Laptop Questions for those who are current - CAD/CAM based

[Zahnrad Kopf]

I've read the recent threads that touch upon similar, but we all have our own twists.

Been using an Alienware m17 R4 for many years now and have been generally VERY happy. I've upgraded/updated the storage a few times as I've needed the space. I prefer the laptop over anything else but require the larger screen. Plainly put, I have had zero issue with running any of our CAD/CAM suites. Needs to run without ANY issues Inventor CAD & Inventor CAM, BobCADCAM, and Saladworks/HSMWorks. Office related apps have all been fine, as well.

It is, however, finally getting a little long in the tooth for comfort and now the keyboard is finally starting to give issues. ( ordered a new one, but it's still long in the tooth, so... ) So, the hunt begins for a solid replacement. I'm uninterested in desktops and external displays, as well. 17" is what I like ( old eyes ), enough memory for moderate CAM usage or the ability to install/upgrade more, SOLID video card that won't give issues with the mentioned CAD/CAMs, and HUGE preference for keyboard with included number keypad. ( completely uninterested in external number pad )

I would have been happy to get another Alienware m17, but they've gotten rid of the number pad. They do have an m18 now ( it has a number pad ), and I'm considering it, but having to do so has made me question if there might be another option for me.

Asus? MSI? Dell? HP? ( not really keen on HP, but willing to listen ) Other? Looking for current or recent experience based recommendations. So, if you've purchased a business-office-CAD/CAM laptop in the last two years and had issues with it performing I want to know. Similarly, if you've purchased one in the last two years and love it, I want to know.

I actually need to purchase two. One for our machinist and one for me. Machinist's only needs a 15" screen though. ( all he wants, I'd be happy to get him a larger one ) < EDIT - he just now told me he'd be okay with a 17", so anything between 15.6" and 17.3" /EDIT >


And... go.

 

[BluishInventor]

First bit of advice, don't get 4k screens in a laptop. Completely unnecessary. Stick with 1080 or 1440. Only go with 1440 on a 17".

Workstation laptops with quaddro cards are the way to go. They are a bit more expensive than a gaming laptop, but they are much less finicky when it comes to CAD/CAM applications. Video ram only matters with large assemblies. Try to get 32gb ram or more for the CPU ram. And just choose the fastest core CPU you can get. More cores can help, but top speed helps most with CAM calculations.

We have dell workstation laptops here. I had Lenovo P51 at my last place years ago. I prefer the lenovo as our dells are always in need of software updates. We do get them, but it's annoying that things bug out so often.

Maybe give Puget Systems a call and see what they recommend.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

First bit of advice, don't get 4k screens in a laptop. Completely unnecessary. Stick with 1080 or 1440. Only go with 1440 on a 17".

I don't go seeking them, they just tend to come with them in 17" screens.

Workstation laptops with quaddro cards are the way to go. They are a bit more expensive than a gaming laptop, but they are much less finicky when it comes to CAD/CAM applications. Video ram only matters with large assemblies. Try to get 32gb ram or more for the CPU ram. And just choose the fastest core CPU you can get. More cores can help, but top speed helps most with CAM calculations.

Generally in agreement, and I've been looking at 32/64GB or the ability to add up to 64+GB in system RAM. We do get some assemblies from time to time and I've found that having a minimum of 8GB video RAM seems to be the breakpoint, but these days it is very little cost difference and am more willing to pay for more now, than bitch about a lack of it later.

We have dell workstation laptops here. I had Lenovo P51 at my last place years ago. I prefer the lenovo as our dells are always in need of software updates. We do get them, but it's annoying that things bug out so often.

Maybe give Puget Systems a call and see what they recommend.

Generally agreed, but I'm finding that Workstations don't tend toward 17" screens.

 

[BugRobotics]

Lenovo Thinkpads (P series) are my go to for nice hardware and rugged construction. They still sell a 17" version. P16s are their newest I believe and can be spec'd to the moon.

 

[goooose]

CAD/CAM on a laptop, if you need mobility, sure, otherwise I have no idea why anyone would subject themselves to this. Giving your machinist a 15" screen to program with I sometimes feel I need more than the 3 - 24" I use.

If you want the best laptop, go look at Boxx.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

CAD/CAM on a laptop, if you need mobility, sure, otherwise I have no idea why anyone would subject themselves to this.

I do. I also don't have a lot of desk space. A laptop allows for both.

Giving your machinist a 15" screen to program with

As clear as I can be - I have offered him anything he wants. Even a second screen. He doesn't want it. He's young and still have his eyesight. Some of that I am sure is that we don't tend toward having desk space. It's all machines. Still, the offer was put several times over the years, and this is what he wants.

I sometimes feel I need more than the 3 - 24" I use.

If you want the best laptop, go look at Boxx.

