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Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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I am on the hunt for a laptop workstation that will handle C3d 2013. I realize there is a spec sheet listing requirements for the software, but thought someone might have some good advice/pros and cons on machines they are using.
Thanks
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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Really depends on how much you want to spend. The usually advice is get the best you can afford. The usual top 2 for Civil are Memory and Processor Speed. There are some advantages with SSDs if you can afford one.
I've had a Sager in the past. My last laptop I got from the Dell Outlet site. A reconditioned M6500 for about 2 grand. It's been working great for the past couple of years.
Allen
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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My laptop specs are part of my signature. I've been running Civil 3d on it since 2010. It's a heavy beast to carry around but I like it as a CAD system.
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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I use Civil 3D 2012 on a ASUS G73SW gaming laptop. Most of my grading work is in mountanous regions with massive surface data. Even though my graphics card is not supported by Autodesk, I am currently not having any problems. I had to adjust the video card setting slightly in the beginning.
ASUS G73SW
8 GB RAM
i7 processor 2630QM
64 bit window 7 (love it!)
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M with CUDA - 1GB video memory
700GB hard drive. Not sure of the manufacturer (this seems to be holding this laptop back).
I am looking into SSD, but I heard Civil 3D's temp files never truly delete on SSD drives and therefore will eventually fill the hard drive until it is disabled. Now... the source of this info is a great IT guy, but doesn't know much about Civil 3D, so take it as you will. I had a workstation that the SSD hard drive filled up to critical, in about 6 months. IT told me it was the way Civil 3D handles temporary and operating files.
Intel Core i7 2.0 GHz 2.0 GHz
8 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce GTX460M
Civil 3D 2012 SP2.1
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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d1of2 wrote:
I had a workstation that the SSD hard drive filled up to critical, in about 6 months. IT told me it was the way Civil 3D handles temporary and operating files.
Change where Windows' TEMP folder is located. I did this by moving all of my USER files from the SSD to my data drive using a Symbolic link so everything thinks it is still on the C: but it is actually on my E: I've been using this laptop, with a 128gb SSD, without issue for 2+ years.
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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Thanks for the input.
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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Change where Windows' TEMP folder is located. I did this by moving all of my USER files from the SSD to my data drive using a Symbolic link so everything thinks it is still on the C: but it is actually on my E: I've been using this laptop, with a 128gb SSD, without issue for 2+ years.
Intel Core i7 2.0 GHz 2.0 GHz
8 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce GTX460M
Civil 3D 2012 SP2.1
Re: Laptop Workstatio n Recommenda tions for C3d 2013
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Thanks for all the input. I went with a Toshiba X875Q7380, but it came with windows 8. I am going to have to strip 8 off and install 7.

