Looking for a laptop for Revit Architecture 2009

[NoamZiv]

hello,

im looking to buy a new laptop for my studies.. the main use for it will be Revit Architecture 2009, plus the basic internet + word\excel stuff.. an HDMI port would also be nice .. :P

here is the system requirements:

* Windows XP Professional SP2 or later, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
* Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 6.0 SP1 or later
* Intel™ Core® 2 Duo 2.40GHz or equivalent AMD Athlon® processor
* 4 GB RAM
* 1280 x 1024 monitor and display adapter capable of 24-bit color.
* Dedicated video card with hardware support for OpenGL spec 1.3 or later
* 5 GB free disk space
* MS-Mouse compliant

i filled this form out:

1) What is your budget?

about $800.. +\-

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

from 13' to 15'

3) Where will you buying this notebook? You can select the flag of your country as an indicator.

Israel

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

a. Like: Dell
b. Dislike: don't really know..

5) Would you consider laptops that are refurbished/redistrubited?

no

6) What are the primary tasks will you be performing with this notebook?

Revit Architecture 2009, Internet + Office
+ Movies, therefor an HDMI port would be great ;]

7) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places, leaving it on your desk or both?

both

8) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games or types of games?

nope

9) How many hours of battery life do you need?

don't really know.. the more the marry-er i guess..

10) Would you prefer to see the notebooks you're considering before purchasing it or buying a notebook on-line without seeing it is OK?

seeing it ofcurse..

11) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista or Windows 7), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

XP for starters.. maybe Windows 7 in the future.

Screen Specifics

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

a. WXGA – 1280x800 or occasionally 1280x768; For people who like big text and icons that are easy to read. Less stuff fits on the screen, which translates into more scrolling.
b. WXGA+ – 1440x900; A modest bump over WXGA. Text and icons are a bit smaller. A little more stuff fits on the screen.
c. WSXGA+ – 1680x1050; The middle ground. Again, text and icons are smaller than WXGA+, and more stuff fits onto the screen. Good for having applications open side by side, like a web browser while playing a video.
d. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Very small text and icons, that can be hard to read. Lots of stuff fits on the screen, which means less scrolling. Good for applications that require a high level of detail like CAD or Photo Editing.

i guess WUXGA, since im using a CAD program.. would really appreciate some advice in this one..

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

don't really know.. i assume non-glossy

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

no

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
at least 4 years
Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you need; 80GB to 500GB? Do you want a SSD drive?
i guess 160-300GB.. no SSD yet.. seems rather expensive these days..
17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a CDRW/DVD-ROM, DVD Burner or Blu-Ray drive?
a dvd burner will do.

[[>>ahl395<<]]

Im sorry, but your budget is really just too low.
And escpecially with such a low budget, you need to consider refurbished laptops.

If you can raise your budget, look at the Thinkpad W500.

Check them out at the Outlet if you will reconsider a refurb.

Also see some HP Elitebooks.

[NoamZiv]

well, i can go up to $1,150..

don't think i can go for refurbished laptop..

anyway i think a 2GB of RAM could also do.. so that could lower the cost..

also a question.. when they say "Dedicated video card with hardware support for OpenGL spec 1.3 or later" <--- what do they mean by that? a video card?!

[[>>ahl395<<]]

Originally Posted by NoamZiv

well, i can go up to $1,150..

don't think i can go for refurbished laptop..

anyway i think a 2GB of RAM could also do.. so that could lower the cost..

also a question.. when they say "Dedicated video card with hardware support for OpenGL spec 1.3 or later" <--- what do they mean by that? a video card?!

Ok, well that would be better

Yes, 2GB memory should work and save some money.

That is basically asking for a Deticated Video card, yes. A "Workstation" one, that is optimized for OpenGL (and therefor CAD Design).
Workstation GPU's would be nVidia's Quadro and ATI's FireGL. So, you should be looking for a laptop with one of those .

[NoamZiv]

well.. what can i say.. its a bit much for me.. going down to $1,000.. i think a workstation is a little bit too much.. its for school after all..

[[>>ahl395<<]]

Originally Posted by NoamZiv

ok sounds good..

can you direct me to some models? i literally have no clue about worksations..

Sure.

Again, take a look over at the Thinkpad W500
As well as the HP EliteBook 8530w, but it is probably over budget.

Hmm, i will look for some other models as well. Those are all i know that could be in your price range... Im sure someone else will come by with a few others too

Originally Posted by NoamZiv

well.. what can i say.. its a bit much for me.. going down to $1,000.. i think a workstation is a little bit too much.. its for school after all..

Oh... hmm, ok.
If you could reconsider a refurb, that would be excellent. Everyone ive talked to that has gotten one from the Lenovo Outlet saw no difference in it from a new one

[Serg]

For 1K you can find a Lenovo W500 from Lenovo Outlet. NOTE: NOT refurbished but new. Yes there are new models on the outlet, that say "new", it means they were shipped and returned due to excess or cancelled orders.