I don’t know that much about laptops. It’s not
something you can just build yourself very easily
because of the compact nature of the things. Check out
laptops online and just make sure the graphics card is
supported by SolidWorks and it is fast (as fast as you
can get). Speed = processor + buss + memory + graphics
card. Graphics cards handle all the complicated math
involved with true 3D. Lots of algorithms there to
calculate

Check out:
www.directron.com
for prices on laptops. You might be able to change out
graphics cards with these guys. This is where I order
all my computer parts when I am in a hurry. You can
get cheaper prices on some things but the cost of
shipping from multiple stores can make it more costly
than ordering all from the same place (shop around).

www.3dconnexion.com/products/3a1.php
this little thing might seam like a fun toy to use but
it really does increase productivity. I would say
about 40% to 50%. The SpaceTraveler if you are going
to use it with a laptop. If you want something
hardcore for desktop then the spacepilot is the
direction I would go. Lots of programmable buttons
that are easy to get to and bigger so less tiring on
your hands. After about 30min of using this thing you
will not have to think about it at all. It’s like
holding the model in your hand while you work. Great
toy and you could probably get extra money to buy it
later after you start using SolidWorks.

Tell me have you contacted you local distributor about
buying SolidWorks? If not look up your local
distributor on the SolidWorks website. This is how I
convinced my boss to buy the program. I called MLC who
is my local distributor and had them come in and do a
demo of the product. If you really need this program
these guys will be able to convince your boss or you
if you’re the boss to buy the software, and be able to
advise you on computers to run it. If you start off
cheep then as you develop more and more complex models
you will find the speed of your computer is what
dictates how fast you can work in SolidWorks. When you
are sitting around watching progress bars 3 out of the
8 hours you’re at work then the cost of a kick ass
computer is justifiable. Sorry I can’t be more help
on the laptop part that’s just not my thing. If latter
down to road you need a really fast desk top and don’t
want to build it yourself then let me know. I can
price, order and build a desktop computer that will
have no problems running SolidWorks. I don’t charge
that much for building computers. $200.00 flat charge
for computers under $1000 and 20% for computers over
$1,000 that is much better than you get with Dell that
charges 100% on the cost of the computer.

By the way I did not respond to your email to try and
sell you a computer. I told you where I get the parts,
you could just do it yourself.

Ok back to the grind
Good luck

Gus

ps what are you going to be using solidworks for?


--- James Pettingill <jamespettingill@...>
wrote:

> Hi Gus,
>
> Thank you so much for the info. I haven't used PC
> for
> about 3 years now so I'm not up to date on the
> systems, I currently use Mac and I have Vectorworks
> as a "3D" program.. It's basically 2d then extrude.
> it
> doesn't do any real surfaceing, or solid modeling.
>
> What would you recomend for a laptop if I had a cap
> of
> 1,500 to spend?
>
> Thanks again.
> James
>
> --- rayray <rayray42@...> wrote:
>
> > You’re not going to find it for download anywhere
> > you
> > will have to buy it. Go to www.solidworks.com to
> > find
> > a distributor. It's not cheep but get the
> maintaince
> > package for the program. It's over $1,000 a year
> but
> > you get all the updates and new releases as they
> > come
> > out for free. This is important because if you
> deal
> > with anyone else that uses SW and they update then
> > you
> > will not be able to read there files. As far as a
> > laptop unless you really really need this thing
> > portable I would not suggest a laptop for SW. Desk
> > tops are much cheaper and you can build them
> > yourself.
> > Look up supported graphics cards on the SolidWorks
> > website. Price all the parts online that you need
> > for
> > the computer, and put it together yourself. If you
> > don’t know how to do that find a teenager to do it
> > for
> > you.
> > Here are the specks for my computer and it has
> > problems with some of my larger files in
> SolidWorks.
> >
> >
> > • MSI K8T Nero mother board (64bit. Board that is
> > downward compatible to the current 32bit OS’s.)
> > • AMD Athlon 64 processor 3700+
> > • 1.25G of memory (expandable to 6G)
> > • Nvidia graphics card
> > • SATA 80G 10K rpm hard drive
> > • DVD burner for backups
> > • Microsoft XP for the OS
> > • SpaceBall 3003FLX motion controller off Ebay
> >
> > This set up was about $800 online, and works
> pretty
> > well. SolidWorks crashes it every once in a while
> > but
> > for the most part a solid system. You will be hard
> > pressed to find a laptop fast enough for under a
> > grand. Building your own computer is not as hard
> as
> > it
> > sounds. Just check the compatibility of your non
> > plug
> > and play hardware. 64bit is not a bad idea. Not
> used
> > right now but there working on it. The OS works
> fine
> > but there is no software for it yet. When 64bit is
> > ready then you can double the speed of your
> computer
> > by updating the OS.
> >
> > Good luck
> >
> > Gus
> >
> >
> > --- James <jamespettingill@...> wrote:
> >
> > > New to group and want to dive into Solidworks. I
> > > work behind the cooperate head quarters
> > > in Concord MA. and have been trying to get my
> > hands
> > > on a copy so that I can become
> > > proficient at using it. I flew through the
> > tutorials
> > > and want to learn more. Just lost a great
> > > job opportunity because I don't have "enough" SW
> > > experience. If I can get up to speed, in a
> > > few months the offer might come back into play.
> > >
> > > Need to get a good cheap laptop that can run SW.
> > > Under a grand would be ideal any
> > > suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also
> > > need access to the software.
> > > If anyone can help me out that would be great!
> > >
> > > Thanks all.
> > > Jim
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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