AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 DWG Format

[#1]

Since Autodesk has obsoleted my great Inspiron 5150 Laptop, I am in the market for a new portable AutoCAD host.

So far the ASUS G73JH-A1 looks the best, or a loaded up Dell Studio 17 as the runner up.  But neither of these has a video card that is actually "on the list" of approved video hardware.  Maybe that is too much to ask of a laptop.

Anyone want to recommend a great laptop for AutoCAD?  At least quad core, 64 bit, 8 Gig memory etc.  I think I want a full HD screen (1920 x 1080 min) but maybe I could live with less resolution if it can drive an external flat screen to full HD.

I would like to hear from people who have actually tried AutoCAD 2011 on the recommended model of laptop.

[#2]

Approved hardware is almost exclusively OpenGL. OpenGL is not required any more. Also the testing/approval process is so slow that by the time a gpu is approved it is no longer current. Don't worry about it unless you use other software that needs OpenGL.

[#3]

Gregphil,

You forgot, "Makes coffee and dispenses beer" in your criteria. You are correct about the video card in the laptops, that's kinda of frustrating.

IMHO, Dell is probably the best to go with. I was looking at Dell's website, it looks like the Precision M6500 is a good one. I would imagine HP has a comparable machine as well.

[#4]

These seem to be the top of the line for HP released in the last few months:

HP Envy 17

Workstation class has the FireGL and Quadro type graphics cards:

HP EliteBook 8740w

These ASUS gamer machines have good specs also and they include the latest AMD Mobility graphics card 5870 whereas the Envy above has the 5850:

ASUS G73JH Series

[#5]

Hi. Personally I'm using an 8540W and I'm very happy with that.

Regards.

[#6]

I can say that using apple notebooks really help your problem. It is very durable.

[#7]

I currently use the Dell Latitude E6520.  I can run AutoCAD 2011:  Architecture flawlessly while using an additional full HD 26" LED monitor.  Highly recommend it if price isn't an option.

[#8]

I currently have a Dell M6500 i7 quad 17" but would like to have something lighter, with longer battery life that can handle autocad program with a 15.5" size screen and a price range of $500 to $800.  Dont get me wrong M6500 is a true workstation I am just looking for a more mobile laptop or best of both worlds. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! 

[#9]

The 17" M6600 is currently 10.6lbs if you include the power supply which apparently is 2.3lbs. We are getting two of these this month.

Would the 15" version of your laptop work? Dell Precision M4600. I read that the real life battery life on this is 3-4 hours. Weight is 8.8lbs including the 1.9lbs power supply.

This looks interesting, but it is 17", a gaming laptop might make a good engineering workstation. Apparenlty it is 7.7lbs with power supply (0.7lbs). So it is lighter than both of the Dell machines.

http://kotaku.com/5865944/razers-combat-knife%20inspired-blade-gaming-laptop-will-be-home-for-christ...

[#10]

No matter what you do, do NOT by anything from TOSHIBA.