New college laptop

[DyslexicHobo]

I'm going into college next year, and will need a laptop. The laptop has to be able to run CAD programs fairly well (lots of RAM).

I really have no clue where to start looking. It seems like there's so many places to start. After reading some of the topics here, it seems that Lenovo is one of the main contenders in the laptop picture. What would be the best bet for a laptop for me?

Things I'd perfer:
15.4" screen or less
< 7 lbs (I can deal with a fairly beefy laptop, I just don't want to feel like I'm carrying around a desktop with me!)
To be able to play World of Warcraft (is NOT a must)
< $1200 (I do have some leniency here)
Ethernet, and wireless
3+ USB ports
A good warranty
A fingerprint scanner (just to say that I have one. Damn they are cool!)

Thanks for any advice in my search.

 

[TheStu]

I would agree that lenovo is a good choice, they seem to have done justice to the thinkpad name and have made a laptop that is quite resilient.

Quick question for you, is widescreen important to you? I personally greatly prefer widescreen so that would be a dealbreaker for me.

Also, how much hard drive space do you think you are going to need?

 

[Net]

hp notebooks are good since they have non-integrated video cards avaiable.

 

[imported_Seer]

I would go for the D830. A lot of universities offer discounts on dell laptops, esp. if you're going into engineering. check there first.

IF you can't get a discount, then I would say it's a tossup, and I'm not exactly up to speed on all the current laptops. But I do have a fast D820 if you want to ask me any questions (2.33 GHz, 100 Gig 7200 RPM drive, 2 gigs RAM).

 

[Net]

if you decide on dell then you might want to check out the business section.

I have an Dell Inspiron 630m which is called an XP 140 on the home side. It was cheaper on the business side, lol.

I ran some CAD programs for the spartain 3 board.

One thing to remeber though is that all the Dells will have integrated graphics cards. This is one problem I ran into when I wanted to play some games.

 

[DyslexicHobo]

Well I am a big gamer, but I'll have my desktop for that. Even so, I don't mind playing games at low res., no AA, etc.

Do CAD programs benefit a lot from going with a 7200RPM drive rather than a 5400? I've really never worked with anything besides 7200RPM drives, so I've never experienced the difference.

Edit: No, widescreen does not matter. I'm used to both.

 

[NatePo717]

3D or 2D cad? I know we use Dell Precision workstations here at SolidWorks in our tech support department. Not sure if that's because we get them cheep or they fit our needs or not. They seem to do alright though.

Take a look here http://www.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/precn_m?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh and see if there is anything you like. I have an M60.

An M65 would fit you nicely. I wouldn't go for less then 2gb of ram. I know if you want to run big assemblies the more memory you have the better.

 

[WackyDan]

I have to point out what Nate did.... 2d or 3d? If 3d you will have a hard time staying within your budget. All three majors make workstation class machines with engineering spec cards... ie; T60p with fireGL card....

Check with your college to see what they recommend for requirements and if they have a laptop program.

 

[gus6464]

Dell Latitude D830 or Precision M65. Although the M65 might go a bit over you budget.

 

[Gibson486]

what kind of cad? If you are talking autocad, then an entry level machine from 4 years ago will suffice.

 

[DyslexicHobo]

Sorry for not replying. I contacted my future engineering professor and he should be getting back to me any time now with the program I'll be using, along with any deals the school is offering.

 

[DyslexicHobo]

The program being used is called SolidWorks. I looked up the program online, and it seems like the laptop I will be getting is sufficient as long as I'm not re-constructing the Empire State building in it.

 

[NatePo717]

Originally posted by: DyslexicHobo
The program being used is called SolidWorks. I looked up the program online, and it seems like the laptop I will be getting is sufficient as long as I'm not re-constructing the Empire State building in it.

So you already got a laptop? What did you end up getting?

 

[DyslexicHobo]

I haven't ordered yet, but I will most likely be getting a Lenovo.

Processor: Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium - US English
Display type: 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/o Camera
System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Wireless card: ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter II
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord: Country Pack North America
Modem cable (RJ-11): PSTN cable
Language Pack: Language Pack US English


If anyone sees any flaws with this build, please let me know.