Boxx? I'll go look them up, thanks.

 

[plastikdreams]

I've been running mastercam on a 2017 hp omen laptop, been pretty good.

 

[BluishInventor]

Since im a nerd, i usually research the heck out of every big purchase. For my personal laptop at home, i used this: https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Best-Mobile-Workstation-Laptops.65537.0.html

This link will take you to their workstation laptop subsection. Battery life should be lower on your list as you don't get full horsepower unless you're plugged in.

Here at the shop, I've installed a couple of docking stations with a monitor and networking so all you gotta do is just plug in and it's no different than it is at our desks. Food for thought...

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

I've been running mastercam on a 2017 hp omen laptop, been pretty good.

Quick search shows no number pad...

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

Here at the shop, I've installed a couple of docking stations with a monitor and networking so all you gotta do is just plug in and it's no different than it is at our desks. Food for thought...

Nope. Please see original post.

 

[goldenfab]

Video ram only matters with large assemblies. Try to get 32gb ram or more for the CPU ram. And just choose the fastest core CPU you can get. More cores can help, but top speed helps most with CAM calculations.

I agree. I don't know of any CAD or CAM that runs more than one thread. Therefore I'd suggest looking at CPU benchmarks for the best single thread performance in your budget, additional cores probably won't help much. Depending what you do a fancy graphics card might not do much for you. Most the stuff I do a simple graphics card will handle because they aren't big assemblies.

 

[plastikdreams]

Quick search shows no number pad...

Mine definitely has a number pad...not sure on the new ones though
I guess the new ones don't have it...I guess gamers just don't need it...lol

 

[BOB-OO]

I have Boxx & Lenovo - 128gb memory, SSD, quadro6000?, runs sweet even with huge assemblies. The Lenovo is better built faster and sturdier then the Boxx, also heavier. 1.5 years old both purchased at the same time.

 

[plastikdreams]

I think my next laptop will be a high end hp unit. I've had great luck with them for a few decades.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

So

Mine definitely has a number pad...not sure on the new ones though
I guess the new ones don't have it...I guess gamers just don't need it...lol

I know how trivial it must sound to some people, but I DEFINITELY want/require an actual number pad. I do A LOT of entering numbers (whether dimensions in CAD, or Excel numbers, or calculations/equations) and it really makes a difference, for me.

 

[plastikdreams]

So


I know how trivial it must sound to some people, but I DEFINITELY want/require an actual number pad. I do A LOT of entering numbers (whether dimensions in CAD, or Excel numbers, or calculations/equations) and it really makes a difference, for me.

I agree, I wouldn't have one without it.

 

[Zahnrad Kopf]

I think my next laptop will be a high end hp unit. I've had great luck with them for a few decades.

I am completely willing to listen and consider others’ experiences, but I’m slightly tone deaf to HP because I have had a number of HORRID support experiences with them. In fact, that is what caused me to end up with the Alienware machines. We had purchased new machines from HP and they arrived very late, and with issues. HP was a NIGHTMARE to deal with about all of it. Ended up sending everything back and disputing everything via the credit card because they were so bad. This was 5 or 6 years ago now, so hopefully they’ve gotten better. (??)

 

[jaguar36]

I agree. I don't know of any CAD or CAM that runs more than one thread.

Catia will use multiple threads for certain types of toolpath generation, same with Fusion. Dunno about other ones though.

Keep in mind that most CAD packages were designed to run on hardware 10x or even 100x slower than what we have now, so you don't need to go nuts on hardware unless you are loading extremely complicated models. I was happily spinning around half an aircraft 15 years ago on a PC way slower than what I have now. I've got a Dell Precision 7560 that has a numpad. Infuriatingly, it doesn't have dedicated pgup/pgdn buttons. It has a Quadro A5000 that was a $3k upgrade, which I needed for the CUDA cores, but is overkill for anything CAD related. Don't bother with a Xeon the only real feature they have nowadays is the ability to use ECC ram, which you don't need. If its for personal use, you can frequently find really good deals on DellRefurbished.com

 

[plastikdreams]

I am completely willing to listen and consider others’ experiences, but I’m slightly tone deaf to HP because I have had a number of HORRID support experiences with them. In fact, that is what caused me to end up with the Alienware machines. We had purchased new machines from HP and they arrived very late, and with issues. HP was a NIGHTMARE to deal with about all of it. Ended up sending everything back and disputing everything via the credit card because they were so bad. This was 5 or 6 years ago now, so hopefully they’ve gotten better. (??)

Hey stick with what works!

 

[EmGo]

The Lenovo is better built faster and sturdier then the Boxx, also heavier.

Really ? That's knd of a surprise, Boxx'es schtick is they are faster stronger better than the big name brands. Good to hear some real-world feedback.