Best machine for Auto-Cad?

marky.fitz

Hi All

Hope someone can help.

I'm in the market for a new PC (or a lap-top if it's a better option) which will enable me to run Auto-Cad (currently I have a copy of Auto-Cad 2005 but may up-date in the near future to 2008).

Anyone any suggestions on best spec. PC for running this particular product?

Price is also a bit of an issue as I have just recently been made redundant (possibly have about £500 to spend)

Thanks for any advice or help.

acc

marky.fitz wrote: »

I'm in the market for a new PC (or a lap-top if it's a better option) which will enable me to run Auto-Cad (currently I have a copy of Auto-Cad 2005 but may up-date in the near future to 2008).
Anyone any suggestions on best spec PC for running this particular product?

The minimum system requirements for AutoCAD 2011 are:
* Windows 7 Home Premium or Vista Home Premium (SP1 or later) or XP Home edition (SP2 or later)
* For Vista or Windows 7: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core processor, 3.0 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology; for XP: Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon dual-core processor, 1.6 GHz or higher with SSE2 technology
* 2 GB RAM
* 1.8 GB free disk space for installation
* 1,024 x 768 display resolution with true color

Most desktops and laptops (but not netbooks or ultra-portables) around £400, well within your budget of £500, will suffice. Preferably go for a laptop so that you can use Autocad when you attend courses, give presentations, go to interviews etc.

Look on the Dell Outlet laptops site for a minimum of an Inspiron 15 or preferably 17 (which gives you a bigger screen for your graphics, but is obviously less portable) with 4 GB RAM and 320 GB hard drive. They should all come with a DVD drive.

These laptops come with Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, which should run your AutoCAD 2005 in 32 bit mode, but check before buying. (Avoid Vista and XP.)

When you upgrade, get AutoCAD 2011 if possible rather than 2008, as I believe training courses are based on Autocad 2010/11. Also using the up to date version will give you lots of benefits, more features, be more impressive on your cv, etc.

Good luck!

tronator

marky.fitz wrote: »

Hi All

Hope someone can help.

I'm in the market for a new PC (or a lap-top if it's a better option) which will enable me to run Auto-Cad (currently I have a copy of Auto-Cad 2005 but may up-date in the near future to 2008).

Anyone any suggestions on best spec. PC for running this particular product?

Aren't the specs AutoCAD needs to run on the box?

spud17

Can't remember exact spec, but Acer laptop at work is along the lines of AMD dual core 2.2GHz, 3GB ram, 320GB HD, 15inch screen, it runs Autocad 2008 all day long.

Forgot to say it's Vista Home Premium.