 

[Brainonska511]

You could cut the cost by going with a slower processor (GHz wise) since you won't really see a difference between 1.66, 1.83, and 2.0. I'd then use the extra money to either put it towards a larger hard drive or a better screen (WXGA+ if offered). You could also cut the RAM down to 1x1GB and add a 1GB stick yourself to save some more money since it doesn't cost $130 for a 1GB stick of PC5300 DDR2.

 

[DyslexicHobo]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
You could cut the cost by going with a slower processor (GHz wise) since you won't really see a difference between 1.66, 1.83, and 2.0. I'd then use the extra money to either put it towards a larger hard drive or a better screen (WXGA+ if offered). You could also cut the RAM down to 1x1GB and add a 1GB stick yourself to save some more money since it doesn't cost $130 for a 1GB stick of PC5300 DDR2.

I think I'll go with the 2.0GHz CPU. It's only about 30 bucks more than the 1.8, and I think that will be worth it in the long run, because I can't really replace the CPU after I buy it. I can, however, replace the hard drive. I may take your advice about the screen, though. I wasn't really sure whether it'd be worth it on a 14" screen.

And about the RAM, that's actually what I was going to do. I just changed it for the sake of clarity. Thanks for the advice!

 

[adqttr]

I am thinking of buying the same laptop, I am working for ibm for the summer and since they are still linked to lenova i can get a good deal on one. you seemed to know what you were talking about so i had a few questions.

1. Whats the difference between 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/o Camera and 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/o Camera?

2. Whats the difference between Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394 and nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M Graphics?

3. Whats the difference in the 3 batteries? 4 cell, 6 cell and 7 cell.

4. What will the blue tooth actually do for me?

5. How much will it help to get a 7200 rpm as apposed to the cheaper 5400 rpm hard drive.

thanks for anyones help.

My other question i guess is that I have looked at sony vaio's and they look very nice but expensive, do you think they are better? or stick to lenova?

P.S. I will be using mine for mostly watching videos, maybe a little bit of gaming but nothing even close to intense, and then i do a lot of programming, scripting and that kind of thing. I am a Software Engineer so i don't use as much cad.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: adqttr
I am thinking of buying the same laptop, I am working for ibm for the summer and since they are still linked to lenova i can get a good deal on one. you seemed to know what you were talking about so i had a few questions.

1. Whats the difference between 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/o Camera and 14.1 WXGA+ TFT, w/o Camera? WXGA+ is a higher resolution (1440x900) instead of WXGA (1280x800)

2. Whats the difference between Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394 and nVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M Graphics? Intel is integrated (DirectX 10 though and better than the GMA 950), better batterylife over a dedicated card. The Quadro card would be good if you used professional graphics software and needed the power of a dedicated card. But, the quadro NVS 140M isn't that powerful, I'd say it would be comparable to a 7300/7400Go and you'd lose a significant amount of battery life by choosing it over the Intel chip.

3. Whats the difference in the 3 batteries? 4 cell, 6 cell and 7 cell. I believe the 4 cell sits flush with the back of the machine. The 6 and 7 cell both stick out about 1/2", but you get more battery life.

4. What will the blue tooth actually do for me? If you have a bluetooth mouse or keyboard, you wouldn't need a separate bluetooth dongle to connect them to the machine. Also, some devices, such as smartphones, bluetooth cell phones, and PDAs can transfer data over bluetooth.

5. How much will it help to get a 7200 rpm as apposed to the cheaper 5400 rpm hard drive. Faster load times. Good if you are working with video editing since you'll want faster input/output with the large files. It will not affect battery life or heat output to go with a 7200RPM drive.

thanks for anyones help.

My other question i guess is that I have looked at sony vaio's and they look very nice but expensive, do you think they are better? or stick to lenovo?

P.S. I will be using mine for mostly watching videos, maybe a little bit of gaming but nothing even close to intense, and then i do a lot of programming, scripting and that kind of thing. I am a Software Engineer so i don't use as much cad.

Answers to the first questions are in bold.

What kind of gaming do you plan on doing? If you are looking at FPS, you should consider another company - something that has a midrange, consumer grade GPU, such as a 7700Go, 8600, 7600Go, MR X1700/X1600, etc. The Quadro or the Intel X3100 won't cut it for those types of games, unless you were just playing UT2004 and older games. If you are playing WoW, you could easily go with just the integrated graphics, as the X3100 will be fine for that.

