Windows Surface Laptop 3 w Fusion 360?

[utekcnc]

I'm posting here on the manufacture forum because I think there there are more users like myself.   I'm looking for a new laptop to replace my old Macbook and am leaning towards a Windows machine because I have a couple other softwares that work better on Windows.    I need it to run Fusion, but not very often.....bascially just every couple months when I'm away from the shop and they need help with something.   Has anybody used a Surface Laptop 3 with Fusion.     Here is a link.

Surface Laptop 3 – Style and speed – Microsoft Surface

[ChristopherMarion]

Hi @utekcnc 

I personally do not use a Surface, but I do have a colleague that does.  He will use Fusion 360 on his surface and he has no issues (not that I am aware of anyway).

Here are the system requirements for Fusion 360.....

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/fusion-360/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Sys...

[Anonymous]

Age old question, "Which computer is right for me ?"

I have Lenovo T400 that refuses to die, it ran Fusion for first few weeks when I downloaded it but integrated Intel graphics were too much of a nuisance to put up with, even for simple lathe work.

I got Dell gaming laptop for about $650 to fix that, it still runs fine in shop, lots of parts done in Fusion since then.

At home, I gave up on MAC when updating got a bit too confusing, and I couldn't use any of PC compatible editors that can also backplot code.

So, here comes Lenovo P72 with beefed up specs compared to Dell, dedicated graphic card with 4GB RAM and few more goodies overall.

I was at Lenovo site the other day,...... P17 is awfully attractive with selected specs, just for curiosity, my configuration would come to just over $4000, almost twice of what I paid for P72, and that's with claimed savings of $1200 cupon which grows proportionally with options you pick.

No matter what you do, you need high end display, dedicated graphic card, fast bus speed, adequate amount of RAM, fast SSD drive, processor to kick butt .....

If you cut back on any of the features, price cut will directly translate into impairment when running CAD/CAM.

I am sure you can run Fusion on Surface but you will not find Surface on any recommended list of workstations to run CAD/CAM.

Your primary use is more important criteria for selecting laptop in my opinion. 

[lance.carocci]

A far as Fusion 360 is concerned, that device should run it just fine. Fusion 360 is largely CPU-bound, and while dedicated graphics can help render large and graphically complex assemblies within the design canvas, RAM and single-threaded CPU performance are your best return on investment. 

Please keep in mind that the Surface Laptop 3, and devices using similar "U-series" processors (in this case, Intel Ice Lake U and AMD Ryzen U), are designed with a balance of low power consumption and processing power in mind compared to some of the more power-hungry options out there. That said, I run Fusion on these types of processors regularly, so this is not to say it won't work, just that there may be better options if you don't need the portability.

Outside of Fusion, what are the most demanding apps you will use?

[cncprogrammerer]

I would build a computer with 16gb ram, 8gb graphics card, ssd, and the best cpu you can afford.
Dont buy a pre built computer if you have the option. Building is super easy and youtube has a ton of videos.