Ok so here’s the deal, I’ve got an older Dell Studio 1555 I think from around 2009 or so. I’m pretty sure the hard drive just shit the bed and I need to make a decision quick as I need a computer capable of running AutoCad for school. Would it be worth it to put new stuff into this laptop and run it, and what would I need, or would I be better off just picking up a new laptop?
new.
new
+1 to the fluffers above
What type of specs should I look for? Will be running auto cad and solid works
AutoCad 2015 - http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-AutoCAD-2015.html
System requirements for AutoCAD 2015
Operating System
- Microsoft® Windows® 8/8.1
- Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 Pro
- Microsoft Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise
- Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
- Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
CPU Type For 32-bit AutoCAD 2015:
- 32-bit Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon™ Dual Core, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology
For 64-bit AutoCAD 2015:
- AMD Athlon 64 with SSE2 technology
- AMD Opteron™ with SSE2 technology
- Intel® Xeon® with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology
- Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support with SSE2 technology
Network
- Deployment via Deployment Wizard.
- The license server and all workstations that will run applications dependent on network licensing must run TCP/IP protocol.
- Either Microsoft® or Novell TCP/IP protocol stacks are acceptable. Primary login on workstations may be Netware or Windows.
- In addition to operating systems supported for the application, the license server will run on the Windows Server® 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 2008 R2 Server editions.
- Citrix® XenApp™ 6.5 FP1, Citrix® XenDesktop™ 5.6
Memory 2 GB (8 GB recommended)
Display Resolution 1024x768 (1600x1050 or higher recommended) with True Color
Display Card Windows display adapter capable of 1024x768 with True Color capabilities. DirectX® 9 or DirectX 11 compliant card recommended but not required.
Disk Space Installation 6.0 GB
Pointing Device MS-Mouse compliant device
Digitizer WINTAB support
Plotter/Printer Same as AutoCAD 2013-2014 — system printer and HDI support
Media (DVD) Download and installation from DVD
Browser Windows Internet Explorer® 9.0 (or later)
Side-by-side Install Supported
ToolClips Media Player Adobe® Flash® Player v10 or up
.NET Framework .NET Framework Version 4.5
Additional requirements for large datasets, point clouds, and 3D modeling
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 processor or AMD Athlon, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology; Intel or AMD Dual Core processor, 2.0 GHz or higher
Memory 8 GB RAM or greater
Disk Space 6 GB free hard disk available, not including installation requirements
Display Card 1280x1024 True Color video display adapter 128 MB or greater, Pixel Shader 3.0 or greater, Direct3D®-capable workstation class graphics card.
Solid Works - http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html
Operating Systems SOLIDWORKS
2013
(EDU
2013-2014) SOLIDWORKS
2014
(EDU
2014-2015) SOLIDWORKS
2015
(EDU
2015-2016)
Windows 8.1 64-bit
(2014 SP1)
Windows 8 64-bit
Windows 7 64-bit. Win 7 SP1 required for SOLIDWORKS 2014
Windows 7 32-bit. Win 7 SP1 required for SOLIDWORKS 2014
Windows Vista
Hardware
RAM 8GB or morerecommended
Disk Space 5 GB or more
Video Card Certified cards and drivers
Processor Intel or AMD with SSE2 support. 64-bit operating system recommended
Install Media DVD Drive or Broadband Internet Connection
Microsoft Products
Internet Explorer IE 8,9,10 IE 8,9,10,11 IE 9,10,11
Excel and Word 2007, 2010 2007, 2010, 2013 2010, 2013
Other
Anti-Virus Supported Anti-Virus Products
Network Microsoft Windows networking. Novell networks and non-Windows network storage devices are not supported
Virtual environments and storage devices Supported storage devices
2 weeks ago I picked up a studio 1535 for $40…fully working.
Good for target practice. New
Take a look at dell outlet, and buy a latitude if you want a laptop.
Optiplex if you want a desktop. Make sure you have proper graphics to handle it.
I would not buy a shit brand of computer, get a full dell warranty.
I guess the real questions are:
Budget?
Desktop or Laptop?
How deep are you going to be diving into the programs? (Just starting out, mid-level, or crazy assemblies, renderings, simulations, etc).
Actually the specs for both programs are basically a new $600-800 laptop, they aren’t that crazy. I’d probably add some more firepower to a rig for autocad, but that’s me. I’d also probably go with a desktop or more specifically a workstation if you’re going to be buying from Dell, HP, etc. Optionally you could just build your own desktop fairly easy.
Pick a graphics card that will work for what you are going to be doing then build the computer around it.
For basic fucking around and entry level use, I’ll agree; but for any sort of “power” use (Namely: Large assemblies, high-feature count components, rendering, simulations, design studies, etc) that will barely cover or not even cover the Video Card.
If you’re just putsing around or for college level learning then just about any non-entry level laptop will run it decently. If you’re going to be using it for some high-end design work, then get a Workstation grade computer (Laptop or desktop).
Edit/Note - something to keep in mind, Solidworks is still a single-thread program, it’s main design program will only run on 1 core; so multi-core processors won’t make it run better or faster. There are modules inside Solidworks that are multi-thread, but the primary program is not. This means that processor speed does have a significant impact on how the program runs seeing it can’t run on multiple cores at the same time, it can’t take advantage of the common multi-core processors.
If you are buying a laptop don’t go Dell, Lenovo Thinkpad T or X series.
For desktops Dell Optiplex or HP Advanced or Elite Business Desktops.
If you buy HP Elite, you get additional “Elite” support. Basically quicker, American, and overnight if needed. It’s our standard at work.
I cannot stand Lenovo laptop keyboards, might as well be typing on a soggy fish. Only way I’d touch HP would be elite, their retail series is shit in my experience. I’m imaging/provisioning a Dell 7440 Latitude at the moment and I think it looks pretty decent. Keyboard feels good and screen is nice.
Haven’t dealt a whole lot with the consumer grade stuff other than student laptops and occasional desktops. Their support has been really nice though. Had to send my brother’s laptop in twice for repairs and both times it was quick and easy.
The two HP desktops are there business models, far from there retail stuff. 90% of laptop keyboards are shit, Dell’s new Latitudes are far more frustrating to me than Lenovo, my current work T440S is tolerable with only a few annoyances. Maybe Dell fixed the build quality issues but the Latitude E5430’s we were buying at my last place where steaming piles of crap. The 7440 looks nice I will give them that, a lot better than the E5430
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Well might just have to retract my statement the Dell 7000 Series might just be the Dell Ultrabook laptops I always wanted. Liking what I am seeing and reading about them.
Yeah the 54xx’s looked like a “my first” laptop, very childish appearance.
I have a Yoga Pro 2 they got me for work, fucking hate this thing. The keyboard blows and the high rez screens are over-rated if you work on anything involving text. There is no tactile response at all on these keys. Despite all the Macbook Pro issues I’ve been seeing, that’s the way I should have went for sure.
I’ve deployed a pair of 74xx Dells and while I can’t speak about longevity, the build quality is substantially improved. Even has the clitoris touch device on the keyboard. LOL
I’ve got a E7440 stuck in IT for my new laptop… They’ve gotten it, but haven’t decided when they’re going to give it to me… fuckers.