Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

This combo doesn't seem too bad.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...t=Combo.361299

Just need to add a GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-864-_-Product

and DVD drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827118030

Costs approximately $800, not including taxes and shipping :]

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

And Windows...

If you go prebuilt, I have no trouble recommending a Gateway DX System:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113127
or for $50 more, you can go from 512 mb ded video to 1 gig:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113119

Be careful though, they only boast a 300Watt PSU, so I would get that out of there asap for max computer performance. Would also like to not that there are no available standard PCI slots, only PCI-Express. I know it is a little over budget, but as I tell people, spend more now, spend less later...

As for the person who asked about laptops, ASUS makes great "buget" gaming laptops (which can be used for autodesk software). I tend to push people twords their laptops...er... notebooks. I would suggest something along the lines of:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

I would not lean gateway for their laptops due to slightly dated cpus. I have problems with comfort on HP's, and ACER has caused me some problems in the past (I know, companies change, which is why I have people who shiver when I recommend Gateway, but I promise, they have changed) I cannot boast for Lenovo on anything due to my inexperience with them. Sorry.

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/noteb...s&cs=19&~ck=mn

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/noteb...s&cs=19&~ck=mn

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-n61jqa1-p-2734.html

depending on how much you want to spend... if you want to go pricey, get the XPS or the Alienware... if you need a cheaper one, look for a Asus or Dell Studio...

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

Dell Financial Services -- off lease Dell computers - specifically the off lease workstations - are what we purchased this past year. They were on the hardware lists for SolidWorks in 2007 so we added RAM and check the video cards. The video cards left some to be desired, but that's not an expensive upgrade anymore. They came with a Windows license, which is a savings over building your own and having to add a Windows license.

dfsdirectsales.com

I'm always on a tight budget, so looking for online coupons and waiting until a free shipping offer came up to combine with the coupon was the trick that worked for me. Holiday season seems to bring out some good deals.

Best of luck. -- Oh, and using the Mac running windows...there is no support for that with Solid Works (or AutoDesk I believe). If you hit issues with that you are on your own for support.

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

How do you think this computer would do? I know the screen is small, but how would graphics and processor do? You could always hook it up to a monitor if you needed to.

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

I haven't had any issues running Inventor and SW both in virtual machines and in dual boot.

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

Wow. I forgot to post the link in my last post, but here it is. http://www.dell.com/content/products...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn
As I was saying, how do you think this computer would handle the various cad softwares?

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

Last year, my team built two quad-core desktops for $600 each including monitor. They're powerful enough to run SolidWorks and Inventor smoothly. We had a "computer building party" that was fun for everyone involved. I would definitely recommend going the DIY route if you have dedicated students.

As for laptops, I personally like the Toshiba Satellite (or Satellite Pro for more power) series. I'm not sure most would agree with me; however, my experience with them has been excellent. I've used a Satellite as my personal computer for years. It has fallen from desk height onto a concrete floor three times - once when on - without damage to the hard drive or anything, really.

Re: Please help: computer purchase for FIRST sw
 

I would still recommend a Dell Latitude over the Alienware. The Latitude is Alienware performance without the Alienware flash, so it's still just as powerful and probably less expensive (and less likely to be stolen, it being rather bland looking...) They also hold their value for longer, and the Latitudes are business laptops, so parts support should be pretty good. I have an old Latitude D600 from about 5 or 6 years ago, and I can field strip this thing in less than half an hour. Processor swapping takes 3 minutes.

For something like CAD programs, you're probably looking at a Dell Latitude D820 or D830: the screen's bigger than on the D6-series. Check Ebay for a decent one. Don't be afraid to get one with low memory and hard drive space: you can probably get a better deal going lower and upgrading on these.