What Laptop

[Anonymous]

I'm after a laptop to run Autodesk Inventor 2009 anyone have any recommendations or any to avoid? any pitfalls??
I have a budget of around £1500-2000 but could go a little higher for the right machine

Dont know which forum I should post this in but I'm sure someone will come along soon and let me know if I've got it wrong!!

Cheers Mick

[harco]

Have a look here
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=6113600�

I have a Dell M6300 and pleased with it, I would say it could replace a medium spec desktop.
Works well but gets pretty hot when Inventor running.
Stick in 4GB memory to get the best out of it.
Watch out for noisy cooling fans.
If you've plenty cash try the M6400 which should be well set for 64 bit future, can handle tons of memory but £2000 on top to fill it up full, at present 4GB would be fine then add more in future.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply Harco
I have tried the link but it doesnt seem to do anything!!
I have previously considered the Dell 6300 but it doesnt seem to be available anymore! that really only leaves the 6400 from the Dell range, I am aware of laptops running hot but dont really have space for a tower system! I thought there may have been more to choose form like IBM and HP etc both apparently endorsed (along with Dell) by Autodesk

Mick

[harco]

Sorry odd character attached to the end of the link try this
http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/thread.jspa?messageID=6113600

Yes the M6300 has been superseded by the M6400 but you may get an M6300 on Dell outlet still with Dell warranty and a good bit cheaper.

Try this one - it's better than mine (512 graphics) and cheaper than I paid on ebay last year.
http://outlet.dell.com/Emea_Dfo/EuDispatcher?target=SpecPage&serviceTag=09AMYVHD&sessionID=0V9tJXrF!-1336066780!1879310398!1238870821206

I see there even an M6400 on outlet but you have to be quick to grab a bargain this is a cracker (had another look and the hard drive is a bit slow - go for 7200 minimum but then again it's no big deal to replace HD)
http://outlet.dell.com/Emea_Dfo/EuDispatcher?target=SpecPage&serviceTag=FXCYTDED&sessionID=0V9tJXrF!-1336066780!1879310398!1238870821206.

Another edit, read the reviews on the M6400 covet which seems to be the top of the range. I didn't realise people had this much trouble.
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&id=workstation-precision-m6400-cov&l=en&s=bsd
The reviews for the standard are a bit better
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukbsdt1&id=workstation-precision-m6400&l=en&s=bsd

Yes IBMs are used not so much but HPs are well represented on this forum I think a lot of the lads at Autodesk run HPs.
Try running a few searches on here to see what turns up.

Edited by: harco on Apr 4, 2009 7:01 PM Edited by: harco on Apr 4, 2009 7:19 PM

[Anonymous]

Mick,
I just purchased a Dell M6400 and it runs Inventor 2009 and 2010 like a dream. I am currently using only 4gigs of memory and it seems to handle large assemblies really well. I have been using Inventor on various laptops for 3 years (HP and Fijitsu) and this is the first laptop that I feel comfortable using as a desktop replacement.

Good Luck,
Jim

[safiredesignengineers]

Hi M1ck

I use a HP mobile workstation Compaq 8710w running vista 64, works great.

Regards

Adrian

[Anonymous]

Sorry to bring this up agian guys but..........
I'm down to the Dell Precision m6400 core duo and 512 graphics though there are a few uncomplimentary remarks about Dell laptops
or
Lenovo Thinkpad w700 the Lenovo is discounted at present has quad core and 1gig graphics the only forum I can find is not that easy to find specific info (at least not for me!!)

so......anyone know how the Lenovo compares? any advice on screens other than high resolution? the Dell had two LED options but I dont think my budget (up to around £2300 now) will stretch to the high end one! how does the cheaper LED screen offered by Dell compare with the options offered by Lenovo?

Thanks
Mick

[pauldoubet]

My two cents worth...

I have made my living as an independant contractor with Autodesk software - mechanical products only - since 1992 and I have used only IBM (now Lenovo) laptops until the most recent purchase which is an HP.

I have no tolerance or time for the problems that I have seen with the Dell products.

Paul

[Anonymous]

Well I think that just about sorts it!!
The lenovo is on offer at preasent so seems to offer good value and better specification than the Dell, previous employers have used Dell machines almoast exclusively with little or no problems as far as I was aware, the few problems I am aware of seemed to be dealt with quickly, however, the Lenovo review I did find that made sense was full of praise for the Lenovo, seemed the only criticism was the thick bezel around the screen!
So I think I'm going to be off to Lenovo and get it ordered!!

Cheers for the advice
Mick