LapTop vs DeskTop

[TateJ]

I read the threads & looked at a Dell M70 LapTop. Then I tried to equip a comparable DeskTop. The M70 came in around $2600 - but the DeskTop was $2000 - only $600 less. I thought the difference between a LapTop & a DeskTop was around 2 to 1! I could be way off here - cause I'm pretty much hardware illiterate.

But what should I expect to pay for a desktop that compares to the M70?

I have an opportunity to get some extra work at home & I'll need to buy a workstation. I'd love to get a LapTop - but not if I can spend half the $ on a DeskTop. BTW - I need to make a decision real quick here. I expect to get my contract next week.

Thanks...

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp​

 

[SBaugh]

List the specs for the Desktop, because we all know the Dell M70 is excellent for running SW on.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[whippet]

I have been running SW on my M60 for 2+ years. The only mistake I made was ordering only 1mg ram. I ordered the second within a month. Also go for the 7200 rpm hard drive, this will decrease your access time when loading files.



have fun make money
Paul

 

[GBor]

I just purchased a Dell Workstation (470) and loaded it with a few nice features. I then also purchased a latitude laptop...one of the lower line (read less expensive) models. Both are capable of running SolidWorks, but together, they only cost about $200 more than the laptop that I was specing.

 

[Theophilus]

You'll want to check out this review from Cadalyst before jumping too far out:

http://management.cadalyst.com/cadman/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=170151

Also, check out Xi Computer for great desktop workstations:

http://www.xicomputer.com/

Xi often comes out at the top of the heap in workstation reviews for CAD applications. I've been running one for almost two years and plan to purchase another near January if the reviews hold up at that time. AMD 64-bit stuff is very fast, considering the motherboard bus architecture, etc. I think Intel is still trying to catch AMD in price/performance, although it seems they've awakened from their deadened slumber recently. (Good to have some healthy competition.)

With the links and reviews above, you should be able to put together a decent comparison.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[mx2street]

Go and get an alienware!! Their high end pro model now comes with a quadro go card!

P4 2.80 GHZ
3 GB RAM
Quadro FX 1000
SolidWorks 2005 SP 4.0

 

[SBaugh]

Before you do that read this - thread559-132641

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[tbeck11]

I just purchased a Dell M70 and love it!!

2.26 GHz, 1 Gig RAM and a 256MB video card.

Currently running SolidWorks 2005 SP4.0 and have no problems.

 

[TateJ]

Here's the specs for a system at Best Buy:
T6520 EMachine
AMD Athlon 64 3400+
1024MB DDR Memory
200GB HD
Double Layer Multiformat DVDRW
WIN XP Media Center Edition 2005
512 Flash Drive

17" Samsung LCD Monitor

$1241 + tax

Then I'll have to buy a graphics card...

I almost wish somebody would just drop a good system on my head, then bill me for it. Anything to end the shopping.

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp​

 

[TateJ]

http://newsite.pagecomputers.com/st...ategory_name=33g33c201s1769&product_id=633827

Found this one for $160...

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp​

 

[SBaugh]

Then go to Dell and lease it or fill out their Credit card info. I got $5000 pad through small business, but I have don't have the cash to cover the cost of the machine I have been looking at.

The Dell 9100 series with the 24" wide screen monitor... that's just for my home machine.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[ctopher]

TateJ,
Some good PC's through Scott's site.


Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[TateJ]

Scott sells PCs?

I didn't see any on his site...

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp​

 

[symjim]

Be careful with the Athlon 3400+. If it's a Socket 754 motherboard with single channel memory, it will be EXTREMELY slow.

 

[TateJ]

symjim (Mechanical) 9 Sep 05 16:11
Be careful with the Athlon 3400+. If it's a Socket 754 motherboard with single channel memory, it will be EXTREMELY slow.

That's good to know.
Thanks Jim.

Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp​

 

[ctopher]

TateJ,
No, go thru Scott's site to Links/Purchase of Computer Hardware

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716