isn't one size fits all, either: some CAD packages are quite multi-theaded and would work well on a range of systems, but others are quite single-threaded.

It doesn't have to be a mine-field, though. Go through the list of tested systems for the software and pick a reputable brand / model ( Lenovo ThinkPad / Dell Precision ) then see what can be afforded. Look 2nd hand to save money.

 

[HandyAndy]

Just for reference here's one I stuck together just to see the likely cost the OP is looking at to do his lad proud and give a decent head start (better hope he passes at that price )
I pretty much took everything off it let me except a £19 dead pixel guarantee as that drives me up the wall

 

[Lanerboy]

Oh dear this is so over both myself and my wifes head
We are now concerned a sales person on the end of a phone will just sell us what they have which may not be what we need

We put some choices into laptop directs website and this is one that came up.

Broken Link Removed

 

[Lanerboy]

Also this one

Broken Link Removed

 

[HandyAndy]

Go through the list of tested systems for the software and pick a reputable brand / model ( Lenovo ThinkPad / Dell Precision ) then see what can be afforded. Look 2nd hand to save money.

Best option yep
Autodesks (Autocad2020) specs HERE. suggest only two graphics options for mobile use..

NVIDIA Quadro T2000

Stuck that into google and came up with....

I think we can see it's either second hand / refurbished or OP is going to tell the lad to change career

If he does stump up for new then Overclockers is very well regarded by me. I've been on that forum / shop for over 15 years (build PCs myself) and know the lads very well in person.

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[HandyAndy]

Oh dear this is so over both myself and my wifes head
We are now concerned a sales person on the end of a phone will just sell us what they have which may not be what we need

We put some choices into laptop directs website and this is one that came up.

Broken Link Removed

Certainly don't rush into anything..
First off what is the software the lad is going to be using there are LOTS of different "CAD" programs out there.

 

[NorthernSands]

Overclockers is very well regarded by me. I've been on that forum / shop for over 15 years (build PCs myself) and know the lads very well in person.

If branded ( Lenovo / Dell ) I'd usually go direct, but I'd also recommend Overclockers. ?

 

[HandyAndy]

*Rubs thighs furiously

 

[DBK]

Oh dear this is so over both myself and my wifes head
We are now concerned a sales person on the end of a phone will just sell us what they have which may not be what we need

We put some choices into laptop directs website and this is one that came up.

Broken Link Removed

Also this one

Broken Link Removed

I suggest you look again at the question you put in your OP then have a look at the early replies.

For what you describe you don't need 16Gb of RAM because 14 of those will probably never be disturbed by an electron.

For around £500 you could get something which will do what you want. Pay more if you want, you won't be disappointed I'm sure but you don't have to.

 

[HandyAndy]

I suggest you look again at the question you put in your OP then have a look at the early replies.

For what you describe you don't need 16Gb of RAM because 14 of those will probably never be disturbed by an electron.

For around £500 you could get something which will do what you want. Pay more if you want, you won't be disappointed I'm sure but you don't have to.

I guess you missed one of the OP's latest posts that his lad is going to be doing CAD design and become a chartered surveyor, so the question COMPLETELY changed

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[Kannon Fodda]

To be honest if CAD is a serious intended use then a laptop will be a pain in the rear. You want real estate of a big monitor, and professionals would use at least two monitors one for the drawing and one for all the commands. You'll get a laptop powerful enough to run CAD but it's the screen, keyboard, mouse or other input systems (CAD people often use stylus tablets and all sorts of special thingys) that normally means you'll have a proper desk based tower. Many reasonable laptops do let you plug in one monitor, but it's a bit cumbersome, and not that comfortable to work with unless you also get convoluted with further keyboards and stuff.

You do need to understand how much CAD work the trainee needs. Student surveyors won't be doing design work to the same level of a trainee Architect. Yes some course work maybe drawing based, a lot of the coursework may simply need drawings to be able to be read and interpreted.

In terms of hardware I'd expect that, unless you are designing a tower block with multiple 3D layers, where you do need that fill professional workstation, any decent i5 CPU based laptop will suffice, provided you have plentiful RAM. For Windows 10 8GB RAM must be a minimum but I'd aims for 16GB. Just make sure it's a full i5, not the "U" versions. A decent capacity SSD 256GB if probably enough, you can always add a backup drive.

But you really need to know what the CAD software is before any choices are made. I'd expect a full AutoCAD version to be eye wateringly expensive, even as a student system. In some instances there may be lesser software that can be run, which will almost do the same thing, but which could be less demanding on the hardware. I've run LibreCAD, more suited to 2D rather than 3D but which can open many AutoCAD drawings, on a simple i5 based PC that relied on the integrated GPU in the i5. There is also free AutoCAD viewer software that enables anyone to open .dwg files although you can't edit.

Oh and if CAD coursework is really an essential, does not the university have workstations available, given the high spec of hardware needed which might be outside the means of many students?