 

[adqttr]

3. I am pretty sure that the only battery that stuck out the back was the 9 cell battery, atleast that is the case for the T40 that i use in my office at work, but maybe your right i am not positive.

5. I still don't really understand why i would need a blue tooth. if i get a mouse or keyboard will i have better performance with a built in or the one they give me?

When i say i might do some gaming but nothing serious i mean, last year these are the games i played: Starcraft, A little WOW on my freinds account, couterstrike (original non steam version), UT2004, Command and Conqueer Generals, Tiger Woods Golf 07, and NBA Live 07. I am not big into buying a lot of new games and playing them, I stick to the classics i played when i was a kid, because i don't really have time to learn new games, and if i do i will play them on console.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: adqttr
3. I am pretty sure that the only battery that stuck out the back was the 9 cell battery, atleast that is the case for the T40 that i use in my office at work, but maybe your right i am not positive.

5. I still don't really understand why i would need a blue tooth. if i get a mouse or keyboard will i have better performance with a built in or the one they give me?

When i say i might do some gaming but nothing serious i mean, last year these are the games i played: Starcraft, A little WOW on my freinds account, couterstrike (original non steam version), UT2004, Command and Conqueer Generals, Tiger Woods Golf 07, and NBA Live 07. I am not big into buying a lot of new games and playing them, I stick to the classics i played when i was a kid, because i don't really have time to learn new games, and if i do i will play them on console.

For 5. It doesn't really make a difference. I don't use bluetooth myself, so I find it to be a useless feature in my own laptop.

As for the gaming, you could probably get away with the X3100 chip. You'll get better battery life and Intel is still optimizing the driver to pull more performance out of the integrated GPU.

 

[adqttr]

so what your saying is that the increase in performance for the nvidia is not worth the decrease in battery life and increase in heat consumption?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: adqttr
so what your saying is that the increase in performance for the nvidia is not worth the decrease in battery life and increase in heat consumption?

I would say it isn't worth it.

 

[adqttr]

so...do you know if sony vaio's are like really good, beacuse its like twice as expensive for me to get what i want in a sony vaio as apposed to the lenovo. (1100-Dell 1200-lenovo 2000-sony vaio). are they really that good? or are they just over priced?

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: adqttr
so...do you know if sony vaio's are like really good, beacuse its like twice as expensive for me to get what i want in a sony vaio as apposed to the lenovo. (1100-Dell 1200-lenovo 2000-sony vaio). are they really that good? or are they just over priced?

I think Sony's are good, depending on which series you are looking at, but they are very overpriced. If you want a nice looking notebook like the Sony, look into Asus (particularly the V and W series, but they haven't been updated for Santa Rosa yet). I'd go with the Lenovo T series - it will be just as good, if not better than a Sony notebook.

 

[Lord Banshee]

Originally posted by: DyslexicHobo
I haven't ordered yet, but I will most likely be getting a Lenovo.

Processor: Intel® Core? 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Operating System: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
Operating System Language: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium - US English
Display type: 14.1 WXGA TFT, w/o Camera
System graphics: Intel GMA X3100 GM965 w/ 1394
Total memory: 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
Keyboard: Keyboard US English
Pointing device: UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
Hard drive: 80GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
Optical device: CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo 24X/24X/24X/8X Max, Ultrabay Slim
System expansion slots: PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
Wireless card: ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter II
Bluetooth: Integrated Bluetooth PAN
Battery: 6 cell Li-Ion Battery
Power cord: Country Pack North America
Modem cable (RJ-11): PSTN cable
Language Pack: Language Pack US English


If anyone sees any flaws with this build, please let me know.

You will regret that intel card when you open up SolidWorks... 3D CAD program are picky about what video cards they use. It might work but you never know.

If possible you would want to get a QuadroFX or FireGL. If you can not afford either of those than a Nvidia or ATI gamer card such as geforce or radeon... Do no get the intel video card.

Also from personal testing stay away from vista too for 3D CAD. I have winXP install just for 3D CAD work lol You could do that too, buy an oem copy of XP and dual boot the laptop as vista is great at everything else

If you are doing the lenovo route i would get a T60p not the T61 with the quadro NVS or wait for lenovo to make a T61p. From my understanding the QuadroNVS is not designed for CAD programs.