 

[DBK]

I guess you missed one of the OP's latest posts that his lad is going to be doing CAD design and become a chartered surveyor, so the question COMPLETELY changed

Missed that. But CAD will work with less RAM, just more slowly. Son needs his own laptop.

 

[Lanerboy]

Sorry for the change in my original 1st post as we did not know then what we do now, we didn't realise he would need to have a laptop for this cad programme.
Thanks again for all the replies I have just found out he needs to run
Auto cad 2020 and revit (hope that means more to some of you than it does me)
Like I said we are completely out of our depth with it all

 

[Gellyneck]

Assuming son is going to be \ is studying at college \ uni we've found, certainly in Scotland, a quick enquiry to his lecturer \ department gives quality feedback on the requirements. Also as has been said, a number of these facilities provide loaned \ shared kit students can take advantage of. Our son even bought a Mac that was being "retired" and still mucks about on it 10 years later.

 

[Lanerboy]

Whilst there are some units he can use whilst in class his tutor has said he needs to obtain a better laptop as he needs to do work away from the classroom and no loan units are available for this he needs his own

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[Wagoneer]

Think the OP is putting the cart before the horse. Your son is studying architecture which covers a very wide range of subjects. Initially the syllabus (in my opinion) will/should be an introduction to architecture in all it's varies forms.

All the successful architects I have known, have been gifted with an artistic flare. Initial concept designs have been developed from sketches using pen and paper. CAD is just a tool for progressing conceptural design to final design. The current breed of up and coming architects should be able to use CAD, at least for basic tasks. In the real world, highly trained CAD technicians do the donkey work. 3D modelling and walk-through presentation video is probably best left to the specialists in this field.

I doubt you or your son need to make a rushed decision right now, best to wait until he commences his studies and take it from there.

 

[jezport]

I bought a Lenovo Yoga i7 ,SSD laptop in the sales about 3 years ago for under £500 and its been great.
Dont forget that a lot of companies will beat or equal other sellers prices so shop around. We saw ours in currys but AO.com beat their price and delivered next day.

 

[HandyAndy]

Does it have to be a laptop at all then if this is for use outside of the classroom as you could build yourself a much better desktop rig from parts than you could buy anything in the highstreet.
(And buying from the highstreet would be the very LAST place I'd get advice or purchase anything from.)

 

[StephDeLux]

Oh dear this is so over both myself and my wifes head
We are now concerned a sales person on the end of a phone will just sell us what they have which may not be what we need

We put some choices into laptop directs website and this is one that came up.

Broken Link Removed

If that Lenovo is finally in your budget, you go for it, it is an excellent machine that will serve you for years.

At work we now equip our personnel with Microsoft Surface devices like those 2:

Amazon product ASIN B07HZHYWGJ
Amazon product ASIN B07HZ7HJ2N
The first one is the lighter one, with a detachable keyboard that turns it in a large tablet. The second one is a very nice laptop. We have 120 people using them for about 2 years, no issues.

Advantages of the Surface devices:

• very nice and durable finish
• lighter
• screen quality is out of this world
• touch screens
• from the Windows makers: guaranteed to work
• no unnecessary extra software that the other brands feel obliged to add to Windows and mess things up

Whatever you'd take among those three it will be an excellent choice.

 

[peterc10]

Think the OP is putting the cart before the horse. Your son is studying architecture which covers a very wide range of subjects. Initially the syllabus (in my opinion) will/should be an introduction to architecture in all it's varies forms.

Errrr no he isn't. He is studying to be a "chartered surveyor" (see post #28), by which I think they probably mean a quantity surveyor. That is a VERY different profession to an Architect, even though both are in the construction industry.

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[Lanerboy]

Errrr no he isn't. He is studying to be a "chartered surveyor" (see post #28), by which I think they probably mean a quantity surveyor. That is a VERY different profession to an Architect, even though both are in the construction industry.

Yes sorry you are correct he is studying to become a chartered quantity surveyor

 

[Lanerboy]

Does it have to be a laptop at all then if this is for use outside of the classroom as you could build yourself a much better desktop rig from parts than you could buy anything in the highstreet.
(And buying from the highstreet would be the very LAST place I'd get advice or purchase anything from.)

Yes it does need to be a laptop as he needs to use it in class and back at his digs

 

[peterc10]

Yes sorry you are correct he is studying to become a chartered quantity surveyor

No need to apologise. You said that in your previous post.

 

[wolfie2]

As Gellyneck suggests (49) your best bet must be to ask those who have been using suitable laptops..ie the uni/college dept. Also they are not trying to sell you anything and have a wealth of appropriate experience. Good luck.

 

[Lanerboy]

As Gellyneck suggests (49) your best bet must be to ask those who have been using suitable laptops..ie the uni/college dept. Also they are not trying to sell you anything and have a wealth of appropriate experience. Good luck.

Hi Yes we thought that but the tutor said he is not a computer expert but what he can tell us is the laptop he has got is only i2 and not good enough
He told my son to research and find a better laptop ?‍

What my wife has done is contacted the company that make the CAD programme asking them what we require to run it

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